Author Topic: Howa, Ruger, or Winchester? (Read 2194 times)

BradCoPAHunter · « **on:** November 28, 2005, 06:18:21 AM »

I'm thinking of getting a .308 for hunting whitetails and black bears. Will also spend a fair amount of time at the range. Prefer laminated stock or walnut. I may consider synthetic, but I don't like the idea of adding one more piece of plastic to the world. What are your experiences with the following rifles?

Howa M1500
Ruger M77 MkII
Winchester M70 Featherweight

I like the price and general reputation of the Howas. However, I have seen a couple that had very poor stock to barrel fit. Do you know if the trigger guard and magazine floorplate are steel or aluminum?

I like the controlled round feed of both the Ruger and Winchester.

The Ruger seems to win out on price, although most people gripe about the trigger. I've never owned a bolt action centerfire, so I don't know how well I'll be able to tell a "good" trigger from a "bad" one. I don't like the aluminum floorplate of the Ruger.

Don't really have anything against the Winchester except it's the most expensive of the three. Is it really all that much better? Last I heard, the M70 Featherweight had an aluminum trigger guard. Is this still true?

What is the general build quality, functional quality, user friendliness, and accuracy of each? I know that it's important to choose a rifle that feels/fits right, but I'd still like to see what your experience with these rifles has been. Thanks.

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2005, 07:36:53 AM »

BradCoPAHunter,

Quote

Howa M1500
Ruger M77 MkII
Winchester M70 Featherweight

If I were interested in a Howa made rifle then I would opt for the Weatherby Vanguard Sporter. It has a beautiful satin finished Claro walnut stock, fineline diamond point checkering and contrasting rosewood forend tip The fit and finish is much better than any standard Howa 1500. Mine is in .257 Weatherby Mag. and the action is silky smooth. The Ruger M77 MKII is another excellent rifle and is made better by getting rid of the Lawyers trigger and installing a Timney adjustable one. Also raises the value of the rifle by doing so. The Winchester M70 Featherweight is also a fine rifle with a great history. Any of these three would make a fine Whitetail Deer and Black Bear rifle. Take your pick of these three and you wont be going wrong. Lawdog

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2005, 07:41:45 AM »

I don't own any Howas, but that's because I buy Tikkas. To me, Howas and Tikkas are excellent rifles. I consider Tikkas the Finland made rifles, and the Howas the Japanese version.

I agree with lawdog - just get a Weatherby Vanguard which is a dressed up Howa. If money is an issue, then just get the Howa 1500.

I am not a fan of Rugers.

As for Winchesters, I have seen a decline in quality in recent years, so Winchesters are not my first choice.

Try to get a Tikka - you would be MORE than happy.

Zachary

Bart Solo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2005, 08:20:23 AM »

I too have been debating the purchase of either a Weatherby Vanguard or Ruger M77 in 308. Since I am buying a rifle to take into the field, I am leaning toward a synthetic stock. Any thoughts about either the Vanguard or Ruger's synthetic stock?

one eye joe · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2005, 09:02:04 AM »

I don't own a Winchester, but have a Howa and a Ruger 77. I like both of them. The Howa has a laminated stock and feels a little "clunky" to me (personal opinion). The Ruger stock is nice. The Ruger trigger will most likely need to be worked over or changed. Believe me, you will know the difference between a good and bad trigger. The Ruger has a better scope mounting system. The Howa action feels smoother . I haven't seen the wood stocked Vanguard, but it might be the best of both worlds. As far as aluminum, you pretty much have to live with it unless you want to get an old model 98 mauser and build it up. Just about all the manufacturers are using plastic and aluminum.

tscott · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2005, 09:10:30 AM »

I would get the Howa barrelled action, and put the stock of my choice on.
www.legacysports.com

pc · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:22:26 PM »

M70, Ruger or CZ 550 as another option, I like crf rifles but thats just me.

BradCoPAHunter · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2005, 02:00:22 AM »

Yes, I have strongly considered the Weatherby Vanguard Sporter. It looks great, handles well, and has a smooth action. The only thing I don't like is the length. I hunt it dense woods and brush, so the savings of a few inches will make a rifle more maneuverable.

jro45 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2005, 03:37:01 AM »

The model 70 Feather weight. I have in 270 and that rifle is a great deer, bear, and ground hog rifle. You just have to put the bullet in the right place.

