HOWA 1500 Varmint Hera H7

Rifle Howa M1500 Hera H7 with Varmint barrel

The HOWA M1500 HERA H7 Varmint is another model in the HOWA M1500 range, using a stock from a third-party manufacturer that defines how it can be used. In this case, it comes with a HERA euH7 stock, making it a versatile, affordable option for both hunting and shooting. This versatile, highly accurate rifle makes the most of the qualities of the two available cartridges, .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. It combines a modern look with a classic profile that will appeal to many users.

First, let’s talk about the manufacturer of these rifles, as many buyers are likely unfamiliar with the name. HOWA is a Japanese manufacturer with a long tradition of producing firearms, dating back to 1940, in the pre-war period before World War II. However, the company itself dates back to 1907, when it began manufacturing machined parts. It entered this line of business through government contracts.

In our country, the brand is relatively unknown, apart from among a few shooting enthusiasts and, above all, collectors. This is especially true of fans of the conflict mentioned above, as Arisaka rifles made by HOWA are particularly sought after for their finish and flawless operation. There are two reasons for this lack of awareness: the absence of a strong distributor and an inadequate marketing strategy. Although the company has military origins, it began producing firearms for civilians in 1967, selling them overseas. The country’s very strict gun ownership laws have likely played a significant role in this.

Given how little known the brand is, many will wonder whether its rifles are any good. The answer is an emphatic yes. One fact that backs this up is that other prestigious brands commission HOWA to produce their more affordable ranges. Examples include the Weatherby Vanguard and the Sako L61 (FinnBear) and L579 (Forrester) series. It’s clear that these two brands choose a partner with a proven track record and a reputation for quality.

Turning to the technical details, let’s start with the barrel. Made from carbon steel and measuring 24” (610 mm) in length, it has a 0.82” (21 mm) contour, placing it in the Varmint category. As is now standard practice among long-gun manufacturers, the barrel is threaded, in this case with 1/2"x28 UNEF threads. Although both calibers, .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor, have the same barrel length, they naturally differ in their twist rates: 1:10 for the former and 1:8 for the latter.

These barrels are made using the button-rifling technique, in which this manufacturer is a true specialist. Needless to say, this firearm component is critical to its accuracy. Although many experts praise cold hammer forging, the technique used by HOWA is just as effective for rifling a barrel.

The action is based on those of the aforementioned Sako L61 (FinnBear) and L579 (Forrester), drawing on HOWA’s experience manufacturing them as a subcontractor. Naturally, due to intellectual property considerations, the design has been modified with numerous improvements. All this is complemented by the latest advances in CNC machine tools and the experience of the design and manufacturing team at

Howa 308 Win Model 1500 Hera H7 Rifle

This component is made from a solid piece of high-quality steel, with threaded holes for mounting scope bases. On the underside, it has a flat bottom with an integrated recoil lug, making it highly robust.

Next, we’ll move on to the bolt, which has two locking lugs on its head. The bolt body also features tr
Its generous openings are intended solely to provide safety in the event of a catastrophic failure. In a situation such as a detonation or a case-head rupture, gases and even some fragments will be vented through the magazine well. The good news is that this helps protect both you and your firearm.

An integral part of the bolt body is its handle, which, as we mentioned, is fixed to the bolt and demonstrates great strength. Another of its most appreciated features is its ergonomics, with a position set well back and low down. This may seem trivial, but when cycling the bolt, your hand won’t hit the scope, whatever type it is or how it’s positioned. HOWA’s focus on using some standard components is evident in its use of an AR-15 extractor and ejector. Overall, the action is smooth and reliable, regardless of the shooter’s skill or environmental conditions.

A distinctive feature of this M1500 action is what the manufacturer calls a controlled-feed mechanism. It consists of a particularly large, suspended extractor claw that grips the cartridge by the case head as it is pushed up by the magazine follower, and holds it until it is ejected through the action’s ejection port by the ejector plunger.

This action has a particularly effective safety system, not usually found on rifles in this price range: a three-position safety. In addition to the usual safe and fire positions, there is a third position for safe unloading, or partial bolt lock. This lets you unload the firearm without fear of an accidental discharge, something less experienced users will especially appreciate.

Regardless of the shooter’s or hunter’s skill, safety is always an important factor to consider. It will also be appreciated, for example, by those using their firearm in challenging environments such as particularly dense woodland or thick brush. Finally, as another safety feature, the cocking indicator protrudes from the rear of the bolt when the firearm is cocked.

Another important factor in achieving tight groups is trigger quality. In this case, it’s the Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger (HACT), which has a good reputation among enthusiasts for both sport shooting and hunting. Although the Japanese company introduced it in 2011, it has since been updated several times, with each version bringing improvements. It’s surrounded by a very robust, oversized trigger guard that lets you use it while wearing gloves.

The trigger face has a textured surface for a more secure grip, even when your hands are wet or numb from the cold. Hunters will especially appreciate this. It’s a two-stage trigger with an average pull weight of 1.38 kg (3.05 pounds). With a very good feel and a smooth pull, without creep or jerking, it’s an excellent choice for tactical or sport use.

This version features a stock from German company HERA ARMS, which until relatively recently specialized in accessories for semi-automatic firearms. In 2021, it introduced its first foray into bolt-action rifles: a hybrid product designed for both hunting and shooting. The stock is made of polymer-reinforced carbon fiber and has an aluminum bedding block inside.

It’s a robust solution without excessive weight, tipping the scales at just 1.34 kg. It’s also available in three colors that suit the tactical look: black, sand or FDE, and green. In every case, they feature an aesthe
attractive, something in HERA products, but combined with excellent functionality.

Howa 6.5 Creedmoor Model 1500 Hera H7 Rifle

An aluminum V-block bedding system that impresses with its level of finish. It is anodized red, whereas components of this kind are usually hidden from view and therefore have a rough or less refined finish. This component extends to connect with the aluminum handguard. It does so via a fork at the front, designed so that the recoil lug fits snugly into it. This is a clever way to tame the recoil and torsional forces generated when firing the rifle.

The aluminum handguard has a simple but effective design, with some nice details. For one, it uses the now-standard M-LOK system for attaching accessories, with 15 slots in total, including those on the underside and both sides. For another, its flat base makes all kinds of support much easier, including improvised rests. It also has diamond-textured edges that transition between the underside and the sides. These also help provide a good grip, especially for hunting.

We’ve already mentioned the trigger guard. The magazine, which meets the AICS standard, sits in front of it—a definite plus. The pistol grip has a typical hunting rifle angle rather than the straight angle favored by sport shooters. It does have an interesting feature, though: a stop at the base that helps you hold the rifle comfortably. This makes a rifle with an H7 stock equally suitable for hunting and sport shooting, and more appealing to some users with traditional tastes.

The buttstock is skeletonized, with side covers, and allows some adjustment to the length of pull thanks to two additional spacers. For added ergonomics, it also accommodates two cheekpiece heights using a removable accessory. A small Picatinny rail can be installed on the underside, though it is not included with the stock, allowing you to fit a monopod. There are also two Quick Detach (QD) attachment points, one on each side, for attaching a sling.

In short, the HOWA M1500 HERA H7 Varmint is a hybrid hunting and target bolt-action rifle at a very affordable price. The new stock from German manufacturer HERA ARMS is impeccably finished and helps the Japanese rifle deliver accuracy approaching ½ MOA for five-shot groups with quality or reloaded ammunition. A great option for anyone looking for a rifle for stalking that also lets them get started in sport shooting.