Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Howa M1500...Sub MOA for $399 (Review) (Long)

I have a standard vanguard in 257, like it lots, and the only thing I would wish for from that package, would be is less weight.


Later

Good thread, I always appreciate a good value. I see that Joe's Sports has the blued Howa with a Nikko Nighteater scope on sale for $399. I don't know much about that scope but I am curious about the Howa's Hogue Overmolded stock. Is it the pricier model with the internal aluminum frame?

Good question olywa, been thinking of getting a 22-250 Howa 1500 compact model. Any one know about that one?


Later...

I took mine apart the day I got it. It does not have the internal frame but it does have alluminum pillars around the stock screws.

The only complaint I have is about my stock. It seems to be pretty loosly inletted. But I have a gun smith that will glass bed it for $35. So I plan on fixing that problem here really quick.

I mentioned earlier that my rifle didnt like 150'gr bullets. I'm thinking now that it might be because when I shot them the rifle was brand new and not seated itself well into the stock. After firing 180' gr. bullets I noticed the tang had set farther back firmly aginst the tang inlet in the stock. When I took it apart It would not set back into the position it was in after firing. So I, next time I fire, bet my first few groups will be a little erratic until it settles back in. Like I said though, once I glass bed it that shouldn't be a problem. Even though I have nothing to complain about, I think it will likely improve my accuracy overall.

I have 3 Howa's, 2 SS/syn, a .22-250 and a 7mmWSM, one Blue/syn in .300 Win and a Weatherby Vanguard, Blue/wood in .300WBY. All are fine, accurate rifles and all were bought new except for the scoped .300 Win and it was like new. The most expensive was the WalMart Vanguard at $379. Without out a doubt, I believe that the Howa is the best bang for the buck that is available out there today. Good luck.

Howa's and Vanguards may be good rifles for cheap but a Smith & Wesson bolt action will shoot circles around any Howa or Vanguard.

FVA:

Hmmm, I have a Heavy bbl. Smith & Wesson 1500 Deluxe in 22-250. After glass bedding the action, and free floating the bbl, it shoots sub 1/2" groups.

Strange thing though, it's made by Howa,

Richard

I shoulda added a (grin)

My brother has a 1500 Howa,.30-06, wood stock model that is scary accurate with the Federal Fusions, as well.

I got my son a Vanguard in 270 that Walmart was closing out for 250.00. It had the tupperware stock, wasn't floated , and had a heavy trigger. He loves it and shoots 3 shoot 1MOA groups with it. I got him to reload for it and it shoots the same 1 MOA groups. I want to float the barrel, bed it and adjust the trigger. He doesn't want me to mess with it, unless I get him a new thumbhole stock. He saw the add for the 1500s with the boyds thumbhole. It kills deer with his longest shot at 275 yards. It shot better out of the box than my M70 30-06.

I bought a HOWA in .270 for a friend who I owned a favor a few years ago. Only paid $310 back then. He loves the accuracy and carries it 90% of the time. I personally would remove the plastic and find a nice stock, but if it ain't broke . . .

stumpy

reminds me of the t3/fusion thing

add basic no frills T3 or 1500 in any caliber and add fusion ammo...

accuracy promises are great if you invested 2k in your gun. however, i feel that if you popped 4 bills for a budget rifle with a promise that is all you can hope for. add shipping it back and forth and time lost to find out anything is a PIA and not worth the effort.. i have not heard of a problem with 1500's or the t3's shooting excellent out of the box.. however! i do know of at least one brand of rifle costing more than TWICE as much with NO promises (k#%&%r)(i wont say what brand ) that wont function, much less shoot.

there are buys out there and i think you scored one of them..

congrats and welcome to the fire.....

woofer

also, for anyone interested in one of the vangaurds they did a special run for the northeast which gets you green stock with webbing, blued standard 20 " config for $499. 308, 7-08, 243 and 22-250. the stocks are supposedly higher end stocks that weatherby used on a more expensive model a few years back and decided to package them for a northeast only run.... you can call weatherby to verify, i am just saying what the rep said at the shot show....

ffl pard wants $25 to ship.... just an FYI.....

woofer

The Northeast edition handled well to me, and I almost purchased one in .308 when I held it!

I was going to mention that in a post but you beat me to it woofer!

FMP

Thanks all for your responses. I am going to try to go to the range this week and get some good pics of the rifle and to try some different ammo types. Hopefully the results will be as pleasing as last week's. I'll post the pics for your viewing pleasure.

The troubling thing is that this rifle seems to have inspired me. All of a sudden I find myself considering downsizing or doing away with other hobbies, in which I have a lot of interest but only minimal participation, in order to finance handloading and regular practice with this rifle. I also keep contemplating future upgrades in optics, stock, etc. and Have already blown my budget by replacing the stock trigger unit with one from Timminey (Excelent BTW). I even find myself hoping that I am able to shoot enough to wear out the barrel so that I can justify putting a a premium grade barrel on it in the future. When things all shake out I would probably have been better off to just buy a custom rifle but my budget wouldn't have allowed that.

I don't think these feelings are so much a product of the rifle itself, but rather the cartridge it fires. It's simply that this rifle is just a lot more fun, and consistent to shoot than my 7mm magnum. Even though and am no whimp and Im good with my 7mm, the 308, because it is so enjoyable, has inspired me to shoot any time I get the chance rather than just when I am preparing for a hunt. Hopefully this will make me a better marksman no matter what rifle I have in hand.

My vision for this rifle in the future is a Custom Heavy Sporter with components of high enough quality, and with which I have practiced enough, that I can reliably and ethically engage targets out to 600yds (maybe further) and game out to 350.

Disclaimer: I hunt mostly white tail and the reason I don't really want to shoot much farther on game than 350 is {1} ethics and {2} I have found from past experience that judging deer much past 300 yards gets to be a bit unreliable for me unless I have a spotting scope; which I am definately not going to be toating around in the field unless I have a partner to serve as a spotter and help carry gear.

Anticdote: The my 350 yd maximum is a product of an experience that I had. I once wasted a buck tag on a spike I thought was a doe after watching he/she/it for ten minutes at 300yds. Turned out those ears were really good at hiding spikes at that range. That was years ago and I am a lot more careful now, but still It made an impression that things arent always what they seem at longer ranges. Conversely, you can tell a monster buck from 1000yds and I have been able to identify them that far away. But even then I feel that I should make sure to show respect by getting close enough to make a reliable shot. 300 yards seems to be a good number for me right now given my skill level, the accuracy of my 7mm, and my ability to judge game at extended distances.

Good choice, good buy.

Awe...the Smith is the same rifle as the Howa.

LOL

Is was good enough for Nosler to build a custom rifle around.

Then I'll never own a Nosler rifle either. Who would pay that kind of money for a Howa?