I'm interested in getting some information on Howa rifles. I'm mostly interested in accuracy, does the safety lock the bolt, and general feelings toward these guns. I heard they were made by the same company that is making the Vanguard, but since I have never seen one I don't know. Any and all information is helpfull.

Accuracy is excellent and the safety does not lock the bolt....I'm also now hearing of a new three position safety.....maybe someone else can confirm that....it's a good feature IMO.

I'd but one in a heartbeat.....except I already got way too many guns.

They are accurate guns. Although I don't have one myself, my friend has a Howa 1500 with the bull barrel in 22-250 and it can shoot as good as my Rem VLS shooting as small as .3 groups with the right load and lightened trigger. It does have the 3 position safety too.

I have a heavy barrelled .223 Howa that I am very happy with, and I've owned a couple others that were fine rifles as well (.270 and 7mm Magnum). My .223 has been on a couple of prairie dog shoots, and is holding up well under the strain, which is considerable, under those circumstances. Excellent rifles. Howa made great shotguns, too, copying the Remington 870 to the point of bettering it, in my opinion. Howa made Weatherby rifles for several years, and stillmake the Vanguard, and make the rifle the Japanese Defense Forces still use.

I have a Varminter Supreme in 223, WW 45 gr hp factory loads at 100 yds is consistantly around 1/2 to 3/4" groups. I was thinking about buying a Lightning in 6.5x55 if I can find a dealer that can find one. The new 3 position safety allows for working the bolt or locking it when engaged.