Howa 1500 .223

Anything Fullbore rifle related, Hunting, Target, Match.

Moderator: dromia

Message
Author
RJ156
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:14 pm
Contact:

Howa 1500 .223

#1 Post by RJ156 »

Evening

Considering options for a .223 bolt action for the range, target shooting only.

Is there any reason I should avoid a Howa 1500?

Plan would be to varmint barrel 1:8 with bifrost stock.

Now I have shot (and do very much like) tikka t3; but they are right at the upper end of budget, and accessories are significantly more pricey.

Bearing in mind I have handled and get the tikka hype, will I regret Howa 1500?

Any experiences welcome

Thanks

Rich
User avatar
daman
Site Supporter 2021
Posts: 697
Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2015 12:11 am
Home club or Range: HRPC, NRA, BASC, BDS, Larbert, UKPSA
Location: Falkirk
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#2 Post by daman »

I have a Howa 1500 in .223 and know a few more people with the same. It's a good rifle for the price.

Came in a Hogue stock which I found too flexible, I changed for a GRS, which improved my groups.

Mine is very happy with 55gn bullets but struggles to stabilize heavier - if I recall correctly it's a 1-in-12 twist. A 1-in-8 would probably be better for e.g milsurp. Not shot it past 500 yards but it's better than I am at that range.

See if you can get your hands on one to try out. You might just like it.

- daman
User avatar
Dellboy
Site Supporter 2021
Posts: 2613
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:49 am
Home club or Range: Star Shooting Club
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#3 Post by Dellboy »

I have a 223 and a 308 both in GRS stock and am well chuffed
2020 GOOD DEALS WITH

Cutch Vortex Scope
Mauserbill Enfield Books


Enjoy today as tomorrow might not come .

Noli pati a scelestis opprimi.

002515
RJ156
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:14 pm
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#4 Post by RJ156 »

Thank-you both very much. Any teething issues or adjustments required?

What box mag setup (if any) did you opt for?

Daman - yeah you are correct, 1:12 is only option in catalogue. Think I may have read one wrong somewhere. Anyway, I’m sure 55gr will be fine!

I may have to go find a show with one in stock and go have a play with!
User avatar
DaveB
Posts: 1592
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:11 am
Home club or Range: Wellington Service Rifle Assocaition; NZ Deerstalkers Association; Wairarapa Pistol & Shooting Sports Club
Location: Upper Hutt, New Zealand
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#5 Post by DaveB »

I do not know about the Howa 1500, but I have a couple of Howa 'Mini' action rifles, one in .223 and the other in 300 Blackout. My .223 has a 1-in-8 twist barrel. Apparently they were also offered in 1-in-9 twist for a period as well. Maybe the 1500 action is offered with fewer or different barrel options? You might look into the mini action.
User avatar
Pete
Past Supporter
Posts: 2946
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:48 am
Home club or Range: NRA Bisley
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#6 Post by Pete »

To get the best that .223 can offer, you need an 8 twist barrel. You can really stretch their legs with 80grain bullets........

Pete
"Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum" Lucretius
You're offended? Please explain why your inability to control your emotions translates into me having to censor my opinions....
User avatar
daman
Site Supporter 2021
Posts: 697
Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2015 12:11 am
Home club or Range: HRPC, NRA, BASC, BDS, Larbert, UKPSA
Location: Falkirk
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#7 Post by daman »

RJ156 wrote: Sun May 08, 2022 9:54 am Thank-you both very much. Any teething issues or adjustments required?
Well, I did change the stock :-) Apart from that, no fettling was required.
What box mag setup (if any) did you opt for?
Mine came with a floorplate and a box mag (and all the gubbins to switch). It usually wears the box mag in the field as it's easier to unload when climbing etc, and the floorplate on the range as it's easier to single load. Most of my clubmates use the floorplate exclusively.

Daman - yeah you are correct, 1:12 is only option in catalogue. Think I may have read one wrong somewhere. Anyway, I’m sure 55gr will be fine!
As DaveB has said, you might be able to find it in a mini-action (although still branded 1500 over here) at least one of the 1500s in our club is a 1-in-8.
55gn is enough for my uses, but it will get pushed about by the wind at range, and the cheaper milsurp is iirc 62gn.

I may have to go find a show with one in stock and go have a play with!
Always good to give one a cuddle before purchase lol
RJ156
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:14 pm
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#8 Post by RJ156 »

Just a question regarding short and mini action

Which is better? Weight isn’t really as issue as it’s to be a range gun. From what I understand the mini action has less options for stocks, mags, and other accessories.

Is this correct or not something you’ve ever encountered?
User avatar
daman
Site Supporter 2021
Posts: 697
Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2015 12:11 am
Home club or Range: HRPC, NRA, BASC, BDS, Larbert, UKPSA
Location: Falkirk
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#9 Post by daman »

Not really qualified to say tbh, they all seem to work :)
RJ156
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:14 pm
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 .223

#10 Post by RJ156 »

daman wrote: Mon May 09, 2022 11:57 am Not really qualified to say tbh, they all seem to work :)
No worries

I had been shying away from mini’s
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests