Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

[Target07]

I am in the need

, or at least that is what I tell the wife, of a good fairly inexpensive rifle for deer hunting. I want something that can be beat around a bit and me not loose my cool over beating it up. I just want something that will be reliable and accurate enough for deer hunting. Longest shot I will probably see would be around the 300 yard mark. The Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo (outfitted w/ a Niko Stirling 3-9x42 night eater scope w/ rings and one piece base) caught my eye due to the fact that you can have one new for around the $599 mark. Additionally, I found one that is in as new condition for $499 outfitted as stated above. Due to the fact that it is light weight and compact is a plus also for ease of carry and shouldering. Anybody have any experience w/ these...good or bad? Thanks for your input and below you will find a link that has a pic and some info about the rifle.

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_ranchlandcompact.html

 

[Rob96]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

I have seen the same rifle without the scope NIB for $429.

 

[Top Cat]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

Howas are great and I do like the standard 1500. As for this model...well...just my personal preferences but if you want my real critical take on things...here goes...

They shoot just fine and are accurate enough, but for me the barrel taper is too thin, I don't like Hogue stocks, the Nikko Scope is a low end unit, and the base isn't canted. So other than the barrel, stock base, rings and scope...I like it.

TC

 

[Target07]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Top Cat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Howas are great and I do like the standard 1500. As for this one...well...if you want my real critical take on things...here goes...for me the barrel taper is too thin, I don't like Hogue stocks, the Nikko Scope is a low end unit, and the base isn't canted. So other than the barrel, stock base, rings and scope...I like it.

TC </div></div>

I hear ya! I have Falcon Menace 4-14x42 FFP that is sitting in my safe in a set of NightForce 30mm Rings. I normally like heavier barrels also but this will see a lot of carrying and I figured it wouldn't affect the accuracy that much. Thanks for your input as I am still undecided. I might just purchase a Heavy Barrel one if I can find one. I did a search for them last night and came up short.

 

[Top Cat]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

I am not saying the heavy barrel model is necessary or even desirable for hunting, but I prefer the standard barrel. The standard barrel is a 22" #2, and the compact is a 20" #1. Not really that much weight is saved. But all this is a personal preference and the compacts are great rifles just as they are...Howa is a solid rifle, and if you put a lighter stock on it you might save a pound right there.

You might look at a Marlin XL7, they are light, handy and well made and under $300.

TC

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Target07</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am in the need

, or at least that is what I tell the wife, of a good fairly inexpensive rifle for deer hunting. I want something that can be beat around a bit and me not loose my cool over beating it up. I just want something that will be reliable and accurate enough for deer hunting. Longest shot I will probably see would be around the 300 yard mark. The Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo (outfitted w/ a Niko Stirling 3-9x42 night eater scope w/ rings and one piece base) caught my eye due to the fact that you can have one new for around the $599 mark. Additionally, I found one that is in as new condition for $499 outfitted as stated above. Due to the fact that it is light weight and compact is a plus also for ease of carry and shouldering. Anybody have any experience w/ these...good or bad? Thanks for your input and below you will find a link that has a pic and some info about the rifle.

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_ranchlandcompact.html </div></div>

FWIW - I used to own one of these in .30-06 and it was great for the money. Everything I needed in a deer hunting rifle. Even the scope was better than I thought it would be. Not a rifle I would try to shoot tight groups with. But it was very well made, very reliable and feature rich, Held "minute of deer" all day long. It's an excellent bargain in my book.

 

[Target07]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ranger1183</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Target07</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am in the need

, or at least that is what I tell the wife, of a good fairly inexpensive rifle for deer hunting. I want something that can be beat around a bit and me not loose my cool over beating it up. I just want something that will be reliable and accurate enough for deer hunting. Longest shot I will probably see would be around the 300 yard mark. The Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo (outfitted w/ a Niko Stirling 3-9x42 night eater scope w/ rings and one piece base) caught my eye due to the fact that you can have one new for around the $599 mark. Additionally, I found one that is in as new condition for $499 outfitted as stated above. Due to the fact that it is light weight and compact is a plus also for ease of carry and shouldering. Anybody have any experience w/ these...good or bad? Thanks for your input and below you will find a link that has a pic and some info about the rifle.

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_ranchlandcompact.html </div></div>

FWIW - I used to own one of these in .30-06 and it was great for the money. Everything I needed in a deer hunting rifle. Even the scope was better than I thought it would be. Not a rifle I would try to shoot tight groups with. But it was very well made, very reliable and feature rich, Held "minute of deer" all day long. It's an excellent bargain in my book.
</div></div>


Thanks for the input. I am really considering getting one for this deer season. I think it would serves it purpose. What was the longest shot that you took the .30-06 Ranchland and what type of groups did you see? Just curious as you stated it was "minute of deer"?

 

[Pete Lincoln]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

buy your self the cheapest stainless Howa 1500 you can get,
The stainless ones shoot just a little bit better.
Tune the trigger, junk the standard stock and put it in a FBB hogue, B&C or something similar. re cut the crown, ( you can use a piloted crown trimmer at a pinch) lap the lugs a bit if they dont show full contact and you should have a 1/2-3/4 MOA rifle.

even with just a trigger tune in a standard PB Hogue stock you shoudl see MOA or better.,. i'd relieve the foreend on the hoge PB stock just to give a bit of clearance,

wouldn't bother with the Nikko Sterling scope for a hunter, ( but then again you guys dont hunt once the sun drops do you)
but if you've that Falcon alreads stick it in there.

Howa 1500.. cracking little rifle.. for the money,, a bargain.


regards Pete

 

[palle2612]

Re: Howa 1500 Ranchland Combo

He is mine, a great shooter, but I'll have to admit she's a little on the heavy side 4 hunting, gotta work on those biceps..


http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...952#Post1384952