RE: Tikka or Howa, which would you buy?
Both Tikka and Howa have built quality reputations, and the .270 and .30-06 are roughly equivalent cartridges.
The $180 difference definitely shouldn' t be the deciding factor. It' s a peanuts issue....
as far as the ' 06 and .270 thing, the .30-06 is better when the game turns to elk, moose and Caribou. The .270 is possibly one of the finest long range cartridges for deer, antelope, sheep, goats.
Today' s premium bullets are closing the previously small gap between their differences. I personally prefer the old ' 06.....it' s a truly amazing cartridge.