Howa M1500 Review - The Budget Gun Nut's Budget Rifle pick 

Bought a Howa M1500 2-3 years ago, and paid $700 dollars for it. the gun came with a sling, bipod and scope, and could fire a one inch grouping at 150 yards fresh from the store once I sighted it in. Great rifle, and I do not regret my purchase one bit. I would certainly recomend it to most shooters. New shooters might want to watch out for the kick as the rifle is light enough that it does not really absorb the recoil all that well. Be prepared for a sore shoulder in the morning if you are not used to shooting regularly.

Nice mate. Did a lot of research and kept landing on the Howa - watched this and finally picked mine up in .308 from H&F - very happy with the rifle and how it performs.

Hello just letting you know that your review made it to a small town in Idaho USA, nice review, not long and boring, not short and un- informative, good job 👍

A good marksman is the shooter's experience regardless even if it's a budget rifle. With a reasonable scope you'll be amazed what YOU can do. Good video 👍

I am getting .47 moa on a good shooting day out of mine none suppressed with hand loads and scope it came with. Oh also mine is 20 inch heavy barrel.

I was in New Zealand last fall. I had the chance to go into a couple of outdoor shops in Te Anau and Greymouth. I think between the two they had maybe 8 long guns in stock. Nothing like the gun shops I frequent in Missouri. You would be amazed if you could go into a Cabela's or a Bass Pro shop in the US. Even more amazing would be the Tulsa Gun Show in April or November. A New Zealand dollar was about $0.75 US. All taxes are included in the prices. A Diet Coke was $4.00 NZ for comparison. Beautiful country with very friendly people. They have the best apple juice in the world. The venison is also excellent.

I purchased a Howa 1500 223 a year ago. 200 yds all under a quarter. Great trigger. Love the gun. Am looking at 22-250 today.

I hadn't shot any other rifles apart from my AR15, but seeing as I had to hand it back, I had a lot of new options and therefore research. After 5 months of reading up, watching vids etc, I settled on the 308 Howa with 20" stainless barrel. Love it, and it left me with some $$$ left over for DPT supp, case, bipod, targets, gun vice and a bucket of ammo. Great review, I could have saved 5 months if I had seen your review before! Thanks

I needed a new deer rifle for this season as my son took over my Savage 10-110 walnut stock, accutrigger in 7mm-08 as he was ready for a heavier caliber rifle. I wanted another new Savage 10-110 as they are a much nicer rifle than the typical axis line, or Ruger American etc. Trouble was funds only allowed a entry level rifle. Well I handled the Howa 1500 at the recommendation of my long time local gun shop. Very nice rifle for the money, and with a hogue stock and very nice fit and finish. It also had the newer two stage HACT trigger as well for a entry level rifle price. Well he called me not a week later to tell me he had a used Howa 1500 on the shelf in like new condition. Plus it was topped with the excellent, now discontinued? Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40. They were made in Japan and excellent scopes for $300 new. I purchased the used Howa in green as yours in 270 Win. with that scope instead of the new one for less money yet. I am very pleased with the rifle and it looks and functions as new. As far as accuracy goes it is fantastic. With Premium ammo, I found that it liked Federal premium Nosler ballistic tips, it shoots consistent .50 and even under that on occasion with all holes touching if I do my part. The only downside is it does not have the newest HACT trigger. Its still a nice trigger and I have read that I can adjust the pull weight down as well. I will probably install a Timney trigger on it for next season. Great rifle/scope/caliber combination for under $500. I couldn't go wrong with it and I recommend them to all my friends. A little heavy for a kid to carry, but they handle recoil exceptionally. Thanks for the video.

Howa is an excellent brand and I almost bought but I did not like the 90 degree bolt angle is too high and close to the scope, that why I ended up buying the Ruger American and I love it, anyway excellent video, thanks a lot

Bought a .308 Howa 1500 heavy 20 inch barrel last month. $617 USD out the door with Leupold rings and bases mounted, sig Sauer Whiskey 3 scope and 2 boxes Privi 155 gr match ammo. I shot a 10 round 1.25 inch group at 100 yes with Federal gold medal match 175 gr ammo. Love my new Howa!

