Interesting discussion. The Howa looks more attractive to me than the 527, but still leaves me wanting something else. Can anyone point me in the direction of a mini action bolt rifle with traditional fixed magazine, and safety that works as forward to fire? Id also prefer a wood stock.
I had a 527 about 10 or so years ago, i just never got to liking it. I didnt like the magazine sticking out where my hand wanted to be to carry it, the very limited scope ring options with their proprietary scope base system and too high rings for me, not bent quite enough bolt handle to get the scope very low, and to me, backwards safety. Nothing on the positive side about the gun was sufficient to get me to accept those things. Ive seen a Zastava mini-mauser, it looked good as far as how it was set up in regards to the things mentioned above, just not finished well, something i could deal with better than the functional things the 527 had. It seems the Zastavas arent coming in any more, or irregularly. Remington sold some guns based on their action, but I understand parts arent easy to get for them.
So, does a small action bolt action exist thats in what Id term traditional format, wood stock, fixed magazine with floor plate, standard direction safety, and available today or have basic support parts available?