Much as I like Howas, the Vanguard .223 in a short action is an anvil. I bet the twist is a 1-9” too, if that matters to you. I had a SS one and it shot well, but it was just too damn heavy for a “little” rifle, just as my very nice Ruger Hawkeye was. The American Gen 2 is a pound lighter. I don’t like the giant magazine much though.
Consider a Howa Mini instead with a $175 hinged floorplate from Jefferson Outdoor. It’s scaled to the cartridge, and if you want to spring for a lighter stock later on, you can end up with a 6 pounder, if that matters. If weight isn’t an issue, then the Vanguard would be my choice, mostly for the hinged floorplate.
