Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles known issues with Howa/Vanguard rifles

Im surprised the Howa M1500 in 6.5X55MM isnt popular

The bolt-stop screw shearing off is a real thing, I've sheared off two of them (same rifle). It could be a LOT stronger. Other than that, I had no issue with the four Howas I've owned. Solid, stout rifles.

I don't know, OEH. Maybe the bolt stop "issue" is a 24hourcampfire thing?

Below is a list of fellow members, at our site, who have reported a problem with the bolt stop. From a post I made 7 years ago. I don't own a Howa/Vanguard and don't have a dog in this fight.

LeonHitchcox
Sask_Hunter
greydog
sdgunslinger
Sevens
calikooknic

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8411121/1

Shiitfire,

Add ratsmacker to the list above.

Jason

It might be a 24hour thing as well, but I have never had one issue with 2 dozen of them so I will continue to buy them. If it is an issue surprised Howa has not addressed it since it is a simple fix.

I have four Howa/Vanguards one of them being the Mini and the other three a standard SA.

They are the best bang for the buck in an off the shelf pushfeed IMO.

Although the VG and Howa's are essentially the same, Weatherby has a stricter quality control than a standard Howa and they will typically outshoot a Howa, all things being equal.

But you can't go wrong with either one.

By my count, I have owned 11 Howa 1500s and 6 Vanguards. I currently have 5 Howas and 3 V2s.

I don't like the Hogue or Hogue-style stocks that come on the lower priced Howa 1500s, so it is often a wash, price wise, for me to buy a V2 instead of a Howa 1500, as I like the current V2 stocks a lot. In fact, I think that the current V2 stocks might be the best, at least for me, regular production factory injection molded synthetic stocks that I've yet to own. The less expensive after-market stocks that I like are the B&C Weatherby-style Medalist and the new, old stock, walnut stocks that were made for S&W at GPC.

The Howas that I have are short actions in 6mm CM, a 6.5mm CM, and 300 WSM, and long actions in 30-06, an old S&W 1500 that I keep because of the unique, all "1's", serial number, and a 6.5x55. All of the Howa 1500s have 22" barrels, while the V2s in 223 and 6.5mm CM have 24" barrels, so they are a little longer and heavier.

The most accurate out of the box with factory ammo center-fire rifle that I've yet to own is a V2 in 6.5mm CM that I bought in 2014. It has become one of my favorite rifles and one that I have supreme confidence that if I do my part, it will put a bullet where I intend for it to go.

The throat on my 6.5x55 is cut longer than SAAMI specs and that creates some free-bore with most bullets under 140 grains. It shoots 156 grain Norma and RWS factory ammo better than any that I've tried with lighter/shorter bullets. I have heard/read that this is a common issue with Howa 1500s in 6.5x55, but the one that I currently have is the only one that I have any experience with.

As with many things, YMMV.

Currently have 3 Vanguards....240 Wby, 257 Wby and 223. Ya, they're heavy, but no issues otherwise.

I have 2 Vanguard 2 rifles. .30-06 and .223. The .30-06 is stainless and the .223 has some sort of silver coat on it. Both were guaranteed sub MOA and they both are. The .30-06 is my favored center fire rifle out of the 9 or 10 I own and it stays with me year round in the truck ready for hogs,dogs, or coyotes (or any other unauthorized beef eaters).

My local gunshop has a Howa 1500 stainless in 6.5x55 I've been eyeballing for a month... $575 seems a little steep for a howa though.

A while back, just for 'something' a little different, I picked up a matching pair of WBY-X Blaze S2 Vanguards. One in .270 Win and the other in 300 WM and I call them my flame throwers. Actually I haven't used them much, yet, but as a few others have mentioned, they seem to come with great triggers.

Buy that rifle!!

It is Stainless and in 6.5x55. I may be wrong but I do not think that Howa is producing Stainless rifles at the moment. It seems they offer blue or cerekote.

Probably will not get any cheaper...unless you live in an area that encourages podunk behavior.

My one Howa 1500 is a 6.5x55 Swede with the HACT trigger.

The rifle shoots all kinds of 140 grain bullets into very small groups.

The rifle is areal keeper!

You could probably buy a V2 Weatherguard in 6.5CM for less than that and you'd have more factory ammo options.

They Don't make stainless OR 6.5x55 anymore...

Get your schit together.

Howa is now selling stainless again in the US - 308 and 6.5 creed only so far. Maybe if they sell well, they'll make the more of the product line available in stainless.

I forgot that I bought a stainless Howa 1500 in 6.5CM back in February. Damn, I wonder what else I bought and forgot about!

8 had one of those that I sold and bought a tikka T3 in the same caliber because I wanted stainless. The howa was very consistent and outshot the tikka. The tikka shoots decent but is more sensitive to load and not as consistent.

I think the Howas/ vanguards are by far the best value for the money. Especially the walmart closeouts. I still have a few of those new in the box I need to either shoot or sell. I've got several howas and vanguards including some minis I need to shoot still but I'm confident they'll shoot well too.

Bb

I own 4 Vanguard S2's in 243, 240, 257 & 6.5-300 and a Howa Chassis rifle in 6.5 Creed. Never an issue with any and 4 of the 5 will shoot 1/4 MOA with handloads.

IMO they are the best bang for a factory made rifle.