Howa 1500 vs Lithgow LA201 in .223

[CharlieHusky]

(SOLVED - Those of you who are curious i got the Lithgow Special Edition and a MDT ESS chassis to put it in)

Hey so im about to get a new rifle in .223 and im looking between the Howa 1500 and the Lithgow LA201. And will be putting ether in a MDT Chassis. This will be used at the range for target shooting. Not Hunting

Both seem like good options and was wondering which would work better? Now obviously its going to be a personal preferance. And part of me wants to go Lithgow cause its Australian. But is there much of a differance and what do you guys think?

Cheers in advance

[solarpak]

As you can buy the howa as a barelled action and drop it into the chassis - its a no brainer.
Lithgow is a nice outfit too but their previous issues (well sorted by now) still puts a bad taste in lots of peoples mouth!!


C.

[CrackThump]

Support aussie jobs AND get a world class rifle... go lithgow

[in2anity]

I guess it’s similar to the howa “mini” action

[solarpak]

As much as i would love to be patriotic - i cant just spend close to $1500 on another LA102.
I did have a 102 in 308 which i really enjoyed shooting -and it shot real well - but having bought it as a stalking rifle - i discovered it was a tad too heavy topping the scales at around 4.3 kgs even with a scope weighing ~500 grams.

If Lithgow would make a lighter rifle that weighs around 2.9 kgs bare - they would sell a heap ..............make no mistake about it - something to take on the Tikka T3x.

C.

[in2anity]

As much as i would love to be patriotic - i cant just spend close to $1500 on another LA102.
I did have a 102 in 308 which i really enjoyed shooting -and it shot real well - but having bought it as a stalking rifle - i discovered it was a tad too heavy topping the scales at around 4.3 kgs even with a scope weighing ~500 grams.

If Lithgow would make a lighter rifle that weighs around 2.9 kgs bare - they would sell a heap ..............make no mistake about it - something to take on the Tikka T3x.

C.

+1. Solarpak is on the money. Better to do one job well than many jobs adequately.

[TassieTiger]

If you can manage to do it - prefit the MDT To avoid the debacle I’m going through...If you have not read it - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13719&start=30

[duddley75]

I got the 308 version, but it also comes in 223 pre fitted in MDT chassis

HOWA
1500 ESS TACTICAL LONG RANGE
24" BARREL
MDT POLYMER GRIP
MDT 10 SHOT MDT MAG
MDT 20 MOA TACTICAL PIC RAIL
MDT ESS CHASSIS WITH PARTIAL RAIL

AVAILABLE IN
FDE 223REM 1 IN 8" NEW $1749
BLACK 223REM 1 IN 8" NEW $1749
FDE 308WIN 1 IN 10" NEW $1749
BLACK 308WIN 1 IN 10" NEW $1749

[moudzj]

A Howa in an MDT chasis would definitely have more "cool" factor than the Lithgow...

Accuracy should be on par, probably slightly in favour of the Lithgow

Fit, finish, overall build quality and smoothness definitely goes to the Lithgow. The stock is pretty darn good too... can actually use it for hunting if you ever would need to unlike a Howa in the MDT.

Its a 50/50, just depends on you. Maybe go in store and have a look at the Lithgow.

[duddley75]

FYI
I weighed my Howa (In MDT chassis) the other day and it was about 5 kgs. That does NOT include a scope or any ammo in mag.

Once I put my scope on which is about a kilo, I will be up for about 6 kg's, more when fully loaded, but I never intended it to be a walk around.

Got my eyes on a 243 for that duty.

[CharlieHusky]

As much as i would love to be patriotic - i cant just spend close to $1500 on another LA102.
I did have a 102 in 308 which i really enjoyed shooting -and it shot real well - but having bought it as a stalking rifle - i discovered it was a tad too heavy topping the scales at around 4.3 kgs even with a scope weighing ~500 grams.

If Lithgow would make a lighter rifle that weighs around 2.9 kgs bare - they would sell a heap ..............make no mistake about it - something to take on the Tikka T3x.

C.

Weight isnt a big problem as itll be used at range anyway. And would be putting the Lithgow into a chassis anyway. Im aware of how heavy it will be. Already got Tikka T3x in .308

[CharlieHusky]

A Howa in an MDT chasis would definitely have more "cool" factor than the Lithgow...

Accuracy should be on par, probably slightly in favour of the Lithgow

Fit, finish, overall build quality and smoothness definitely goes to the Lithgow. The stock is pretty darn good too... can actually use it for hunting if you ever would need to unlike a Howa in the MDT.

Its a 50/50, just depends on you. Maybe go in store and have a look at the Lithgow.

Well i was going to get the LA102 in the Signiture series and put that in a chassis if i went the Lithgow. So will look great ether way. So far sounding like Lithgow is the way to go.

[CharlieHusky]

FYI
I weighed my Howa (In MDT chassis) the other day and it was about 5 kgs. That does NOT include a scope or any ammo in mag.

Once I put my scope on which is about a kilo, I will be up for about 6 kg's, more when fully loaded, but I never intended it to be a walk around.

Got my eyes on a 243 for that duty.

Not to worred about the weight. I have a few other Rifles if i want something lighter to carry. Specially the Tikka T3x or my Marlin 1894