Inexpensive Howa can still shoot

[Float Pilot]

A while back I ended up with a few odd rifles in a mass trade deal. One of them is a Howa model 1500 Stainless sporter in 22-250. It has a black plastic stock and originally shot groups in the 1.5 to 2 inch range.
I have had it for sale,,, but since it was still here I decided to see if I could make it shoot a little better.
If I was going to keep it, I would buy a laminated wood stock, the plastic stocks are too flexible as they come... but in this case I just glass bedded the action at first and after more testing I bedded the whole barrel channel.
Then I worked on the copper in the bore and tuned up the barrel crown a little.

I took it out today for a few shots as the sun was setting. It NOW does OK for a 22 inch sporter weight barrel.

If it had a Timney or rifle basix trigger it would probably be even better.

Here is a group...

 

[Nite Ryder]

I put a Timney trigger in my 1500 Howa and it made a huge difference. I haven't been trying for any reason except wanting a little bit better rifle for varmints, mine is also a 22-250. My Ruger 77 in 22-250 isn't as accurate as the Howa. This particular Howa isn't as accurate as another I have in 7 Mag. The 7 Mag was sold as a Weatherby Vanguard and has a wood stock and a better scope.

 

[JohnBT]

A buddy had an inexpensive black plastic Howa 1500 in .223 and it would certainly shoot small groups at 100 yards, even with ammo from those old $35 and $40 plastic-wrapped battle packs. The trigger on his was adjustable. I found the instructions for him on line and very good got even better.

John

 

[119er]

I had a buddy looking for a 7mm Rem Mag a few years ago and I saw a Howa in a pawn shop and called him up. $280 with a scope and that thing shoots pretty darn good. I came very close to buying one in .223 with a bull barrel.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I own a Howa 1500 in both .223 and 30-06. Both rifles shoot sub 1/2MOA so you don't need to convince me. Those rifles are my 2 main bolt action hunting rifles.

 

[Ash]

I owned a Howa in the guise of a Mossberg 1500 and it was an excellent rifle. I almost wish I hadn't sold it.

 

[Romeo 33 Delta]

I have a 1500 .243 and I love it. If I needed any other caliber for which I didn't already have a Rem or Winny ... I'd buy another Howa in a HEARTBEAT.

I'd prefer a wood stock (just like the feel of wood ... the "warmth" of it) ... but I can certainly live with her as is.

 

[xfyrfiter]

I have two, a 308 and a 223, both are sub moa off a solid rest. Can't complain as with glass I have about $1200 in both rifles. This is the base for the Weatherby Vanguard and the forementioned Mossberg. If they are good enough for Weatherby and Mossberg they are good enough for me.

 

[geo57]

In the early / mid 1980's I traded into a Howa in .270 Win. That rifle killed gobs and gobs of prairie dogs. It was then and to this day still is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned and over a 50 year period I have owned a canoe full of rifles selling or trading off almost all of them. I wish I still had that one.

 

[NCdrummer]

Howa is one of the most under-rated rifles on the market today. Low cost, high quality, extremely accurate. Enjoy!

 

[MachIVshooter]

I had a 1500 varminter, only sold it because .223 just didn't reach out far enough for me. Stock except for trigger adjustment, you almost had to try to NOT shoot sub-MOA with that thing. With handloads and from a rest, the thing was a consistent 5 bullets into one ragged hole rifle at 100 yards.

I had taken the trigger down to 8.2 ounces-to the point where the safety was just for looks, so it was a "don't load until you're ready to shoot" proposition. Not that I recommend others doing this, but it can be done.

 

[dprice3844444]

HOWA rifle safety notice, bolt recalled
In the December 2002 issue of the American Rifleman (p. 85) is an Important Safety Notice concerning Howa rifles made between 1970 and 1993.
I just read it last night, while perusing the magazine.
Anyway ...
"Howa Machinery Ltd. of Japan is performing a safety upgrade on all Model 1500, 1550 and 1700LS series rifles manufactured between 1970 and 1993.
"The affected rifles bear serial numbers from one of the following series on the receiver: PN00010 through PN87159, LS00001 through LS05150, M000001 through M020422, LS10001 through LS10309, B000001 through B028450.
"The safety upgrade will replace the bolt sleeve to prevent misassembly of the bolt, which might occur on affected rifles. Such misassembly might result in a hazardous condition in which the rifle can be accidentally discharged without the bolt being fully engaged, causing severe injury.
"These rifles were distributed by Smith & Wesson, O.F. Mossberg and Sons and Interarms. These rifles may bear the distributor trademark.
"Stop using your rifle immediately and visit our website at www.regen.com/howa or call Howa at 1-800-456-5131 to receive a Bolt Return Kit.
"Only the bolt sleeve is being upgraded. Your bolt will be returned to you after the upgrade.
"NO OTHER HOWA RIFLES ARE AFFECTED. CHECK YOUR SERIAL NUMBER

 

[Countryboy1150]

I got my Howa 1500 stainless in .270 out today and fired my first rifle handloads with it. I only gave 350 for the rifle. I'm pretty happy with it. I was wondering if a trigger job would help some, as someone mentioned in an earlier post.

100 yds
1.35" group.

5 group shot.