Looking at a Howa. Good buy?

[seanie!]

I've been in the market for a bolt action .308 for quite a while now. I've been taking my time, reading up on rifles, and trying to figure out exactly what I like and don't like. I've been leaning lately towards a Remington 700, or a Weatherby Vanguard. Today I was at my local gun shop and while I was talking to one of the guys behind the counter, he introduced me to a Howa. It was a package with a Hogue stock that included a rail and a scope already mounted, and a price tag of $520+tax. The guy behind the counter also told me that Howa makes the Vanguard, and I believe I've seen that mentioned on here somewhere.

Does anyone have any experience with these rifles? Anybody know if the scope and rings are decent? Or are they garbage? I don't need a match grade rifle, and my only experience with rifle scopes are the $40 Simmons that's on my Saiga. I'd most likely be using the rifle for the occasional down south boar hunting trip, as in Illinois most of our hunting has to be done with shotguns. I would also probably use it every great once in a while at the range, but I've got my much cheaper to shoot .223 for general plinking. If it's a good deal I'm tempted to pick it up this week. It's the only one they've got in .308, and it also has and OD green stock, which is exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[browningguy]

They are excellent rifles, same as the Vanguard but Howa uses different (better to me) stocks on their own brand. Hard to tell about the scope without knowing what brand etc. but probably better than the $40 Simmons you mentioned. I would say that is a decent deal with the Hogue stock.

 

[CBNY]

I have seen a similar rifle for sale as a combo, and the scope is a nikko sterling. I talked to quite a few guys about them and have never heard anything bad about Howa.

 

[aka108]

Very good rifles and tops the competition in its price range.

 

[Jackal]

I just purchased a Howa .223 20" bull barrel. Trigger is great out of the box, accuracy has been superb. Avoid the package combo, the scopes are junk. I just got mine at Buds Gun Shop online and it was only $480 delivered.

 

[neo-con]

Before I read your post I posted about Howa. There compact rifle looks perfect for my truck/atv

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I love mine in 30-06.

 

[rangerruck]

absolutely; their combo/package rifles, are arguably the best in the biz. great tolerances, excellent fit/finish, Wetherby copies pretty much through and through, and reasonably priced. I loved the rifles they came out with about 2 years ago, with a camo green Hogue overmolded stock; Gander mtn., had one for sale once, for 279, I almost crapped a Buick!!! I woulda bought it, but I allready have a remmy 788 that is magnificent.