Howa Rifles

[billy ahring]

I have a stainless Howa 1500 in .243 that I am very fond of. It shoots Hornady factory loads under an inch as well as the handloads that I have worked up for it. I duplicated the Hornady loading as best I could using the same bullet, and nearly the same amount of powder. I contacted Hornady to ask them what powder they use and they would not share that info with me. I'm using RL-15 with good results.

You are right that a Howa 1500 is the same rifle as the Weatherby vanguard. It is a good quality rifle with a decent trigger. I restocked mine replacing the tupperwarelike synthetic stock with a HS Precision model with the full length aluminum bedding block and a cool looking camo finish. If I were buying a new one today I would go for the Howa in the Hogue stock. I have seen and fondled one on a dealers shelf and was impressed with the way it felt. Much better quality than the standard synthetic. I don't know if the Hogue stock they are using is the full length bedding block version or the pillar bedded one. Anyone here know?

Billy