The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Looking to put a rifle together for my son to shoot (instead of him pinching my Steyr!).

We saw a friends Howa 1500 varmint with the Axiom stock last visit to the US and fellow forum member Iancxx has one in .204 in a very nice Boyds Thumbhole stock.

Question is, where's the cheapest place to get the Howa action? (HBAVB308), I've found it at £505 from McAvoy guns or Ivythorn Sporting with no prices shown. Considering I can get the complete rifle with a Hogue stock for £70 more that doesn't seem a good price for just the action?.

I can get the Blackhawk Axiom or Talon stock from the US at least £100 cheaper than here or a Boyds thumbhole for around £64 ($99).

100 quid cheaper for the stock from the US? Is that over the counter price in each country, or factoring in shipping, insurance, VAT and other fees?

there's a .308 Varmint barrelled Howa on stalking directory for £450 I am not sure that you can buy just the action, although I believe you can buy an action and barrel without a stock.

Over the counter, it's around $165 in the US or £250 - £290 over here. Iancxx imported his Boyds for around £130 with carriage, VAT etc.

Morning,Here we go the afore mentioned .204.Howa 1500,and her sister CZ 452.,,.22 LR in their Boyd,s,
On a day out last weekend,Loveing the .204,she is a keeper,,
Ian

Given difficulty of suPply, why not just get a rifle? You can always try the barrel - some are good and it might shoot!

kennyc wrote:there's a .308 Varmint barrelled Howa on stalking directory for £450 I am not sure that you can buy just the action, although I believe you can buy an action and barrel without a stock.

Sorry, I meant action and barrel.

That looks to be a good buy, didn't want stainless or camo but apart from that it's fine

There's another on there in Cumbria for £600 with a pillar bedded thumbhole stock, 20moa rail, Ken Farrel 30mm rings, T8 mod and reloading bits.

phaedra1106 wrote:

kennyc wrote:there's a .308 Varmint barrelled Howa on stalking directory for £450 I am not sure that you can buy just the action, although I believe you can buy an action and barrel without a stock.

Sorry, I meant action and barrel.

That looks to be a good buy, didn't want stainless or camo but apart from that it's fine

There's another on there in Cumbria for £600 with a pillar bedded thumbhole stock, 20moa rail, Ken Farrel 30mm rings, T8 mod and reloading bits.

at that price you can imagine its blued and ditch the stock (which I believe was your original intention) :P if its a real problem I have a green overmoulded short action stock you can swop for the realtree (although the Cumbrian one looks like a real deal)

Indeed, should get my FAC back from variation next week, had to put it in to have the 9mm removed so took the opportunity to add a second .308, it's going to be a birthday present for my son, even though we haven't managed to get his own SGC/FAC yet (due to idiot GP telling lies) it will be "his rifle". I had looked at a .243 but cost wise a second .308 is more sensible as we already have the reloading dies and plenty of brass & bullets etc.