Ditto on what stubblejumper said.
You might also want to take look at the Howa rifles themselvs. Very well made rifles. Around here a laminated thumbhole stocked, stainless steel rifle goes for $550. They have a very solid and beefy recoil lug, flat bottom receiver, one piece forged bolt with substantial gas ports, anti bind recoil lug, and a surprisingly nice and crisp trigger right out of the box.
http://legacysports.com/product/index.htm