Howa 1500, is this a good deal or not?

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J

jimbombo

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Hello.
Thinking of purchasing a used, excellent shape, maybe 100 rds through her Howa 1500.
It is in .308 with the standard sporter barrel, NO scope. Don't know if rings and mounts are included? New on gunbroker these guns are running $350-$425 new with no scope. But then of course shipping and ffl fees!

Guy is asking $350. Sound like a good deal?

Thanks all.
 
Yes it is a good deal not a great one but a good deal. With scope I have seen them on sale at Cabela's for 500.00 I have the heavy barrel 308 from Howa and like it allot.
 
I'd offer $300. $350 isn't bad, but it doesn't hurt to try.

They are solid guns, I've had a few and all shot very well. They are heavier than I like at about 7 3/4 lbs before optics and mounts. That is the only reason I no longer own one. New Ruger Americans are selling for $357 at Walmart and only weigh 6 1/4 lbs. For how I use a gun it would be worth the small extra expense to save about 1 1/2 lbs. If you want or need a heavier rifle they are good guns.
 
$350 is the top end of a decent price on a used, like-new Howa sporter. Worth it if you're looking for one, but not a "can't turn it down" deal, IMO.
 
Weatherby Vanguard S1 is the same gun and they were selling new for $350 retail on closeout making room for S2 for $450. I am not overly impressed with Howa 1500 especially since yiou can get a new ruger american at walmart for under $400. Ruger American, Marlin X7, Remington 783 are all better rifles brand new for $380 or so. I wouldnt pay a dime more than $300, probably wouldnt even be interested unless it was $250. The synthetic stock is cheap and flimsy and the trigger is so so. They are good guns with Axiom stock and a trigger job but then you could get a better gun for same money.
 
Ruger American, Marlin X7, Remington 783 are all better rifles brand new for $380 or so.
Click to expand...

I disagree. I'm all about buying American, but the Howa rifles are performers, far beyond anything else I've used their price range. I'll take an M1500 over any of the other budget rifles.
 
American

I really like ruger products! But after getting a GP100 that was just horrible fit and finish, and a SP101 that was out of time, brand new, I also handled a GP100 that was brand new at gun store, the cylinder was binding on the forcing cone to the point where the cylinder would barely turn! I love ruger products, but in my opinion the QC right now is just not there! I handled a Ruger American in .308 at the same gun store last weekend, very pretty gun BUT once again, when pulling the bolt back and then bringing it back forward, I had to wiggle the bolt to get it to lock in! Kind of turned me off of the American. I however do really like the Savage 111 series, if I decide not to go with the HOWA, I will probably get one of those Savages! REALLY like the 111 Hog Hunter(what a cool looking gun!)
 
Howa's are a good rifle for that price. I hate the Ruger American rifles with their flexible thin cheap crappy stocks that actually flex and move from side to side around the barrel. The Howa's are solid.
 
Maybe around $300 if it has the scope mounts and Hogue overmolded stock. Howas shoot pretty accurately and they have a decent trigger that is adjustable to the sub-2lb range.
 
I'd take it again. I purchased a new in box Howa 1500 in 308 with the tan Hogue stock (no rings/scope) for $400.

It's not as accurate as my Savage but it's easily sub moa with my handloads. .5-.75 inches at 100. I like to practice shooting like I'm hunting with it and shoot it standing at dessert sized paper plates at 25 and 50 yards. 2 quick shots and it's usually always inside that 4-5 inch dessert plate. And like I said, benched, sub MOA.

It's smooth and feels solid.

Accurate like I said.

And they are just a little different from every thing else you see at the range.
 
If you are sure you want it, buy it. You are not getting hosed, nor are you getting the deal of a lifetime. It is fair. I would offer 300 and hope to settle on 325. If you buy it and hate it but have taken good care of it, you can get your money back or come very close. If you are not sure, let it go, because another one will come along for nearly the same price. Really, if the next one is 375, you are talking 25 bucks....or .50 cents a week for a year....so if you want it....buy it and enjoy it. Personally, I think it is one of the most under rated guns on the market. Remember, we all started playing this game because it is fun!
 
