I've had my Howa 1500 for 10 years. (granted in .300 win mag) I'll never sell it. It has knocked down thousands of pounds of meat for me over the years. (4 moose, 12 or more caribou, and 3 black bears)
It is such a super smooth rifle, and , as most guns made in Japan, very well made. Mine has a Hogue stock which certainly doesn't make it a lightweight, but its one grippy son'o bit ch. Great for my boat hunting.
I have a Ruger Alaskan in .375 Ruger. I would have bought a Howa instead in .375 Ruger if it had been invented when I bought the .300, And when I bought the Ruger, Howa wasn't chambering yet. So , I ended up with both. If you buy it (DO IT!! DO IT!!!) , let me know how she "rides". I may end up calling Clay at Prophet River to get me a Howa .375 in the near future (as I already have the reloading set up for .375 Ruger. It will just slide effortlessly into my locker alongside the Ruger)