ORIGINAL: oldelkhunter
I have both. The M700 trigger is far superior to the Howa's.
Not unless you adjust it is it "superior" if you can do it yourself. Most people take them to gunsmiths(hopefully) and they usually charge for that service. Howa needs the trigger replaced with a Timney and then it is every bit as good as the Remington.
I have adjusted dozens of M700 triggers over the years and only 2 Howas. Getting a M700 trigger to a crisp 3 lbs (and sometimes less) is simplicity itself. Howas are something else. On my present Howa, a .243, I disassembled the trigger assembly, stoned the punched hole sprues, and polished the sear, which (under magnification) was positively the roughest searI have ever seen (including some old military rifles). No wonder the trigger pull was heavy AND gritty. It is much better now, but still not nearly up to the worst M700 I have done. I agree, that a Timney trigger is probably the best solution, but a Timney is about $100, and it stillmust be installed. I doubt that a gunsmith will charge lessfor installation ofa Timney than to adjust an M700.