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View Full Version : Howa 1500 varmint special



BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
12-12-2011, 11:02 PM
Thinking about picking one of these up in 22-250. Only problem is I don't know much about them. A quick google for reviews made it sound like its a great gun for the money. Anybody have experience with them? I can pick one of these up for around 640. Pretty good price for a heavy barrel rifle with a wood thumbhole stock.

ridgerunner97
12-12-2011, 11:12 PM
My friend built one, he can't shoot it worth a shit....but I can :) I've shot a lot of rifles, definately a great package. Don't count savage's out either, both are serious tack drivers.

BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
12-12-2011, 11:34 PM
Never been a big fan of savage. Can't put my finger on the exact reason why, just don't like them. Always been a remington guy but the new ones just feel like junk to me. Nothing like my older ones I have. I do like the browning x-bolt varmint special but they're around 900 I think. Allot of money just to explode groundhogs.

jlovbasz3
12-13-2011, 12:49 AM
Very good gun I believe Weatherby Vanguards use the Howa 1500 action if you have any experience with Weatherby. Try Hoovers in Rockwood 814-926-3051 some of the best prices around that I've found

DMG
12-13-2011, 10:46 AM
I have a Weatherby Vanguard in 30.06 and it is simply a rebranded Howa 1500. I also have a Howa Ranchland Compact in 308. They both will shoot sub MOA if I do my part. I really like them both.
I also have a Savage heavy barrel .223 that will probably out shoot the Howas. It itn't as nice a rifle but it is accurate and works every time. You can't go wrong with either rifle.

busij44
12-13-2011, 04:04 PM
I was never a big fan of Savage either, but after doing some research I decided to give one a try. I picked up a used model 10 FCP McMillan. With the right equipment (Leupold vari X III scope, match ammo) this gun never fails to impress me. The Accu trigger is the cats ass, it makes my job easy. For an out of the box rifle I think they are hard to beat.

MemorEsto
12-13-2011, 04:26 PM
As with anything, it's personal opinion. But I prefer a 204 to the 22-250

flimmy
12-13-2011, 04:55 PM
If you want a good price on a gun call a friend of mine Jason , he owns Westmoreland Shooters Supply 724-331-1255 he's in Scottdale

HoodRN
12-13-2011, 11:29 PM
As with anything, it's personal opinion. But I prefer a 204 to the 22-250

I prefer the .204 as well. Virtually NO recoil. The crosshairs just twitch at the shot, so you can watch your groundhog explode. I'm shooting Hornady factory ammo in a TC Encore Pro with a 28" barrel (4x16x40 Pentax). Great rifle and a great round. The 22-250 gives you a bit more zoom, and it's a good round too. I took my 45/70 out last summer, that big 405 grain lead slug sounded like someone kicking a football when it walloped a groundhog.

ridgerunner97
12-13-2011, 11:37 PM
I've shot Remington Accelerator's out of my '06 at chuck's before, that is quite the good time, like they swallow a hand grenade :)

97V10MN
12-13-2011, 11:43 PM
I took my 45/70 out last summer, that big 405 grain lead slug sounded like someone kicking a football when it walloped a groundhog. What kind of 45 do you have? My grandfather left me a spring field trap door 45 70 in his will when he passed away earlier this year, its freaking awesome to shoot. I've been thinking of getting a new one to replace it tho, Marlin makes a nice lever action, Sportsman Supply in butler has one of them on the floor actually. Have you shot a deer with that gun? Ive been wondering how a deer would stand up to that hunk of lead.

ridgerunner97
12-13-2011, 11:46 PM
^ They don't stand up to em very well LOL not much does at 150yds or less, soft targets, cars, houses, armored trucks, etc. LOL

BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
12-14-2011, 01:02 AM
Picked it up today. Wasn't thrilled about the trigger, allot of creep and it wasn't very smooth. Got it home and started tweaking, think I have it dialed in now. The trigger weight and cre ep are adjustable with screws. Can't wait to see how it does at the range.

What size bipod would you guys go with for prone shooting? 6-9 or 9-?. Maybe i'll just have to lay down and measure

JeepSteeler
12-14-2011, 08:32 AM
Nice - I'm a fan of that gun and was thinking of getting one in 22-250 as well. Congrat's on the purchase. Trigger adjustment worked out pretty well then I take it? I was a little concerned about that as well.

BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
12-14-2011, 02:20 PM
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x391/buzzinhalfdozzen/photobucket-5554-1323886522612.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x391/buzzinhalfdozzen/photobucket-5586-1323886487431.jpg

jlovbasz3
12-14-2011, 02:44 PM
Very nice!

MemorEsto
12-14-2011, 03:13 PM
Nice looking gun. What type of optics are going on it?

BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
12-14-2011, 03:39 PM
I have a bushnell 6-18x on my Rem 30.06, taking that off and putting it on the Howa. Then I have to buy a 3-9x for the 30.06.

Unless I find something with a bullet drop reticle for 22-250 in the 20-24x range. Any suggestions that won't break the bank?

MemorEsto
12-14-2011, 03:52 PM
I've only bought accessories and what not from this company. But have always been a little temped to buy one of their cheap scopes just to see how they perform.

http://www.outdoorbunker.com/RIFLE-SCOPES-s/265.htm?searching=Y&sort=5&cat=265&show=28&page=1

jlovbasz3
12-14-2011, 04:07 PM
I've heard many good things about Nikko Stirling they do offer a Mil Dot reticle and the prices are not to bad. Midway has a 8-32x60 for $299. My friend got one from Ritenour's Sporting Goods on 711 and he loves it and the price was a better than Midways.

BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
03-03-2012, 06:42 PM
Ended up getting a nikon monarch 5-20x. BDC reticle. I really like it so far
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x391/buzzinhalfdozzen/2012-03-03_17-33-16_959.jpg

BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
03-03-2012, 06:44 PM
Here's how it did today at the range. 100 yards off a bipod. Gusting winds and hangover shakes. El cheapo winchester ammo
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x391/buzzinhalfdozzen/2012-03-03_16-43-14_668.jpg

ridgerunner97
03-03-2012, 07:08 PM
Looks good Pat, that barrel will shoot in after you get some more rounds through it, being green that is pretty doggone good. I've always been pleased with any Nikon Scope equipped rifle i've shot. I actually need to buy a new scope for my Model 70 and it's getting a Nikon 3-9x40 or 4-12x40 BDC.

BUZZINHALFDOZZEN
03-03-2012, 07:19 PM
I was impressed. Think I could shrink up that group on calm day. Wind tosses those little bullets around pretty good. The hangover shakes weren't helping out either

ridgerunner97
03-03-2012, 07:25 PM
Haha that's why I like the .25-06 or the .30 for everything :) They can buck the wind fairly well. You put 20 rds or so through it it will shoot even better, high winds and hangover shakes aside.

jlovbasz3
03-04-2012, 12:35 PM
That's a damn good group for windy conditions and cheap ammo! Howa has a break in procedure for there rifles on there web site http://www.legacysports.com/pdf/Howa%20Break-in%20Procedure.pdf