The price you quoted is excessive, IMO. I paid $379 for a Vanguard, 300 WBY in 2007. There are bound to be better deals in the want ads or other pawn shops.
As far as a Ruger American being in any way superior to a Howa/Vanguard is preposterous, again IMO. I'm a fan of Ruger firearms. I have owned many and currently own two Ruger rifles and a Ruger pistol, but have absolutely no desire to own a Ruger American.
I own Weatherby MKV, Vanguard, Cooper MDL 22, Ruger MDL 77, A mini 14, and an old Interarms MKX. Noted any similarities? None have receivers drilled from bar stock, fused alloyed bolts, or washered recoil lugs.
I'm not bashing rifles that use these methods to reduce costs, I hear they are quite serviceable and can be accurate as well. They have just cut to many corners to suit my tastes.
The Howa/Vanguard machines it's receiver from a solid forged billet. The bolt is machined from a solid forged billet as well, handle and all, and has a machined integral recoil lug.
All the rifles I own, except the Mini-14, are easily under inch at 100yds and the Cooper goes under .25", five shot group, if I'm having a good day. The reviews I have read on the Ruger American, Gun Blast, The Truth About Guns, ect., have been quite ambivalent about the Ruger Americans accuracy. Certainly suitable for hunting, but nothing to boast about.
Not saying that they aren't worth the price. I'm sure they are fine entry level rifles. They just can't compare in quality or solidity with the Howa or Ruger 77's.