Howa - Super Lite - 308

[Forkyfinder]

Came across (to my surprise) a practically brand new Super Lite in .308 at the LGS on Monday. Guy at the shop said the previous owner fired it one time, then brought it in to trade for a 6.5 CM. At $899, it very nearly went home with me but I already have a .308 that I really like. I just ordered a Super Lite barreled action in 7mm-08 from Brownells, and a green stock. I went that way because it was the only way I could get the gray cerakoted finish AND the green carbon fiber stock. Should have them both by the end of the week. After a bit of range time, I'll report back. Looking forward to it. Every Howa I've owned has been a shooter and two Howa Minis I've owned (6.5G and 7.62x39) were easily two of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned. That mini in 6.5G would shoot bugholes all day.

One of those minis in 6 arc seems sweet

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

One of those minis in 6 arc seems sweet

Didn't have the 6 arc out yet when I was playing with the minis, but the 6.5 Grendel was a lot of fun and one heluva shooter. Took several does and a few spikes with it too. I think I took 4-5 deer with the mini in 7.62x39 as well. Those were head-shot culling machines.

 

[4ohSick]

Excellent accuracy with this thing! Moa with Hornady 120 eld-match! It’ll be 6lbs with the suppressor

Mine is 5lb 14oz with a Vx-5 2-10x42 and a DD Enticer S ti. Never chambered a round at deer camp this year, but it sure was nice to carry around.

 

[Rie Bread]

Mine is 5lb 14oz with a Vx-5 2-10x42 and a DD Enticer S ti. Never chambered a round at deer camp this year, but it sure was nice to carry around.

Dang?! I’ve got a fixed 4x with talley ring and the 16.5” barrel! I got the thunderbeast 9” for a can. That’s with out sling and ammo.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Just assembled my first Howa Superlite. Gray finish 7mm-08 in the green webbing stock. Topped with my VX-2 3-9x40 it weighs 5 lbs. 11 oz. Almost a full pound and a half lighter than my Savage (7 lbs. exactly) but still feels really solid. Great stock. Love that rubbery textured feel, without being sticky or cheap feeling. Forgot how much I like Howa actions. This gun reminds me A LOT of my Mini's, and those were both great shooting guns. I can see me getting along quite nicely and might even have to add a .308 before long.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I almost pulled the trigger on a lever gun for timber hunting cause they are light but when I saw the super lite scoped could be the same weight/ similar price I reconsidered the purchase. Plus I have a fixed 4x M8 that’s calling the super light.

I've never come across a lever gun that, with an optic of any kind, is lighter than my scoped 110 Savage with a 20" barrel. Even my pre-64 Winchester is still 6 3/4 lbs bare. Any Henry you get will be even heavier. I love lever guns, and they may be handy, but they are not light.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Just sent the stock back to Howa because half of the paint came off the stock this season. We will see what they will do but according to Stocky's how does their own dipping of those stocks and its a disaster.

 

[Rie Bread]

I've never come across a lever gun that, with an optic of any kind, is lighter than my scoped 110 Savage with a 20" barrel. Even my pre-64 Winchester is still 6 3/4 lbs bare. Any Henry you get will be even heavier. I love lever guns, and they may be handy, but they are not light.

Rossi makes a 16.5” model 92 that’s 5.5 lbs in 357/44mag but when I saw a gun that’s lighter in a caliber good out past 200 yards it was a no brainer, especially with the fixed 4x scope I have

 

[Rie Bread]

Just sent the stock back to Howa because half of the paint came off the stock this season. We will see what they will do but according to Stocky's how does their own dipping of those stocks and its a disaster.

Like the grippy part of the paint?

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Rossi makes a 16.5” model 92 that’s 5.5 lbs in 357/44mag but when I saw a gun that’s lighter in a caliber good out past 200 yards it was a no brainer, especially with the fixed 4x scope I have

Yea, in .44 or .357 that's true. I was thinking of 30-30 or other normal hunting cartridges. Do love those M8 4x's

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Just sent the stock back to Howa because half of the paint came off the stock this season. We will see what they will do but according to Stocky's how does their own dipping of those stocks and its a disaster.

I'm sorry to hear that. This is frustrating because many of us have been on Legacy/Howa for years to put a better stock on those fine 1500 actions. That Hogue is a boat anchor and now these Stockys mass produced CF stocks are poorly fit and have these issues. Do better Legacy. Its' such a shame they can't get a decent stock for those guns. The 1500 barreled action deserves better, especially this Superlite action which is unique in the market. I have an email into Legacy (not expecting to hear back, mind you) as to whether they would sell one of the Superlite walnut stocks by itself. I want to see how one of those fits, and with a wood stock it's not hard to drill out the butt and drop weight.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Like the grippy part of the paint?

No. Like 25% of paint on the stock….

 

[Rie Bread]

That sucks. Does the rear part of the action stick up not flush with the stock?

 

[Mallardsx2]

Not sure what you mean. The paint is coming off all over the stock.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I found out today that Legacy will sell just the walnut stock, so I called them to order one today. Said it might ship this week. I'll report back when it arrives. Brownells didn't offer the gray cerakote with the walnut stock option. I'm going to see if I can take some weight off the wood stock, then bed it and give it a try. I've had good luck with wood Boyd's stocks on Mini actions after I bedded them and this stock should be quite a bit lighter than the Boyds.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

That sucks. Does the rear part of the action stick up not flush with the stock?

The rear tang stood very proud on my CF stock. I wasn't impressed with the fitment (or lack thereof) at the rear of the action at all. Typical Stockys CF fitment, unfortunately. I don't understand how a company can charge so much for such poorly inletted and shaped (and now finished) stocks. That's a loss for all of us, because it then drives up the cost of true custom CF stocks that are made by individual craftsmen who care about inletting, fitment and finishes.

 

[Rie Bread]

With the 9” silencer, sling and ammo it is 6.5lbs. Wife shot it and it’s been officially usurped as her rifle now

 

[Mallardsx2]

Ding ding. Round 2

 

[Ought Six]

I wonder how many spots have been burned inadvertently from Howa sales

 

[Rie Bread]

Ding ding. Round 2

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That’s pretty good looking! And ya got the shorty