Howa makes rifles in Japan. In my experience you get a lot of gun for the money.
Weatherby buys their actions for the Vanguard from Howa. They then add their own barrels, bolts, triggers, safeties, and stocks to them. While all the parts will interchange since they are all attached to the same action, the guns are really quite different. In my experience the Vanguard is less expensive and not quite as good as the Howa. Of the ones I've owned the Howa's had better triggers and were more accurate. I also much prefer the 3 position safety of the Howa to the Vanguards 2 position safety.
Remington is never a bad choice. They will be considerably lighter if that is important. Remigton and Savage actions are among the lightest rifle actions. Weatherby/Howa are the heaviest.
How much you wanna spend. For the least money, I'd go Howa. For more money the Remington is probably a little better rifle, with more aftermarket support.
Since 2008 Winchester has been building the best rifle out there. And they are reasonably priced. If I were looking hunting rifle I'd go Winchester. Tactical/Target look at FN. Same basic rifle since FN is now producing Winchesters.
Oh well, at least I got to use it.
