Howa Superlite Short in .308 Win: Full Review

When Howa introduced the Model 1500 Superlite in Guns & Ammo’s November 2022 issue, it proved impressive. According to Guns & Ammo’s “RifleShooter” publication, the first lightweight mountain rifle was the Savage Model 1920, so we know the concept has been with us for more than a century. The Model 20 weighed 6 pounds, but modern materials and manufacturing capabilities allow Howa to produce the Superlite, which weighed 4 pounds, 11.2 ounces during G&A’s test. Author Craig Boddington used it to shoot sub-MOA groups.

For 2024, Howa developed an even lighter and shorter variant of the Superlite. To make the Superlite Short, Howa gave it a 161/4-inch threaded barrel to achieve a 4-pound, 3-ounce, rifle-only weight. Best of all, Howa also offers a Vortex scope package to complement the weight savings. With the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 3-9x40mm scope attached, total unloaded weight measured 5 pounds, 10.1 ounces.

(Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

The Action

At the heart of the Superlite Short is the time-tested Model 1500 action. Made in Japan, the Model 1500 has been in the hands of hunters since 1979. The action utilizes a dual-lug, push-feed design. The Howa 1500 action is a popular choice among custom rifle builders. Three vent holes in the bolt body ensure gases stay away from the shooter’s face should a cartridge case ever rupture, one of Howa’s safe-design features.

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-03-1200x800 — Applying a light lubricant to the bolt is recommended during routine maintenance. The bolt design features opposing dual locking lugs and an AR-style ejector and extractor. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

The cylindrical action possesses the recoil lug, and these rifles include the three-position rocker-type safety that’s attached to the trigger assembly. Many shooters view the primary benefit of this safety is that it allows the action to be opened for loading and unloading with the safety engaged.

As with other Howa models, the Superlite Short is fired using the Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger, or “H.A.C.T.” H.A.C.T. is a two-stage design, which is something of a rarity in modern production rifles. I was told by someone familiar with the design that there can be complaints regarding “creep” with these triggers. It usually means that owners are unaware that the light take-up is actually built into the rifle, serving as a passive safety; that’s different than true creep, though. I’ve shot a dozen or so Howa rifles and Weatherby Vanguard rifles that share foundational design elements and triggers. I’ve found that the two-stage design is easy to control and predict, which supports accurate shooting. H.A.C.T. triggers are gunsmith adjustable, but I can’t remember shooting a Model 1500 that needed adjustment. Most fire after 3 pounds of pressure, some even less. G&A’s Superlite Short test rifle had a trigger with the predicable take-up, and when the trigger came tight. just 2 pounds, 14 ounces, of pressure was needed to release the sear.

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-04-1200x800 — The Model 1500 bolt is forged for strength, featuring a light, hollow bolt knob and pressure-relief vent holes. With a scope mounted in low-height rings, the bolt handle clears the eyepiece and ocular lens housing. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

Weight Savings

The action, safety, and trigger may be universal in all Howa Model 1500 rifles, but the remaining components of the Superlite Short were specifically selected with weight savings and suppressor use in mind. The 161/4-inch barrel has a thin mountain profile. Keep in mind that ammunition manufacturers often develop loads for .308 Winchester in 24-inch barrels. There is a compromise with muzzle velocity to achieve a 37-inch overall length, but when you add a suppressor the rifle becomes more comfortable and versatile.

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-05-1200x800 — As with other Model 1500 rifles, the bolt release lever is positioned at the back of the receiver to the left side. When cocked, the rear of the stainless-steel firing pin is visible at the back of the bolt shroud. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

Andy McCormick, president of Legacy Sports International — the Reno, Nevada-based importer of Howa rifles — said that utilizing a short barrel for the combination rifle wasn’t just about saving weight. “Suppressors are getting more popular,” said McCormick. I don’t expect that trend to change. By shortening the barrel to 161/4 inches, the overall length is still reasonable when a suppressor is attached.”