Ahab · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2005, 04:13:31 AM »

I have the Howa .243Win Varminter. Shot .5" groups out of the box. I also have a Vanguard 7mm Rem Mag shot 1 1/8" out of the box with factory ammo and now does .5" groups with handloads. The .243 will do
.3" groups with handloads. Both have aluminum trigger guards and needed trigger adjustment. The Howa has a junky syn. stock which will be replaced with a laminated soon. I paid $358 at Davidsons, new. A barreled action would have been $465. The Vanguard stock is a little better quality wise and since it's destined to be a in the rough hunting gun I'll leave it alone. I bought it at Wally World for $399. :-D

Grubbs · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2005, 04:34:14 AM »

I agree with Zachary......get a Tikka and never look back.

Triple4 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2005, 06:17:30 AM »

I have both and the Howas are fine rifles for there price range, mine shoot very respectible, for the money they are hard to beat, Now the Ruger is going to cost you more, their scope rings are the best out there, and its easy to get the trigger to be good, mine is a 308 Stainless with the brown laminate stock and it truely will shoot 2" groups at 200yards with the right loads and bench, they are about as bulletproof as a rifle can be,the down side to the ruger, they are heavy, somewhat blocky and the trigger to pistol grip is a little long and wide for my hands.

dharvey · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2005, 07:47:08 AM »

I love my Winchester Featherweights, but you mentioned that you will be spending quite a bit of time at the range and a downside that I have seen with my Featherweights is that the thinner barrel heats up quite quickly leading to more cool down time between shots. I love my Rugers as well. They are well built and accurate. I am not a finicky shooter, so the triggers on them suit me fine. As for the Howa, again a nice, accurate rifle. From the three choices though, I would choose the Ruger. They are a well built gun for a decent price.

Lawdog · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2005, 10:15:07 AM »

Quote from: BradCoPAHunter

Yes, I have strongly considered the Weatherby Vanguard Sporter. It looks great, handles well, and has a smooth action. The only thing I don't like is the length. I hunt it dense woods and brush, so the savings of a few inches will make a rifle more maneuverable.

I too hunt the woods and heavy brush of Northern California and other states and I have never found there to be a problem handling/shooting 26" barreled Weatherby Mark V's. I used to hunt off horse back and carried my Weatherby's in a scabbard which wasnt a problem then either.

As for synthetic/plastic rifle stocks, I wouldnt have one in the house. :noway: Tried them and never again. Lawdog

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2005, 02:55:48 PM »

Brad,
I can't comment on the Winchester or Ruger, as I have none, but I've been very pleased with my Howa in 6.5X55. I was a little dissapointed with the synthetic stock, it has a cheap look to it. I removed the recoil pad and filled the hollow area of the stock with expanding foam, it helped to remove the hollow sound. I've gotten used to the look, and it holds up well in the brush and briars that I hunt in. I may, however, order a laminated stock for it soon, as I saw one and it looked pretty nice.
Good luck with whichever you decide.

MH

SNAPSHOT · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2005, 04:21:30 AM »

Out of the three I really like the Rugers. My smith worked over my mk2 trigger for 30 bucks and now it is awesome. I prefer walnut/blued myself. Not too big on the laminates because they are heavier and don't look as nice. I got my left handed Ruger .30-06 for 280 bucks. If you keep your eyes open you can find nice used Rugers hovering around 300 dollars in nice condition. Even the old m77, but it isn't crf.

Muddy05 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2005, 09:44:21 AM »

Ruger all the way. They are well made guns. I have the .243 M77 Mark II in the synthetic and A M77 .270 win in the walnut. I must say I'm a little closer to the walnut than I am the synthetic. But, If its raining or snowing I grab the synthetic. Both shoot well. No complaints on the Ruger's.

