Howa Rifles

[Fallow Stalker]

Hi

I am not sure if any one has covered this topic before so please forgive me if I am going over an old subject but I am looking to purchase a new
Stainless/Synthetic stocked rifle In .223.

A few weeks earlier I looked at a new Howa with the Houge over moulded
stock and it looked a well made rifle for the money.

Does anyone have any comments or advice from their experience of this make

Cheers

Fallow Stalker

 

[The Mole]

Don't own one myself, but I know a few people who do - they speak nothing but good.

As an alternative look at the Tikka T3 Hunter. I do have one of those (in .243) and have loved it from the moment it came out of the box.

 

[Thar]

I have had a bit to do with the Howa rifles,

I have mates who have them in everything from 223 to 300WSM. Do you know how old the rifle is? The early one have a Butler creek plastic stock with a thin forend this was changed to a Butler creek stock with a wide forend (better suited for shooting off a rest or bag) these also have a three position safety the earlier rifles have a two position safety. As you mention the latest ones from Highland have a Houge overmolded stock.

The rifles are typically Japanese they took the best bits from the earlier Sako rifles and the best from a remmy 700 and came out with there own rifle. The action is flat bottomed with a built in recoil lug (easy to bed) the bolt fully encloses the cartridge case head and uses two locking lugs. It has a good size extractor (M16 type) in the bolt.

The triggers are usually good, out of 5 I have played with only one was a “bad one” I have adjusted them down to 1.5lbs (checked with a electronic force meter). There are after market triggers from Timney and Jewel.

The barrels need floating as they are pressure bedded at the end of the forend for a 1” (American Market) this is easy to do.

The accuracy has been good as they claim with 1 MOA being achievable out of the box the best one I have is my heavy barrel 223 varmint rifle with a T8 on this will turn in .25” groups. Even my 270 does .6” groups.

They take any mounts that will fit a Remmy 700 so loads of choice there.

The down side is they are a little heavy and no detachable mag’ as standard, but I know at least two companies that do a conversion to make then DM if you want one.

In conclusion good honest rifle that are strong with no faults. In destruction testing in Sweden they came out top with some of the European makes for staying together.

Personally of the new rifles out there I think there is nothing to touch them for the money.

Howa in a Bell and Carlson stock with a Timney trigger unit fitted.

Best rgds

Thar

 

[Thar]

PM sent ssgpiv

 

[Fallow Stalker]

Thank you Mole,300wsm, ssgpiv and Thar

Your comments are very helpful especially as you use them, it sounds like a well made good value rifle.

The one I looked at was a new one in .243 caliber, Synthetic houge stock
but not stainless, unfortunatley they had sold the .223 a few days before.

I know what you mean about leaving the mag in the safe I have done that a few times with my Tikka 650 .270

Luckily my main stalking ground is on my doorstep so not too far to go back and get it :!:

Thar great set of pic's are they all your Howa's ? I am interested in the stock modification you mentioned if you have any more details to share.

I think I will place an order for a s/s .223 in the near future.

My next thought is do you know any good loads for the Howa .223?
Cheers

Fallow Stalker

 

[Thar]

Thank you Mole,300wsm, ssgpiv and Thar
Thar great set of pic's are they all your Howa's ? I am interested in the stock modification you mentioned if you have any more details to share.

No not all the Howas were mine but I have worked on them all in the pictures.

The Stock on my 270 is a Bell and Carlson Medalist (http://www.bellandcarlson.com/)it has a aluminium chassis running from the rear sling point on the butt to the front one on the forend. This makes it as stiff a stock as you can get. The synthetic outer is just nice to hold. I had the outer synthetic covered with a finish called Maxx-Guard this is a rubber coating so the stock is none slip. This cost me £230 imported a couple of years ago, It did not make the rifle shoot that much more accurately but it did improve the felt recoil.

I then had the barrelled action Du-coated to match the stock.

Best rgds

Thar.

 

[Pete E]

Deleted by User

 

[Thar]

Thar,

Whats the coating on the scope??

Hi Pete

It some stuff called "snake skin" you wrap it round your scope ect, heat it up with a hair drier it then srinks round the scope ect. I have some spare, next time you are passing to your stalking you are welcome to pop in and pick some up if you like.

Best rgds

Thar

 

[Fallow Stalker]

Hi Thar

Looks like a good bit of kit, I had looked into getting a Synthetic stock
for my old Tikka .270 and a gunshop owner who visits the factory in
Finland inquired for me, but was told they don't produce one for the older
models

I had a look at those German gun saftey test videos :!: :!:

Bloody Hell Not going to buy a Browning A bolt or Remmy

It's a Howa for me

Cheers

Fallow Stalker

 

[percyhoracegordon]

Fallow Stalker,

At least McMillan is producing synthetic stocks for Tikka M65. If you visit their pages you can find them under Sako stocks. Those stocks are quite expensive but very good.

 

[sikamalc]

What an unusual name to use PHG, you couldnt possibly be our favourite person again could you?

 

[percyhoracegordon]

I didn't know that I am your favourite person already. I have tried to find synthetic stock for my m65 and t3. McMillan seems to be the only option for 65 and Coreplast for t3.

 

[sikamalc]

I didnt say my favourite person, I said our. The one that has been thrown off this site more times than I have had hot dinners. I sincerely hope not but I am sure Rob will soon find out.

Your obvious choice of name rather gives it away sad but true I am afraid.

 

[percyhoracegordon]

Sikamalc,

Unfortunately I am probably not the favourite person in guestion. In fact I don't have any glue what you are talking about.

I just visited this site the first time very recently and registred. I was inspired to do that by someone you know, travelling and hunting in north at the moment.

 

[sikamalc]

Any Glue !!!
Seems you are stuck!!

There is no one I know travelling north at present, only south

 

[percyhoracegordon]

Sikamalc: "There is no one I know travelling north at present, only south"

Some say he shot a roe doe with a shotgun yesterday, some say he is called the Stig... all I know is people know him as Carlos Fandango

 

[sikamalc]

Hmmm yes I know, he is with my friends in Finland.

Ok Pm, me who are you apart from a Pi-- taker. NOT COOPER DOG

Ahhhh I know its my young Finnish friend who may now not get the Tikka M65. Fandango put you up to this, I hope he freezes his nuts off

 

[percyhoracegordon]

"Ahhhh I know its my young Finnish friend who may now not get the Tikka M65. Fandango put you up to this, I hope he freezes his nuts off"

Don't worry he will and in fact almost did yesterday.

 

[sikamalc]

Good I hope the **** is looking after my gear I lent him? So what happened to the Whitetails then ?

Probably too much whisky and sitting in a sauna
Dont forget the down hill sking without poles and one ski, off a 500ft cliff you promised to arrange for him

And the ice fishing, at midnight in a T shirt, for Finnish Great White Sharks

I hope you like the M65, I have decided the barrel is too long on mine and have taken 6 inches off it so you will not catch it on the branches of trees whilst in the forest.

Dont worry I will get you wind up merchants back for this

 

[Beowulf]

Thank God that is sorted out! I thought it was going to kick off again. I hope you are enjoying your Finnish trip Carl. Good luck on the Whitetail.