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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,374
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,374 |
No wrong answer here, in my opinion. I had a Browning Stainless Stalker, and I have a Smith and Wesson 1500 (same as the Howa). I like(d) both of them just fine. Only got rid of the Browning to get back a revolver I'd foolishly traded off. The Browning seems a bit "nicer", but as far as durability and reliability, flip a oin...no loser. Go with the one you like the look/feel of best.
"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,722
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,722 |
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,306
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,306 |
If you are going Browning, go X-bolt; it has a much better trigger than the A Bolt.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,635
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,635 |
Yeah, not sure what the big deal is with people dissing on Browning. Browning is not the problem and no one has suggested the company was the problem... The A-Bort is the problem... Keep it away from saltwater and keep it dry and you will likely never have a problem... The Rube Goldberg trigger and bolt built from variable metals has been a proven problem when things get tough. I have seen them corrode to locked-up-and-useless in less than two days of bad weather. I have a bunch of Browning guns I like very much, but the A-Bolt is not one of them. And I have one and have hunted with it. I even killed a Kodiak brown bear with the one I have in 375H&H. For the record I have 4 different models of Brownings I like a great deal. For the money the Howa is likely the best rifle out there. It is not light enough for my taste, but that does not mean it is a bad rifle...
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 691
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 691 |
For the money and the way it performs, I don't see how you can beat the Howa. For the record, I own 2 Vanguards (Howa) and owned an A-bolt that I gave my nephew - it is a beautiful rifle. Both nice rifles, but the Vanguards/Howas outshoot the A-bolt all day long (at least mine do). I think the Howa/Vanguard quality is better too, although admittedly, it's not as good looking. I don't have a criticism of the A-bolt, just favor the Vanguard/Howa. I do still have a BAR though - so I'm not a Browning hater.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,126
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,126 |
The A-Bolts seem way over priced to me!
The Vanguard/Howa seem like a real value at less than 400. My 30-06 is a Vanguard fitted with a Mcmillan Sako classic stock and it is a honey. Solid, smooth, dependable, accurate, love it.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
I'd take 1 Howa over 10 Brownings.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,463
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,463 |
Howa gets my vote. The three that i had in the past were all great factory shooters...
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,655
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,655 |
I just looked at the new Browning A-bolt with a synthetic stock, nice piece of machinery, very smooth and solid, probably worth the extra $200 (prices in my local gun shop), but I noticed they have an unusual 8-screw scope mount layout, and no mounts provided from the factory, which means you'll have to tack on an extra $40-50 for scope blocks. Howa has a proven track record that's hard to ignore. The XBolt has the 4 per base screw set, the Abolt is 2 per set.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,655
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,655 |
People can say what they want about ABolts and XBolts, but I've never seen one that didn't shoot tight groups.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,635
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,635 |
I've seen more than several that did not shoot ANY groups... let alone a single keyhole...
There is at least one poster here that had his A-Bort fail while hunting with me. I sure wish he would step up and give his feelings...
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13 |
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,209 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,209 Likes: 3 |
Howa has slightly more weight, and slightly less refined.....but can't be beat for anywhere close in regard to cost.
I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539 |
I like Howa's. Look around for a better price. Academy had WBY Vanguards for $399. It is the same as Howa 1500.
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