Howa 1500 Lightning Rifle
 

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.

RE: Howa 1500 Lightning Rifle
 

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

RE: Howa 1500 Lightning Rifle
 

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

RE: Howa 1500 Lightning Rifle
 

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.

RE: Howa 1500 Lightning Rifle
 

Taken from the link below.

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

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.