Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Howa or Vanguard opinions

I know they are basically the same rifle, but is there any reason to choose one over the other.

I have been toying with the idea of buying one of the FN Patrol rifles offered by CDNN until a friend pointed out that I could get a Howa with the same Hogue stock for nearly 1/2 the cost. After doing a little research I have found I can get the Vanguard for even less. The Vanguard has a 24" barrel vs 22" on the Howa and the Vanguard has a different stock. I'm not crazy about either stock and may well replace either eventually anyway.

This is not for a hunting rifle, either is too heavy for my tastes, but for punching paper.

And you can get a Sub-MOA Vanguard. Just got one in today that came with a .335" target from the factory. Costs a little more, but takes some of the gambling out of picking up a new gun.

For $800 I think the Sub-Moa stainless Vanguard is a great buy especially when you compare it to all the plastic crap coming out today.

I have three Howa Syns, two SS and one blue. I have a wood/blue Vanguard .300Wby. All were under $400 and I think the best bang for the buck. Good luck.

the vanguard has proven to be an excellent rifle, and accurate as well. while i am sure the sub-moa's are accurate, i have yet to hear of a vanguard that wasn't accurate enough to satisfy the owner.

I bought a stainless Vanguard start of the year, new. The triggers are really nice now and it's easily sub MOA. I would have no hesitation buying another.

You get a better assortment of stocks when you buy a Vanguard. The Stainless is different as well 410 vs 416 for the Howa and you get 2" more barrel length in standard calibers.

I have some Howa's and wish I had bought the Vanguard instead.
Mine were barreled actions and the time I spent to glass bed the plastic stocks could have been better spent doing something else. They are very accurate though and a good price!
whelennut

I like my V-guard sub-moa .30-06. Bought it back in '06, the trigger is okay but not great and I wish the rifle was a little lighter, but overall a pretty good rifle. Good all-purpose animal killer IMO.

Thanks, sounds like the Weatherby is the better choice. I doubt I would ever hunt with it as I have other lighter, easier to carry rifles. Was looking for an accurate rifle to shoot at the range. Like I said I was considering the FN which is really a Classic Winchester action that CDNN is selling for around $750. A friend pointed out that a Howa was a bit over $400 and would likely be just as accurate.

After doing some research I have found I can get a Vanguard for $386 shipped from www.budsgunshop.com Stainless is $540. The SUB MOA is $702 in blue or $811 in stainless.

Have not decided for sure what, if anything I will do, but am leaning towards a standard blue and take my chances on accuracy.

i have owned 4 of them and not one failed the accuracy guarantee. the WORST shooting one went just over an inch with handloads. the best put them in half inch groups.

Don't forget to check Wally World for best price on a Vanguard. I called six and drove 60mi for my nice wood stocked .300 WBY for $379 a few yrs back. Good luck.

The Mark V is manufacted by ATEK in Brainerd, MN while the barrel and action for the Vanguard are manufactured by Howa in Japan. Final assembly of the Vanguard is performed at Weatherby's company headquarters in Paso Robles, CA.

Academy and wal-mart sell vanguards here all year long for $399. About once a year the local wal-mart here had a sale for vanguards for $299....then this year they shut down the gun counter.

Is it still possible to find a Howa 1500 in 6.5x55mm?