After all the positive reviews, I ordered a Howa 1500 in 6.5x55 >>PICS<<

Fit and finish is spot on! She's a keeper!
I will be taking her to the range on Friday... if she shoots as good as she feels, it'll give my T3's a run for their money. :)

(The Nikko Stirling Game King 3.5-10x44 scope that came as part of the package isn't all that bad, and will either find a new home on a .22LR, or will go on EE. The Nikko rail is actually quite good but I opted for Leupold STD steel bases instead)

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Very nice.... And very nice scope choice as well..... I have said it before, but vanguards just never fit me right....... But I am built like foghorn leghorn, so that is to be expected...... I hope it works for you......
 
The Kurgan said:
Prophet River sure has a nice selection, I might another if it shoots well.
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It will shoot very well if you load for it....now my experience with factory ammo is limited to PRVI and S&B in the 6.5x55, I have 1 gun that shoots PRVI well, an 1899 Oberndorf sporter, the rest spit it all over the place. S&B was hit and miss, some boxes were OK, some were shotguns.
I load 120's, 129's, and 140's with compressed loads of H4831sc seated to 80mm OAL, high velocity and long OAL seem to be the key to accurate loads with the 6.5x55 Howa's. My other guns are much more forgiving in that respect.
I like the semi polished blue on these Howa's more then the matte blast/blue on the Vanguard's, also prefer the Hogue stocks to the WBY versions, and the cocking piece is nicer on the Howa's as well. I could live without the big gold HOWA on the floor plate but that's a minor gripe lol.
 
I bought a lifetime supply of the Nosler Trophy Grade 140 AB ammo last year. 180 rounds. I'll only use those hunting, so I think (given how crumby I am) I bought 50 years of ammo. 3 rounds a season to confirm zero, and an animal every other year... if I improve :)

They shoot like lasers, by the way.
 
I have a bunch of commercial ammo to test out, including Prvi 139 grain FMJ's (I've had great success with Prvi, though Hitzy has me worried :)) and some higher end Norma Vulcan 156 grain and Norma Nosler Partition 140 grain. I will eventually get set-up to reload for 6.5x55.
 
madashell said:
What's the Hogue stock like on these Howa 1500's Kurgan ?

When they put out the mini in 7.62 x 39 late this year going to be all over that. Also seriously thinking of same rifle in .223. I've handled enough Vanguard S2's to know they are happening for the price but have yet to see the Hogue stock.

I don't think one can beat the Howa/Vanguard for cost vs quality.
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The Hogue stock has a grippy feel, not quite as tacky/sticky as the Sako Finnlight stock, but around those lines. It fits me well.
 
I have my eye on the Howa "Empire" in 270 Win... nice wood, nice bluing, and a great price.
I have never owned a 270, and it would be nice to add a true 7mm to my collection.
 
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