With my Silencer Central Banish Backcountry in place — a 7.8-ounce ultralight suppressor rated for calibers up to .300 Remington Ultra Magnum — the overall length of the Superlite Short measured just more than 42 inches. That’s roughly 2 inches shorter than most long-action bolt guns with 24-inch barrels (sans suppressor).

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-06-1200x800 — The H.A.C.T. trigger is a patented Howa design. Measuring between 3 and 41/2 pounds, it is a two-stage-type trigger that presents a discernable amount of creep before the wall for predictable shooting. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

Short barrels make sense when considering suppressors, but they also make a rifle easier to maneuver while climbing uneven terrain, moving through dense cover or while sitting in a blind or on a treestand. Many mountain rifles have been sold east of the Mississippi River to hunters who’ll never be more than a few hundred feet above sea level, but a compact gun is a great option for hunting in tight confines. With the included muzzlebrake in place, the Superlight Short measures 37 inches overall, about an inch shorter than the Winchester Model 94 Short, the “brush gun” archetype.

The short barrel saves weight. The rifle alone weighs around 41/4-pounds bare. Select the scope-combo package and the pre-mounted Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm optic only increases weight to 5 pounds, 6 ounces. With a full magazine of cartridges, G&A’s test gun weighed almost exactly 51/2 pounds. Finish the build with a Banish Backcountry suppressor and it’s close to 6 pounds.

More for Less

Not to be overlooked, the Superlite wouldn’t be worth its name if not for the hand-laid carbon stock from Stocky’s Stocks. Weighing in at just more than 20 ounces for the short-action model, the entire riflestock is less than an unloaded Glock 19 pistol. (Let that sink in.) The barrel channel is trim and doesn’t leave much gap, either. G&A’s test rifle wore a good-looking black base with green and tan sponge-style paintwork, complete with a thin Limbsaver recoil pad that features a radiused heel that won’t hang-up on clothes or a pack strap if you need to shoot quickly.

McCormick noted that the most important feature of the stock — besides the extraordinarily light weight — is the inclusion of the Accublock, a stairstep design feature that engages the recoil lug of the rifle.

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-07-1200x800 — The Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm is a second focal plane scope with a 1-inch maintube. Inside is Vortex’s Dead-Hold BDC MOA reticle. It’s a value-added pairing to the Superlite Short. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

“The bedding system is the reason why these rifles shoot so well,” McCormick said. “Mountain rifles don’t have a great reputation for accuracy, but with this stock we’ve seen these guns shoot exceptionally well out of the box.”

G&A’s test rifle arrived chambered in .308 Winchester. The barrel was given a typical 1-in-10-inch barrel twist and a ½-28 threaded muzzle. Both a radial muzzlebrake and a thread cap are included with the gun. The carbon steel metalwork was finished in a matte blue.

Lightweight detachable magazines are popular with mountain rifles, but not all magazines are reliable. Howa’s design is certainly among the best of any production mountain rifle. To release the mag, pull down on the tab located at the front of the magwell. The three-round polymer mag drops into your hand. Returning the magazine and pressing up on the tab locks the magazine in place. It’s a relatively fool-proof system and very secure.

Mountain rifles vary widely in price, but the Superlite Short with Vortex scope is the best value of any, in my opinion. The retail price is $1,399. That’s about $1,200 less than the 4¾-pound Kimber Mountain Ascent and about $200 less than the Weatherby Vanguard Talon. Neither of those rifles include a scope. The Howa is also thousands less than the various makes including the NULA Model 20 ($2,995) and PROOF Research Glacier Ti ($7,499).

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-08-1200x800 — The removeable spiral-patterned radial muzzlebrake is effective at reducing recoil, but loud. The threads will accept a suppressor. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

Value Added

After range testing the Superlite Short with five loads, I can attest to the Model 1500’s potential to produce sub-MOA groups. The best three-shot 100-yard group measured .46 inch; it was produced using Federal’s 175-grain Terminal Ascent ammunition. Overall, accuracy ranged from an average of .71 inches for three shots to 1.26 inches, with most groups clustering just more than an inch. That’s a testament to the design. It’s hard to get a sub-5-pound rifle to shoot inch-or-better groups. It’s particularly tough to accomplish this while keeping the price around $1,000. For practical hunting purposes under field conditions, a 1.1-inch rifle and a half-inch rifle are equally deadly on big game to moderate distances. You could spend more for accuracy, but it’s not necessary.

