Feedback on rifle choices needed

Any complaints with the rifle? How does it shoot?
My Howa 1500 shoots 2-3" groups at 200yards with Hornady ammo. Action functions well. I like the Hogue stock. And the 6.5x55 is very easy to shoot with mild recoil. If i had waited a year or 2, i would have gotten a 6.5 creedmoor instead but the Swede is a classic.
 
I checked my spreadsheet of lower cost guns, and a Marlin XS-7 was also on the list. I was only looking at weight and price, wanting to set up a low cost 243 for a loaner. I agree that 308 will handle most all situations. Short action generally means smaller gun and ammo available everywhere. When I got out of the 270 win business, I went after a 270 wsm, then slid a little farther to a 280 Ackley. That's a nice round with lots of bullet choices (I reload), and I enjoy feeling confident on elk at 500 yards. But by the time the dust settled, I realized a 308 would have done well, but weighed less. If you are only after deer and coyotes, definitely look more at the 243.
Carry weight is very important to me. 6# rifle and a Leupold 2.5-8 used from eBay = 7#. Much better than my 9-1/2# 270 win. The scope quality is much more important to me than the rifle. If your cheap gun groups 2" @ 100, that's a dead deer. But if you can't see the deer in dim light, or the scope is fuzzy, or doesn't hold zero, end of story.
Them are my thoughts. Spreadsheets are boss!
 
Well, I have a Howa 1500 Game King package in 308 ordered for right at $450. Shipping and FFL transfer included I should come in under $500. I'm pretty excited!!!
 
Congrats.

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Well I took the plunge. I bought a Howa 1500 Gameking package gun in 308 win. Hogue stock, Nikko Stirling 3.5-10 x 44 scope $460 plus FFL transfer cost. I think I made out pretty good. It came in yesterday and the shop owner mounted the scope for me and I was able to put only 3 rounds thru it tonight before it got dark. I will be out punching holes in paper tomorrow. Hopefully will be putting down some yotes and come fall some deer!
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It looks like a winner J-bird. I like the .308 caliber and the Hogue stock. I have no first hand knowledge of Howa rifles, but respected folks here have experience with them, so I suspect it will shoot straight as an arrow. I like that you were willing to spend a few extra dollars to get a gun that you'll always feel confident shooting. Well done... keep us posted.
 
My Howa 1500 shoots 2-3" groups at 200yards with Hornady ammo. Action functions well. I like the Hogue stock. And the 6.5x55 is very easy to shoot with mild recoil. If i had waited a year or 2, i would have gotten a 6.5 creedmoor instead but the Swede is a classic.
My first deer rifle was a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser carbine. I love the round so much I bought one in a modern Ruger many years later. I don’t carry it deer hunting all that often but it’s never failed to do it’s job. I think it might be as close to a perfect whitetail rifle as there is. But I still grab my old 7 mm Remington magnum the most. That 6.5 x 55 is a great round though!
 
I was fortunate as my father bought me a Howa rebadged by Smith & Wesson back in about 1984. I was 14. The thing has killed countless deer. Shoots straight been an awesome and durable gun. Shoots nice on the bench but I can shoot dead on standing with no rest with this gun. Mine is an 06.
 
Well I only put about 40 rounds thru it so far, but I really like it. I really like the trigger. Love the stock. I was concerned about being a bit too much gun, but I love it. Makes a hell of a bang, but very manageable......I think my 14 yo daughter could shoot it if I let her. She has done confiscated/claimed my 30-30.....this is MY gun! I was surprised to see the scope has an IR reticle (red and green). Interesting feature that I like, but didn't focus on as a must have. I wish I had a more stable shooting setup to shoot from. But I was able to get a 3 shot group at 200 yard in a 3" diameter circle. I realize that isn't the best, but that will kill a critter at that distance. With more practice on my end and a better shooting platform I am certain I could do better than that. I am just shooting 150 grain rem core-lokt ammo for now .....right at a buck a bang.
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Awesome! You must be pleased with your purchase.
 
Awesome! You must be pleased with your purchase.
Thus far I am. I think this will serve me well for it's intended purpose. My son has already tried to claim it as his own.....I told him where he could buy his own!
 
I love buying guns. And I always feel better after getting a few "notches on the stock." That's why I have been shooting coyotes with my muzzleloader. Before this year, I had only shot one deer with it. Now I feel the purchase is somehow more justified because I use the gun more. :emoji_grin:
 
I’m not 100 percent sure but I believe it was Colonel Townsend Whelen who said “only accurate guns are interesting”. You seem to have found an interesting gun. Congratulations! I hope you enjoy it.
 
I love buying guns. And I always feel better after getting a few "notches on the stock." That's why I have been shooting coyotes with my muzzleloader. Before this year, I had only shot one deer with it. Now I feel the purchase is somehow more justified because I use the gun more. :emoji_grin:
I agree - I tend to find it harder to justify a gun purchase when it's use has a pretty narrow window. This 308 will do the job I want for deer as well as for hunting yotes. I have a 22-250 but it's a real pretty gun to go dragging thru the woods and the like....it's more of a bench type gun, where the 308 is much more functional by design and intent.
 
I’m not 100 percent sure but I believe it was Colonel Townsend Whelen who said “only accurate guns are interesting”. You seem to have found an interesting gun. Congratulations! I hope you enjoy it.
I need to push different ammo thru it and do something to get and hold a more robust shooting form as I am sure I can improve beyond where I am at currently. It will kill what I am shooting at as it is.....but I agree.....in that accurate guns are far more interesting.
 
What does ammonium sulfate have to do with it? Wrong link?

I will take a look. I think I may see what I can come up with after digging in the scrap wood pile.....I may be able to build me something. I will figure something out.....where there is a will there is a way!
 
I fixed it.
 
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