My buddy bought a new Howa 243 a few weeks ago. Stainless with a laminate thumbhole stock. He paid a fair old premium for the stock. I would personally rather have had the standard Hogue stock.
I keep hearing that the Howa is a "good rifle for the money". Personally, I think that is crap.
They are a good rifle, full stop. The price is irrelevant.
The dealer had no 243 ammo in stock ( can you believe that? ) when we collected the rifle, so we literally threw together a load - 45gr N160 and a 87gr V-max, with no development just to get him going. Zeroed the rifle with 5 shots. First three shot group, shots number 6,7 & 8 from this barrel, went into .7". Cleaned the barrel again, shots 8,9 & 10, went .5".
This rifle has a great trigger, about 2lb, no creep. Bolt travel is smooth. Just an excellent rifle all round.
I would describe the Howa in many ways as an "old fashioned" rifle. There is no plastic where you don't want it. Really good action and barrel, a bit heavy, but I don't like fly weights. Certainly a much better rifle than many I have seen at a lot more money. If Remmies or T3's were free, I would rather buy a Howa.
You would have to spend a lot of cash, ie Sauer or Blaser money to do better than a new Howa.