You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Remington 700 ADL vs Howa 1500
- Thread starter ircarr
- Start date
"...is it hard to free float..." Nope. Easiest with a wood stock. You just sand(NO ROTARY TOOLS) out the barrel channel so a dollar bill will slide up under the barrel to the chamber area.
However, floating a barrel guarantees nothing. One of those things you have to try to see if your rifle likes it. If it doesn't putting a pressure point back in isn't a big deal. It's just dab of bedding material(fibreglass mixed with epoxy) an inch or so aft of the end on the forestock.
Like Orion6 says, either rifle will do nicely for hunting. Howa has been making Weatherby Vanguards all along. A Howa 1500 and a Weatherby Vanguard are the same thing.
And Remington doesn't make scopes. Not that it matters.
"...1 MOA is not exceptional..." Isn't exactly unusual or necessary in a hunting rifle. If any hunting rifle shoots 1 MOA consistently, it's a great rifle. Whole thing depends on the ammo used anyway.
Bolt fluting is decorative and nothing more. Ditto for fluting a barrel.
However, floating a barrel guarantees nothing. One of those things you have to try to see if your rifle likes it. If it doesn't putting a pressure point back in isn't a big deal. It's just dab of bedding material(fibreglass mixed with epoxy) an inch or so aft of the end on the forestock.
Like Orion6 says, either rifle will do nicely for hunting. Howa has been making Weatherby Vanguards all along. A Howa 1500 and a Weatherby Vanguard are the same thing.
And Remington doesn't make scopes. Not that it matters.
"...1 MOA is not exceptional..." Isn't exactly unusual or necessary in a hunting rifle. If any hunting rifle shoots 1 MOA consistently, it's a great rifle. Whole thing depends on the ammo used anyway.
Bolt fluting is decorative and nothing more. Ditto for fluting a barrel.
^^ This.
I've got a box with wooden dowels (closet rod, full-round trim stock of varying diameters).
Take a dowel of appropriate size, wrap it with sandpaper (as aggressive as needed to start, work down to 220 or as fine as needed) until it floats.
Personally, I prefer the "business card" test if possible- single thickness of paper and not card stock doesn't leave a lot of clearance.
I've got a box with wooden dowels (closet rod, full-round trim stock of varying diameters).
Take a dowel of appropriate size, wrap it with sandpaper (as aggressive as needed to start, work down to 220 or as fine as needed) until it floats.
Personally, I prefer the "business card" test if possible- single thickness of paper and not card stock doesn't leave a lot of clearance.
I have several Vanguards (both the S1 and the S2) and older Howa's. They are all shooters (less than 1 MOA) and if I was to purchase a rifle today I would get the Vanguard S2. They are below $500 at Buds and they can be found for even less around the holidays.
I sold my last 700 several years ago and haven't looked back. But if you purchase a 700, I would try to get an older model.
You mentioned that you were on a tight budget but you can puchase Howa barreled actions online and then add a stock (Medalist?) and have quite a decent rifle for a good price. You can't go wrong with the Howa or the Vanguard for the price.
I sold my last 700 several years ago and haven't looked back. But if you purchase a 700, I would try to get an older model.
You mentioned that you were on a tight budget but you can puchase Howa barreled actions online and then add a stock (Medalist?) and have quite a decent rifle for a good price. You can't go wrong with the Howa or the Vanguard for the price.
steveNChunter
New member
Only owned one Howa vs. several Model 700's, so I could be a bit biased. But the one Howa I did own I never could get to group to satisfy me. It was also terribly heavy for what I was using it for, a hunting rifle. It was a .25-06 I bought brand new as a barreled action and put in a Hogue stock with an aluminum bedding block which I also epoxy bedded.
I tried every powder, bullet, and primer I could get my hands on, played with charge weights and seating depth forever and couldn't get better than 1.5"@100 yards. I know it's not always necessary, but if I can't get a modern bolt action rifle to group MOA or less I'm not satisfied.
I've had at least 10 model 700's made from the late 60's all the way up to made last year, and I've been able to get sub-MOA accuracy from all of them. However it does sometimes require a different stock or bedding job. With a chamber throat and muzzle crown in good shape, and good bedding, there are very few model 700's that won't shoot at least MOA.
I might also add, that as good as I like my 700's, I'm becoming just as fond of Savages. I've had two .223's that shot 3-shot groups in the .2's at 100 yards, one being an Axis, the other a model 12. And I'm currently building a target/varmint rifle on a 110 action.
I tried every powder, bullet, and primer I could get my hands on, played with charge weights and seating depth forever and couldn't get better than 1.5"@100 yards. I know it's not always necessary, but if I can't get a modern bolt action rifle to group MOA or less I'm not satisfied.
I've had at least 10 model 700's made from the late 60's all the way up to made last year, and I've been able to get sub-MOA accuracy from all of them. However it does sometimes require a different stock or bedding job. With a chamber throat and muzzle crown in good shape, and good bedding, there are very few model 700's that won't shoot at least MOA.
I might also add, that as good as I like my 700's, I'm becoming just as fond of Savages. I've had two .223's that shot 3-shot groups in the .2's at 100 yards, one being an Axis, the other a model 12. And I'm currently building a target/varmint rifle on a 110 action.
