The Mossberg isa Howa. So is the Weatherby Vanguard. So were the old Smith and Wessons. Go to a gun shop, handle both, pick which one fits you the best, and don't lood back. The Mossberg should shoot fine, maybe not as well as the Stevens, but it should at least come close. You can't go wrong with either. I went with the Stevens because it was cheaper and I couldn't find a Mossberg .243 locally.