Howa M1500 Super Lite 6.5 Creedmoor 20 in. Walnut

About this product

The Howa M1500 Super Lite 6.5 Creedmoor 20 in. Walnut is a compact bolt-action hunting rifle leveraging a unique action size and lightweight walnut stock to deliver mountain-ready performance in the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. It represents a specific engineering choice by Howa—the action sits between their Mini Action and standard Short Action, providing a shorter bolt throw than a long action while accommodating the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge efficiently. This configuration prioritizes a fast-handling, carry-all-day rifle over maximum velocity potential.

What is the Howa M1500 Super Lite 6.5 Creedmoor used for?

The M1500 Super Lite is designed for mobile hunting in rugged terrain where its light weight provides a direct advantage, specifically mountain hunts for deer, antelope, and similar-sized game. Its 20-inch barrel and 4.7-pound weight make it exceptionally quick to shoulder in dense timber or from shooting sticks, while the threaded muzzle allows for suppressor attachment to manage recoil and report. The 1:10 twist rate barrel stabilizes common 120-140 grain hunting projectiles, making this rifle a purpose-built tool for shots inside 400 yards where extreme long-range ballistics are secondary to portability.

How does the Howa M1500 Super Lite compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?

The Howa M1500 Super Lite offers superior barrel and receiver finishing and a more refined trigger system than the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win, though it comes at a higher price point. The Howa's two-lug action is smoother from the factory with less bolt slop, and its HACT (Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger) system provides a cleaner, more consistent break than the AccuTrigger-style system on the Stevens. However, the Stevens 334 in a synthetic stock is approximately 18% cheaper and offers a wider range of calibers, making it a better choice for a budget-conscious first hunting rifle where ultimate refinement is less critical.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

This rifle weighs 4.7 pounds (2.13 kg) bare, with an overall length of 39.5 inches, making it over a foot shorter and nearly two pounds lighter than a standard 24-inch barreled hunting rifle. The 20-inch barrel contributes directly to this compactness, and the walnut stock has been internally routed to reduce mass without compromising the critical bedding areas around the recoil lug and action screws. Its slender 0.620-inch muzzle diameter accepts standard 1/2"-28 threaded accessories, which adds minimal length—a suppressor mount adds only about 1.5 inches to the overall profile.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for long-range target shooters or handloaders chasing the absolute maximum velocity from the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. The 20-inch barrel sacrifices approximately 75-100 feet per second compared to a 24-inch barrel, which translates to a slightly flatter trajectory and less wind drift at extreme distances. It's also not ideal for someone who primarily shoots from a bench or static position, as its lightweight design transmits more felt recoil and is less stable on bags than a heavier varmint-style rifle. If your primary need is a stable platform for 800-yard shots, look at a heavier-barreled model.

What's in the box?

The rifle ships with the barreled action seated in the walnut stock, the one-piece 0-MOA Picatinny rail pre-installed, and two action screws tightened to a factory torque of approximately 45 inch-pounds. You will also find a basic owner's manual and a factory test target, typically showing a 3-shot group around 1 MOA with factory ammunition. The box does not include any optics, scope rings, a sling, or a thread protector for the muzzle—those are essential separate purchases. Plan to spend an additional $20 on a thread protector or $150+ on a quality muzzle brake to manage recoil.

Is the Howa M1500 Super Lite worth it at $633.99?

At $633.99, it represents strong value for a hunter who specifically needs a lightweight, compact 6.5 Creedmoor with a traditional walnut stock and suppressor-ready features. You are paying for Howa's proven, sub-MOA capable barreled action, the machining for the Picatinny rail, and the labor of fitting and finishing a solid walnut stock with checkering—a combination not found on budget rifles like the Savage Axis or the Stevens 334. If your use case aligns with its design—carrying weight matters more than an extra 100 fps—then the price is justified. If you want the lowest possible cost of entry into 6.5 Creedmoor, a synthetic-stocked budget option will save you over $200.