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Howa 1500

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mlv2k5 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mlv2k5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Howa 1500
    Posted: February/14/2010 at 03:05
Anybody used a howa 1500 with particular success or failure? I am thinking about using the 1500 action in a project gun. My goal is to finish a pre-turned and inletted blank and do all the stock finishing, and bedding for the rifle myself to end up with a really nice looking firearm for a moderate price. I don't want to have to rebarrel and headspace etc as I am certainly not qualified to do that kind of metalwork. For this reason I am looking for a barreled action in very good condition, and a suitable caliber...the Howa fits this perfectly (I can get the package rifle with scope and mounts brand new for 375 $ or so.)

Anyhow, I would like to hear peoples experiences and/or other suggestions for this kind of project.
-Michael
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The Apostle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The Apostle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 04:13
I don't own one but the general opinion of these in Australia is that they're a very underated gun if not the most underrated on the market. They sell a lot of both the Howa 1500 and its modified brother in the Weatherby Vanguard over here. The only complain i've heard is that their made in Japan.
 
Plenty of roo shooters own them. I know personally of one Weatherby Vanguard varmint rifle that would shoot 0.6-0.7 MOA all day.
 
Supposedly in the U.S. you can get just the action (blued or stainless) and barrel (3 different contours; varmint in 20 or 24 inches) and whatever calibre you want.
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magshooter1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magshooter1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 07:52
They folks down under are right.  They are underrated.  I know of several owners here in the southern 1/2 half of the states that love them.  I am building (as soon as I finish the stock it's ready) a .338-06 on a S&W (Howa) action.  You can get barreled actions on the green colored gun auction site.  A friend form work bought one of the Sub MOA Vanguards in .257 Weath. Mag.; that thing is the closest thing to a laser I've ever seen.  Just point and click...
Some people are educated BEYOND their intelligence.
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Ed Connelly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 17:51
Years ago I had a Smith & Wesson rifle that was really a Howa ( in 222 Remington ) and I liked it fine.  But I traded it away in a gun deal for a Winchester.   They remind me of a Sako action.  
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Bigdave View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bigdave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 23:25
I have a Howa 1500 short barrel varmiter in .308, extreemly accurate rifle. You can pick up a barreled action for around $400 check out Legacy Sports.
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mlv2k5 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mlv2k5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 04:41
I am looking to pick one of these up to use in a project rifle. My goal was to do all of the finishing myself, but I need to find a company to do the rough inletting and shaping etc for me. I was going to use Richards Microfit, but I have read an astounding number of complaints about their service and work...its a wonder they are still in business based on what I am hearing. 

Can anyone recommend a good company that will cut a stock to fit a specific action and do the shaping etc so my job will just be primarily cosmetic finishing once I receive the stock? I am Ok with the idea of simply purchasing a blank and then sending it to a company for shaping, but if there is a good company that combines the process that would be excellent.

Additionally, price is a factor. I am not looking to drop thousands of dollars. I would like to keep my total costs for the stock (the wood itself) combined with the price for shaping and inletting to a point where I can do the cosmetic finishing and minor fitting of the action under 500-600 dollars.


Edited by mlv2k5 - February/16/2010 at 04:42
-Michael
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magshooter1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magshooter1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 07:32

Try Boyd's or Great American Stock Co.

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gun74 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gun74 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 16:47
I own a howa 1500 custom chambered in 358 norma mag and never had a problem with it very accurate rifle
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Texas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Texas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 19:55
Charlie Sisk states that the Weatherby Vanguard/Howa 1500 action is a good, solid push-feed action to build a custom on if you like it. Just be sure your smith can cut metric threads on the barrel shank, because that is what's in the action front ring. Sisk says it is an adaptation (copy) of the Sako L61 action. Looking at the pictures of them, one can definitely see the resemblance.
 
Charlie also says to throw the OEM trigger group away and replace it with a Timney.
 
This info is from Charlie's book that John Barsness is selling on his website. I bought a copy, and it is a good book. If you are planning a build you ought to get a copy.
 
That book is why I have this Vanguard coming on the brown truck soon - reading it can be risky!
 
 
 
 
Tom
"There are some things which cannot be learned quickly and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. They are the very simplest things..." Ernest Hemingway
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 20:06
I have a Howa 1500 in .308. It is a great gun and I have been able to shoot sub-moa groups with it pretty constantly......
"Get Busy Livin' or get busy dyin'" -Red (Shawshank Redemption)
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