PEPAW · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2005, 10:44:39 AM »

I would buy the Howa and find a nice wooden stock down the road. The Vanguard aftermarket stocks fit the Howa and when you decide, you can upgrade. In the meantime, the Howa is a very inexpensive, accurate hunting rifle in the synthetic. Weatherproof and a real workhorse.

pepaw

Idaho_Hick · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2005, 02:08:18 PM »

I owned a ruger stainless synthetic in .270 once, but eventually sold it. It was a very solid, dependable rifle, but it wasn't quite what I wanted in hindsight. I recently traded for a stainless, synthetic model 70 classic that i will never sell. I think the model 70 has the best trigger out there. I adjusted it down for both length and weight very easily. Another nitpicky detail is that the bolt on the model 70 strips very easily. My advice is that if you like to tinker, get the model 70.

lilabner · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2005, 06:09:13 AM »

If you go for the Weatherby Vanguard, be aware that the most accurate rifles are creamed off and sold as the Weatherby MOA. (higher price, synthetic stock) I don't know if Howa (same rifle, different name) does that but my guess is they don't.

daddywpb · « **Reply #20 on:** December 04, 2005, 12:45:30 AM »

I'll add a vote for the Ruger 77. I have one in .30/06 and love it. Mine is blued and walnut, but I'm not a fan of synthetic stocks on anything. The Ruger scope rings are the best in my opinion. The factory trigger is crap, but is easily replaced - I haven't seen a good trigger on a factory rifle in 20 years. The Savage Accu-trigger is nice, but I don't like the looks or feel of a Savage. The floor plate is aluminum, but it hasn't been a problem for me. If it is, there are steel replacements available from Brownells. I've never owned a Howa so I can't comment, but personally I don't like Winchester 70's. It's really a matter of what you like. Handle, or better yet shoot, all three. After that, the decision will probably be very easy.

hunt4646 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 10, 2005, 03:09:26 AM »

I shoot Howa 1500 ultralite. It has a great action and fits me perfectly in shorter stock. If you are tall you will probably find the long stock and long length of pull of the standard Howa among the best. Accuracy on my ultralite is acceptable at 1 1/5" at 100 yds(this is the least accurate of the Howas I have owned). Trigger is easily adjusted. IF YOU GO WITH SYNTHETIC STOCK CHECK THE FEEL BEFORE YOU BUY. iT IS LOVED BY SOME AND DISLIKED BY OTHERS. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO ANY MIDDLE GROUND with Howa synthetics.

targshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2005, 01:54:12 PM »

BradCoPAHunter,
Bradford County near southwest NY border? Tonowanda?
I do not have a Howa, but I own two Winchester Model 70s in .375H&H and several Ruger Model 77s in various calibers. For a .308 I would recommend a Ruger Model 77 RSI. It comes with iron sights, is light and very well balanced. The trigger is not great, but definitely usable, especially in comparison to the triggers on my factory lever rifles. Odd, the Ruger .338 WM Model 77 Sporter I own has one of the best out of box triggers I've gotten in the last 20 years. I like the Rugers because of the scope mounting system and the fact that a NECG N-100 peep sight can be purchased and used if you have a front sight on the rifle. I have never had Ruger fail to correct any problems and they have always stood behind their products on the few few times I've needed support in 30+ years of owning some sort of Ruger firearm (usually at least three or four).

Maine Woods · « **Reply #23 on:** December 12, 2005, 01:41:35 PM »

Hey Brad I went through this about 9 months ago, I went to the largest local gun dealer and started handling them all. For me the list got very short real quick! Do this and decide if you have a must have list ( for some controlled round feed, claw extractor ect.) Good luck, enjoy the process.

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #24 on:** December 13, 2005, 07:12:14 AM »

I've had all 3 rifles. The Ruger is what I have now. It was well priced and I think well made. The Winchester I had was great but costed more. Howa, was ok. Get what you like the most. What's another $100!

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2005, 03:41:14 AM »

Heres another vote for Ruger. Although Ive looked hard at a couple of Howa rifles, new and used, I have yet to buy one.

As has been mentioned above, the Ruger scope mounting system is the best there is and the rings come with the rifle no need to go buy rings and bases at additional cost. Some rugers have pretty decent triggers but any can be easily touched up or replaced. I have 4 Ruger bolt guns and have not replaced one yet.