Home
Posted By: viking Howa? - 12/24/19
I have been looking for options in rifles chambered in 6mm Creedmoor. Howa has some interesting models available. What’s y’all’s thoughts and experience with them?
Posted By: hillbillybear Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
No experience with the 6mm Creedmoor versions but Howa builds a very good, accurate rifle. The 6CM should do very well.
Posted By: JamesJr Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
I like the Howa rifles, hate the Hogue stocks they put on most of them. The Howa Alpine with the Banser stock is the only one I've handeled that I liked the stock.. Having said that, I've had several Howa rifles, and they all shot good enough, with the only exception being a 6.5X55 that I had years ago.
Posted By: ingwe Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Ive had a couple HOWA rifles, currently own one.Another vote for them. Accurate, dependable and will take some hard use. Well made.
Posted By: viking Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Don’t they make the Weatherby Vanguard?
Posted By: colodog Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Yes, the Vanguard is a branded Howa.
My only experience with a Howa/Vanguard is a 243. It needed the trigger spring trimmed a bit but shot so well I gifted the rifle to a niece that loved it.
I'd buy one with no hesitation.
Posted By: Wesley2 Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
I was in your shoes not long ago.

I’ve since purchased a Howa Bravo 6CM. It shoot extremely well.

And also dropped a barreled action from a 6CM 1500 package gun into an alpine stock and topped it with a SWFA 3-9. IMO it’s about the perfect whitetail gun for my style of hunting. Shoots tiny groups with HSM 90gr GameChangers.

I’m a Tikka fan but went the Howa route since Tikka is behind on the 6CM wagon.

I really like the Howa 2-stage trigger after removing about one coil from the spring.

Posted By: viking Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Yeah I have searched for Tikkas in 6mm, nope. Then I stumbled on to Howa, they must be overlooked a lot.
Posted By: Pappy348 Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Only downside to me is the weight of standard models, but I'm kind of old and 9-pound rifles aren't as much fun to tote around anymore. The shaved-action Howas, combined with a light barrel and stock, are pretty handy. My Alpine comes in at 7lb 4oz IIRC with a 1lb scope, pretty handy. Those can still be found here and there, and even priced close to retail are a good buy compared to dressing up a standard one with a quality lightweight stock. Brownells sell barreled actions and has had LW ones at times for good prices, but right now .223 is all I see in LW.

They do have 6CM barreled actions with 1-7.5" twist right now, 26" on sale.

A big plus about Howa for me is the forged action with one-piece bolt.
Posted By: Cleveland48 Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
I've had two howa rifles and still own one. A 24" and a 26" both heavy barrel 6.5 CM. Both easily sub MOA. With several handloads in the sub 1/2 moa. The 24" was cerakoted with the factory hogue, while I had no issues with the hogue it's still not a favorite stock of mine. The 26" I got as a barreled action from brownells, and put in a B&C style 6 medalist stock. It easily shoots around 1/4 moa with its current handload. They are well built rifles, but they are heavy. Great extractor, trigger, one piece bolt, and a flat bottom action with large integral recoil lug. They are extremely easy to bed also. Overall I believe they are one of the best rifles currently available, and overlooked. Quite a bit of aftermarket support now if chassis, are your thing. Nowhere near the support of say a rem 700, but there are still a good bit of options.
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
I like Howa 1500s if they are priced under $350, but prefer Vanguard2s if they are chambered for the desired cartridge. The stocks on the entry-level Howa 1500s don't work for me, so that means that I need to spend at least another $100 or so on a stock replacement before I even mount a scope on it.

It looks like you can by a Howa 1500 22" sporter package in 6mm CM via GB for around $500.
Posted By: Northern_Jim Re: Howa? - 12/24/19

I bought a barreled action in 6.5x55 & put it in a laminated Boyd's stock. It is a little on the heavy side but I am very happy with how it shoots and the trigger is excellent. You won't be disappointed.
Posted By: Wesley2 Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Originally Posted by 260Remguy


It looks like you can by a Howa 1500 22" sporter package in 6mm CM via GB for around $500.


Got one for $470 all in including FFL, sold stock and scope for $170. Dropped action in a Banser. Nice rig.
Posted By: 16bore Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
I’m doing fine, howa you?
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Originally Posted by Wesley2
Originally Posted by 260Remguy


It looks like you can by a Howa 1500 22" sporter package in 6mm CM via GB for around $50
0.


Got one for $470 all in including FFL, sold stock and scope for $170. Dropped action in a Banser. Nice rig.


