I was a huge Winchester fan. I have a 220 swift (pictured in the sidebar) and swore by it for years. From 1994. I recently had a problem with my firing pin dropping when I closed the bolt. In all fairness, I changed the trigger to a Timney back in 94 also. So the parts may have worn differently than the manufacturer intended. Be that as it may, I tried to get a new exact firing pin for my model and they are nowhere to be found. USRAC sends me to midwest gunworks and the "salesperson" there looked up my serial # and sent me the firing pin specified. IT WAS NOT EXACTLY RIGHT. It did not have a notch for the firing pin stop screw. I had to modify a few things, I cut the firing pin stop screw down to accommodate the LACK of a notch. It was a pain in the *** to fit. I finally gave up and brought it to a local gunsmith who is a certified Winchester repair shop. The first time there he did something, but my safety was not working properly when I picked it up. I left it there and he finally got it within the week. All seems good now and it is still my go to gun once again. I have killed a lot of animals with it and won a few dozen shooting competitions with it. I just can't let go.
SOME Winchester parts are hard to find and they are twice as expensive as Remington.
I was never in love with Remington; I did not like the way the rifles fit me back in 1980 when shopping for my first big game rifle. I didn't like the gloss wood, I did not like the feel of the bolt knob and tight fit to the stock. Winchester marketed the Rifleman's rifle and Jack O'connor was God. It was powerfully convincing advertising. Whatever, that was just me at 18.
For what it's worth, I still think The winchester Action is a "better" inherrent design with more "potential" for accuracy. The flat bottom receiver with integral recoil lug is a huge plus, resistant to torque in the stock. The three position safety is nice, until it wears, then its a hassle.
I just recently got into Remington because of deals that were presented to me. I built a semi-custom gun on a PTG action (won't do that again) (next custom will be with a DEFIANT action) and I bought a Remington 5R Long Range which comes with an excellent HS precision stock AND I also bought a Stainless synthetic Fluted in 22/250. All have Tactical knobs now so THAT problem is moot. All have Timney triggers, so THAT problem is Moot. 2 custom stocks, so THOSE problems are moot.
And, the 22/250 is an absolute tack driver 3/8" groups with UMC 50 gr HP ammo from walmart. What more can you ask for?
I think accuracy (repeatability) comes from repeatability. Holding the firearm the same way every time, a reasonably perfect concentric chamber to bore alignment, a perfect crown, actually, the last portion that swages the bullet, Consistent ammo and consistent trigger pull. Reliable optics and mounts go without saying. Mostly, a shooter's ability to shoot well!
There's no denying Remington's popularity and gunsmiths have worked on them to make them more "accurate". Remington's manufacture and parts are consistent (except for a couple of blurbs) and parts and aftermarket parts are readily available. This makes it popular and so sales abound.
I think HOWA 1500 actions are way underrated and probably one of the "best" mass produced actions ever, and I have three of them. BUT, aftermarket parts are not as widely available. They don't have the long range and tactical stocks I prefer... is the main drawback. However, the Hogue Overmolded stocks are absolutely excellent. I have several and they make the guns carry like they are 2 pounds lighter and the rubber absorbs vibration from the shot. Can't go wrong with them, not even the $100 stocks with pillar bedding. The full length Aluminum bedding block has an amazing fit and is my preference and the stock is heavy.
What were we talking about? I have ADD.
Oh yeah, Winchester customer service. It is truly a shame for a once great company that they think they are too big to deal with the end-user.. well, that's not exactly true, but they sure don't bend over backwards to help.
Though, I'd like to try a Coyote Light rifle.
At least the new model parts will be available for a hundred years or more.
I'll be DEAD, probably.