Description
The Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper is a 7.62x39mm bolt action rifle with a 20-inch threaded barrel, a Prairie Reaper camo synthetic stock and 5-round capacity. It sells for $627, and it’s in stock. If you want one rifle for deer, hogs and targets, this is a good place to start.
What you get with the Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper
The Fence Line series is the Howa 1500 dressed for the field. The barreled action gets a Cerakote finish, the synthetic stock comes in camo, and the threaded barrel ships with a muzzle brake.
Howa Machinery has built the 1500 action in Japan since 1979. It uses a one-piece bolt with two locking lugs and a 90-degree lift, plus a three-position safety. The middle position lets you cycle the bolt and unload with the safety on.
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. The barrel is threaded 1/2×28 at the muzzle and ships with a thread protector, ready for a brake or can. It ships with a muzzle brake installed, which noticeably cuts felt recoil and muzzle rise.
Specifications
- Model: Howa Fence Line
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Barrel length: 20 inches
- Muzzle: threaded 1/2×28
- Twist rate: 1:9.45
- Stock: Prairie Reaper camo synthetic stock
- Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
- Trigger: HACT two-stage
- Safety: three-position
- Muzzle device: muzzle brake
- Barreled action finish: Burnt Bronze Cerakote
- Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
- Price: $627
Why 7.62x39mm?
The 7.62x39mm is a Soviet cartridge from 1943 and the round the AK family made famous. Surplus and imported ammo kept it cheap for decades. Inside 200 yards it’s a good deer and hog round, and recoil is mild. It’s also inexpensive to practice with, which is a big reason people want it in a bolt gun.
Most loads use 120 to 125 grain bullets. Expect most ammo to use .311 diameter bullets, and pick soft points or expanding bullets for hunting. SAAMI sets the industry dimensions for this round; the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard lists them. There’s also a good summary of the history of the 7.62x39mm.
Who should buy it
If your rifle rides in a truck, gets rained on and leans against fence posts, the Cerakote and camo stock are made for that life. A 20-inch barrel keeps the rifle short and balanced without giving up much velocity.
Choosing 7.62x39mm ammo
Start with a couple of quality factory loads and see which groups tighter. Once you find it, buy enough of the same lot to get through the season. For hunting, use a bullet built for the game you’re after, and save the cheap full metal jacket ammo for practice.
Hunting rules are set state by state. Start at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page for federal lands, then check your state agency for seasons and caliber limits.
Getting it zeroed
Plan a full session for the first trip. Get on paper at 25 yards, then zero at 100 and shoot a few groups so you know what the rifle and load can do. Most 7.62x39mm shooting happens inside 200 yards, so confirm your zero at 50 and 100 and learn where it hits at 150.
Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper vs similar Howa rifles
Not sure this is the exact setup you want? These are the closest matches in our Howa lineup:
- Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Scorched Earth: a Scorched Earth finish, $627
- Howa Fence Line 6mm ARC 20 Inch Scorched: chambered in 6mm ARC and a Scorched Earth finish, $627
- Howa Fence Line 350 Legend Prairie Reaper: chambered in .350 Legend and a 16.25-inch barrel, $627
- Howa Fence Line 350 Legend Scorched Earth: chambered in .350 Legend, a 16.25-inch barrel and a Scorched Earth finish, $627
You can also browse all Howa 1500 Fence Line Rifles and Howa 7.62×39 Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.
Breaking in and cleaning the Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper
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. Keep a thin coat of oil on exposed steel, especially after a wet day in the field.
Ordering and FFL transfer
Rifles can’t ship straight to your door. When you order the Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper, we ship it to a federally licensed (FFL) dealer near you. You fill out ATF Form 4473 there, pass the background check and take it home. The ATF explains the rules in its firearms questions and answers. State and local laws vary, so check yours before you order.
Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper FAQ
What caliber is the Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper?
It’s chambered in 7.62x39mm with a 1:9.45 twist.
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. It’s drilled and tapped, so you can mount the scope and rings you prefer.
Is the barrel threaded?
Yes. The thread pitch is 1/2×28.
Get the Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper while it’s in stock
The Howa Fence Line 7.62×39 Prairie Reaper is in stock at $627. Add it to your cart, choose your FFL dealer at checkout and we’ll get it moving. Questions about fit, caliber or ammo? Contact us and we’ll help you pick.
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