You, sir, must be able to sell freezers to Eskimos if you could sell that crappy stock and scope for $170.
Posted By: wy0ming Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Howa and Vanguard rifles are excellent, although for my two newest rifles I’ve bought Tikkas. The Hogue stocks are no good for precision shooting but are okay for hunting. They have a nice recoil pad. Howa has some rifles (like their Kuiu line) with stocks that look like Hogue but don’t have the grippy surface - to me, these seem stiffer than the normal Hogues and are worth seeking out if the cost is similar.
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
Originally Posted by douglasfir
Howa and Vanguard rifles are excellent, although for my two newest rifles I’ve bought Tikkas. The Hogue stocks are no good for precision shooting but are okay for hunting. They have a nice recoil pad. Howa has some rifles (like their Kuiu line) with stocks that look like Hogue but don’t have the grippy surface - to me, these seem stiffer than the normal Hogues and are worth seeking out if the cost is similar.


A stock is only good if it fits the shooter and none of the stocks that Howa has installed on its lower priced styles has ever fit me worth a damn. The best factory installed synthetic stock that I've seen come on a Howa is the current V2 stock, while the best factory installed wood stocks have been those installed on the Howa 1500s imported for sale by Mossberg and S&W. GPC still have some NOS walnut for the short action 1500 and 1700LS for sale.
Posted By: Pappy348 Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
That V2 stock is pretty good for me, though not to my taste. Much better than the Hogues, especially the rubbery ones they used to use, which collect lint and forest debris.
Posted By: Hogwild7 Re: Howa? - 12/24/19
I have3 Vanguards and have shot others. I like them except for the weight.
Posted By: TnBigBore Re: Howa? - 12/25/19
I have had very good luck with Howas. I have owned 8 or 10 and all were moa or better guns. They always cycle reliably and eject flawlessly. The older triggers suck but the newer two stage triggers are good. I like the metal magazine followers on the older models better though. Only real downside is the weight, but matters little for a stand rifle.
Posted By: viking Re: Howa? - 12/25/19
I plan on adding a 6mm Creedmoor to he collection. I am going to skip the 6.5 Creedmoor as I have two different 6.5 chambers and 2 different 25 caliber chamberings.
Posted By: wy0ming Re: Howa? - 12/25/19
Originally Posted by 260Remguy
A stock is only good if it fits the shooter and none of the stocks that Howa has installed on its lower priced styles has ever fit me worth a damn. The best factory installed synthetic stock that I've seen come on a Howa is the current V2 stock, while the best factory installed wood stocks have been those installed on the Howa 1500s imported for sale by Mossberg and S&W. GPC still have some NOS walnut for the short action 1500 and 1700LS for sale.


I agree that stock fit is important. I’ve had a different experience than yours. Weatherby-style stocks, with their Monte Carlo cheek pieces, don’t work for me. I find they accentuate recoil. I’ve had better luck with straight combed stocks, even the Hogue.

The Vanguard S2 stocks are well done, however - along with the Tikka T3X stock, probably the best factory tupperware around in terms of quality.

While Howa’s aftermarket can’t compare with the Remington, there are several choices for aftermarket stocks, and the rifles are generally good enough to make it worth investing in a stock you like.
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: Howa? - 12/25/19
Originally Posted by douglasfir
Originally Posted by 260Remguy
A stock is only good if it fits the shooter and none of the stocks that Howa has installed on its lower priced styles has ever fit me worth a damn. The best factory installed synthetic stock that I've seen come on a Howa is the current V2 stock, while the best factory installed wood stocks have been those installed on the Howa 1500s imported for sale by Mossberg and S&W. GPC still have some NOS walnut for the short action 1500 and 1700LS for sale.


I agree that stock fit is important. I’ve had a different experience than yours. Weatherby-style stocks, with their Monte Carlo cheek pieces, don’t work for me. I find they accentuate recoil. I’ve had better luck with straight combed stocks, even the Hogue.

The Vanguard S2 stocks are well done, however - along with the Tikka T3X stock, probably the best factory tupperware around in terms of quality.

While Howa’s aftermarket can’t compare with the Remington, there are several choices for aftermarket stocks, and the rifles are generally good enough to make it worth investing in a stock you like.


I've never noticed accentuated recoil being a characteristic of monte carlo style stocks.

I put McM Hunters on my V2s and a B&C Weatherby-style Medalist on my Howa 1500 in 6.5 CM. I'd probably buy another of the B&C stocks if a 6 CM ever finds its way to my home.

I've never owned a Tikka.
© 24hourcampfire