jwai86 wrote:I get that Howa rifles are incredibly popular in Australia because they don't cost a lot, but are good enough for most shooters, and have plenty of scope for aftermarket customisation. However, it also occurred to me that they don't seem to have much competition within the entry level or value for money niche. Are there other rifles that compete well in the same space, or is Howa the only decent game in town?
bladeracer wrote:Being Japanese, I think it is very hard to be disappointed with the Howa M1500, but I prefer the Ruger American myself.
jwai86 wrote:bladeracer wrote:Being Japanese, I think it is very hard to be disappointed with the Howa M1500, but I prefer the Ruger American myself.
What do you like about the Ruger American?
bladeracer wrote:I haven't seen the M1100 .22LR in the flesh yet, but I think I'd be willing to grab one of those as a PRS Rimfire base. I rarely if ever see it mentioned anywhere, but that may just be covid related rather than a deficiency in the design.
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/howa-m1100-first-impressions.7023847/
SCJ429 wrote:Can you buy just the Howa action and trigger? Buy yourself a quality barrel and you have a very capable rifle.
bladeracer wrote:I particularly like the Ruger American's recoil lug system that isolates everything from the stock, even the magazine doesn't touch the action. Also their choice of chamberings. And their cold hammer-forged barrels that they manufacture in-house. I'm a Ruger fan
jwai86 wrote:bladeracer wrote:I particularly like the Ruger American's recoil lug system that isolates everything from the stock, even the magazine doesn't touch the action. Also their choice of chamberings. And their cold hammer-forged barrels that they manufacture in-house. I'm a Ruger fan
I liked using the Ruger GP100 revolver, but after reading about various QC issues with the Ruger American Rimfire and Savage Mark II rifles, and the rolling disaster that is Remington, I feel a bit wary about American manufacturing quality.
bladeracer wrote:I have two Ruger American Rimfires, can't think of any issues with them.
dnedative wrote:The barrel on a Howa is a good thing, might not be on par with a Kreiger but for a <$1000 rifle they shoot very well.
jwai86 wrote:bladeracer wrote:I have two Ruger American Rimfires, can't think of any issues with them.
Which models are they?
SCJ429 wrote:dnedative wrote:The barrel on a Howa is a good thing, might not be on par with a Kreiger but for a <$1000 rifle they shoot very well.
Sorry but i disagree Some of the worst machining I have seen has been on Howa barrels. I rate the actions but the barrels are junk.
SCJ429 wrote:dnedative wrote:The barrel on a Howa is a good thing, might not be on par with a Kreiger but for a <$1000 rifle they shoot very well.
Some of the worst machining I have seen has been on Howa barrels. I rate the actions but the barrels are junk.
jwai86 wrote:bladeracer wrote:I have two Ruger American Rimfires, can't think of any issues with them.
Which models are they?
SCJ429 wrote:dnedative wrote:The barrel on a Howa is a good thing, might not be on par with a Kreiger but for a <$1000 rifle they shoot very well.
Some of the worst machining I have seen has been on Howa barrels. I rate the actions but the barrels are junk.
bladeracer wrote:Both the Compact and Target are now in MDT LSS chassis.
jwai86 wrote:bladeracer wrote:Both the Compact and Target are now in MDT LSS chassis.
Were the original factory stocks any good?
bladeracer wrote:SCJ429 wrote:dnedative wrote:The barrel on a Howa is a good thing, might not be on par with a Kreiger but for a <$1000 rifle they shoot very well.
Some of the worst machining I have seen has been on Howa barrels. I rate the actions but the barrels are junk.
Does this "machining" make any difference to how well they shoot though?
bladeracer wrote:Yes, I had no issues with them.
jwai86 wrote:bladeracer wrote:Yes, I had no issues with them.
To be fair, I considered the Ruger American Rimfire as a possible option for a first .22 LR rifle some time ago, but my focus eventually moved to CZ rifles after being advised to look at those if my budget can accommodate the added cost over an RAR or Savage Mark II. I figured that the immense popularity of CZ and Brno rimfire rifles in Australia couldn't be all blind hype.
Anyway, we are significantly digressing from my initial question