onfoot114 wrote:I've been looking for a cheap .223 for use as a general hunting rifle. Within my budget the best rifles seem to be the Remington 783 and Howa 1500.
I've seen a lot support for the Howa here and other places online and was leaning towards this. However after looking at both rifles on the weekend and speaking with the guy at the gun shop I think the Remington may be a better rifle. It comes with an accuracy warranty and has a stiffer stock, as well as being marginally cheaper.
Could anyone who has a Remington/ Howa offer some advice? Is there any major reason I shouldn't buy the Remington?
Cheers!
in2anity wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong oh mighty gurus, but I believe the 783 has a two piece bolt (i.e. the bolt head is pinned to the bolt body) where the howa is a one-piece affair. The Howa should therefore offer a tighter lockup (in theory).
th.
JimTom wrote:Always seems to be overwhelming support for the Howa on this forum. Obviously a good reason for it. May have to invest in one myself at some stage eh.
jovialjosie2002 wrote:You said that the salesman at the shop was trying to persuade you to get the remington?????
YOU HAVE JUST LEARNT THE FIRST RULE IN THE SPORT OF SHOOTING.....DON'T TRUST GUNSHOPS....THEY ARE JUST PAWNBROKERS AND WILL TELL YOU COMPLETE LIES TO MAKE MORE $.....
GET THE HOWA!!!!!!!
Thom318 wrote:I've got the 783 in .223 package, came up at the right time for the right price. Mine shoots well, three shots touching from a quick 50 meter sight in off bags.
My opinion is if it were the same money as the Howa, I'd go the Howa, but being a few hundred cheaper it suits me and is perfect for bouncing around the tractor, and I don't feel bad if it gets banged around because it's as ugly as a hat full of a-holes. I actually like the feel of the squared off bolt.
I'd suggest handling both, the Howa is a better rifle, but the 783 is good if it's cheap enough.
Thom318 wrote:I've got the 783 in .223 package, came up at the right time for the right price. Mine shoots well, three shots touching from a quick 50 meter sight in off bags.
I did go through two of the original package scopes under warranty, one so bent you couldn't move the bolt around it, the other just wouldn't adjust. I gave up and put a cheap Bushnell on it.
The poly stock is crap, feels horrible and the fore end bends like it's made of Play-Doh, I'm seriously looking at replacing it with a Boyd's thumbhole, but for the price I paid I can't complain.
My opinion is if it were the same money as the Howa, I'd go the Howa, but being a few hundred cheaper it suits me and is perfect for bouncing around the tractor, and I don't feel bad if it gets banged around because it's as ugly as a hat full of a-holes. I actually like the feel of the squared off bolt.
I'd suggest handling both, the Howa is a better rifle, but the 783 is good if it's cheap enough.