21 replies to this topic

[findangle]

Hey guys,I have been looking at the .204 rugers and I looked at the Howa thumbhole varminter supreme, and I think it looks like a pretty well built gun, but I wanted some professional advice. What do you think of the Howa's? And the .204 in general for an all around varmint gun? (prarie dogs, squirels, coyotes... etc.)I appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks

[Cranky Farmer]

the 204 is an excellent squirrel and p-dog gun, and will put a coyote down QUICK but isn't fur friendly, as I understand.

[Shoot-it]

I was looking at the Howa too, nice looking gun I saw one at the gun show for 650 thumbhole stock nice wood with a 12x50 scope in the 223 i should have bought it. 204 good round i dont own one but hog seems too like his.....

[findangle]

I was looking at the Howa too, nice looking gun I saw one at the gun show for 650 thumbhole stock nice wood with a 12x50 scope in the 223 i should have bought it. 204 good round i dont own one but hog seems too like his.....

What did you think about the overall quality of the Howa? Did it seem pretty well put together?I wish you would have got that 223, so I could get a shooting report

[Thumper Dunker]

Got a howa in 223 Its a tac driver . they are good guns. 204 cool round.

[Cranky Farmer]

Isn't the Howa built on a Sako action?

[findangle]

Got a howa in 223 Its a tac driver . they are good guns. 204 cool round.

Thumper glad to hear it, sounds like you got a good gun there. Do you shoot any yotes with that? How flat does it shoot around 300-350 yrds? Are you pretty happy with the quality of the howas?I could be wrong here, but aren't the Howa's, sort of a branch off of the weatherby vanguard?

[Cranky Farmer]

Thumper glad to hear it, sounds like you got a good gun there. Do you shoot any yotes with that? How flat does it shoot around 300-350 yrds? Are you pretty happy with the quality of the howas?I could be wrong here, but aren't the Howa's, sort of a branch off of the weatherby vanguard?

Howa did/does build some barreled actions for Weatherbyhttp://www.snipercentral.com/howa.htm

[Kevin G]

I own two Howa's.One is a .22-250 SV in SS/Pepper, the other is a Thumbhole Sporter in .223.I am very pleased and well served with my Howa's and would buy another one when/if the need comes up.The machining, fit and finish is outstanding, though the Boyds stock did need a little sanding in the barrel channel as it was touching slightly.They have an owner adjustable trigger to boot.They ARE shooters.Happy Shopping!Kevin G.

[ShooterJohn]

Here's a nice looking Howa that comes in .204. Notice the carbon fiber barrel to keep the weight down?Here a link to it:http://www.legacyspo...ducts/index.htm

[findangle]

Does barrel length matter?If you have a longer barrel does the bullet get more "push" or is all the powder burned up say with a 22" barrel? Would you get a better group if the barrel is say 24" or 26" even, does the barrel make that big of a difference with so little powder?

[ShooterJohn]

Does barrel length matter?

Size always matters! :lol:But a 26 inch would be the maximum needed for top speed.

[findangle]

Howa did/does build some barreled actions for Weatherbyhttp://www.snipercentral.com/howa.htm

Thanks for the site smallblock, that is what i thought but interresting to read none the less.

Size always matters! :lol:But a 26 inch would be the maximum needed for top speed.

John, that is what i though, but i also heard that since you are only shooting a bullet with either 32 or 40 grains, that it would burn up in a shorter barrel and therefore not effect it as much?So you think that a longer barrel would be the way to go for the longer more accurate shots?

[ShooterJohn]

Not necessarily, because you won't loose that much speed but you will add to the weight with a longer barrel. If you're going to pack that gun around I'd want a lighter gun. That's why I posted that carbon fiber barreled Howa.

[findangle]

Not necessarily, because you won't loose that much speed but you will add to the weight with a longer barrel. If you're going to pack that gun around I'd want a lighter gun. That's why I posted that carbon fiber barreled Howa.

How much more does the carbon fiber barrel run?Would you notice any difference in the bullet flight of a shorter barrel? like when the bullet got out around 300+ yrds?

[ShooterJohn]

There is a link up above under the gun I posted so you'd have to check the prices with a dealer close to you they're on there too.I don't think you'd see a noticeable difference at 300 yards with a two inch shorter barrel. But most people don't shoot 300 yards either.

[findangle]

But most people don't shoot 300 yards either.

Good point, but it is always good to know you got the gun to reach out there if need be. I like the thumbhole varminter supreme with the 24" barrel, the best of both worlds.

[ShooterJohn]

I often shoot well over 300 yards at squirrels with a .223. So, it's just what you're comfortable with.

[Thumper Dunker]

Mines a yote killer well some times most been in 200 or alot less but have taken jacks and rats way out there. have 24" heavy and cheap plastic stock.

[findangle]

Mines a yote killer

Hey thump dunker, is the 204 easy on the fur?Do you load your own rounds?What bullets work the best for you? (best group)

[Thumper Dunker]

Hey thump dunker, is the 204 easy on the fur?Do you load your own rounds?What bullets work the best for you? (best group)

Not sure yet on yotes but on jacks and rats they go all over the place. using 39 gr blitsking over 26.5gr of h335. I think a soft points might be better for coyotes. never see yotes when I take the 204 out or its un loaded and shells are in the truck

[findangle]

never see yotes when I take the 204 out or its un loaded and shells are in the truck

Sounds like a little bad luck if i don't just go for yotes i tend to be stuck in the same kind of situation. Thanks for the input, i appreciate all i can gather!