Howa rifle accuracy

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gerardjohnson

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I'm going to be looking at a used Howa .223 rifle and would like some info on them, particularly as to their accuracy. I don't know the model. Do they have a good reputation?
 
Howa rifles have a very good reputation. Howa manufactures the Weatherby Vanguard, and has manufactured rifles for Smith&Wesson, Mossberg, and possibly other companies, as well as selling rifles under their own name.
 
They've made rifles for several companies including Smith and Wesson and currently the Vanguard series for Weatherby. They are a good modern rifle design and as such should produce good accuracy. When buying used there is a possibility that the barrel may be worn with resultant loss of accuracy.
 
I have a Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06 that shoots fantastic. While not the sub-moa model, it consistently shoots under moa with my handloads.
I have owned several Howa/Vanguards, and all shot very well indeed.
Unless that 223 has a lot of rounds through it, it will be fine.
Regards, Eagleye
 
I've owned 3 vanguards, shot a few others and all of them shot very well. For me they are the best fitting "budget" rifle. Their triggers are a hit and miss.. The .223 I have (2006 production) took a lot of work to tune the trigger, where the .270 I have is pretty decent (newer production with DBM).
 
I've had 4 weatherby vanguards and the one I own right now is in 257wby ALL of them have and will shoot ragged 3 shot groups unless from operator error.
 
I shot a S&W 1500 in 7mm Magnum not too long ago, and it made very respectable 3 shot groups. I was equally impressed with a Vanguard .30/06 some years ago. The action is simple and strong, the trigger is crisp and clean, making the Howa is a top choice in my opinion.
 
I own a Howa 1500 Varminter in .308, Great rifle, My trigger weighs in at around 3 lbs, with handloaded ammo and aluminum bedding. Best group so far was a .14 inch group at 100, with .25 to .35 being the norm.
 
Jmiverson said:
I've owned 3 vanguards, shot a few others and all of them shot very well. For me they are the best fitting "budget" rifle. Their triggers are a hit and miss.. The .223 I have (2006 production) took a lot of work to tune the trigger, where the .270 I have is pretty decent (newer production with DBM).
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Once I learned to stone the Vanguard triggers the bargain guns became an even bigger bargain.I had and still have a pile of them. Never quite forgave them for out-shooting my real Weatherbys (and a whole lot of others), but I'm at peace with it now.:D A $90 Boyds stock goes a long way to reduceing the "welfare gun" stigma.
 
I've been playing with a new S2 vanguard. Trigger is much better than the old ones and it is producing 5 shot groups of .75 or better with Berger's and solid 1" groups with Noslers. All I did with the the gun was pull and clean the greasy oil off of the action and retorque the mounting screws. Howa makes a good gun at that price point. I've been through Savages and Remingtons at that price point and IMHO the Howa guns are better.
 
I bought it! It's a model 1500 with a custom LH thumbhole stock by Boyd Harding of Edmundston, NB. It's in excellent condition, .223 cal. I hope to get to the range in the next few days to try it out. Boyd made a beautiful stock, I hope he knows how to bed them properly.
 
I've been shooting a Vanguard 223 for just over a year now. Mine came in a flimsy plastic type stock. Once I bought a quality stock, had it properly bedded, the little rifle shot excellent. Best sub $500 rifle I've ever owned. Great pick !
 
gerardjohnson said:
I bought it! It's a model 1500 with a custom LH thumbhole stock by Boyd Harding of Edmundston, NB. It's in excellent condition, .223 cal. I hope to get to the range in the next few days to try it out. Boyd made a beautiful stock, I hope he knows how to bed them properly.
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Nice! Let us know how she shoots. I have one in 22-250 and it's a real good shooter. Very happy with it. :)
 
2" 5 shot groups at 100 yds. with the same ammo that gives me 0.6" groups with my .223 remington ADL. Something needs work. Trigger is quite light but creepy. Mag wouldn't feed but after I got home and took off the stock, I found the mag wasn't installed properly so that problem is solved. It was glass bedded and free floated as well.
 
might be different twist rates from the remington you used. Just check to be sure the Howa is not sporting a 1:12 or slower twist, while the Remington might have a 1:9" which would definately have an effect on how a single load would perform from the remmy to the howa.
I use a Howa 1500 lightning .300winmag and its my 50/50 go-to rifle. I use something smaller for light/medium game, and keep the howa for bears, moose, and the like. It is more accurate than me. I've handloaded 150 grain GMX and X bullets, plus 165/200gr
Accubonds, and 180gr in several different loads. Mine like the 150's and 200's best, but shot all of them into at least 1.5" and the 200 grainers cloverleafed.
I find the action super smooth, kinda Tikka-ish, and the mag works awesome. Its in the hogue rubber stock, and has forced its way to the front of my gun lockers. Its gonna be one of my long-time keepers. (2 friends keep trying to get me drunk or stoned and pry it from me, but papa aint no fool!!!)
 
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