I had a Howa semi-custom made up by my old, dearly departed Gunsmith. It was a Vanguard (Howa) action, a Gain Twist barrel from Montana (?) in a Boyd's stock. 338 RUM. shot like a varmint rifle with the Nosler 180 AB, 3500fps in a moderate(but again, very accurate/flat shooting) load. He had reworked the factory trigger. I popped a really nice Aoudad around 250yds (a chip shot) and the outfitter offered me twice my money for it! Well hey, since it was a super ugly rifle (the Boyd's Pepper Laminated/Weatherby style stock didn't do it for me, ha) I let him have it. I've had other Howa actions (Vanguards) all were nice when tweaked a bit.
The "first time" I saw a Howa action was on a S&W Model 1500, in 30-06. (early 80s) an acquaintance at work got one. It kicked the beJeebies out of him, wrong stock style for sure! ha
Last edited by Jim_Knight; 07/29/22.
