- Thread starter Texar2
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A better question is does it really matter? They are great actions. I will take an Howa over a Remington every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
I second this motion
Are you saying you can personally distinguish a casting from a forging based on weight?
Dittos on the Howa working well for custom builds. If the aftermarket guys were as up-to-speed on making parts for Howas as they are for 700s, there'd be no contest as far as I'm concerned. With the integral lug, Howas work well as a switch-barrel rifle, and with a bunch of flat surface on the bottom of their actions, they don't depend on the recoil lug alone to resist torqueing over in the stock when the bullet hits the lands. I've done a few builds on Howas - not enough to be a really good sample - but the ones I've worked on didn't really need truing.
While I've built & own several good rifles on remmy 700s, I've also had to deal with extractor failures in several customer's rifles. And replacing the extractor with a new one doesn't always fix the problems, so I wound up using PTG custom bolts with Sako or mini M16 extractors. Another point in the Howa's favor - they come with a M16-style extractor.
CDI used to be the only source I know of for DBM that uses AICS or AI mags, but PTG is now making such DBM, and for about half the cost of CDI's unit. Still waiting to get one from PTG, so don't know whether it's going to require inletting to fit or even what it looks like, but I've got a McM A5A stock & a new short 1500 Howa action sitting here ready to go when the DBM finally arrives.
While I've built & own several good rifles on remmy 700s, I've also had to deal with extractor failures in several customer's rifles. And replacing the extractor with a new one doesn't always fix the problems, so I wound up using PTG custom bolts with Sako or mini M16 extractors. Another point in the Howa's favor - they come with a M16-style extractor.
CDI used to be the only source I know of for DBM that uses AICS or AI mags, but PTG is now making such DBM, and for about half the cost of CDI's unit. Still waiting to get one from PTG, so don't know whether it's going to require inletting to fit or even what it looks like, but I've got a McM A5A stock & a new short 1500 Howa action sitting here ready to go when the DBM finally arrives.
I only wish that their barreled action in .223 had a decent twist rate. What am I suppose to do with a 1:12" twist rate?
+1. Flat bottom, integral lug, one piece bolt, M16 extractor, excellent two stage trigger (on the new ones), what's not to love? A lot of smiths will also tell you they have very good tolerances and usually don't need to be tried.
You can't go wrong with the Howa/Vanguard action. The only improvement I could see would be a side bolt release and more aftermarket support.
No matter what it is made from I love my howa burned out the first barrel and put a new one on
I've always been a Remington guy - but a buddy recently bought a 1500 over for me to play with. Jesus, they are a lot of rifle for the money. I just picked up a Howa 22.250, and given they come with a rail, one piece bolt, decent trigger, and shoot pretty darn well - I'm not sure I'll ever buy another cheap Remington!
Welcome to the dark side
I'll second that.
Luuuke, come over to the darkside!! LOL Was looking at another action to use in my next build, Maybe a Montana, or Rebel, or a Howa, been hearing some good things about them lately.
Are the howa, vanguard actions as smooth as the Tikka's? I'm having a hard time deciding between the two for a 7mm mag hunting build. The weatherby vanguard SQ2 looks real nice? But I love how smooth the Tikka is??????
To tight isn't a problem.. But to short is.
Iv had 3 howas and never had a problem with being to short
has anyone here actually chucked one up to see just how much out of true they are? I hear folks say they were close enough, or that they were pretty close. What does that really mean? I am interested in buying one, but the hole metric tread thing has me a bit concerned. Ive never cut a metric thread. Lee
The Howa is very smooth, I am very happy with the 1500 I have, now that there are more options for aftermarket parts I think they are a better option than a Rem 700.
So do we have anyone on here willing to spin a barrel on one? I have a early 80's Vangaurd LA .270 that I've been wanting turn into something else......maybe a 6.5 on a long action with Berger 140's loaded long.
6.5 GW maybe?
6.5 GW maybe?
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This is relative to my interests.
I had pacnor do my barrel in 6.5 lapua and it is sweet
To date, I've re-barreled only one short & one long Howa 1500 - the SA was barreled with a Bartlein 1-7.8tw, .237" bore in 6XC; put a 26" Krieger #5 sptr 1-9tw in 280 AI on the LA. Dialed both actions in on a GreTan-style action truing fixture, and neither one had more than .001" runout on the face, lug seats were also within .001", and when I picked up the threads and re-cut them, they were so nearly concentric that I certainly felt like I'd wasted the time it took to dial it in in the first place. Like I said, I haven't done a whole bunch of the Howas, but the ones I have done didn't need anything beyond a good chamber in a good bbl, a 20 MOA scope rail, and perhaps a lighter trigger.
The action I've got in the shop right now is another SA, but is one with the new HACT trigger; this one breaks at 2lbs, and is pretty crisp. Will probably shoot it as-is with this trigger for awhile before making the decision whether to put a Timney on it or not.
The action I've got in the shop right now is another SA, but is one with the new HACT trigger; this one breaks at 2lbs, and is pretty crisp. Will probably shoot it as-is with this trigger for awhile before making the decision whether to put a Timney on it or not.
I built a 300 WSM on one, liked it a lot. When I cut the barrel threads I ran the lathe in reverse and threaded away from the shoulder then pulled my tool out and and ran the lathe forward till my tool was in the thread releaf and went again. I think the actions are good and the bolt being 1 piece is great. As far as resale value I dont think theyre as desirable as a 700 is.
Just my thoughts,
Kc
Just my thoughts,
Kc
Mississippi most around here love the vanguard being poor folk its the action we like and is affordable you know because we cling to our guns and religion
I shoot both. The tikkas are smoother and also have a nicer bolt throw. I wouldn't hesitate to build on either, I just have a slight preference to tikka.
