Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Bolt action rifles, lever action, pump action, self loading rifles and other miscellaneous longarms.

Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by 2freeq » 01 Oct 2018, 8:26 am

Did Howa only recently start making their 1500 Sporter .223 in a 1-8" twist rate? The Howa website shows the .223 is 1-9" and the 1-8" is only available in the 6.5 Grendel/Creedmore but my .223 barrel is stamped 1-8".
Howa 1500 .223
Marlin XT22SR .22LR
Lithgow .22LR
EMEI Chinese side lever .117 Air Rifle
2freeq
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 123
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Apollo » 01 Oct 2018, 9:55 am

Don't know what a 1500 Sporter is but the Howa Mini Action .223 is a 1:8 Twist.
Apollo
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1327
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Gaznazdiak » 01 Oct 2018, 10:25 am

My Howa 1500 is a 9 twist .223.
Every reference I can find on the net says the Sporter is 9 twist also, even down to people complaining that they weren't faster.
fideles usque ad mortem
User avatar
Gaznazdiak
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1379
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by 2freeq » 01 Oct 2018, 12:25 pm

Gaznazdiak wrote:My Howa 1500 is a 9 twist .223.
Every reference I can find on the net says the Sporter is 9 twist also, even down to people complaining that they weren't faster.
Attachments
42837624_1862023490545832_1860536711155548160_o.jpg
42837624_1862023490545832_1860536711155548160_o.jpg (44.14 KiB) Viewed 14299 times
Howa 1500 .223
Marlin XT22SR .22LR
Lithgow .22LR
EMEI Chinese side lever .117 Air Rifle
2freeq
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 123
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by 2freeq » 01 Oct 2018, 12:26 pm

Apollo wrote:Don't know what a 1500 Sporter is but the Howa Mini Action .223 is a 1:8 Twist.


I think the Sporter is the base model of the Howa 1500 range.
Howa 1500 .223
Marlin XT22SR .22LR
Lithgow .22LR
EMEI Chinese side lever .117 Air Rifle
2freeq
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 123
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Gaznazdiak » 01 Oct 2018, 1:57 pm

Well there's no disputing that.eh?

I wonder if you lucked into an 8 by chance or if it was a marking glitch.

I wasn't disputing your assertion though, just saying that, like you, I couldn't find a reference either.
:drinks:
fideles usque ad mortem
User avatar
Gaznazdiak
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1379
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Apollo » 01 Oct 2018, 2:04 pm

I am not a Howa person so no real interest in the numerous models that are listed in the Cattledog but I did find at the end of the listings the Mini Howa specs which are 1:8 twist barrels and perhaps the shorter version models. Don't know but they were all 1:8 Twist.
I believe the Actions and Bolts are shorter than the normal 1500 which is easy to find on Google.
Anyway....they are 1:9 and 1:8 Twist through the Howa range depending on model.
I have only ever played with one Howa to do load development for a Forum Member and that very modified Howa was very, very accurate.
Apollo
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1327
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by 2freeq » 01 Oct 2018, 2:06 pm

Gaznazdiak wrote:Well there's no disputing that.eh?

I wonder if you lucked into an 8 by chance or if it was a marking glitch.

I wasn't disputing your assertion though, just saying that, like you, I couldn't find a reference either.
:drinks:



All good mate, :drinks: it has me curious though. I'm very happy with it either way so i guess thats the main thing.
Howa 1500 .223
Marlin XT22SR .22LR
Lithgow .22LR
EMEI Chinese side lever .117 Air Rifle
2freeq
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 123
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by axio » 01 Oct 2018, 4:35 pm

Howa changed from 1:9 to 1:8 for the 223

I have a mini action in 1:9 purchased earlier in the year but didn't both waiting for a 1:8 since it's use is less than 200m running 55gr gamekings.

Check this post from Matt at Legacy sports
http://forum.snipershide.com/threads/ho ... e.6813392/
"yes, we have updated the Howa .223 to a 1-8". this was my request going forward which will be an inline change. when this occurs, twist rate will be stamped on the barrel to reduce confusion. the new shipment will be available in the next few months."
User avatar
axio
Private
Private
 
Posts: 67
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by 2freeq » 01 Oct 2018, 5:28 pm

Thanks for the replies.
Howa 1500 .223
Marlin XT22SR .22LR
Lithgow .22LR
EMEI Chinese side lever .117 Air Rifle
2freeq
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 123
New South Wales

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Rod_outbak » 01 Oct 2018, 6:05 pm

We purchased a new Howa 1500 Stainless Sporter (NOT the Mini Action) in .223 in 14th Sep.
From the look of it, I doubt it's been sitting in the LGS for much more than a month or so.

Mine doesnt have the twist rate stamped on it; just the Calibre and the "READ MANUAL BEFORE USE" stamp.

Looking up the specs for the Stainless Sporter 1500 in .223, and it says the rifle is a 1:9" twist.
So, based on the above, our rifle seems to be of the stock before the change to 1:8" twist.

Interesting!
[Doesnt affect our needs, and the new rifle is growing an impressive tally in just a couple of weeks in service... Overseer is stoked with it.]
---------------------
Sharing the extreme love with cats in Outback QLD
Rod_outbak
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 494
Queensland

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 01 Oct 2018, 6:50 pm

How much are these howa holding you all.. saw a 223 base stick for $499... but no idea what it is. Also not sure if mini action is all 223s or just some better ones. Thinking of getting one then rebarreling it to something exotic but small (lol)
Sergeant Hartman
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1722
Victoria

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Rod_outbak » 01 Oct 2018, 7:13 pm

When I was looking for a .223 a few months back, I had a few people advise against the Howa mini action. One bloke I know bought one and seems to be promptly trying to get rid of it(havent had a chance to quiz him about why he's doing so). A dealer also told me there were reports of issues with the mags having problems in them. I think it was to do with feeding properly, but I didnt ask for specifics.

Looking at this 1500 Stainless Hunter we bought, I reckon thats a pretty decent rifle for the money. Looks to be solid and durable, and dealer said same. He could have likely pushed me to one of the Ruger Americans, or any number of other rifles, but he was pretty emphatic that the Howa was an honest, durable and well-performing rig, and I have seen nothing to contradict that.
When we get around to making a decision about the other station rifle(.243 Win), we might very well look at another Howa 1500.
---------------------
Sharing the extreme love with cats in Outback QLD
Rod_outbak
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 494
Queensland

Re: Howa 1500 Sporter twist rate

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 01 Oct 2018, 7:50 pm

I have a howa hcr in 6.5 man bug its pretty good shooter and solid rifle. Need to look at the mag property with factory ammo as I think it doesn't feed properly... but it's a accurate mag metal mag so not sure. But very easy to single feed. I am happy enough that I put a Leopold 8x25 on it. Saying that....i I still love my ruger RPR in 308.... hate the ruger american in 22wmr.

I was trying to get a rpr in 243w to rebarrel in special sauce calibre
Sergeant Hartman
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1722
Victoria


Back to top
 
Return to Centerfire rifles