How good are the Howa bolt rifles?

[Bruno2]

I have a .223 Howa . Mine will shoot a half inch at 100 yds with a simmons scope . I bet it would do a little better with a good optic and a person shooting it that knows what he's doing . Those are handloads , but , not match grade ammo . I dont have competition dies .

 

[Maverick223]

Those are handloads , but , not match grade ammo. I dont have competition dies.

Handloads can be much better than match IME (because you can fine tune the loads to what your individual rifle likes); also comp. dies aren't really necessary (with the possible exception of Benchrest) IMO.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

What about Howa/Axiom's? Any word on those?

Shadowman, one small thing I can tell you is this:

*IFF* the Axiom stocks on the Howas are the SAME Axioms sold separately, as they appear to be, they don't add *nearly as much* to the price of an ordinary plastic-stocked Howa rifle, as it would cost to buy one separately, which in my mind makes the combo a pretty darned good deal. But maybe knoxx cut corners on the Howa stocks; who knows?

 

[Shadow Man]

Okay, thank you Dr. Winslow. I've kicked around the idea of getting one, and re-barreling it for .30-06, so I just wanted to know about reliabilty/accuracy and such.

 

[tango2echo]

Wait,.....so you would buy a .308 Howa/Axiom just to rebarrel to .30-06?

First, the .308 Axiom is a short action IIRC. Second, what can the '06 do that the .308 can't? Third, you would be much better off to buy an action and barrel, (Howa barrelled actions are fairly cheap) and then buy a stock, than to buy a completed rifle, only to rebarrel it.

The Howa/Axiom rifles shoot pretty well from what I've seen. Not a whole lot that needs improving on.

t2e

 

[Shadow Man]

Thats what happens when I multi-task, I word things horribly. No, I wouldn't get a .308 Howa/Axiom simply to re-barrel it, I would build one from the ground up, I was just wondering what the rifle was capable of to know if it was even worth it. If I want to build the damn thing in .30-'06, then I will...kindly refrain from espousing the merits of the .308 round to me, I'm extremely familiar with it. As for what the .30-'06 can do that the .308 can't...more consistency at longer range. That's what I'm looking for, and that's what I'd get.

 

[Maverick223]

...what can the '06 do that the .308 can't?

Not much, just a significant boost in energy, range, and a flatter trajectory...but who needs that?

I'd make mine a .30-06 (over a .308) as well.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Not much, just a significant boost in energy, range, and a flatter trajectory...but who needs that?

Exactly. But man you'd have to seat those bullets DEEP to make it work in the short action!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

^^^^ That's funny!

 

[Maverick223]

Exactly. But man you'd have to seat those bullets DEEP to make it work in the short action!

Very true...which is why the .260Rem. and 7mm-08 are around...to accomplish what the .308 what it was supposed to.

 

[Shadow Man]

I just checked, and Axiom stocks are manufactured for Remington 700 actions, Howa actions, and Vanguard actions, in both long and short action types. So it is highly concievable to build one in .30-'06. Considering the stocks are only $250.00, a Howa action (which I would have to re-barrel anyway, it's not as long as I would prefer, 22" and I want a 26") in .30-'06 is only $377.00...very feasable in my mind.

 

[tango2echo]

Building one would be the way to go. You can get the Howa action through some dealers for less than $377, so figure the $350 range, plus about the same for a good tube, and your Axiom stock at $250. That's $950 with a decent adjustable trigger already. A good bedding job, rings, and bases puts you around $1100 give or take. Not bad for a precision rifle.

I'm not going to start a debate over the .308 vs. .30-06. My point was if you were looking for a rifle that you would rebarrel to .30-06 and said rifle was ALREADY a .308, there wouldn't be a lot to gain by going to the '06. In a custom rifle build you have the option of having anything you want. However, you clarified that you were originally talking about the build and not the swap, which would be the way to go. I think you would be pleased with the Howa/Axiom combo if you decide to go that way. These are great rifles

t2e

 

[Shadow Man]

Thank you for the advice tango2echo. The real appeal of the Howa/Axiom combo, to me atleast, was the adjustable LOP stock, recoil reduction, light weight, and completely free-floating barrel. I think it is time for me to start pinching pennies...I have several projects I want to get started on.

 

[N.Idaho]

Howa 1500

I just bought a Howa 1500 .243 used. The previous owner did not have an owners manual or too many specific. Does anyone know where I might be able to locate one online. Also, I plan to used the rifle for target shooting and small animal hunting. Has anyone found a good combination of powder and bullet?

 

[Maverick223]

Welcome to THR, N.ID! I would check Howa's website and if not listed shoot them an E-Mail or call. Most manufacturers are more than happy to provide you with one (at least for download).

 

[N.Idaho]

Howa 1500.243

Thank you Maverick223. I will dig deeper into their web site. I am excited about the gun. Its is my first Howa. The bolt action seems very smooth.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Howa 1500 Owners Manual pdf format....

http://stevespages.com/pdf/howa_1500.pdf

Exactly. But man you'd have to seat those bullets DEEP to make it work in the short action!

Hehehehe, almost swallowed my chew!

 

[Maverick223]

N. ID, looked at their site and that manual looks to be missing (or rather the link in broken), just give em' a call. Wish I could be of more help.

Mike, your link doesn't work either (at least for me).

 

[Uncle Mike]

No it doesn't....just tried it.

Well, just go to: stevespages.com and try it. Lots of schematics there, but don't download a bunch at one time or it'll kick you out of there!

I'll try to upload it to here.....wish me luck!

 

[Uncle Mike]

There you go, got it uploaded for you! whew! It's all that NASA training you know! lol hehehehe

 

[Maverick223]

There you go, got it uploaded for you! whew! It's all that NASA training you know!

Yep that one works...the other said I was forebode...must be a NASA clearance issue.

 

[howabeliever]

Bought a Howa 1500 in .243 last October with Nikko-Sterling scope.Broke in the barrel by cleaning the bore between each of the 1st 5 shots.1st 3 shot group was 1/2 inch at 100 yards with 95 grain Federal Fusion ammo! I'm not the greatest shooter by anyones standard so when I can shoot that kind of group from an out of the box rifle I can recomend it to any body without reservation. The trigger break is excellent for a sub 400 dollar rifle.Nuff said!

 

[jhop]

Any have the bull barrel varmit rifle's Howa makes? 22-250 or .243?

 

[howabeliever]

Unless you're shooting pasture poodles all day it's my opinion that you don't gain much with a heavy barrel. My sporter weight does just fine on coyotes and bobcats. I use shooting stix for a rest and can nail em' at will out to 250 yds(my max comfortable range). Incidently those Federal Fusions are designed for deer but are just as deadly on coyotes.

 

[Zak Smith]

article | The Howa Axiom Rifle