Howa alpine mountain rifle
- Thread starter Slimbo
- Start date
The detachable magazine is an option. Their bolts are included in the weight of 5.7 pounds. THe stock is quite a solid one and has no flex to fuss about like some.
Product Description for their 7mm-08
20″ Barrel
1 in 9.5 Twist
2 Stage Match Trigger
Hinged Floor Plate
Composite Stock
5.7 Lbs
Optional Detachable Magazine Available
This confusion is so typical to amateur gun writers, and the forums that parrot the news
No offence guntario
Legacy in the US approached Howa to build a light mountain rifle.
The spec was for both
1) an all metal bottom, trigger guard and hinged floor plate, (steel).
2) an all plastic bottom, trigger guard and 5 round box mag.
Individual rifles, in either one or the other configuration, were sent to the gun writers for evaluation and free advertising
Confusion arose when they weighted their samples
5.7 lbs or
6.2 lbs (I recall, my notes are downstairs)
Some even wrote that the same 20" barrel bored to .308 might weigh less than a rifle in 7mm or 6.5mm. Wow...
These experts were comparing apples to oranges.
The plastic and box mag is the lighter at 5.7 lbs
My alpine came with plastic mag installed and the steel floor plate in a package right in the box.
Nice balance (for me).
Better than a Sako 75 light I had once which I found too whippy and light in the front.
And very good trigger for a factory...
I plan to buy a new rifle in the new year once I graduate and get a real job. This is one is my top contenders. Also considering the winchester model 70 extreme weather or whatever they're called, with the synthetic stock and stainless metal. I'll also be looking at whatever else the LGS has in the ~$1000 range, but so far I'm leaning towards the howa in 7mm08 because I walk a lot with my rifles so weight is key. Guess I'll have to look for a light weight scope to go with it... A 2-7x32 or similar probably...
I think the ideal lightweight rifle scope is the Leupold 6x36mm. It weighs 9.6 oz (actually measured) and has very good eye relief and optical quality. (Significantly better than the lightweight variable Leupolds on both fronts.)
I have it on my light weight 7mm08 Rem 700. (5 lbs 7 oz bare, 6 lbs 3 oz scoped.)
It's a Mountain SS with the porky B&C stock switched out for a Wildcat.
A fixed 6x is too much for half of what I hunt. A decent variable is the only option IMO due to the mix of thick bush and open cuts where I hunt. Interesting option if I ever go for an ultra light weight build with a Ti action or a Kimber or something though.
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
School me here please. Why would the 30 cal barrels not be any lighter than the 7mm and 6.5 offerings? I guess it depends if the rifling is cut or hammer forged? Admittedly I don't know much about rifling processes.
Here's my Howa Alpine in .243. I bought it from Prophet River a while back during their customer appreciation sale. It hasn't seen much use yet as it took me a while to track down the scope I wanted. It's a Vortex Viper 4-12x40 which has been discontinued for a while but I managed to find one. So far I'm impressed with this rifle and scope combination. The idea is that it will replace a much heavier rifle that I currently use for coyote hunting.
View attachment 136604
It is a VERY well built rifle. The stock is top quality. The trigger is one of the few factory triggers that I don't feel the need to replace.
The stock feels good in the hand. It balances and points well, and it carries nicely.
The pencil barrel does heat up fast so it takes a bit of time when sighting in and finding an ammo that it likes but once you have done that there is nothing to worry about. It is good for 3 tight shots before it starts to wander. It's a hunting rifle, I only need to rely on the first shot 99% of the time anyways.
My only complaint is that I wish I'd have bought one a lot sooner than I did. I have a few Remington's that are getting jealous of it.
View attachment 136604
It is a VERY well built rifle. The stock is top quality. The trigger is one of the few factory triggers that I don't feel the need to replace.
The stock feels good in the hand. It balances and points well, and it carries nicely.
The pencil barrel does heat up fast so it takes a bit of time when sighting in and finding an ammo that it likes but once you have done that there is nothing to worry about. It is good for 3 tight shots before it starts to wander. It's a hunting rifle, I only need to rely on the first shot 99% of the time anyways.
My only complaint is that I wish I'd have bought one a lot sooner than I did. I have a few Remington's that are getting jealous of it.
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Ya I get that but he's saying it wouldn't be any lighter.
