Description
Our Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win is a Hunter bolt gun in .308 Winchester. It comes with a 22-inch barrel, a Italian walnut stock and 5-round capacity. It’s priced at $499 and in stock now. Most buyers pick it for deer, hogs, black bear and targets.
Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win features
This is the classic Howa 1500: blued steel and a walnut stock. It’s a traditional hunting rifle built on the same action Howa uses across the 1500 line.
The 1500 action is made by Howa Machinery in Japan. It’s a two-lug, push-feed action with a one-piece bolt, and the three-position safety lets you run the bolt on safe so you can unload without firing.
The HACT (Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger) is a two-stage trigger. There’s a light take-up stage, then a crisp break, which makes it easier to shoot well from field positions.
Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win specs
- Model: Howa Hunter
- Caliber: .308 Winchester
- Barrel length: 22 inches
- Stock: Italian walnut stock
- Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
- Trigger: HACT two-stage
- Safety: three-position
- Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
- Price: $499
What the .308 Winchester is good for
The .308 Winchester came out in 1952 as the commercial version of what became the 7.62x51mm NATO. It’s one of the most common big-game and target rounds in the world. It handles deer, hogs, black bear and, with good bullets, elk at moderate range. It’s also a classic target round, and ammo is easy to find in almost any store.
Factory loads run from 125 to 180 grains, with 150, 165, 168 and 175 grain bullets the most common. The 1:10 twist handles all of them. If you want the technical side, the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard covers chamber dimensions and pressure. Here’s the history of the .308 Winchester too.
Is this the right rifle for you?
If you like the look and feel of walnut and want a rifle to hand down, this is a good pick.
Choosing .308 Winchester ammo
Every rifle has loads it likes. Buy two or three different factory loads, shoot groups with each at 100 yards and stick with the one that groups best. Hunting loads cost more, but they’re made to expand and hold together on game. Use them in the field and cheaper ammo for practice.
Seasons, legal calibers and hunter education rules vary by state. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page links to state wildlife agencies and public land where you can hunt.
More about the Howa Hunter
Howa’s walnut-stocked Hunter rifles keep things simple. You get the 1500 action, a hammer-forged barrel and a good-looking wood stock that most hunters still prefer.
Getting it zeroed
Bring a solid rest, a few targets and at least two boxes of ammo. Start at 25 yards to get on paper, then move to 100 and make your final adjustments with three-shot groups. The .308 Winchester really shines past 300 yards, so once you’re zeroed, it’s worth getting time at longer distances and writing down your drops.
Other options like the Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win
A few close relatives, in case a different finish, barrel or price fits you better:
- Howa 1500 Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor: chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, $499
- Howa Walnut Hunter 22-250: chambered in .22-250 Remington and a threaded muzzle, $613
- Howa 1500 Standard Hunter 7mm-08: chambered in 7mm-08 Remington and a threaded muzzle, $613
- Howa 1500 Standard Hunter 30-06: chambered in .30-06 Springfield and a threaded muzzle, $625
You can also browse all Howa Walnut Stock Rifles and Howa 308 Win Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.
Breaking in and cleaning the Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win
You don’t need a long break-in routine. Clean the bore after the first few range sessions to get the copper out, then clean it whenever accuracy starts to drop off. Wipe the wood with a light coat of oil now and then to keep it from drying out.
Ordering and FFL transfer
Federal law requires rifles bought online to go through a licensed dealer. Pick an FFL near you at checkout, and we’ll ship the Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win there. You’ll complete the paperwork and background check when you pick it up. The ATF explains the rules in its firearms questions and answers. State and local laws vary, so check yours before you order.
Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win questions
What caliber is the Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win?
It’s chambered in .308 Winchester.
How many rounds does it hold?
It holds 5 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber.
Does it come with a scope?
No. You pick the scope; the receiver is ready for bases and rings.
Is the barrel threaded?
Not on this model. Several of our other Howa rifles in this caliber come threaded.
Buy the Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win today
Add the Howa 1500 Hunter 308 Win to your cart now for $499. If you’d like a second opinion first, get in touch.
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