So does anyone know anything about Howa rifles? I currently own a semi-auto Remington 30-06 and was looking for something smaller to shoot and try coyote hunting. I started looking around and found a Howa Lightning with 3-9x42 scope in .223 for $389.96 but I've never heard of Howa rifles. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

The howa 1500 is a fine action. Weatherby imports them as the Vanguard(with a few changes: different bolt shroud and a dressed up bolt body). S&W has imported them before as did Mossberg. I like the howa action better than the Remington 700.

Thank for the info. So for the setup does the price sound good?

That sounds about to be about what walmart wants for the Howa package with a scope. I'm not sure what scope comes with it, but I believe that it might be a simmons. I've seen them cheaper, used, but with out a scope.

Hardin,
A number of months ago I was looking to purchase a .223 and Howa continually kept coming-up in numerous forums as I was doing my research. I wanted what we all want; accuracy and an adjustable trigger out of the box. I was pretty much sold on on the Howa until I ran across "savageshooters.com". I began researching the Savage 12 series and I was sold. I purchased a Savage 12BGTV (thumb hole stock) and can honestly say I'm never looking back. You need to check out the Savage 12 line before you buy.

This gun out of the box and after sight-in will give you consistent .5 groups at 100 yds. The Accutrigger is set at about 2.5# from the factory but can be readjusted to suit your preference.

Do yourself a favor and check it out before you buy.

By the way - Savage is completely made in the USA.

SavageRuger thanks for the info. The only down side for ME at a Savage rifle is the price. I'm actaully a 19yr old college student so price is a major factor for me right now, thats one of the big reason I was looking at this Howa setup becuase the price was more in my range. Since I really haven't heard anything horrible about Howa it looks like thats what I'm going with. Thanks for the info.

That Wal-Mart Howa package I believe comes with a Bushnell scope. Nice rifle.

I just set the scope and loaded some ammo for a young guy here at home.
His dad bought him a Howa Lightning in a 243 as a package gun. It came with weaver style bases, weaver style rings and a Nikko scope. I have never heard of this scope but it is a 3 x 9 x 40 and it appears extemely clear. I had it on target at 200 yards and figued that would be the longest shot he would take on a whitetail deer. I had the opportunity to take this young fellow (a soon to be 6th grader), and his dad to a prairie dog town for a little practice. Let me tell you this kid listens to what he his told. His very first prairie dog was at 188 yards. The next were all about 175 to 190 in distance and killed on the first shot. He ended up killing about 6 or 7 dogs, when the dogs went under. We sat in the "lodge" for a while an pretty soon the dogs were out and much much closer. I handed the boy a 17 hmr in a Marlin. As he squeezed off the next few rounds dogs fell like rain. Anyways, back to the original question, I think the Howa is a decent enough rifle for the money. Trust me it won't be long and you will be buying another rifle of some sort. This is a good beginning. Good luck in your hunting.

The .243 is a very good round. With the right load I (personaly) wouldn't hesitate taking a 400-500 yard shot under the right circumstances. A load can be developed to retain about 2000fps with over 1000fpe. The Hornady 105gr A-Max with a BC of .500 would be my bullet of choice to accomplish that.

I have taken deer at 270 yards with a .243 with factory 100gr SPCL. I also took a charging, almost 300lb, russian boar with it. Stopped it dead in it's tracks.

Last year I bought a Howa 1500 Varminter Supreme with SS bull barrel and Boyd thumbhole stock in .204 Ruger-it is a thing of beauty!

The bolt is smooth as silk, the 3-pos, safety I love, my only complaint is the trigger was set at 6 lb. The factory trigger can safely be adjusted down to 3.5 lb, which is good enough for predators but not p-dogs. I had it sent to Ken Johnston at Ultimate Firearms in Mich. He adds another screw to the mechanism and this allows for more trigger adjustment. I have mine set at 1 lb 14 oz with zero creep and it lets off perfectly. (although I realy like that accutrigger-it is super).

This rifle shoots the "worst" loads about 1.5" and my best reloads 3/8" to 1/2", like clockwork.

I purchased it to use only as a p-dog rifle. My only complaint was the trigger weight. Oh, also the importer did not have the stock inletted correctly at the floorplate and it also touched the barrel in a place, but this was all easy to shave off.

Would I buy another? You bet! Come to think of it I believe my wifes "needs" a .204!