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.

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

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

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.