a Howa comes with the case included and the rail and I reckon your RFD fitted it for you as normally it doesn't come attached, I take it you went for a blue'd one at that price.
look under the bottom bit of foam, there should be Howa's instructions on how to shoot the barrel in.
I too like my Howa (.223) and the standard Hogue stock, but I have a stainless washer between stock and action on the front bolt, raises just enough to make it totally free floating in the channel when there is a slight flex in the rear of the stock