Howa m1500 .375 Ruger

[Leon123]

Good day I am looking to buy a Howa m1500 375Ruger. I would like to know how good is the rifle. Aswell as how is the recoil on them

 

[Ragman]

I have no experience with the .375 Ruger, however I did own a Smith & Wesson Model 1500 (which is now the Howa) for 25 years, and it was a good one. Mine was chambered in 7mm Rem Mag and never let me down. It traveled with me to Namibia in 2014 and except for the first day where I had to use my PH's rifle due to ours not arriving in Windhoek till the day after we got there, it performed as it always does and added a baboon, warthog, hartebeest and impala to my trophy room.

Two years ago, I decided that I really wanted to replace it with a Tikka T3 and there have been pros and cons with that. The S&W had a hinge-plate which I prefer over a detachable magazine like the Tikka has. Not sure if Howa uses a DM or not. The light weight of the Tikka causes noticeably more felt recoil than the 1500 to me. Tikka action is far nicer and it is a slightly nicer shooting rifle to me.

Based on 25 years with my Model 1500, I think you'll be happy with the Howa!

 

[Leon123]

I have no experience with the .375 Ruger, however I did own a Smith & Wesson Model 1500 (which is now the Howa) for 25 years, and it was a good one. Mine was chambered in 7mm Rem Mag and never let me down. It traveled with me to Namibia in 2014 and except for the first day where I had to use my PH's rifle due to ours not arriving in Windhoek till the day after we got there, it performed as it always does and added a baboon, warthog, hartebeest and impala to my trophy room.

Two years ago, I decided that I really wanted to replace it with a Tikka T3 and there have been pros and cons with that. The S&W had a hinge-plate which I prefer over a detachable magazine like the Tikka has. Not sure if Howa uses a DM or not. The light weight of the Tikka causes noticeably more felt recoil than the 1500 to me. Tikka action is far nicer and it is a slightly nicer shooting rifle to me.

Based on 25 years with my Model 1500, I think you'll be happy with the Howa!

I spoke to a guy who has a varmint howa in .308 and loves it. They do look to be built good .

 

[curtism1234]

Howa is fine, I think they were better 5-10 years ago but they are fine. Actually I think they may have stopped making them in the 375 so you may very well be looking at a slightly older rifle anyway.

If it's a factory synthetic stock you're probably going to have your hands full with recoil; they are pretty light.

You can't beat the cost

 

[Leon123]

Howa is fine, I think they were better 5-10 years ago but they are fine. Actually I think they may have stopped making them in the 375 so you may very well be looking at a slightly older rifle anyway.

If it's a factory synthetic stock you're probably going to have your hands full with recoil; they are pretty light.

You can't beat the cost

I started to look for them. I think I saw one at our one gun shop that a guy traded in on something smaller hope its still there

 

[Fred Gunner]

I love my .375 Ruger. I Have the Ruger Guide Gun with It's excellent muzzle brake and recoil pad. The recoil is about that of my T/C Encore 30-06. But better still I can stay on target and track through the scope while reloading a second round for very fast follow up shots even with the minimum caliber for dangerous game.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Mixed info from me on this one. I have a Howa 1500 in 30-06 that went to SA in '12. No problems with it whatsoever.
I have a Savage 110 in 375 Ruger. Hits me hard at the bench, but fun to shoot standing.
The stock on either is basically identical to the other: hollow butt to the synthetic, rubber molded stock. Both are great guns

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

It goes without saying that I like the 375 Ruger too. I believe @curtism1234 is correct that Howa has quit making them. But if you can get your hands on a good used one, I'd say go for it.

While not specifically about the Howa 1500, here are a number of good reference articles and info on the 375 Ruger.

Real Guns Hand load data for the 375 Ruger
http://www.realguns.com/loads/375Ruger.htm

The Real Guns CZ 550 FS Goes 375 Ruger Part I
http://www.realguns.com/articles/212.htm

The Real Guns CZ 550 FS Goes 375 Ruger Part II
http://www.realguns.com/articles/214.htm

Ruger's Guide Gun in 375 Ruger
http://www.realguns.com/articles/596.htm

The 375 Ruger Story - All Guns & No Ammo Part I
http://www.realguns.com/archives/134.htm

375 H&H Vs 375 Ruger Part I of II
http://www.realguns.com/archives/143.htm

375 H&H Vs 375 Ruger Part II of II
http://www.realguns.com/archives/144.htm

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I find it hard to believe you like this cartridge....fibber!

 

[Eddie P]

I considered a Howa when I got my 375rug, I discounted it because of the lack of open sights.

Other than that they are good rifles.

 

[Wayne t]

Howa. Actions are fine for the money the factory guns shoot good enough for hunting and they do use a floor plate but you can get a DM system for them if needed
I'm just about to do one with a Hardy carbon wrapped barrel in 6.5x47 as a light weight hunting rifle for deer here in the uk

 

[Leon123]

Howa. Actions are fine for the money the factory guns shoot good enough for hunting and they do use a floor plate but you can get a DM system for them if needed
I'm just about to do one with a Hardy carbon wrapped barrel in 6.5x47 as a light weight hunting rifle for deer here in the uk

Sounds like a good combination for the Deere

 

[Shootist43]

I used my PH's 30-06 Howa on a couple of animals last year, the gun shot well. I had no problems with it whatsoever.