My daughter and niece both hunt with Weatherby Vanguards (in .243 Win) which are Howa 1500's and they are very accurate, well built and handle well. For the price it is hard to beat them. I also have a friend, he and his son both use S&W 1500's...think it may be the only rifles they have ever hunted with...both in 30-06 and they really love them.