$350 sounds like an OK deal. They are good rifles, well built and the ones I have used shot pretty straight.

If you like it, buy it. My nephew paid a good bit more than that for his 1500, and he still considers it one of his better purchases.
 
Ruger American, Marlin X7, Remington 783 are all better rifles brand new for $380 or so.
Click to expand...

I'd have to disagree with that as well. The Howa 1500 is among the best out of box actions you can get period for any price. These things get marketed as entry level rifles but the actions are anything but bottom of the barrel. Superior quality control, machine forged, one piece bolt, flat bottom receiver and a massive integral recoil lug. I built a long range F-Class rifle off of this action and the smith told me I wouldn't see any benefits from truing up the bolt face. Howas are basically true from the factory. Most other actions (ex: Remington 700) are machined from bar stock and then heat treated (cheaper to produce but they are all warped). I can't comment on the quality of the factory barrels of these various makes but at this price point it's not going to be a 1000 yard target gun. As far as the actions however, Howas are superb. They fly under the radar but to those who know they are excellently made.
 
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The Howa is worth it if you want a little extra weight. Maybe I'm not the person here who drives a hard bargain but I'd take it at $350. You aren't going to find it for cheaper online after shipping and transfer fees.

I wouldn't buy any budget Remington or Marlin over the Howa, the Hogue stock alone puts it over to top. The #1 reason to choose another budget bolt gun over the 1500 is to get a lighter weight rifle.
 
IMO the howa(vanguards) are worth it. I have the howa in a 22-250 and it's been very accurate and great. I also read lots about the Marlin 7's...and am thinking of getting one in 7-08. I'd say try to stay around $300 if the seller's willing.
 
Caliber?

Any recommendations of caliber for the Howa? Rifle will be used for rangework majority of the time. Looks like my options are .223, .243, .270, .308. Ruled out 30-06 just because don't think I need something that powerful! Also ruled out 25-06 and 22-250 for cost reasons!

Small possibility rifle may be used for coyote or deer someday!
 
$350 seems on the high end. If you can get it for $300 that'd be a steal, but I'd be ok with $325.
 
By all means buy it. I have 2 Howa's and could not be happier. Prices used to be you could get them under 400 but times have changed. If you don't buy it, let me know where it is....

LNK
 
Howa rifles have the same action as a Weatherby Vanguard. There ia an accuracy guarantee on the Vanguard. No other manufacturer is offering an accuracy guarantee on their price point rifles.

If the rifle is in very good condition $350 is a fair price. If you really want the rifle buy it. Considering you had to make a post in a internet forum concerning the rifle I don't think you really want it. When I really want a rifle the deal is done in 10 minutes.
 
Check the stock to see if the barrel is floated and if it has a 3-position safety. Does it have a hogue synthetic stock, is it pillar bedded? Does it have the 2-stage trigger? The answers to these questions will give a better clue as to how old the gun is. You could check with Academy Sports as to a comparable new rifle price. A new Howa 1500 synthetic in a Hogue stock will have the features mentioned above.
 
I bought a howa in .270win. it was the first new rifle ive ever bought. less than an inch from the day i bought it.
 
I bought a 25-06 barreled action a while back and had Joel Russo machine me a stock out of cherry i sent to him. That thing shoots 1" groups at 100yds all day long! Less if i am paying attention. I was going to get the 6.5x55 but at the tinge they were not out yet. I like the caliber i got because you can make brass out of 06 cases.

Sent from my DROID RAZR
 
Scgman

Hogue stock,3 position safety, free float barrel. Got him.down to.325, so I am checking it out tomorrow. Question-floorplate doesnt look like it has the HOWA logo on it? Is this ok?
 
I got a 1500 some months ago. It's a soft-shooting tack driver in an Axiom stock. $325's a very good deal.

John
 
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