I own the Howa, both sons own the Savage model 11. All are very nice and in .308. The Howa stock is heavier and stiffer. I full bedded the action on the Howa and will first stiffen the Savage stocks and then full bed them.
Have you shot a ruger American? They look great on paper, which was why I bought one. I owned one in 30-06 and it was the worst shooting gun I ever owned. I spent abkut 160 bucks trying to find ammo it liked. Best groups I got with anything was about 4 inches at 100 yards. I sold it and bought a tikka. Every ammo I have shot with it is MOA or better.