HOWA 6.5X55

TC has always had problems. They never could get headspace correct in the Contender. Regularly Contender barrels had to go back to be swapped. I even had a couple of Rimmed cartridge Contenders that the headspace was off on. The Encore had its problems. The Venture has had recalls. One of my Ventures had a chamber cut so rough that I honestly could not have cut it that bad had I tried to screw it up. I called customer service, but never sent it back. I figured I could clean the chamber up easier than mess with them, considering I had a reamer on the shelf.:D
 
If you don't reload then .260 Remington ammo is quite a bit more expensive than 6.5x55. I shot the PRVI for a couple of years in my 6.6x55 and saved all the brass. I then started reloading and the PRVI brass works great.
 
I've had 3 Howa/Vanguards - they shoot well, but the problem with them is the safety / trigger interplay - if you adjust the trigger as "good as it will go" (which is about 5-6 lbs), then the safety no longer works (stays in off position only). Rifle still works fine; just no safety-on position. You have to "back it off" to about 7-8 lbs before the safety will move forward, which isn't terrible, but certainly not a "good" trigger.

Overall, I enjoyed them and give them a thumbs up. LSI/ Howa offer some interesting combos and accessories, like the Hogue stocks, Knoxx Axiom stocks, interesting chambering (such as 6.5x55), etc.
 
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