If you're interested, Whittaker's has a few of them in stock for $330. A heck of a deal if they shoot like Howa 1500's usually shoot.

what do they weigh nekkid?

Just looked it up 7.85 lbs., per Legacy website.

I don't care how good the Lightnings are I'm saving my cash for the Alpine 6.5 Creedmoor. I've handled a .308 and .243 and I like them a lot.

Probably because of the Hogue stock. Stocky's has B&C stock for $272 that they claim only weigh around 2.25 lbs.

I put a 6.5 Creedmoor Vanguard2 into a McM McM Hunter and it became a whole different, better, rifle.

What did it weigh, .260?

What are they twisted?

According to Emmett at Legacy, the Howa 1500s in 6.5 Creedmoors are cut 1-8" ROT.

I have been trying to find a howa alpine in 6.5 for a while.

6.5CM, 1 in 8", $52 layaway. Great!

They have a hard plastic stock. Possibly like the mini, they can be slimmed. Will give it a try.

What about the trigger, regular or two-stage?

I will let you know when mine arrives, the UPS shipping notice says that it is due in on Wednesday. I hope that it has a plastic stock that isn't a Hogue.

That ought to be a great rifle at a steal of a price. I am a fan of the creedmoor for sure.

Wednesday is a lot sooner than I'll get mine... I was informed they're definitely not overmolded type Hogues. The pictures I've seen look like the same configuration as the mini, a hard Hoque, portly yet stiff. Would really like to see a two-stage.

It's the plastic stock. I'll check the trigger again, but IIRC its not the two stage.

I was wrong -- two stage trigger.

Derrik,

I don't know how you stay on top of all that you have going on! Family, work, and time for the campfire boys too!

Priorities - Thanks SAS!

They are a good shooter, mine weighed exactly 7 lbs with Talley mounts and a 3x9 Leupold.
My Son liked it so well that he took it away from me and now I'm trying to find an Alpine in .308..

Is the only difference between these and the "regular" howas the stock? Same trigger safety and bottom metal?

The main difference is that the receiver has been shaved slightly on both sides and the Bansner stock.
Bottom metal is the same.
It balances very nicely so it will be a comfortable rifle to carry.
I'm anxious to see how it is in the .308 chambering.

Post some actual pics when u get the gun

I'm sorry my post was confusing but I was referring to the difference between the howa lightning and the hogue howas. Is the only difference between these the stock? Same barreled action? Thanks.

Same barreled action, trigger and bottom metal.

The stock is a rigid plastic with ergonomics to mimic the Hogue. It's also lighter..

That's the Alpine. These rifles aren't configured as such.

This ^^^

Got it!

The usual quick and efficient service by Whittaker Guns.

First impressions:

1. It looks like just about any other lower tier Howa 1500s.

2. The black injection molded stock has a "pebble" texture on the pistol grip and forearm. I think that I like the currently Vanguard2 style of stock better, but not enough to offset the $170 difference in price.

3. The barreled action and bottom metal are standard issue Howa 1500, but the 2-stage trigger is new to me.

4. A call to Stocky's to order a B&C stock and a bedding kit is next on my 2-DO list.

Meanwhile, enjoying the ease of Whittaker's slick layaway system that allows you to log in and make payments without a bunch of hoops.


Is the stock like this in shape? Thanks in advance.

Yes, it looks like that, like a Hogue, but it is hard plastic, not the soft "rubbery" texture of a Hogue.

They're a Hoque all right, just not overmolded. Double Thanks.


BTW: That's 'Flaves mini.

Dang, about to spend money I don't have...

Is the Savage Model 10 Hunter predator in 6.5 creedmoor any good, It has the accu-stock 24 inch fluted barrel.

Just to clarify, these have the h.a.c.t. trigger?

Up.

Got mine today. What a bargain! And a slick deal too, absolutely no BS w/Whittaker Guns. Their layaway system is uber!

Hinged alloy floorplate, HACT two stage trigger, three position safety, free-floated, not a high polish but not a damm-blasted finish. All winning features to me. No bases, plenty of heft and the stock is not svelte in the least - yet. All in all, it's totally radical for $343!

Edit:
Dude - have you seen my follower? Yah - it's plastic!

Just 9lbs 12oz with a SWFA 6X42, steel bases and rings, and a Booney Packer sling. LOL, sorta.

That's a screaming deal.

And I have been wanting to try the 6.5...





Travis

Yes, if you want to try the 6.5mm bore, Howa 1500s in 6.5 Creedmoor, short action, and 6.5x55, long action, are currently the least expensive vehicle with which to do so. Plus, Whittaker's $330.00 price is the lowest than I've seen anywhere.

The "problem", it might not be a problem for you, but it is for me, is that the stocks kinda suck and although Howa 1500s are popular, there aren't nearly as many reasonably priced after-market stocks, both new and used, on the market as there are for Remington 700s and Savage 110s.

All my Howa's (except the mini) wear McMillans.




Dave

Are you looking for something like a customer target tactical stock from Mcmillan? Or more of something like a Boyds Classic?

Just curious is all.

And as others have mentioned, I'm thinking about a 6.5 creed also.

Was thinking Ruger Predator. How is the accuracy on the Howa's Any reviews anywhere ?



Jeff

I had a Predator I bought from Dogshooter. Nearly a one holer.

I just decided to stick with 243 and 308 and 223 to simplify my life.

At this price I'd stop looking at the Predator.

Howa's shoot.



Dave

I had a Boyds Heritage for my first 6.5 Creedmoor, a Vanguard2, but found it to be a bit on the heavy side, so I bought a McM McM Hunter and that made it a whole different rifle.

I have both the Howa 1500 and RAR-Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor. I don't like the factory stocks on either rifle and I prefer the Howa's bottom metal to the RAR-P's, but I like the heavier barrel contour of the RAR-P. Neither is perfect, but they are imperfect, for me, in different ways. If restocked, I would give a slight advantage to the Howa because of the magazines/bottom-metal configuration.

I say that, but I have 9 RAR-Ps; 204, 223(x2), 22-250, 243, 6.5C(x2), and 260(x2), so I must like them well enough.

So, the stock on my 6.5 Creedmoor Howa 1500 "Lightning" weighed dead-on 39 ounces! It's too fat for my tastes - it's a club.

Shaved the stock down pretty drastically this morning, and with a flip-flop pad it'll be sitting at about 31 ounces. Guessing fully-finished it'll be an ounce or so either way, maybe a couple less... Once presentable I'll show it.

Still looking like over 9lbs all-up with the SWFA 6X. Guess I'll throw on some aluminum rings. Not wanting to cut the 22" barrel and not sure where else I can loose ounces for free, although I know where I can loose some pounds LOL. All in all I think not being so dammed cheap and saving up for the Kimber Hunter would have been a better idea for a sporter 6.5 Creedmoor... And still liking that 24" Vanguard...

For comparison the Minis were 36oz to start and went to 27oz without taking nearly as much from the butt AND retaining the original pad... We'll see.