Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Howa Alpine Question/Help

Has anyone every seen a factory original Alpine with gray cerakote on the barrel/receiver, but with a black/blue bolt? I have an opportunity to buy what is supposed to be new in box Alpine but it is as described. The bolt may actually be black cerakote. Any help would be appreciated.

Thx.

Mine was gray/gray, but I wouldn't rule out gray/black.


Okie John

Mine is all gray. The few I've seen pics or video of have also been all gray.

Is the bolt handle hollowed out? That is another defining (weight saving) feature of the Alpine.

I just bought a brand new one..........bolt is black. Bottom metal is black.

HOWA sold the last run of these that way.

I just shot mine for the last time yesterday. Not too shabby for "break in" with factory ammo.

I'm tempted to snag another.

Mine is chambered in 243

Yes the bolt is hollowed out and screaminweasil's description matches and I wondered if that might be a late run thing. Thanks guys.

Talley Lows........
Leupold VX Freedom 2-7x33 Rimfire Moa
100 Yards, 10 MPH 45 degree headwind, 33 degrees, Factory "Blue Box" Federal









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[img]https://i.imgur.com/NCQtCEv.jpg[/img]

How is the trigger on these? I’d expect them to be lighter, isn’t it supposed to be like a mountain rifle?

They use Howa's adjustable trigger which is decent. The Alpine was (as it's now discontinued) Howa's version of a lightweight rifle. Howa isn't known for building lightweights but the Alpine isn't bad IMO:

Just by looking at it, the fit and feel looks like it would be nice. Especially a .243!

Thinking about buying one, possibly looping an 1' off the butt for my 7 year old to deer hunt with next year. To those that own it do you see any issues with cutting an inch off the butt and re-attaching a recoil pad?

I have a seen a few on Gunbroker that have the bolt as described as black and they all seem to be chambered in .243.

Hmmm, not sure about that. I've never pulled the pad off one of mine. My gut tells me that it wouldn't work. I'll try to look at one closer today but can't make any promises.

It appears the pad is glued on to the Bansner stock. To me it sounds hollow in the butt stock area when tapping on it, so I don't believe it's a good candidate for shortening. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Trigger sucks compared to my "Walmart Special Vanguards"..........yeah, yeah, I know it's "the same" trigger.......However, the vanguards(all 6 in total varying from 243 up to 270) came from the factory with 2.5lbs trigger pulls, with no adjustments by me.

This new Howa adjusted down to 3.5lbs. I had to take the trigger apart and clip 1.25 coils off the trigger return spring. Now she is a crisp 1.5lbs.........very nice.

I like the two stage trigger, I have heard I'm not the only one with sub par HOWA Alpine trigger.

Clipping some of the coil off the return spring does the trick.

Here are instruction for how to do so.............(IF YOU CAN STAND the gum chewing in the video)

Took me 15 minutes start to finish. Easy peasy and really gets the trigger down and it still passed the bump test and all other safety checks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWTAuu-neNo&t=3s

I ordered one from "first stop gunshop" in SD last week. Liked it so much, I ordered another last night.........from gunsamerica.com

I called "First Stop" first thing when they opened this morning (after buying last night on gunsamerica) to order with credit card. Good thing, cause they are out now.

I do believe after the classified "heads up", they are all sold out now.

I haven't felt a nicer balancing rifle than these...........

And for $529 shipped after credit card FEE................stupid good deal.

I'm still looking for an alpine in 308win. Anyone know of one for sale.

I'm pissed that I missed the deal on

I screwed up and missed that deal, sure am pissed at myself.

Check sportsman’s warehouse

Every place I've checked has the alpine in 243. No nib 308s. Seems the 308s sold out everywhere and only the occasional 243 remains on a few dealers shelves. Can someone tell me the equivalent rifle either legacy or howa offer. Thanks