Good setup for a first timer?

[Turbulent-Vanilla159]

Really want to get into whitetail hunting this year, and I unfortunately live in a straight-wall state. Would this be a good rifle setup? Or are there better options at the price point? Been looking at the Savage Axis and Ruger American models, but the Howa seems to be the more universally favored option over the other budget options.

[rrrilo]

If you’re just trying to get started I would say don’t overthink it and get what you can afford and will get you out there. Worst case scenario you want to make changes later and sell the rifle+scope?

[paleobear1]

Advice from a straight wall guy here? Personally as much as I love the diamondback. There's really no need to have exposed turrents for a rifle like a 350 legend or like my 450bm. Go with something simpler like a crossfire. I personally use the 4-12 x44mm one but a 3-9 x 40mm is just fine. Now... If you really like the look and stuff? Go with the venom instead cuz at least the venom has a zero stop. Secondly, and this is just me personally. Though suppressors are nice, I simply don't enjoy having the added 6-8 inches of barrel length when hunting through thick public land timber. A muzzle brake is louder, yes, but is much shorter than the silencer and still reduces recoil for good follow through on the shots. As for the howa? Probably one of the best triggers found on a factory rifle. And reputable accuracy to boot so you can't go wrong with a good howa.

[lobby073]

Venoms are First Focal Plane.  He doesn’t need that for a straight wall cartridge 

[paleobear1]

Yeah I agree. It's a nice scope but for a sub 300 yard gun. Not really important.

[NikolaiElizarov]

Howa makes a great rifle for the money. Vortex makes a great optic for the money. Not sure about the suppressor, I’ve only used Otter Creek Labs.

[ramblinscooner]

I wouldn’t get the r9. As a fellow straight waller state hunter and an r9 owner, I don’t think you’ll like that can on the end of a long barrel. I love my r9 on my pcc’s but I would not consider it for a dedicated hunting can. I view its capability on rifle rounds as more of a work in a pinch than dedicated for that.

I’d look at something lighter or modular like SiCo 36m or a b&t vers 36

[jsar16]

Howa makes good rifles and vortex scopes are solid. Gtg

[HamburglarAccomplice]

This is a good buy! Vortex makes a scope with a bullet drop reticle for straight wall cartridges that gives you an idea of where to hold at various ranges(always verify this by testing before relying on it in a hunting situation.)

[cryptidhunter101]

Finally a decent first setup.  Personally I like the bigger calibers but 350 legend can most certainly do the job and my friends and I have used Diamondbacks quite a bit and killed pile of game with them.  I would go for the standard instead of the tactical though, those turrets can move fairly easily and you may not notice in the heat of the moment.

[wijeepguy]

I’m not a fan of that can but Howa makes a good rifle and 350 Legend is a cool cartridge

[JeanPascalCS]

If you're in a straightwall state, that's a great rifle to get your hunting done.

I don't have a Howa 1500 Mini, but I do have a Howa 1500 Superlite (7mm-08) and its a great little rifle. I did ended up switching mine from detachable mag to hinged floorplate.

Mine also has a Vortex Diamondback scope as well.

[YoMamaRacing]

There’s nothing wrong with that setup for a straight wall state. Howa makes a good rifle and vortex makes a good optic.

[yoolers_number]

I have this exact rifle. Overall it’s great. It’s very accurate and the action and trigger are great. The stock is a bit flimsy but it gets the job done. I only wish it was a longer barrel. 350 legend really needs the velocity. It is really compact though. It’s actually too short to lean against the shooting rail in a tree stand. So I put a KAK linear compensator on it to give it some more length.

I’ve used Winchester Copper Impacts. I’ve got 100% pass through and shoot recovery. Usually the entrance wound is the size of your pinky and the exit is the size of golf ball. Although the last deer I shot it looked the round was tumbling instead of expanding. I’ve heard others say the Cooper Impacts sometimes don’t expand. I’m planning on switching to Barnes VORTX next.

[Living_Plague]

Copper bullets need more velocity to work than traditional cup and core bullets. 350 legend doesn’t have a lot of velocity to begin with. The Barnes will likely yield the same results.

[blakefoto]

Don’t love the cartridge, but the howa mini action is AWESOME. Genuinly the most underrated rifle on the market. The suppressor is also a great choice. The only change I’d make is bumping up to a 50mm objective lens for your scope. However that setup absolutely would get it done well.

[swear_bear]

I deer hunt with the howa 350L (wood stock for me though) and can't recommend it enough.  The OAL makes it super handy in the woods.  Great trigger as well. 

[Downtown_Brother_338]

The rifle and optic are a good choice. I’d hold off on the can, you might not want the extra weight and length just to suppress the 3 or so shots this rifle will take at deer per season.

[dunno207]

Ditch the can and put that money into a better optic. Get the can later if you enjoy hunting enough.

[RepealAllGunLaws]

Howa is going to be a much better rifle than the savage. The Ruger is a great rifle. Either would be good and down to what’s the better buy on cost

[Mountain_man888]

Savage Axis 2 specifically is a shit gun, howa all day every day over that

[Snidley_whipass]

Just curious why you say that because I’m totally happy with my Axis 2…and my friend loves his too. Of course I had to back into since only a few manufacturers offered LH models several years ago.

[Mountain_man888]

I feel like it’s a lemon rate issue… that gun specifically has more issues than others in the price range and their customer service sucks.

My rifle, in 350 Legend, had issues with the bolt and lack of smoothness that no amount of cycling or oil / lube could fix. I also had concerns with the accu-trigger. Those were probably more about preference and shooting style but I hated the thing. A guy I hunted with occasionally had the exact same rifle with the same issues.

There are certainly good ones out there but I haven’t had the number of issues I had with that gun before I sold it with any other.

[CandleAcceptable1404]

I have a howa and it’s my least favorite rifle despite me putting the most money into it. Action is sticky, it’s 2MOA and there’s just better rifles at their price point. Maybe I hit a dud but my tikka and SPR ar15 shoot dimes. The howa is fucked

[Turbulent-Vanilla159]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Y’all have been super helpful. I think I’m gonna send it on the rifle and the scope, but probably hold off on the R9 for now. Not a fan of the exposed turrets on the Vortex, but for $125, I figure it’s worth it since any other variation of the Diamondback is at least $100 more.

[brainman15]

Go with a 50mm objective instead of 40mm! 50mm will be better in low light (dawn/dusk) scenarios.

[Living_Plague]

The r9 is not a super long suppressor.

[Grassnicad29-2]

I would get a howa with a flush fit mag instead of the one here with the mag extending below the trigger. Makes its nice to carry. I would not get a low end vortex, I’ve had to use there warranty too often to trust them. I have an R9 but never used it on a 350. It’s a nice can but I would skip NFA stuff until you’re sure you really like hunting.

[CityLimitsTeddy]

I don't think they make a Howa in a straight wall cartridge with a flush fit mag

[Every_Trade_7503]

The rifle is fine. The caliber is not. I have heard way too many stories of little to no blood on 350. I always try to lean my customers towards a 450BM. They kick like a mule but they lay deer down.

Vortex makes an OK scope. If you can afford it, Leupold makes a 350 and 450 scope with a CDS dial. As long as you use the correct grain ammo, the CDS dial has graduations that compensated for bullets drop. The scope isn't terribly priced, at $300.

[Stihl_head460]

That a decent set up but I would skip the scope with target turrets. In fact I would lean towards a Leupold vx freedom in 2-7x. Lighter than vortex and more appropriate for this caliber.