Howa M1500 Scout
Howa Machinery · Rifle · In Production · 2016
Also known as: Howa Scout, LSI Howa Scout, Howa 1500 Scout
Overview
The Howa M1500 Scout is a scout-configuration bolt-action rifle built on Howa Machinery's M1500 barreled action and imported to North America by Legacy Sports International. Chambered in .308 Winchester, it follows Jeff Cooper's scout-rifle concept with an 18.5-inch threaded barrel capped by an A2 flash hider, a forward-mounted Williams one-piece rail and peep sight for a long eye-relief 'scout' optic, and a Williams hooded fiber-optic front blade for backup iron sighting. The rifle uses Howa's forged one-piece bolt with two locking lugs, a three-position safety, and the two-stage HACT (Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger) for a clean, consistent break. It feeds from a detachable Ammo Boost box magazine and rides in a Hogue pillar-bedded overmolded stock with a recoil pad and sling swivel studs, making it a compact, general-purpose field rifle.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3175 g (112.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1021 mm (40.20") |
| Barrel Length | 470 mm (18.50") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 15 N (3.4 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 800 m/s (2625 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3110 J (2294 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3700 m (4046 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chromoly Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Black |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as 7.62x51mm, 7.62 NATO, .308 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Three Position Safety, Manual Safety
- Features: Threaded Barrel, A2 Flash Hider, Forward Mounted Scout Rail, Williams Peep Sight, Fiber Optic Front Sight, Hogue Overmolded Stock, Pillar Bedded, Two Stage Hact Trigger, Forged One Piece Bolt, Sling Swivel Studs
Base model
Production
Production years: 2016-present
Commercial civilian rifle imported to North America by Legacy Sports International; production totals not published.
Origin
Country of origin: Japan
Notes
Marketed in the United States as the LSI/Howa Scout. The M1500 barreled action is the same platform sold internationally under names such as the Weatherby Vanguard. Detachable magazines are available in 5- and 10-round Ammo Boost configurations, and the rifle retains the standard M1500 steel floorplate hardware.
Background
The Scout rifle concept was defined by Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper as a short, handy, general-purpose bolt gun with a forward-mounted low-power optic; Howa's M1500 Scout brings that formula to the affordable, sub-MOA M1500 action that also underpins the Weatherby Vanguard.