I have 2 Howa rifles. One I have a .300 blk mini action in a Boyd’s varmint stock and I have a 1500 in 6.5 creedmoor HS precision stock. They are tack drivers. Good video

I just bought a Howa 3 days ago and am anxious to see it's accuracy. It's a .270. I love the feel of the stock. It gives good "gription".

Paying off a CZ 550 FS in 6.5 swede, gotta love it. Great review, very informative

Damn mate, it's times like this i am glad i live in America.. a ruger american is only like 400-600 max lol. but great video man!

I own a Howa 1500 and a Weatherby, have owned Tikka. Big fan of all three, taken game with all three.

I will be picking up my Howa 1500 with the game king combo in .270 and am really looking for it. Had given up my Tikka T3 Lite previously and miss it, however this video is well done and gives my encouragement that this will be a nice rifle to own. Thank You.

Gday mate i have the howa 1500 in 308 have it in the wood stock and its brilliant

Old lefty on a right hander I feel you mate

I'm a lot more confident in purchasing this rifle in the near future. I was tossing up between a mint second hand howa or a new American package. I don't know but the howa would be the one I think.

Howas accuracy does even better after 50-60 rounds. My Howa and Vanguards are very similar. Made in the same factory and are extremely accurate with my precision handloaded ammo. Just give them a couple of boxes of ammunition to smooth out the bore.

Very informative and nice review. Thank´s!!

My Howa .243 win is punching out one-hole 5 shot groups @200m I could't be happier with my purchase:) Howa is awesome;)

works great, very happy with this product

I like these a lot especially for the price. I think if you have the money instead of getting a higher priced rifle like a tikka just get a really nice stock and buy a Howa barreled action. the Howa action with a nice stock that has an aluminum bedding frame can shoot lights out and it would cost you the same as a Tikka t3x with a crappy stock that you would want to upgrade.

Great review, just wondering what kind of scope you have on there?

first rifle i brought was a howa 243 package here in nz for a 1200 bucks with surpresser and hard case and i would by one all over again given the same choice

great video man howas rock videos are looking great

I don't recall how this is but first there was the Smith & Wesson 1500 Mossberg Acquired it,.... and some how Howa and Weatherby are all barreled actions out of Japan and I believe there was one more that I forgot. So its funny to compare them.

Hi mate. Nice review. I have one in 308win as well. Cracks me up when you see other people criticizing the hogue stocks by pushing the front of the stock against the barrel. Yes it will touch. . . IF YOU FORCE IT! Not going to happen in practical situations though and their accuracy speaks for themselves.

legacy sports makes a detachable mag kit for that rifle with either a 5 or 10 round polymer mag. I have it and its nice, better than the factory set up.

Great Video. I am using a HOWA 1500 in 308, too. Mine is in a GRS Stock and i am loving it. But please tell me what Silencer is that on the HOWA.....it looks massive

I've had a Howa 1500 270 for years and it shoots about like yours, also have Ruger Americans in 308 and 6.5cm and they are tack drivers. That said your importers or government are sticking it to you guys over there

Hinged floorplate is best mate. One shot should be all you need.

Is that model a heavy barrel #6 contour by any chance? I'm set on the Howa 1500 but I am trying to decided between the .308 in the #2 (standard) contour or the #6 (heavy) contour. I already have a 13 lb 6.5 CM "range" set up so I'm thinking I should go light for hunting. I really like your paint job as well man!

Why do you think a removable magazine is preferable? From my experience, they are not. They can be separated from the rifle and lost in the field. As a man who owns both styles, I much prefer an integral magazine in a hunting rifle.

Looking at a Howa 1500, great rifle. What is the suppressor you have on this gun, or a recommended suppressor that can be bought here in the U.S? Much more enjoyable for the kids the target shoot with it on. Thanks!

Good vid mate can't waste to see the sks review

My 770 chambered in 30-06 was $309 brand new! To make it even better My sav axis 22-250 was only $350. Star buying those guns else where!

I've just special ordered a Howa Legacy 300 win mag with a green Hogue stock and stainless barrel because the weather here in SE Alaska is horrible. My question is Howa doesn't offer a threaded stainless barrel. Would it be worth the money to have it threaded?

I’ve got the .243 Win in black synthetic stock. Excellent rifle. Will the “flexible” stock hold camo paint??

