Howa love them or hate them?

[PointBlank]

Back to the topic; Howa are a solid choice, but the ones I have shot have been functional, accurate but clunky. When I see posts about upgrades and stock-swaps, I would rather buy something that cost a little more and requires less work.

Pretty much how I see them. Perfectly good rifles and wouldn't hesitate to buy one if that was where my budget was but i would always choose Sako over them as they feel less "clunky" like you accurately describe.

 

[Taff]

Rabbitter, there is no doubt that fashion of the day comes into it, It's why they spend so much on marketing, there are a lot of guns out there, most will shoot much the same, very few are unreliable, but some of us like to look outside the box.

 

[danban]

When I got my first 1 it was if it gets knocked about/ damaged when I'm out I wouldn't worry about it like I would if it was a gun 3 times the price. But they shoot just as good it's a bit like a baikal and a beretta.

 

[ndt man]

I only own one in 308 its accurate but there are bits I don't like about it like (the bright polished stainless barrel ) but that said its a good all rounder and I have confidence in it when pull the trigger .

 

[joe soapy]

Had a sako for a few years but never knew if it was going to have a good or a bad day.
Got a Howa and it just shoots when ever required..

Still waiting for anybody to give a shooting report on the new Howa Mini.. They must have sold a couple by now

 

[slider]

Was window shopping for a new rifle today. Shortlist was Howa 1500, Tikka T3, Browning X Bolt and Sako A7. All synthetics all blued except the X Bolt which was stainless fluted (but only a few £ more than the standard blued T3)

Had all 4 off the shelf and handled each - first one back on the self was the T3 (shock horror), just felt too plastic. Next to go was the Howa (looked a lot of gun for the money but was felt "clunky" and was a fair bit heavier. Both the X bolt and the A7 were nice to handle but the X Bolt just felt so "right" from the minute I picked it up. - £300 less than the standard blued Sako too. Just need to get my ticket back then I know where I am going to splash my cash!

 

[Monkey Spanker]

When they first came out, they were incredibly good value for money! I bought a 25.06 for £429 new! The original stocks were awful and the triggers were set a bit too high at about 4lbs. I changed it with a Hogue stock and a Rifle basix trigger and it was a huge difference! Extremely accurate though and accounted for hundreds of deer. It did however cost me a couple of deer when I had the 'dead mans click' scenario! The bolt was not a locking one, and if it got knocked up slightly, it took the force out of the firing pin when fired resulting in a click, a slightly dented cap, and a very lucky couple of deer! Great rifles though with superb Japanese engineering. It is no coincidence that Howa actions are used on many semi-custom rifles. I eventually replaced it with a Sako 75 25.06 when it was nearing being shot out. A good friend still has it and shoots a few deer with it each year still. He also loves it.
MS
Love them!

 

[3pc]

Souless and super accurate so a pal tells me. I prefer older classic rifles but it all you want is a accuracy at a good price then they are hard to beat.

 

[British Shooting Services]

I have a Weatherby 300 mag, made in 1985, it was made in Japan by Howa, very accurate with 180's, bolt is like silk, trigger is great. Nowt wrong with Howa's.


Ade

Forgot to mention, Weatherby rifle production has ranged from German manufacture then to Japan and then America!!

 

[howa243]

Lets be honest, stalkers are as fady and driven by fashion as anybody. We don't need expensive kit to do what we do at the modest ranges that most shoot at. I have owned rifles made by Sako Weihrauch, Merkel, Remington BRNO Parker Hale and Howa. In terms of accuracy the Howa is not beaten by any of them.

 

[Grizzly]

I was looking at getting one but instead opted for the Browning. However, I've mates that have Howa's and they swear by them, in fact, a keeper mate of mine has two and is looking at putting in for a variation and getting a third when he renews his licence.

 

[Cyres]

I have one in .243 and its far more accurate than its owner. Earlier ones had dreadful stocks and trigger was heavy, latests versions which you choose the build look absolutely excellent.

I would have another anyday.

D

 

[gr cz527]

I own a 1500 .223 and i love it. Yes its a bit heavy but for me it does what it says on the tin.