Howa 1500 Superlite Rifles

The Superlite is Howa’s lightweight hunting rifle. Gen2 models weigh about 4.9 pounds with an HS Precision stock, and the carbon-stocked Superlites come with a Picatinny rail and threaded barrels. They’re made for hunters who carry their rifle a long way. We have 14 Howa 1500 Superlite Rifles in stock, priced from $589 to $1,302.

Howa 1500 Superlite Rifles by caliber

Here’s what’s in stock, grouped by cartridge:

.308 Winchester: 7 rifles from $589, like the Howa Superlite 308 Walnut
6.5 Creedmoor: 5 rifles from $977, like the Howa Superlite Gen2 6.5 Creedmoor
7mm-08 Remington: 1 rifle at $949, like the Howa Superlite Gen2 7mm-08
.243 Winchester: 1 rifle at $977, like the Howa Superlite Gen2 243 Win

Why choose Howa 1500 Superlite Rifles

It’s made for backcountry and mountain hunters who count every ounce.

Every centerfire rifle here uses the Howa 1500 action family: a two-lug, one-piece bolt and a three-position safety whose middle setting lets you unload on safe. Howa builds it in Japan, and it has been in production since 1979.

For cartridge specs, SAAMI publishes the industry standards. If you’re buying for a hunt, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page links to public land and state agencies.

Popular picks

Howa Superlite 308 Walnut ($589, the lowest price here): 20-inch barrel and walnut stock. It’s made for backcountry and mountain hunters who count every ounce.

Howa Superlite 308 Kryptek Obskura ($1,093, a middle option): 20-inch barrel and carbon fiber stock in Kryptek Obskura camo. It’s made for backcountry and mountain hunters who count every ounce.

Howa Superlite 6.5 Creedmoor Scoped ($1,302, the top of the range): 16.25-inch barrel, gray and green Stocky’s carbon fiber stock with black webbing and a Vortex riflescope included. If your hunts involve long hikes or steep climbs, a lighter rifle is easier to carry, and that matters on the last mile.

Which caliber should you pick?

.308 Winchester: best for deer, hogs, black bear and targets
6.5 Creedmoor: best for deer, black bear and long-range targets
.243 Winchester: best for deer, pronghorn and varmints
7mm-08 Remington: best for deer, black bear and pronghorn

If you mostly shoot paper and steel, lean toward the 6.5s and 6mm ARC. For deer and black bear, the .308, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 are hard to beat. For elk at distance, look at the 7mm PRC and magnums.

How shipping to your FFL works

Rifles ship to a licensed FFL dealer near you, not to your home. You’ll complete ATF Form 4473 and the background check when you pick it up. The ATF firearms Q&A covers the federal rules, and your state may add its own.