I cannot speak for the Howa, although folks like the actions to build rifles on. But I do own a Savage with the Accutrigger, and I think I am safe in saying you will not find a more accurate rifle out of the box from any mass-production maker.

Notice I did not add the caveat "for the price". Unless you are going to get a $2,000+ rifle or have one built for that or even more by a premiere rifle maker, I would say the Savages are hard to beat. Practically impossible to beat. If the Savage has the Accutrigger and the Accustock (don't know if they are used or new), make it impossible to beat.

I'm still a 'beginner' as far as shooting and reloading goes, but I don't see the .30-06 as less appropriate than the .308 for a 'beginner', I'm wondering what prompted that comment? If anything, you can do more with the .30-06 in terms of range of bullet weights, and you have more room to play with charges.

At my stage, I need to shoot more. A lot more. worrying about the rifle for me doesn't make sense because my Savage 10-FP is more rifle than I can take advantage of. I may appreciate the nuances of fine rifles later, but it will be after I shoot thousands of more rounds and at longer ranges.

Count me as a huge Savage fan for out of the box rifles you can live with for years while you hone your shooting skills. Good luck!

 

I've never owned a savage, but i've owned a couple howa's. it's very accurate out of the box. i was very pleased with the accuracy. the actions on the ones i've handled have all been very smooth.

 

I own both and while both are fine rifles I favor Savage better because you can do things to them yourself and I think they are the best bang for the dollar.

 

I own a 29 yr old 110 Savage before accurtrigger which has proven to be a great tack driver. I do not know anything about the HOWA but I do know you will not be disappointed by the Savage should you go that route.

 

Flip a coin, there isn't a wrong answer.

 

Howa would get my vote.

 

Neither. Get a 308. It really is a better choice for a target rifle that you are going to shoot a lot.

30-06 is fine for hunting and shooting once a year to sight it in and make sure you can hit something.

But if you are going to shoot 1000's of rounds and really get good, get a 308.

There are lots of used 308's out there and lots of good new ones. Remington 700 is probably the best simply because there are a TON of accesories for it. 20 MOA bases, Jewell trigger, etc. And every gunsmith knows how to work on them. You can do a lot of the work yourself. Mount the scope etc.

 

as the others I own savage, Howa, and Remington, Mauser actioned rifles, Tika
my choices in this order

1.Savage
2.Howa
3.Remington

Savage: Accu-trigger, great barrels, low cost, easy to change barrels and calibers so you can keep your 3006 and also change it to 308


Howa: great receiver, smooth bolt, nice barrels very accurate not allot of after market parts, unless short action


Remington: strong and smooth action, lots of accessorie
s, bolt handle needs to be re-enforced not strong, barrels are hit and run, unless 5R, accuracy is fair to good, unless 5R then accurate


I currently own
5 savage , 4x308s, 300wm tactical 1 for my wife, 1 for my son, 2 for me
1 Howa 6.5x55 target
and 1 remington 35 whelen hunting, and I am going to sell the remington soon really no interest in keeping it

 

I would say that if the prices and condition of the rifles are equal, flip a coin. What do the rifles have on them for glass? That may be the deciding factor.

Erik

 

I own both and I have to agree that you can't go wrong with either.

 

I absolutely Love my Howa in 300wm.
Jeff over at CDI Precision http://www.cdiprecisiongunworks.com/ is coming out with the AICS magazine kit for the Howa1500 long action. Another reason I went with it, oh and the suburb accuracy as well.