I know with the Weatherby they guarantee the accuarcy of the rifle and provide a target that was fired with the rifle. Howa doesnt do this even though they may make the Weatherby. I think that the Tikka by Sako has an accuracy guarantee too, but they are harder to find and cost more in my area(have to be special ordered also). I looked at a Tikka before that was blue with a walnut stock and noticed the shroud on the bolt was made of some sort of polymer or hard plastic. I know the shroud on the Weatherby and Howa are metal. I would pay the extra for the Weatherby because you know they will stand behind the guarantee. They have had an excellent reputation over the years they have been in business and that would influence my decision, plus the Weatherby Vanguard is more refined than the Howa. Also, bases made for a Remington 700 will work on the Weatherby if Im correct making the chore of finding some for it easy. Hey!!! Why not get a Remington 700 in the matte black. I think it is called the special purpose model. They usually sell them at all Wal-Marts. It will probably be cheaper and if you can find the older model(not 2006), will have sights installed. My friend has two of them and they are extremely accurate and have one of the best triggers made for a factory rifle. I saw the .243 youth for 364.99 the other day new at wal-marts. The bigger one costs about the same. They have one of the smoothest bolts in the industry too. Why do you think the military uses the 700 actions for their sniper rifle builds. Got to be something to them.