Not sure what your budget is but you might look at a Weatherby Vanguard if you're liking the Howa. Vanguards are made by Howa for Weatherby and I believe they come with a 24" barrel as well.
Support your local Friends of NRA - supporting Youth Shooting Sports for more than 20 years.
Neither guns nor Liberals have a brain.
Whatever you do, Pay it Forward. - Kids are the future of the hunting and shooting world.
