You have made a god choice with a Howa
I have used one in the PD fields for many a year and they have taken there share of PD's. I use the 308 in the SS Varmint for the long stuff. I did get lucky and get one over 500 with one shot early in the morning with no wind, don't try that about 2PM or you will be all over the place. They are a rifle that can stand some help like you said in the trigger and sometimes in the barrel with a tad of pressure in a certain place. I got real lucky one year and got one that lazed about 980 yards and the guys wanted me to did him out, it was about 112 out and I said you are nuts, if it had been maybe 1012 I may have but it did not help my standing one bit so whey sweat the small stuff. Have fun and spotting is as much fun as shooting for me at times, You get to see so much more and you get to see the best hang times also. Just clean them when they start to get on the warm side and they will last over 3000 rounds. Take care and have fun.
Mike Murphy