Remington 700 vs. Howa 1500... opinions?

[azmike]

Hello all,
 
I recently picked up a new, unfired Remington 700 AAC in .308 from one of my coworkers.  Wasn't looking to buy a rifle, but the price was right, and he needed cash for a snowmobile project. 
 
At any rate, now that I have taken a good look at it, I note that the fit and finish are not nearly what I remember seeing on 700's in years past, and I am thinking of getting rid of it,and buying a similar rifle from another manufacturer.  I like the basic set up, just not thrilled about how they put it together.  I'm considering a Howa 1500 varmint tactical (20" barrel .308), since it is set up similarly to the 700 AAC, with the exception of the threaded barrel.
 
Do any of GBO's esteemed members have experience with both brands, and what are your opinions of the Howa as compared to Remington?  Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
Mike   

[onegreatshot]

I own both a Rem 700 BDL in 243 cal. with hvy barrel and a Howa 1500 in 7mm Mag. I think both are great guns. I had to have the trigger adjusted on the Howa to a 3lb pull. It shoots very well with its composite stock and Burris 3x9 scope. The 700 is for Varmint shooting and its a tack driver. It is very loud and has a good recoil. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

[poncaguy]

I Have  4 OR 5 700'S  and a Howa 30-06............all good accurate rifles, I really like the Howa, a little more than my 700's......................if I were going to buy another rifle now, it be the Howa over the 700.........

[cwlongshot]

Same story here, I have had 3-4 Remingtons. A 600, a 700 ADL and couple BDL's, all shot very well.
I have had two Howas, the first was a Weatherby (Built by Howa) 308 and a 1500 Howa 270. Out of the box, factory plain Winchester shot under 1/2".
 
I'll tell you, I feel your quandry... I have seen quality diminishing from the big makers in the last 10 years. With the increased use of plastics and short cuts in building to keep $$ down... I think if your gonna buy brand new, I would go Howa.
 
Now just wait got Swmpy to find this thread!!! 
 
CW

[FPH]

All my Rems and Weatherby were built in the 70's so I can't comment on the new qualities.  However I prefer the Old Rems.

[azmike]

I like the older Remingtons as well, but this new one doesn't seem quite to that old standard.  I think I will give some thought to the Howa. 

[Lloyd Smale]

id take the rem myself but that been said ive had some real good shooting howa/vangurads.

[Dave in WV]

I'm not impressed with either brand. Remington's quality has slipped. TheHowa isn't a bad rifle. My son had a Howa .223. It shot ok but the trigger wa a POS and it would have needed an after market trigger to get a decent trigger pull. I would keep the Remington. 700s are like M1911 Colts and Chevy pickups. There are more after market products for them than any other rifle.

[jhm]

     I own several 700s and did own a howa in 223 and I really liked it as it was my truck gun when driving the farm checking cattle, but since I sold all the cattle I dont do as much driving around and gave the howa to a friend who had been wanting it and I felt I owed him something as he does help me out on some things.  Jim

[poncaguy]

My Howa 30-06 has a real good trigger.................one of the better triggers I have shot with

[tomtomz]

Weatherbys by Howa are top notch, accurate, reliable rifles.

Would I have bought them if the cheaper Remington was as good?

No.

Howas exceed my standard requirements for quality.

Remingtons miss it by a mile.

[Ram4x4]

I had a BDL in 30-06 and a Howa in 270 back in the early 90's.  I liked both, but would probably have given the edge to the 700.

I'll get a taste of the newer Remingtons soon as I'm picking up a 700 SPS varmint in 22-250. 

[Gary G]

I attempted to reload some accurate .243 for a Rem 700. I like to orient the cases and seat the bullet near the lands. I couldn't do this as the bullet was not in the case deep enough to be stable. I gave up on the 700.

[FPH]

What bullets were you using?

[Gary G]

What bullets were you using?

87g sierra boat-tail hollow points