Winchester XPR

justinb1981

justinb1981

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Anyone here tried the Winchester XPR? Trying to decide between the Howa Hogue or the Winchester XPR. The XPR uses the same MOA trigger that's on the Model 70s and apparently the same barrels too. It's also $100 cheaper. Stock quality doesn't matter because it'll be going into a Boyd's Pro Varmint stock
 
I can't comment equally on both, but I'm recently new to the Howa scene with a mini action 223. I have to say, it seems to punch well above it's weight. The both is smooth like glass, the HACT trigger breaks clean, and the ammo boost mag is certainly functional. The Hogue stock is a joke, 2x heavier than it should be and half as rigid. The only areas of the gun that appear "cheap" are the stamped safety lever and bolt release.

I'm unfamiliar with the XPS, but the action looks Tikka-ish.

What caliber are you considering, and for what purpose?
 
XPR is nothing but a Browning AB3 with some cheapening done to make it more "Winchester". It has a Savage Axis type recoil lug and barrel nut vs the AB3 traditional washer style lug, AB3 comes factory bedded as well which is a plus. The XPR uses cheap plastic 3 round single stack mags, vs the hybrid AB3 steel/polymer double stack 5 round mags. Tang safety on AB3 vs Side on the XPR. UGLY bolt handle on the XPR.
AB3 is usually cheaper too which is nice, since it's the better gun overall.
XPR disassembled
xprdisassembly.jpg

AB3 disassembled
ab3-disassembled-l.jpg
 
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^^^ well thats disappointing. I wonder if winchester will ever return to the name of quality it used to be. Other then the model 70 and miruko made guns, the rest are kind of... blah
 
Well the XPR and AB3 are made at the Browning Miroku factory in Japan. They are decent quality for budget guns, I just didn't like the way they cheapened the XPR. Same with that SXR or whatever that was a bastardized version of the Browning BAR.
I think you will like the Howa better anyway...much better made overall. I do have a pair of AB3's but I'm running 2 Howa's and 2 Weatherby Vanguards (same gun the Howa and Vanguard) and have no complaints with them other then they are a bit overbuilt for short action cartridges so tend to be a little heavier then other guns. For long action and magnums they shine.
 
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well to me the XPR trigger assembly looks way more robust and if everything else is more or less equal that would be the selling point
 
I would agree with Hitzy's assessment of the XPR's.

I sell them, so have given them a good pawing over but never shot one. I also agree that the AB3 is "nicer" for about the same money.

The XPR is quite a bit superior in terms of fit/finish to the Axis, Patriot and American which really is it's (targeted) competition. Personally I would consider the Howa 1500's/Vanguards a better value, better built rifle than the XPR's and their two stage triggers are just plain sweet - but that is usually a love it or hate it thing.

If you are going to "stock swap" you can find a Vanguard Select (the cheapest Wby option - cheapest stock) for about the same money as an XPR and would probably end up with a little better rifle for the same money.
 
justinb1981 said:
Anyone here tried the Winchester XPR? Trying to decide between the Howa Hogue or the Winchester XPR. The XPR uses the same MOA trigger that's on the Model 70s and apparently the same barrels too. It's also $100 cheaper. Stock quality doesn't matter because it'll be going into a Boyd's Pro Varmint stock
Click to expand...
It’s a nice model but in my personal experience the MOA is very inconsistent
 
I'm rather pleased the XPR is manufactured in LH configuration. In the finish of it - it's as good as a Ruger American - and some report it has a smoother bolt, and doesn't feel like it's getting hung up.
 
Have sighted in numerous xpr and ab3 and have seen on average virtually zero difference in accuracy when comparing apples to apples.
 
I’d buy the Howa but I’ve not handled the Winchester your asking about, Howa 1500 is underrated if you ask me. Fit and finish, qc is great. Made in Japan, great crisp 2 stage factory trigger, hammer forged barrels iirc. There’s a model with a HS Precision stock, for the price it’s ahead of the rest in that category. Blows the cheaper Rem, Ruger’s, savage’s away. Bolt throw is smooth out of the box.
The Hogue stock is alright, there’s more aftermarket stock options now than a few years back by the looks of it.
 
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