Howa 1500 243 Varmint, stuck between two rifle choices

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crows2332

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Howdy,

Looking at two variations of a similar Howa 1500 243 Varmint 24" barrel.

First option: Brand New, Howa 1500 243 Blued Varmint 24" barrel, older synthetic stock (not hogue), not pillar bedded, internal mag, $550 new price, but extra $100 for courier and LGS transfer/accepting fee, so $650 couriered to LGS & transfer fee.

Second option: 2nd hand, Howa 1500 243 Stainless Varmint 24" Barrel, between 700 & 900 through it. Hogue pillar bedded stock, after market trigger, but unable to ascertain brand/fitting details, internal mag, for $650, possible inclusion of load data for a good grouping reload.

I like new and un muddled with, also like the "idea" of stainless & possible all ready to go reload for it. Negative is I don't have reloading gear, so either rifle will be using factory ammo for a while until enough coin for the gear.

Possibly be re-barrel in future to 260 or 243 improved once shot out, but doesn't really effect the choice of which one.

Similar price, slight variation one brand new, the other stainless but 900 rounds through it. Both available now.

It'd be used mostly with a bipod or some kind of front rest, so the flex in the 2nd hand Howa with the hogue stock may be a pain/negative.

Does one toss a coin, or is there a more scientific way of coming to a conclusion between the two (won't be used in a rainforest, massive humidity, or bucketing down with rain. Fair weather shooter :-)

Cheers
 
I think both are over priced but given those choices, I'd go with the SS/Hogue since I like Hogue stocks.
 
I think both are overpriced as well, I personally don't like either stock. I'd look for a better deal on a rifle than you've found, I'm sure it won't take very long to do this. Then I'd buy a Boyd's laminate stock and use that before any budget synthetic stock on the market.
 
Howdy Taylorce1
I'm with you on the stocks. I like the solid feel of the boyds stocks. I don't mind the grip of the hogue. The flex at fore end isn't the best. That'd be a little down the road for the boys after acquiring the rifle. I have seen the cheaper, but didn't have the coin at the time, but patience saves the money in the long run (in this occasion it would).
rifle, boyds stock, possibly add adaptor plate for detachable mag, mag, probably puts it into nearly default price for Tikka T3 Varmint territory
 
They're the same rifle in different materials. You like blue steel or SS?
Like Mobuck says, those are a bit pricey. Gander Mountain has that blued rifle in .243 on sale at $499.99. $649.99 for SS.
Stocks don't take any skill to change. However, if you opt for a Boyd's, they require fitting and bedding. Not exactly rocket science to do that though.
You may not live long enough to shoot the barrel out. However, a Howa 1500 is identical to a Weatherby Vanguard, so when you get that far, barrels etc. for either will do.
 
Important Info Missing

Is the Hogue stock the expensive one or the cheaper one that flexes at the end? If the stock is the more expensive one, I'd say that could be a good price and I'd go with it.

I've shot a 10/22 with Hogue stock and liked it.. not sure why they have such a bad reputation - but to each his own.

I've shot a Howa 1500 and was really impressed. I think they are underrated rifles.
 
Howdy T. O'Heir & ndking1126,
thanks for the input and your thoughts on it.
I think both the stocks for either rifle are running about about the same price, not expensive versions of either, so it's likely a Boyds may be on there in the future.

Blued or SS. I like them both. I'm old fashioned. Blued on a nice wood stock. That would be me (Winchester Mod 70). Since both are synthetic/rubber stocks, it kinda removes that that sentimental view of it, more of an economical tool.

I guess I have enough concern, I can't tell myself about the throat of the 2nd hand stainless rifle, how eroded it may be after the 900 rounds. If I wanted to put it on paper targets along the way, test the skills/variation, it may not have too much life left before the accuracy slowly starts to dip? The uncertainty of the 900 rounds in the stainless is basically causing my indecision I think.
 
I'm not a gun "expert" nor do I play one on TV, but here's my two cents.

The Howa's are basically the same as Vanguards. I have had one (S1) in .270 for several years. I replaced the trigger with a Timney (could never get the factory one adjusted where I liked) and love the rifle. I also have a Model 70 which I put in a Hogue pillar bedded stock and really like it. So, I don't think you will really hate the stock on either rifle.

Concerning the 900 rounds down the SS barrel, I wouldn't be concerned unless the original owner was a reloader who liked to load to the max. In that case, you might have a problem.

You can get a NEW Weatherby S2 for ($497 - 600 based on short google search) and have more money left over to go toward the Boyd's stock. The S2 trigger is an "accutrigger" version which I have been told is fantastic.

Happy deciding.:)
 
Howdy Cowboy_mo

thanks for taking the time to share some thoughts on it.

Good point re: the loads. I've been told the number of rounds (approx, which I guess could be rounded down and incorrect), but they do reload, and depending on the varmint they were after or target range etc, it's possible some reloads were maxed. The unknown there. I think with so many unknowns, and not a lot of dollars spare to fix up any thing that was half done, or is worn out, it might be safest in this occasion to go new over 2nd hand. If money wasn't an option it'd be okay to pick up the old Chev and enjoy the tinkering so to speak. Money is an objective, so the new rifle I guess is the fail safe against problems (as will have warranty)! thanks re: Timney trigger. Sounds good. Would also like to put a Winchester Mod 70 in the safe one day, in a far away day or distant galaxy of funding!

Cheers for the input.
 
For that price, buy new and start with a new barrel. You can get the Hogue stock on a Howa, just look for it. And while the Nikko Sterling scope used on factory scope combos isn't exactly a great scope, you will get up and running cheaper than buying someone else's problems.
 
Howa is a good rifle. The very first group I got out of my .270 was under an inch. Would buy again. Get the new one. The barrel will be good. Had a few Remington that weren't.


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A full aluminum-blocked Hogue replacement stock for that rifle should be well under $200 delivered, if it needs it.
 
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