OK guys, i'm fixing to get into varmit hunting again here is south louisiana (armadillos and nutria) and don't want to spend a ton on new rifle. Been looking at the mossberg atr100 amd the Howa 1500 at Academy. Mossberg w/scope is $300 and Howa w/scope is $400. Is the Howa worth the extra $100?
Caliber = 243 winchester.

I'm going to say yes. My Mossberg always failed me when I needed it most.OK guys, i'm fixing to get into varmit hunting again here is south louisiana (armadillos and nutria) and don't want to spend a ton on new rifle. Been looking at the mossberg atr100 amd the Howa 1500 at Academy. Mossberg w/scope is $300 and Howa w/scope is $400. Is the Howa worth the extra $100?
Caliber = 243 winchester.

OK guys, i'm fixing to get into varmit hunting again here is south louisiana (armadillos and nutria) and don't want to spend a ton on new rifle. Been looking at the mossberg atr100 amd the Howa 1500 at Academy. Mossberg w/scope is $300 and Howa w/scope is $400. Is the Howa worth the extra $100?
Caliber = 243 winchester.

No direct experience with the Mossberg, but I have had a Howa 1500 Lightning in 6.5x55 for the past couple of years. Shoots okay with heavier (129 gr and up) bullets. Very smooth action, durable, a little heavy. While my accuracy has only been so so with mine, others have reported much better results with different chamberings. I would think the Howa would be worth the extra $100 over the Mossberg for the improved fit and finish, and nice smooth action.

I like Mossberg products, very fair pricing and resonable quality, the rifles aren't bad but not great either. A Mossberg wouldn't be very high on my list for a varmit rifle though. In my opinion the Howa is one of the best buys in a quality rifle you can find. Most are tack drivers with some trigger work.

I don't have any experience w/ the Mossberg rifles, but I do love my Howa. .308 topped w/ a Sightron S2. It is a tack driver. I have never had any issues w/ the trigger, mine breaks clean at 3.5 lb.s and is ajustable. Again, it likes heavier bullets, 150gr and up. 165-168 are the best. Jim

I know it isn't one you mentioned, but in that price range I believe I would get the Stevens 200. You may want to at least look at them before buying. You will find they are generally very accurate.

I vote Howa.

Howa's have a pretty good reputation. You might consider the Stevens if your on a budget. You can always get another barrel and switch calibers for deer and elk hunting when your done with varmint season. It takes about 15 minutes to do the switch.

Howa's have a pretty good reputation. You might consider the Stevens if your on a budget. You can always get another barrel and switch calibers for deer and elk hunting when your done with varmint season. It takes about 15 minutes to do the switch.

Thanks for the input, guys; looks like i'm going get the HOWA

OK guys, i'm fixing to get into varmit hunting again here is south louisiana (armadillos and nutria) and don't want to spend a ton on new rifle. Been looking at the mossberg atr100 amd the Howa 1500 at Academy. Mossberg w/scope is $300 and Howa w/scope is $400. Is the Howa worth the extra $100?
Caliber = 243 winchester.
I have Howa's in .223 and .308. Both are nice rifles. I would choose the Howa over the Mossburg hands down. The Stevens 200 suggested by others is also a good choice.

I used to have a weatherby vanguard - made for weatherby by howa, not sure of the model. The rifle would shoot, I have my longest deer and second longest woodchuck with that rifle. The deer was running at 400 yards, the woodchuck was munching on a clover leaf at 325 or so. The rifle was heavy though, a little over 9lbs. Trigger was ok but nothing to brag about. It has since been replaced by a m70 in 300 wsm, Its a lot lighter. No real complaints about the rifle except for the weight.