Howa 1500 for Deer Hunting ??
I just bought a new model in 30-06 but I havent had the chance to shoot it. Do you think this would be a good gun for whitetail, mule deer and elk in montana or california ? Also, what do you think a good round would be ?
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30/06 is an excellent cartridge, and it would be great for all of those. i would go a little lighter on the smaller deer like whitetail and mule, but for elk and things like that i would go up to around 200 grain bullets. howa are the same as weatherby, so i hear, so the thing should be very accurate.
good luck
NEF 20 ga.
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mauser 98 .243 (my own custom)0 -
Yes the Howa is the same as a weatherby vanguard. Very accurate and very nice rifle. The 30-06 is a good deer/elk gun. I would say 175 grain and above for elk. 130-150 for deer. You will have to expieriment with different bullets to see which you gun likes the best. What ever is the most accurate should be your biggest determining factor.
Mad Dog0 -
Congratulations on your new Howa. The 1500 model is an excellent rifle, very smooth and accurate, too. The 30-06 caliber is one of the world's greatest, capable of taking any animal you migh care to hunt. You can choose 110-130 grain bullets for varmints, 150-180 for deer, 200-220 grain for anything bigger. You have made a very good choice of both rifle and caliber.
"Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau0 -
Congratulations on the new 30/06, excellent choice for hunting everything the U.S. has to offer. I use a 30/06 for nearly all of my big game hunting and have settled on just one bullet weight that I use for everything. If your 30/06 shoots 180 gr bullets well use them for all your hunts, I do. I've used a lot of different brands of bullets and tried several weights but I always go back to 180 grains for hunting , this weight has worked flawlessly for 3 kinds of Deer, Antelope, 2 kinds of Elk, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goats. I don't worry about the 180's being too heavy for Antelope or small deer they drop just as dead with that bullet as they would with a 150 grain bullet. For the most part stay with 150's, 165's and 180's for hunting, much lighter than that you are getting into bullets that are constructed for varmints. If you go to 200 and 220 grain bullets they are overkill for most situations unless you are short range hunting for Elk, Moose, or big bears. The 180 grain bullet gives you the most range without excessive drop and the most energy (knockdown) all rolled into one.[;)]
Good luck and good hunting.0 -
That's a great choice. Probably one of the best "all-around" rifle/caliber made. There are calibers with better range and more power but they typically kick more too. I have used the '06 on all your desired game. Even a couple of coyotes too. If I were you, I'd pick a 150,165, or 180gr good bullet and use that one round for everything. I have used Hornady Interlocks and Interbonds. They are available for reloading or factory ammo made by Hornady. There are many good bullets - it is hard to go wrong. I would stay away from Ballistic tips and Hornady SSTs as these are made for whitetail sized game only. Don't forget to get a good scope/mounts too. Leupold mounts and their VX-II's are very reliable and reasonalbly priced.
Have fun at the range!0 -
A rifle with some very good design characteristics. Flat bottomed receiver with a large lug. They are very well made. I can't fault .30-06, though mine is in .308. With a good scope you can take anything in the lower 48. Run a bunch of ammo through it and figure out what gives you the best groups. for most things that will be your cartridge of choice. Try different bullet weights, different bullet designs and offerings from different manufacturers. The rifle will pick one or two it likes best. This will cost a bit and take some time, with some recoil to endure, but will payoff in the end when that bullet that counts, goes where it is supposed to. Good Hunting! 0 -
[8D]-Yo Johnny, even though I don't hunt anymore-- the 30-06 and the Howa combo are right at the top of all around cal's I have One Weatherby MK-5 '06 and two Vanguards -06. All three shoot 1/2" 100 yd 5-shot groups using 147 gr FMJ boattails. I'm afraid you'll have to find the best load for your individual rifle-But you made a good choice--JIMBO
I'm only wearing Black untill they make something darker0 -
cool, thanks for the info guys, i cant wait to go shoot it. the rifle came with a scope but now i realize it isnt even labeled what brand or power. 0
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