jef Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 After shooting for many years with rimfire rifles, I have just added a slot for a centerfire to my FAC in .223. It's to be used as a basic hunting rifle for foxes mostly but perhaps for Roe one day. I have been reading reviews for the Howa 1500 rifles and I have pretty much made up my mind to get one, however I just have a few querries... What are the pros/cons of a hinged floor plate mag against a box mag? What are the pros/cons of a set trigger against an adjustable one? (tho don't think set available for Howa) Wild Cat mod against T8??? My brother is onto his 3rd T8 due to corrosion of the spot welds Fixed magnification scope or variable? Thanks in advance James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 dont do it get a tikka t3 or sako you wont look back. as for mod i have a ase jet z quality mod bit pricey but very good and looks cool too as for scopes buy the best you can afford try not too scrimp on this if ya spending £1000 on rifle and mod why fit cheapo scopes and rings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Following the trials and tribulations of Dunganick's Howa I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. He may have just had a wrong 'un but life is too short. Get something they make and sell bundles of and that shoots straight out of the box. You won't go wrong with a Tikka and if you wanted something more toppy then try Steyr or Sako. As for glass, as all will know I am a fan of S&B. The fav option is an 8x56. Whatever you do go for, have a looky through all of them and in particular watch out for eye relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted September 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Thanks, can you explain "eye relief" James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Jef , Hinged floor plate or box mag is a matter of preferance . Some rifles do not come with the facility of a box mag system . Some would say that the box mag is better because you can carry a loaded mag in your pocket ready to pop into the rifle .Remember that mags are easily lost ,i know , i have done it . I prefer the hinged floor plate system ,a lot more simple than a box mag .Just press the latch button and the rounds drop out into your hand when unloading . The set trigger system is in my opinion a specialist trigger that takes some getting used to and for the novice rifleman can be dangerous ,in so much it can cause accidental discharges if the shooter is not competant with the very light trigger pull . Remember the set trigger weight will be measured in grams rather than in pounds . The set trigger should not be used in the field without comprehensive practice on the range . I am a fan of the set trigger and had a .270 for stalking .I would only set the trigger just prior to taking the shot ,this was to ensure that the trigger was only in the set postion for the minium amout of time . Some estates will not allow a set trigger . Variable scope or not ? that is the question . I dont see no advantage in having a set powered scope . But definate advantage in having a variable power scope . I have a 3 to 12 power on my stalking rifle and it is nearly all ways used in the 3 power mood but the extra magnification is there when if and when needed . Hope this helps ,best wishes . Harnser . I would just like to say again that the set trigger should not be used without some serious range time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted September 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Thanks Harnser, Set trigger is out the window then, totally understand what you are saying. Any advance on the eye relief? James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v-max Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 (edited) Thanks, can you explain "eye relief" James Hello highlander coverd it well & i too am a set trigger fan as i was taught on rifles with them & are great when you know how to use. I have both mag & floorplate c/f rifles & like the floorplate as you dont lose/forget it. Rather than a howa get a remmy or as said a tikka but there is so many options with remmys to improve them my 22.250 is a remmy semi-custom & ace. Eye relief is the distance your eye needs to be from the eye piece of your scope to get a full sight piture. ie leupold scopes have quite a long eye relief of 3"-5" where as a S/B-swarovski etc are around the 3" mark. Edited September 23, 2008 by v-max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted September 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Thanks, Not much support for the Howa then James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Get a Tikka, or a Steyr. I use a Tikka T3 in .243 for everything now, which is wearing a new T8 (can't fault it) and a Leupold VX-III 6.5-20x50 LRT (can't fault this either). Groups 1/4" at 100 yards with factory 100gr. And the factory trigger is spot-on. Having owned box mag and floor-plate rifles, I would go for box mag every time. Quiet, quick reloading, with no risk of dumping loose rounds in the mud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Thanks, Not much support for the Howa then James I have come across four Howa rifles in .223 caliber over the past year, and all of them have performed and shot perfectly well. A shooting buddy of mine tests and writes for a couple of rifle magazines, and he thinks very highly of the Howa (.223 caliber) following some extensive testing that he did earlier this year. I think that Dunganicks experience was probably a bad one out of a batch, and if memory serves me right, was almost 18 months ago when they were new imports? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choke it Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 predator 8 for me everytime non corosive and stripable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 I have amongst others a Tikka T3, Sako 75 and a Howa. I can not fault the Howa in any way. I would buy another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytim38 Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 I have a Steyr and its accuracy is awesome, dont get a hinged floorplate for the reason mentioned already, my mate has a Howa and every time we have to unload he has rounds dropping everywhere annoying and noisy, charlie knows when I am out with him before he see's us, got a predator mod its brill much better finish than the T8 and totally stripable, my shooting buddy Red Thunder has a Tikka and to be honest is a far better gun than a Howa for about the same money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonno243 Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 I have a Steyr and its accuracy is awesome With regards set triggers; from what I can see they are very much a "marmite" accessory on a gun, you either love it or hate it (for what it is worth, I am firmly in the "love-it" camp), but like Harnser said you have to learn to use it properly. Good excuse to put some rounds down though :( I have heard LOTS of reports about corrosion on the T8 (after I bought mine naturally!) but, touch wood, have not had a problem so far! And finally, I would definately say buy a variable scope (from one of the top names), you won't regret it. ATB. Jonno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traztaz Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Howa are fine rifles, Pete Lincoln a very good friend does alot of work with them , check his site out Roedaleprecision.com He is a very respeced and knowlegable precision rifle maker and if you have questions or concerns ask him via email from th link as he is the man in the know. As far as a scope goes buy the best you can afford same goes for mounts. Pretty much anything rifle wise you buy nowdays will out shoot you so mount it with a good optic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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