Howa 1500 Lightning Rifle

SPIKEHORN11 · 09-20-2006, 06:19 AM

My dad is considering buying the Howa 1500 Lightning Rifle in 30-06 with a camo stock and scope package from Bass Pro for $499.99.

Is this a good deal or rifle?? Looking for any info on it. He either wants that or a Remington 7400 in 30-06.(I have one in .243)

Thanks for any help.

Californiadoctor · 09-21-2006, 04:03 PM

I think that is a pretty good deal. Howa manufactures the Weatherby Vanguard which is probably similar to the Howa 1500 and the price of new Vanguards, at least in California, is well over $500, and this is without a scope. By the way I have a Vanguard and it is an excellent rifle and I imagine a Howa 1500 would be as well.

Caldoc

stubblejumper · 09-21-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Howa manufactures the Weatherby Vanguard which is probably similar to the Howa 1500

Other than cosmetic differences,the howa 1500 and the vanguard are virtually the same rifle.

rjhans53 · 09-21-2006, 07:45 PM

There are differences between the vanguard and howa, but not much the one that comes to mind is the safety. Vanguard has a 3 position safety and the howa only 2. I've got a howa that is probably 20 years old in a BC stock, great rifle.

stubblejumper · 09-21-2006, 07:58 PM

Taken from the link below.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/wby_vanguard_rifles.htm

Quote:

The two position Vanguard safety locks the bolt closed in the "safe" position, just like a Mark V safety, but it is not as quiet in operation and is shaped differently.

So either Chuckhawks is wrong or the three position safety is a very recent change.
I have fired several vanguards myself with two position safeties,butnot in the last couple of years.