Either of your choices are going to require work to the trigger, unless you actually like a two-stage trigger, then the edge goes to the Howa.
As for the magazine, both are going to have mags that are not flush. The Howa can be "fixed" with the Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal, so that is another vote for it.
Either way, for me, in order to get the Howa mini to be "ready to hunt", I am going to be spending around $969 ($569 plus tax for the rifle, $169 plus shipping for a Jard single-stage trigger, and $175 plus shipping for the Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal, whenever they actually have them again).
I can get a blued Tikka for $749 plus tax and spend another $125 having the barrel chopped and threaded, so $923. I know which one I am picking.
As for the magazine, both are going to have mags that are not flush. The Howa can be "fixed" with the Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal, so that is another vote for it.
Either way, for me, in order to get the Howa mini to be "ready to hunt", I am going to be spending around $969 ($569 plus tax for the rifle, $169 plus shipping for a Jard single-stage trigger, and $175 plus shipping for the Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal, whenever they actually have them again).
I can get a blued Tikka for $749 plus tax and spend another $125 having the barrel chopped and threaded, so $923. I know which one I am picking.