I am in the process of choosing a gun for my 9 year old son for deer season. I have narrowed the choices down to a savage and a howa both in 243. The savage w/scope is about $350 the howa w/scope is about $400. I have never owned either brand . What experience have you guys had with either gun?

I am in the process of choosing a gun for my 9 year old son for deer season. I have narrowed the choices down to a savage and a howa both in 243. The savage w/scope is about $350 the howa w/scope is about $400. I have never owned either brand . What experience have you guys had with either gun?

I do know that if you get him the Vanguard Youth model(Howa), it would come with a shortened stock for the kids as well as the regular stock. Not a bad consideration!

Your question is tough! I own 1 Howa and 1 Savage. On the new models I think the Howa was the advantage as far as optics. I also think the Howa is more accurate, but that is my veiw of my rifles. You have a tough choice. I have upgraded scopes on both, and again both are used for different purposes. Let your son choose what feels best. I love both, but if I had one choice, it whould be the Howa. It will be quite a bit heavier than the Savage. I can't fault either. Jim

I have both too, my choice would be the Howa but it would be hard to wrong with either one. One thing to think about on the pakage deals is the scopes normally leave alot to be desired, I usually end up giving them away and buying a good scope.

The Gander Mountain in town has a Stainless/wood Howa in .243 for $329. I thought the gun was very nice. There was a couple little nicks on the stock but I thought it was a heck of a gun for $329. I like the stainless/wood combo.

The Gander Mountain in town has a Stainless/wood Howa in .243 for $329. I thought the gun was very nice. There was a couple little nicks on the stock but I thought it was a heck of a gun for $329. I like the stainless/wood combo.


Sometime I hate you guys w/ stores like that close by!!! Did you buy it? Jim

I have a Howa 1500 in .223 and it is the most accurate rifle i have fired so far. My vote is for the Howa.

No not yet, I will say the thought has crossed my mind a lot.Sometime I hate you guys w/ stores like that close by!!! Did you buy it? Jim

I havent owned a savage yet,but i can say my howa is deadly accurate

no question, howa, not only is it a better product overall it is a good looking rifle. don't forget that for years howa built the weatherby mark 5 rifles besides the vanguard... the howa 1500 is the same rifle as the vanguard. no question in my book.

Hey 44 Mag,

Friend of mine and I went round and round in a discussion for his kid's first rifle. I'd recommended a Savage. (I just purchased a STEVENS in .308 for me for $ 289 at the local Gander). I just had to have it. If it doesn't shoot I can always screw another barrel on it. But I digress.

Anyway he had originally thought to use a .243, or .260 7mm-08 but then decided that a .308 would be just fine. His reasoning was because of the managed recoil/reduced recoil ammo now available would be just the ticket. It's loaded to 30-30 levels typically which we know is plenty for whitey. When his kid gets older, he can step into regular ammo.

His boy is large enough to shoot a regular sized rifle. A youth model in .308 would be just the ticket.

BTW Teacherboy I'm glad I didn't see that stainless howa for $ 329. It'd be mine.

Savage bolt actions are the most accurate out of the box production rifle out there.

Never owned a Howa, have had a few Savages all were OK. If all else was equal I would pick the USA made gun. I doubt There is a whale of a lota difference so, which feels looks better to you?

One thing about Savage if it doesn't shoot out of the box, my last one didn't. I sent it back and it will come home a shooter. Wonder if Howa would do that?
No matter the manufacture once in a while something comes off the line that is not up to par, I like the company's that have great customer service.

One thing about Savage if it doesn't shoot out of the box, my last one didn't. I sent it back and it will come home a shooter. Wonder if Howa would do that?.


Ive never seen a howa that didnt shoot well.Doesnt mean someone hasnt had one,but have never seen one.

pdawg_shooter, i seriously have to question such a blanket statement as that. mabey the most accurate for under $400.