WOW...
Insulators.... reminds me of my childhood and the high voltage transmission lines....
As far as the Howas... Don't know what to tell you Jim, I have a Howa that is a fine(for the money) rifle, not a problem as of yet.
I can not speak for your neck of the woods but we never sold all that many Howas to begin with, as our clientele tend to buy...let's say... more refined makes of rifles.
The several years he sold Howas did generate a great deal of complaints, and working on a percentage basis, if the complaints outweigh the sales....
You don't hear too much on this forum or some of the others about the Howas... good or bad.
I passed along what was, or did, occur in our little world.
As for the Weatherby Vans, we sell them and have a favorable return of comments towards these rifles. The Sub MOA Van is a good buy, a better buy than the regular vanguard.
Like I said, the Howas were hit or miss....