Howa Rifles: Now Dressed In Wood

Legacy Sports has announced that many of their Howa rifles will now come offered with walnut furniture! 

From rimfire rifles in .22 LR up to Long Action Howa M1500 Magnums, a wide range of their products will feature walnut stocks.

With no mention of grades offered, we assume that one grade fits all when it comes to the quality of the wood used.

While not innovative or new, it’s nice to see a retro offering for those purists among us that like that kind of thing.

Not sure if walnut is right for you? Back in the day, walnut and other woods were the standard furniture used in firearms. Before polymer and aluminum were cheap, wood was the go-to material for an inexpensive and strong stock.

Since advancements in plastics and aluminum become the default for something inexpensive and lightweight, wood has fallen out of favor. Wood, while renewable and easy to work with, has some disadvantages. Wood stocks require more care to prevent them from drying out, cracking, or otherwise decaying over time. They are also susceptible to the environment. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause the wood to swell or shrink and may affect the rifle’s accuracy, especially in older designs where the barrel wasn’t free-floated.

While wood still suffers from these drawbacks, it is also a classic that never goes out of style. Wood is warm to the touch when it’s cold out, wood is beautiful to look at, and modern sealants make wood easier to care for.

Howa’s complete list of rifles now available with walnut:

• Howa Walnut Rimfires – .22 LR, 17HMR, .22 Win Mag. MSRP Starting at $599
• Howa Walnut Mini Actions Calibers – .223, 7.62 x39, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC and 350 Legend. MSRP Starting at $699
• Howa Walnut Short & Long Action Calibers – Std & Magnum offerings. MSRP Starting at $699
• Howa Walnut SUPERLITE calibers – 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, 7mm-08 and .243 coming soon. MSRP Starting at $699

Why you can trust RECOIL

---

Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. 

Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. 

At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. 

Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products.

NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOIL

For years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included).

Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.

You want this. Trust Us.