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The Howa Gameking (also referred to as the Howa 1500 Gameking, Howa Hogue Gameking, etc.) is a bolt-action rifle plus scope package range and another example of why Howa’s products are so compelling. This range of guns was recently withdrawn from production, but is still prized as a used arm.

What makes the Howa Gamekings standout are the namesake Nikko Stirling Gameking optics package, which includes the Gameking 3.5-10x44 LRX aluminum riflescope and scope mount rail. POV is 38 yards at 3.5 magnification and 13 yards at 10x. This scope mounts on an EGW 20 MOA elevated scope base that bridges the ejector area.

The scope is nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging. It’s also waterproof, shockproof, 14.5” long and weighs 18 ounces. Adjustments are made using turrets in ¼ MOA clicks. It has a matte black finish, and Microlux ETE GEN III glass coatings. It also has MIL-DOT, LRX and red/green dual color illumination aiming reticle options.

Moreover, fit and finish are beautiful as is so common on Howa products. All have a 13.87” length of pull. There are numerous calibers from which to choose in 22” and 24” barrel lengths whose overall lengths span 42.25” and 44.75” respectively.

The 22” barrel guns are 5+1 capacity arms weighing about 9.4 pounds while the 24” barrel guns are 3+1 capacity and weigh about 9.6 pounds. These weights include the scope, scope rail, etc.

The calibers are as follows. In 22” long barrels, we have .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, .25-06 Remington, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 6.5 Creedmore, 7mm-08 Remington. In the 24” long Magnum barrel, the choices are .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum.

Each caliber typically has two color choices: all-matte black or olive drab (OD). The only thing that differs in the color choices is the Hogue pillar-bedded polymer stock. Everything else is black (scope, scope rail, trigger guard, trigger, swivel studs, Hogue rubber buttpad) or blued (e.g. the barrel and action). The stock is overmolded at the grip points, providing a nice, comfortable hold.

The gun’s two-stage curved zero creep Howa Activated Controlled Trigger (HACT). This HACT trigger has crisp, clean, breaks.

Howa 1500 guns have a three-position safety and a red-dot safety indicator, both near the base of the bolt arm. Speaking of which, the bolt is a two-lug design made of forged steel with an integrated bolt arm. The receiver is also made of forged steel and the barrels are hammer forged.

The Howa Gamekings have a sub-MOA rating, meaning that given factory or premium ammunition, they’ll group three rounds within an inch at up to 100 yards.

This fine firearm is made in Howa’s modern factory in Japan. Howa USA is based in Reno, Nevada and is a subdivision of Legacy Sports International. Howa USA imports its guns from Howa Machinery, Ltd. in Japan, a firm established as Showa Heavy Industries, Ltd., in the late 1930s as a defense contractor to make aircraft parts, rifles and more. In 1941, it merged with Toyoda Loom Works, Ltd., and the name was amended to Howa Heavy Industries, Ltd.

During World War II, the company made the Arisaka rifle, aircraft components, artillery and machineguns. Post-war, it made a variety of weapons for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and entered the US market in the 1950s where it has sold firearms ever since.

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