I have the same rifle and your right they where made by Howa and are the same as the same age Vanguards. When I got mine the trigger pull was very heavy and I used the instructions from an article in the NRA magazine about the Vangard to bring it down to about 3.5 pounds. Mine shoots well, about 1.25 inches (5 shots) at 100 yards with factory ammo. There is also a safety recall from Howa, if somebody disassembles the bolt and puts it together incorrectly it will fire when you close the bolt. Contact Howa and they should send you info on where to send the bolt for a free fix. Nice rifles, Good luck
Troy