At one time I was going to get a savage axis but the only problem I have with them is that they are pretty ugly and they aren't the best quality. Now I know there are better savages out there which one would be a step up from the axis and which one has the best quality. And I am also looking for a new gun so no used ones.
steveNChunter
New member
From your earlier posts it looks like you are looking for a .308 hunting rifle. You can get a .308 in about any flavor you want from Savage. The 11FHNS is a step up from the Axis, but still pretty low priced, has the accu-trigger and accu-stock, and the barrel is free floated from the factory. It doesn't show up on the Savage website, must be a non cataloged item.
You may be able to find a better deal than I did here, I didn't do much looking: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/savage-hunter-series-11-fhns-bolt-action-308-winchester-17926-011356179265-22-barrel-accustock?a=1788020
You may be able to find a better deal than I did here, I didn't do much looking: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/savage-hunter-series-11-fhns-bolt-action-308-winchester-17926-011356179265-22-barrel-accustock?a=1788020
steveNChunter
New member
It's also worth mentioning that the Axis is now available with the accu-trigger and a wood stock. Should be around $400 street price and comes with a Weaver Kaspa scope which isn't the best but it's better than most throw-away package deal scopes.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/Axis2xphardwood
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/Axis2xphardwood
Lot of Remington hate nowdays, I know their QC has gone downhill but they still make a good rifle. Only 700s I own are new from last few years my VTR SS is a awsome performer lights out shooter. Very pleased with the build quality on it and performance. Only deal is Remington's synthetic stocks could use a little bit of improvement , but I like it well enough on this rifle and shoots so well I'd never change. Less than a 1/2 MOA shooter at 100 yards with factory loads, haven't tried hand loads yet, My 5r Milspec .308 is a tack driver as well. Yes Remington's have a decent amount of issues, some quality isn't the best in the stocks, barrels etc QC has dropped but I think it's a bit much to say they just plain suck or should be avoided. People should judge that themselves really.
Yes I'm talking about higher models vs the OP wanting a lower mode. If you buy a higher end 700 you are getting a good product. The SPS line/ADL I believe there's nicer options like the T/C Venture , cheapest 1500 Howas, etc but still a decent option.
The chain store/Walmart ADL you'll likely get a good shooter, same 700 action just a cheap stock no floor plate. Many people build off these since they are sold cheaper than just an action. Trigger is non adjustable but if you plan to upgrade aftermarket not much of an issue. Or just buy a adjustable X mark off someone for 40$ or less. If you don't want to upgrade anything it will be a rifle that work decent for hunting or some rec shooting. Nothing real special or feature rich though.
The scope is pretty junk , works for a bit of light use testing maybe once or twice a year hunting but otherwise is just junk. I wouldn't really consider the scope much of a factor for either rifle.
The Howa is a nice rifle, a step above the ADL, the SPS would compare to the Howa your thinking of more. SPS is same as ADL just with rubber grips and floorplate. Howa probably has a better stock I'd say but close between the two. As others mentioned action is different but none really better than the other. Toss up here. Have a 1500 myself nice gun , but I'm a Rem fan personally. Doesn't mean either better just preference,
Hope that helps.
Yes I'm talking about higher models vs the OP wanting a lower mode. If you buy a higher end 700 you are getting a good product. The SPS line/ADL I believe there's nicer options like the T/C Venture , cheapest 1500 Howas, etc but still a decent option.
The chain store/Walmart ADL you'll likely get a good shooter, same 700 action just a cheap stock no floor plate. Many people build off these since they are sold cheaper than just an action. Trigger is non adjustable but if you plan to upgrade aftermarket not much of an issue. Or just buy a adjustable X mark off someone for 40$ or less. If you don't want to upgrade anything it will be a rifle that work decent for hunting or some rec shooting. Nothing real special or feature rich though.
The scope is pretty junk , works for a bit of light use testing maybe once or twice a year hunting but otherwise is just junk. I wouldn't really consider the scope much of a factor for either rifle.
The Howa is a nice rifle, a step above the ADL, the SPS would compare to the Howa your thinking of more. SPS is same as ADL just with rubber grips and floorplate. Howa probably has a better stock I'd say but close between the two. As others mentioned action is different but none really better than the other. Toss up here. Have a 1500 myself nice gun , but I'm a Rem fan personally. Doesn't mean either better just preference,
Hope that helps.
ircarr said:That definitely does help I am not planing on doing any upgrades I am most likely going to leave it in stock configuration besides putting on a scope. The main thing is quality in my price range. And also how much would a howa 1500 lightning
Gotcha man. Howa looks like by specs 7.6 lbs in standard calibers. With scope , using a middle of ground figure like 16 ounces(which your typical scope 3x9, or a bit higher may weigh or a bit less). Looking at 8.5 ish lbs give or take. Pretty standard most guns weigh about this. Also I might consider the Rem 783 in this price range, there's been a lot of good feedback about them and are a great value too. Has a detachable mag and a few features the ADL does not. Or the T/C venture can be had for 400-500$ and that's one of the top value rifles I'd say in the class. 700 SPS might be above your price range at 550-600$ starting. Just a suggestion if you want something more in the class of the lighting that's a Remington product to compare in the 783. Also no the 783 is not a 770 completely different gun. Is comparable quality of Ruger American, Savage Axis etc.
Howa is awsome if that's what you decide though. Good luck!