The Superlite Short design is one of my favorites. I’m a fan of the detachable magazine and three-position safety. It’s a reassuring and convenient layout. The ejection port is wide enough, too, to efficiently single load the push-feed action, and as expected reliability was perfect. There was never a need to coax the magazine into position, and the rounds fed smoothly into the chamber while the extractor and ejector functioned flawlessly. Howa has worked all the rough edges from the Model 1500 action, so you can always expect these to be reliable.

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-09-1200x800 — Stocky’s 22-ounce NextGen Ultra Carbon Hunter Composite stock features a blotted green-and-gray pattern applied over carbon fiber. Inside is a patented Accublock that supports accuracy. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

“We make them as an excellent value without feeling cheap,” McCormick said. That isn’t as simple as it may seem, but if you consider the Howa Superlite Short and Vortex combo you’ll find performance at a deal.

As we’ve come to expect, the action cycled relatively smooth out of the box. If you take the time to apply some lubricant, you can make the Superlite Short slick to operate. When working the safety, the transition between safe-locked, safe-unlocked, and fire positions was well-defined. I suspect that shooting it a lot would make it, the bolt operation and feel of the trigger feel even smoother and better.

The muzzlebrake effectively tamps down the felt recoil, but with a short barrel and a brake it produces substantial muzzleblast. Recoil was manageable for such a light gun — perhaps surprising even though you know a muzzlebrake will lessen felt recoil — but even more-so due to the Limbsaver recoil pad.

It’s worth noting that the thin barrel heats quickly. If you want to glean the most accuracy from a mountain rifle, be patient between groups — especially on hot days. When I test-fired the Superlite, temps were in the low 60s, but I still waited some 10 minutes between groups. This issue isn’t exclusive to the Superlite rifles, but it’s worth noting that if you’re planning to shoot 40 or 50 rounds through a rifle in a short span you’ll likely see group sizes open. Even after a couple of initial test-fire groups, the barrel was hot. To see what the Superlite Short can really do in terms of accuracy, you’ll need to block off some extra time and let the barrel cool.

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-10-1200x800 — The Limbsaver low-profile recoil pad strikes a balance between saving weight while also protecting against the felt recoil that comes with shooting centerfire cartridges in a lightweight rifle. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

The Vortex Diamondback scope issued with combo models is mounted in a pair of lightweight aluminum rings. The optic is suitable for most hunting given the 3X to 9X magnification range, which may seem rudimentary in a time when many hunters are carrying rifles scoped with optics that boast 18X to 24X at the top-end of magnification. As hunters have demonstrated since World War I, such power isn’t required for fieldwork. The provided scope will handle most big-game hunting situations. The Diamondback 3-9×40 is a second focal plane (SFP) design with a Duplex reticle, but it does include wind-hold stadia to the left and right on the horizontal crosshair and three elevation hold-over reference points below. The scope is made in the Philippines and typically retails for $350.

gaad-how-howa-superlight-short-11-1200x800 — Detachable polymer magazines hold three rounds. The Superlite Short with 161/4-inch barrel is offered in .243 and .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 Remington. (Photo by Michael Anschuetz)

My final test criteria when evaluating a new firearm consists of two simple questions: Would I pay the asking price to own this gun? Would I feel comfortable taking the rifle on a hunt the following day? Regarding the Howa Superlite Short, the answer to both questions is “yes.” Legacy Sports International and Howa managed to develop a rifle that doesn’t feel cheap, even for its light weight. It feels like a more expensive carbon-fiber-stocked mountain rifle priced aggressively against the market. It’s a light gun that still manages good accuracy. That’s asking a lot of any rifle, but Howa continues to come through for hunters — just as they have for the last 45 years with the Model 1500.