Your review helped me select a Howa 1500 in 450 Bushmaster. I saw a nice used one and grabbed it up while there are piles of Ruger Americans in every gun store around. Thanks.

I wish we could in Canada we could use suppressors

Another lefty. We're a rare breed.

budget nothing i just spent 1100.00 on the howa 1500 in 308 with a harris bipod. a plano case. a range bag. a good cleaning kit. ear protection.

I'm not a big fan of a Japanese made rifle, however this rifle is well built for the money. Shoots great no loading or ejection problems. The loading and ejection is always one of the top things to look for in a cheaper priced rifle. After that theres the trigger. And by looking at the exterior of this rifle it's in surprisingly good quality. Thank you for sharing your video. I found it very informative. My daughter will most likely get this rifle next year for christmas. Shes moved on from 30/30s and 223s lol

Hey mate , how did you go about painting it up keen to know! Cheers 🍻

Top review cheers

Just bought one from across the ditch.

Do you hate being a lefty as much as I do?

enjoyed the review :) im planning my first rifle to be a howa barrelled action on a quality stock and im hoping for a decent budget accurate long range rifle :) every review of it seems to suggest the same!

I recognize this song from one of my fav channels

Damn.. I too are left handed and use a right handed guns.. ( I shoot left but do everything else right ).. I tried a left handed gun last month it didn't fit it was all wrong.. Plus have a Howa 1500 7mm08 and love it, Do you have left handed guns ??? Cheers John

Just picked up a howa 1500 chambered in 7mm rem mag with a Leopold 3x9x40 rifleman scope can't wait to shoot it! I just have to find some bloody ammo..smh

Between How and Baikal I'm not sure which offers the most bang for your buck!!!

Isn't there a button at the front of the trigger guard that releases all ammo at once out the bottom? My 1500 has that.

Is this model the heavy barrel or standard barrel? (obviously not the lightweight barrel) Cheers for the vids

Would you recommend the Hogue rubber stock? Is it rigid enough to prevent contact with the barrel when using a bipod? Great review!

Hello what kind of scope are you using

I'm buying my first deer rifle soon but I wanted to know if you had any experience or whatever with the DPT suppressors. I've been looking at them for the price and the good weight so was looking for experiences with their actual sound suppression etc

Anyone else fast forward to make sure this vid was NZ made?

good video. What model Howa is that exactly? I thought I noticed the bolt handle drilled out/hollow?

Can you elaborate on the scope, Maybe a link would be good if you have the time. Im just buying a howa now and found this to be a great insight. Thanks.

Good review mate.iv just picked one up in .223. Just a quick question you may be able to help with. I removed barrel from stock and bound it in camo tape (to eliminate the flash from stainless) Do you think having done this will effect the free floating of the barrel at all??

Is the bsa 243 rifle good as I'm thinking of getting one

Do you have a Mauser M18? I am indecisive about which of the 2 to get....

What type of silencer were you using on this Howa M1500?

I picked one up recently and tried sighting it in with some Remington corlokt 150gn. Groups were all over the show. Did you find heavier loads group better?

How difficult is it to get a suppressor in NZ and how difficult is it to get a firearm. Can you do a video on the actual gun laws of NZ because the internet makes them seem pretty strict.

Hows the trigger on it and is it adjustable

What kind of ammo does this rifle shoots?

How long is the barrel ?

What is the furthest you’ve shot with that kozak scope and where you get it from

Would you recommend this rifle as a cheap option for someone going into a job as a deerstalker ?

Do they make this for left-handed shooters?

18” barrel?

Will this run ar 10 magazines

we cant hear you

my rifle has a 10 rd box mag

Where do you live city or town ect

Thats Japanese technology for you

What's the barrel contour on that one?

Holy shit it's expensive where ever the hell your at

What rings are you using on the Howa

Have you quit RU-vid now?

Geez that's quiet

Did u Break the rifle. In

What happened to this channel?

Ruger American has a cheap stock

Get rid of that stock and get a chassis, you'll thank yourself later.

Hopefully someone has told you by now that your intro is too long

They are not very desirable mate!

OH MY FUCKING GOSHHHHH THE HOWA 1500 IS NOT A FUCKING BUDGET RIFLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Remington 783 is better