savage vs howa

[rh44mag]

I am in the process of choosing a gun for my 9 year old son for deer season. I have narrowed the choices down to a savage and a howa both in 243. The savage w/scope is about $350 the howa w/scope is about $400. I have never owned either brand . What experience have you guys had with either gun?

[fdkay]

I've looked into the Howa, but don't have one but I have heard very good things of them. I do own a Savage Model 12 in .243 that I am pleased with. I think either choice is good, are you looking at a youth model? If I'm not mistaken, Savage offers a youth model. This would be the way to go, shooting a rifle is hard enough, even a mild one like a .243. Get one with a stock that fits, then buy him a full size stock when he gets a bigger. On the scope issue, I personally think you would be better off buying a rifle without a scope and putting a few more dollars into a decent scope.

[rh44mag]

I am looking at youth models of both. I understand you point about the scopes but the savage with the scope is actually cheaper than without because it's on sale. The howa is $4 more for the packeage with the scope. I figured for the price I would try the cheap scopes. Thanks for the input

[Rick]

I've owned 3 Savage rifles and 4 Howa or Vanguards. The Savages were consistently more accurate - groups well under an inch while the Howas would shoot about 1 1/2 inches, if that level of difference is important to you.

[BDB]

I have never owned a savage but have a Howa 1500 in 30-06. This was before savage had the accutrigger though. My Howa is great and shoots nice. My only complaint is weight. With the right ammo and me shooting well (for a change) it comes in at an inch or under out of the box.

[Val]

Both are fine although I prefer the Savage over the Howa. Think about letting him make the choice.

[DEERSLAM]

I can't comment on the Howa but I have 3 Savage's and love em. They all shoot great and can't beat the price.

[rh44mag]

I would love to let him choose but no body in the area handles howa. I was dealing with buds guns out of KY(internet sales). The closest local shop isn't the easiest place to deal with.

[fdkay]

One of the advantages of the Savage is the wealth of aftermarket stuff for them. Wally world usually carries Howa (if they sell firearms in your area, not all do). You can also go with the Stevens line, they have a very good rep and are now coming with the accutrigger. They are even less than the Savage. Don't forget about the new mossberg bolt actions.

[rh44mag]

Thanks for the input - the problem with stevens and mossberg is they don't offer a youth lenght.

[inchr48]

What about a Rossi combo in .243 and 20 ga. ? They have youth models. The single shot is a great starter gun, and you can get him a regular sized bolt gun in a large caliber later.

[rh44mag]

I looked at the rossi but I thought the quality was terrible

[inchr48]

In that case, I can say I have two Savages, a .223 and 17 HMR, both with wood and blued barrels. Both are great shooters. My only experience with a .243 was my buddies Short barreled Winchester. Smacked a few groundhogs with that gun.

[AZ Jim]

rh44mag

Go for the Savage. Great out of the box accuracy even in the youth models, and reliable.


AZ Jim

[essmanfam2]

<div align='center'>I&#39;ve never seen a Howa in person either, but I’ve heard there a good buy for the price. Basically a Remington 700 if I remember correctly.

I&#39;ve has a Savage, .300win mag, in the past, and my buddy had one in 06... If you choose the Savage, and I personally would, go w/the wood stock. The only negative about Savage is there cheap synthetic stocks... horrible. I had mine off and I could literally twist the butt stock around while holding the forearm in place. If you choose the synthetic, look at getting a Bell and Carlson aftermarket stock. Had one on a Ruger 7mag and loved it!!

Either way you go, you’re getting a new gun... I&#39;m envious!!!

Happy Hunting!!</div>

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley_chain_gun_ani.gif

[tmoniz]

The Savage is probably the most accurate of the two. I prefer the lines of the Howa over the Savage.
But I own only Remington and Winchester. Ever think of a Remington Model 7 in 7/08. They make a youth version and later on down the road you can switch out the stock.

[arizona hunter]

If you get the Savage get the Accutrigger. I have a Howa in .204 Ruger. It is a beautiful rifle and shoots great, but I had to have trigger work done. Also, the Howa does have a 3-position safety that I like very much. Think of a Howa as a Weatherby Vanguard.

[MarinePMI]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Think of a Howa as a Weatherby Vanguard.[/b]

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wnk-yellow.gif It is...

[spoolnaround]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rh44mag @ Jul 31 2007, 08:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=883418)</div>
I would love to let him choose but no body in the area handles howa. I was dealing with buds guns out of KY(internet sales). The closest local shop isn&#39;t the easiest place to deal with.[/b]


I have a S&W1500 in .243 (made by Howa) and its a great rifle. I think in your case this statement shuld be your deciding factor. If there isnt a local dealer that sells the Howa but carries Savage, you cant go wrong with the Savage. I guess I should finish reading. If the closest guy is a PIA to deal with go to the next closest guy.

[BSRhuntall]

Looking at the Savage M77 youth model? Those are very nice guns. I was thinking about getting one for myself to have a small compact gun to hunt yoties with.

[Tank]

Savage sounds like the ticket http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-shootin-green.gif

[Val]

I have two Savages and one Howa 1500. I replaced the stock on all three of them with a Bell and Carlson synthetic stock. The new stocks improved the accuracy a bit (probably because their stiffer) on both the Savages. The Howa has a pressure point up forward. I floated the barrel on the Howa and glass bedded the B&C stock. My howa 1500 shoots three shot groups between 3/8" and 1/2" when I&#39;m shooting properly. Once again, I don&#39;t think you can go wrong with either one.

Although the accu trigger is nice, I don&#39;t think it&#39;s necesaary. A gunsmith can adjust the old triggers to lighten them and take out the creep. My accu trigger was adjusted to where I liked it and I&#39;ve never changed the setting.

[Val]

Allow me to make a correction to my last post on this thread. My Howa 1500 in .223 gives me consistant .75" three shot groups. It&#39;s my Model 70 Stealth in 22-250 that&#39;s giving me the 3/8" to 1/2" three shot groups. I was at the range with both of them 3 days ago.