Howa rifles for sale: how to pick the right model

There are a lot of Howa rifles for sale out there, and the model names don’t make shopping easier. Hogue, Mini Action, Superlite, Hera, APC, Gamepro: they’re all built on the same Japanese action, but they’re very different rifles. This guide sorts them out so you can pick the right one in a few minutes, using the 137 rifles we have in stock as examples.

Start with what you will shoot

The caliber decides more about a rifle than anything else, so pick it first. For whitetail and black bear, 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Win, 7mm-08 and 243 Win are all proven. Elk hunters do better with 7mm PRC, 30-06 or 300 Win Mag. If you shoot steel past 600 yards, the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and 6mm ARC hold up best in the wind. Straight-wall deer states point you to the 350 Legend.

Check your state’s legal cartridges and seasons before you buy. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page links to every state wildlife agency.

Comparing Howa rifles for sale by model line

• Howa 1500 Hogue, from $508: the standard hunting rifle. Pillar-bedded Hogue OverMolded stock, HACT trigger, black, gray or green.
• Howa Mini Action, from $510: a shorter action for 223, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC, 22 ARC, 7.62×39 and 350 Legend.
• Howa Superlite, from $589: the light one. Gen2 models are 4.9 lb with a 20-inch threaded barrel.
• Gamepro 2, from $676: a Hogue rifle with a Nikko Stirling scope already mounted.
• Fence Line, from $588: Cerakote, camo stock and a muzzle brake for hard use.
• Hera H7, from $754: a polymer chassis with an aluminum V-block for precision on a budget.
• APC and TSP X, from $1,224: full aluminum chassis rifles, most with a 4-16×50 scope.
• Walnut models, from $499: the classic look, from the Hunter to the Super Deluxe.

Howa 1500 Hogue 308 Win$518Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC$537Howa Superlite Gen2 6.5 Creedmoor$977Howa Hera H7 6.5 Creedmoor Black$754

Scope included or bring your own?

If you don’t own a scope yet, a package saves time and money. The Gamepro 2 308 Win comes with a Nikko Stirling 3.5-10×44 for $676, and the APC 6.5 Creedmoor ships with a Diamond 4-16×50. If you already have glass, buy the bare rifle and spend the difference on ammo for practice. We list 33 Howa rifles with scope.

Barrel length and weight

Shorter barrels (16.25 to 20 inches) handle better in blinds and trucks and suit a suppressor. A 24-inch barrel adds velocity, which matters with magnums and long-range shooting. Weight is a trade: a 4.9 lb Superlite is a joy to carry and harder to hold steady, while a 13.5 lb chassis rifle sits still on a bipod but isn’t going up a mountain.

Budget, mid-range and premium picks

On a tight budget, the Hunter 308 and Hogue 308 are around $518 and shoot as well as rifles that cost more. In the middle, the Superlite Gen2 and Hera H7 add real features: a 4.9 lb weight or a chassis. At the top, the APC and TSP X come with scopes and adjustable stocks, ready for long range.

Spend on the rifle first and the scope second, then save something for ammo. A good shooter with a mid-priced rifle and plenty of practice beats an expensive rifle that never leaves the safe.

Where to buy Howa rifles for sale

Right here. Every rifle on Howa 1500 Rifles is in stock, and we ship to the FFL dealer you choose at checkout. You’ll fill out the transfer paperwork at the dealer, and the ATF firearms Q&A explains the federal side. Read our guide to buying Howa rifles online for the step-by-step.

Howa rifles for sale FAQ