texastrophies Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Any thoughts on the Howa line of rifles? Thinking about getting my son the Camo/SS in .270 with a 3x10 scope mounted on it for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 I have a Howa 1500 in 22-250, it has a thumbhole stock. It is the first one I have ever owned, but I would buy another Howa, no problems with this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Can somebody explain to me the idea behind camo with stainless? Doesn't that seem to be two opposing philosphies of finish on the same gun? Just curious. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Im drooling on the Howa Axium. That may be my next major investment! Theyve been getting good reviews. From what ive read they make a decent rifle, especially for hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Howa makes the Weatherby Vanguard line of guns...from my experience, they are shooters. My uncle has a Howa in .223 and its a good gun...I'd say you'd be safe in buying one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Can somebody explain to me the idea behind camo with stainless? Doesn't that seem to be two opposing philosphies of finish on the same gun? Just curious. Doc Slightly off topic, but to answer your question - Yes, when a stainless gun is brand new, the metal will have a slight "shine" to it. But as it ages, it takes on a dull gray patina that makes it much less noticeable in the woods. Also, the stainless takes paint very well if you decide to camo that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 No actually it was not off topic. Texastrophies described the gun as being "Camo/SS" and asked for "any thoughts". I just thought that was an odd combination that I probably would not personally choose, for obvious reasons. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted December 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 So what are your "obviouse reasons"? Mine for getting it are pretty simple. 1. My son wanted a camo gun. 2. I wanted it to have a SS barrel. If you are saying the SS defeats the purpose of the camo stock, would it be better if it was a wood stock or a black synthetic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Although the Howa is Japanese made it has a good reputation for quality and accuracy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie234 Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 I have the Howa 1500 in 30.06 and have taken many deer with it. Haven't had any problems with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Good choice, the only problem I can see is that your son will be on the porch with me drinking cocoa. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted December 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Good choice, the only problem I can see is that your son will be on the porch with me drinking cocoa. CB Sshhh, I was hoping no one would pick up on that minor detail. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 So what are your "obviouse reasons"? Mine for getting it are pretty simple. 1. My son wanted a camo gun. 2. I wanted it to have a SS barrel. If you are saying the SS defeats the purpose of the camo stock, would it be better if it was a wood stock or a black synthetic? Well, I'm not trying to get anyone all upset, but I just thought that if camo was an important feature to someone, they most likely would not want a nice shiny stainless steel barrel sticking out of the middle of it. Most guns that I have seen that bother to get into camo at all are camo all the way, i.e. stock and barrel are both camo. Otherwise, why bother to have camo at all? Yes, I do believe the stainless defeats the purpose of camo unless it's just a look that you like. You asked for thoughts......those are mine. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 I you wanted a stainless steel barrel because it won't need any care, think again. They pit and erode just like carbon steel it just takes longer. I've purchased some used SS firearms that had damage from lack of maintenance. If you do try to camo the SS barrel tape tends to get goey if you heat it up good while shooting it. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted December 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Thanks for the comments, like I said the 2 reasons for the camo/ss were simply my son wanted the camo, and I like the ss look. As evidenced by the in my original post, I had already made the purchase. Here is a pic before it goes back in the box to be wrapped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 You are going to have one happy kid on your hands! Nice rifle. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Way back before all the Realtree guys carry Thompson Centers, HOWAs were their rifles of choice. The HOWAs are still great rifles. I wouldn't hesitate buying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 Camo is cool no matter what its on...and Stainless is just as cool...so why not together! Thats a good looking gun Jeff. With a deer rifle...the "shiney" barrel isn't much concern. I could see having a complete camo gun for say turkey hunting where the action is up close and personal. For me...its about looks and function. As for care on stainless...it depends on the grade of stainless the manufacture uses. I have a Ruger M77 stainless that is shiney as the day I bought it....with little to no care. I also have a Win. model 70 stainless that is a dull "brushed" look from day one. It needs cleaned and oiled once in a while or it will get surface rust and start to pit. If the manufacture uses say a 410 grade stainless steel...it still has carbon properties in it which will rust. If the manufacture uses a 300 series (ie: 316 grade stainless) it is a "non-magnectic" grade with no carbon in it...it should NEVER rust. Try putting a magnet on your stainless...if it sticks...you have some carbon steel properties in the stainless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted December 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 Thanks Gregg, that is some useful info, I will give the magnet thing a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 That is a sharp looking rifle Jeff. I like the stainless barrels too. Had hoped to get an AR in .308, but with things that happen it is not likely that is going to happen. May end up later on getting a tikka T3 with the laminated stock and stainless barrel. Sharp looking rifles too in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnor Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Let us know how it shoots once it gets some range time. BTW, Shooting USA did an interesting show on Howa's US importer, Legacy Sports International, and its founder, Gene Lumsden. From that show, I'd say a Legacy-imported/assembled/sold Howa could be a real shooter. See http://www.shootingusa.com/SIGHTING_IN_SHOWS/27-18_LEGACY/27-18_legacy.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 Nice looking Rifle! That will be one proud boy.. Thanks Gregg, that is some useful info, I will give the magnet thing a try. He's right about that too. We use 310ss and 316ss a lot in heater applications. That is exactly how inspectors check for stainless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted December 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 Let us know how it shoots once it gets some range time. Took it to the range this morning, fired three shots of Remington 150 Gr. Core-lokt SP at a 2' wide by 3' tall target and had nothing on the paper. So I switched to the 7 mm Mag and did a little shooting with it. At the break, I went down and checked the paper up close, nothing. So I figured I would try a couple of shots to just try and get on paper and if I couldn't I would move to the 50 yard range. The first shot I held about a 18 inches above the paper and low and behold I had a hole about 5 inches high and 4 inches right of the bullseye. Ended up shooting a little over a box of shells and never could get a good group, I would get 2 shots almost touching and then the third would end up a couple of inches somewhere else, gonna switch over and try a couple of different brands and see what that does. It is a nice shooting gun, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelund79 Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Sharp looking gun!!! Let us know how it shoots, I am looking at a similar rifle in 223... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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