I appreciate the replies guys. I went on ahead and ordered myself a new Howa varminter supreme with the pepper laminate stock and stainless steel last week. I was leaning towards the Ruger, but I read a lot of good stuff about the Howa and I already have a ruger with the brown laminate stock and stainless steel in 7mm Rem Mag. What's more, a local gunshop was able to get me a pretty good price on the Howa (should be a little over $600 when I pick it up this week). Hopefully it ends up being a nice gun. I'll post some pics of it later this week.