ORIGINAL: okcmco

Vanguard is a better rifle. But is made on Japan. I prefer not to support an arms industry based in a country whose citizens are not afforded the right to own and buy guns. think about it. The technicians and designers at the Howa plant (where the vanguards are made) can only own a rifle after paying EXHORBITANT fees and liscences. And not just anyone qualifies. It is an elitist system.
I would probably opt for a used savage 110 for about 200-250 bucks. Or a new stevens model 200 (really a savage 110 with a different color plastic stock.) Savage makes a tough, accurate, inexpensive and undeniably ugly rifle. Who could want anything more!
okcmco
PS I have seen good reviews on the Mossberg atr100 and the field grade charles daly mausers, which are made in former yugoslavia
Good luck