I personally would rate all the above stated rifles better in quality and craftmanship.
I guess you have more to learn about the craftsmanship of rifles.
How many snipers use Howa?
That has absolutely nothing to do with anything. Snipers use the rifle that the military says they can use. Politics doesn't mean a thing.
How many accuracy titles does Howa own?
No accuracy titles are won with an off the shelf production rifle from any manufacturer. This argument doesn't hold water. By the time a Remington 700 is completed and gets to the firing line it is anything but a Remington 700. That's like buying a car based on the outcome of the Indy 500.
How many custom rifle buiders are using Howa Actions for a base platfom for the custom builds? NONE!, that I am aware of, but maybe you could educate me on this.
There are several. They aren't that hard to find. Here are a few.
Bill Wiseman is the best known.
Colorado School of Trades uses them in their gunsmithing school.
http://westtexordnance.com/custom_rifles
http://www.roedaleprecision.com/epages/semicustom.htm
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubb...Number=1765083
Even Weatherby doesnt use Howa to build there top models, the Mark V is made in America and is twice the gun as the Vangaurd which is built by Howa, The Vangaurd is Weatherby's base line gun, the cheapest thing they build.
I wouldn't give you a nickel for a MK-IV and any one that knows rifles wouldn't either. They are a joke of a rifle. Very seldom do they live up to their price tag. Learn a few things about what makes a solid and strong rifle and you will see that the Mark IV is anything but. The vanguard may be less expensive than the Mark-IV but it certainly isn't the cheapest.
Take some time to actually look at a Howa with open eyes and you will see that they are a better built rifle. Their receivers are machined from forgings and are one of the strongest made, the bolt is one solid piece of steel from front to back including the handle, The extractor is M16 style which is one of the strongest around next to a Mauser style, The bolt body is vented... in the event of case rupture gases are directed away from the shooter, they use a 3 position safety and the trigger is fully adjustable, The receiver bottom is flat and the tapered recoil lug is integrated into the receiver.