Howa Action
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shortgrass
Well-Known Member
No,,,,,unless you find one on a gunshow table or in a show case at a pawn shop or gun shop with the barrel already removed.
ICANHITHIMMAN
Well-Known Member
barrled actions are only 400
Dr. Vette
Well-Known Member
I'd bet you could find some Weatherby Vanguards in certain stores for less than that and then have a stock + barrel + trigger to sell and recoup some cost.
B23
Well-Known Member
You can usually pick up clean used Howa 1500 around 300-350 complete. I picked up a Howa 1500 in 270 win. as donor last winter for $325 that was nearly new.
It's being turned into a 6.5-06AI and will be wearing a Manners T2 when it's all done.
IMHO, the Howa receiver makes for a good inexpensive donor.
It's being turned into a 6.5-06AI and will be wearing a Manners T2 when it's all done.
IMHO, the Howa receiver makes for a good inexpensive donor.
Long Time Long Ranger
Well-Known Member
Agree, check out the pawn shops and rifle racks. You can get a good howa action rifle in the $300-350 range. The wby vanguards are a good scource. I find them used for just over $300 regularly. Midway has the triggers. They are an excellent action to build on and the tolerances are better than the remington, winchester, ruger, browning, etc actions. I have numerous rifles built on them. My pet 243 AI that regularly groups 1/2"-3/4" groups at 300 yards is built on a Howa.
B23
Well-Known Member
One of my .223's is a stubby barreled Vanguard. My Vanguard has a better stock than the EL cheapo Howa 270win I bought as a donor. Which is why it's getting a Manners T2.
IMHO, a Timney or the like is a must in a Howa. I believe I read sometime back that Kirby worked a stock Howa trigger over and made it pretty decent but my abilities are far more limited than his. I can do a trigger replacement pretty easy but a full blown trigger job, uh, nope, not even gonna try.
IMHO, a Timney or the like is a must in a Howa. I believe I read sometime back that Kirby worked a stock Howa trigger over and made it pretty decent but my abilities are far more limited than his. I can do a trigger replacement pretty easy but a full blown trigger job, uh, nope, not even gonna try.
ICANHITHIMMAN
Well-Known Member
Pete Lincoln in Germany did my HOWA trigger its the best trigger I have. I have owned shillen and jard and the tuned HOWA puts them to shame.
B23
Well-Known Member
If I recall, Kirby said he was able to make his pretty darn good as well but I believe it was a rather involved process. Probably not something the average person could do and do safely. Atleast not this average person. lol
My little Vanguard/Howa had a really bad trigger in it from the get go. I think the best I could get it was a crowd pleasing 6.5lbs which felt like 50lbs comapred to my Jewels. The Howa 1500 270win I picked up used for a donor was much, much lighter but had a mile of creep before it went "bang". It too, got a Timney.
Maybe I could have made both triggers alot better with some work but the Timney doesn't cost that much and I would much rather be safe than sorry when it comes to triggers. I have friends that love to tinker with triggers and more often than not they can make them better but I have also witnessed first hand when theirs went "bang" and they weren't supposed too.
My little Vanguard/Howa had a really bad trigger in it from the get go. I think the best I could get it was a crowd pleasing 6.5lbs which felt like 50lbs comapred to my Jewels. The Howa 1500 270win I picked up used for a donor was much, much lighter but had a mile of creep before it went "bang". It too, got a Timney.
Maybe I could have made both triggers alot better with some work but the Timney doesn't cost that much and I would much rather be safe than sorry when it comes to triggers. I have friends that love to tinker with triggers and more often than not they can make them better but I have also witnessed first hand when theirs went "bang" and they weren't supposed too.
zupatun
Well-Known Member
Got my action as a complete rifle and scope from Gunbroker. A pawn shop in NV was selling it online. Cost me a whole $270 shipped. I was looking for .308 and they were selling 308. Sold the barrel and I still have the flexi-stock..,There are deals out there.
Lapped and tuned the factory HOWA trigger to 2lbs myself...it was fun (but not for everyone).
Matt
Lapped and tuned the factory HOWA trigger to 2lbs myself...it was fun (but not for everyone).
Matt
Guys,
I have a couple Howa's sitting in my safe that I sure would like to use for a build.
What is involved in tuning a Howa action, is it similar to what has to be done to a Rem 700? If a smith can tune a 700 can he also do a Howa or do I need to find someone who specializes in Howa's?
I have read they are better and stronger than the Rem 700. Is this true?
And are there any sources for aftermarket parts, ie stocks, magazines, triggers, etc. I know one company makes a trigger for them. Timney I think.
Thanks for the info
I have a couple Howa's sitting in my safe that I sure would like to use for a build.
What is involved in tuning a Howa action, is it similar to what has to be done to a Rem 700? If a smith can tune a 700 can he also do a Howa or do I need to find someone who specializes in Howa's?
I have read they are better and stronger than the Rem 700. Is this true?
And are there any sources for aftermarket parts, ie stocks, magazines, triggers, etc. I know one company makes a trigger for them. Timney I think.
Thanks for the info
signature542
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2009
- Messages
- 139
The Howa actions and triggers are excellent vaue for moneyand generally shoot very well with some fine tuning before they get accurised!
PTG reamers now have new bottom metal and a bigger mag box and other bits coming soon.
If your not after an Ultra mag calibre type build I would use the Howa!
Triggers can be honed to perfection by the right gunsmith down to a pound safely..
Guy in Australia on ebay does a terrific job! No issue at 1.5 lbs and thats my normal setting request !
PTG reamers now have new bottom metal and a bigger mag box and other bits coming soon.
If your not after an Ultra mag calibre type build I would use the Howa!
Triggers can be honed to perfection by the right gunsmith down to a pound safely..
Guy in Australia on ebay does a terrific job! No issue at 1.5 lbs and thats my normal setting request !
I bought a VGL 30.06 NOS a couple of years ago, made in 1988 and it is by far my favorite, even over my Mark v's. The factory trigger is a mere 2.5 ibs with zero creep. It's accurate, light and with that 20 barrel, it's great in tree stands! I've also had a 7mm mag in that VGL model, with a big time kick. Howa's and Vanguards have always been my favorites/ the only thing I don't like about them now is the bottom line models aren't too pretty like the ones from the 80's ones. The VGL and VGS's used to be the bottom line models and they really are beautiful rifles with their wood stocks and satin bluing. But, the new ones still shoot the same so looks aren't everything!
