I prefer the actual Howa to the Vanguard. I'm not a fan of the finishes and the plastic stock Weatherby uses. I bought the Howa with the Hogue overmolded rubber stock in stainless and love it. It's light (being a 300WSM), and easy to handle. The rubber stock grips great in wet, cold weather. It doesn't get cold like plastic or wood does either. I've taken 2 deer at 330 yards in the past couple seasons and it's a real shooter. I hand load and got it shooting .7" groups with 165 gr Sierras.