6mm ARC Lightweight Backpacking Rifle Build

[General RE LEE]

So is the barrel twist for the 6 ARC Howa Mini 1:8?

I assumed they would be 1:7.5. Any issues running 108 ELDMs in a 1:8 twist?

 

[General RE LEE]

Super close to going down this road.

Stocky’s VG stock or the B&C M40? Seems some folks had fitment issues, barrel contact with Stocky’s? I’m getting the thin sporter barrel.

 

[WyoWild]

Super close to going down this road.

Stocky’s VG stock or the B&C M40? Seems some folks had fitment issues, barrel contact with Stocky’s? I’m getting the thin sporter barrel.

My Howa Mini 6 ARC is stamped 1:7.5 twist and does best with the 105-108 class bullets.

I did have some barrel contact and action was not 100% level in the Stockys. I epoxy bedded the action did some light sanding to address the barrel channel. It was a bit of work but worth it for me as I wanted this as an Ultralight Set-up. If not too worried about weight the B&C is probably a more solid platform out the box.

 

[General RE LEE]

My Howa Mini 6 ARC is stamped 1:7.5 twist and does best with the 105-108 class bullets.

I did have some barrel contact and action was not 100% level in the Stockys. I epoxy bedded the action did some light sanding to address the barrel channel. It was a bit of work but worth it for me as I wanted this as an Ultralight Set-up. If not too worried about weight the B&C is probably a more solid platform out the box.

Awesome thanks. Yeah a little weight to me doesn’t hurt cause it will dampen what little recoil exists. I probably do B&C.

 

[BBob]

I did have some barrel contact and action was not 100% level in the Stockys. I epoxy bedded the action did some light sanding to address the barrel channel.

Same here. The slanted stock action in-letting for the Howa recoil lug didn't fit quite right so mine needed to be bedded to make it right.

 

[mahonsr]

Did you all do a full action bed or just the lug area?

 

[BBob]

Did you all do a full action bed or just the lug area?

Split, front and rear with nothing in the middle. When the front was lifted to where it needed to be the rear was not sitting flat anymore so it needed bedded to not pull and flex the tang when tightened.

 

[WyoWild]

I essentially did the same bedding the recoil lug in the front and the tang/rear action screw in the back.

 

[Te Hopo]

I'm a little worried now as I wait for my Stockys to show up, once fitted I'll be giving it a very close look over to check the fit

 

[eric1115]

So is the barrel twist for the 6 ARC Howa Mini 1:8?

I assumed they would be 1:7.5. Any issues running 108 ELDMs in a 1:8 twist?

No issues here, Hornady match 108 factory and 108 hand loads both run great out of my Howa mini.

 

[General RE LEE]

No issues here, Hornady match 108 factory and 108 hand loads both run great out of my Howa mini.

Thank you. Is your barrel stamped 1:8 or 1:7.5?

 

[Timberline001]

I built a 223 mini in a “factory second” stockys VG with a 16” barrel. It’s fun and handy. Before you swap the bottom metal look at modifying the mag. Mine holds 6rds easily and feeds perfectly and I don’t have to problems with it dropping mags like other users.

My stock took some TLC to get right too, I’m bout to cut 2.5” off the LOP and instal a DIY LOP adjustable but pad. I’ll make a post about that when I’m done. It’s for the kids. ….and dad.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Adjustable but pad:

That’s bad ass!!!

 

[eric1115]

Thank you. Is your barrel stamped 1:8 or 1:7.5?

I just checked, it's a 7.5.

 

[General RE LEE]

I called Wayne at Oregon Gun Smithing and put in an order for the bottom metal and hinge floor plate.

My only concern is running a 20 MOA rail. I’ve read some folks having issues feeding rounds done into the magazine with the rail.

Does the factory mag set up suck that bad?

 

[4090Sharps]

I called Wayne at Oregon Gun Smithing and put in an order for the bottom metal and hinge floor plate.

My only concern is running a 20 MOA rail. I’ve read some folks having issues feeding rounds done into the magazine with the rail.

Does the factory mag set up suck that bad?

I tried both the Oregunsmithing bottom metal and factory. Ultimately ended up going with the factory mags in a DIP bottom metal (I prefer the factory mag release used with this bottom metal).

The Oregunsmithing bottom metal never fed well for me in either 223 or 6.5 Grendel. I gave up on it and tossed it into my parts drawer before converting my Grendel to 6mm ARC.

 

[WyoWild]

They did a re-design of the factory plastic bottom metal. The new version is a fiber infused polymer so it seems tougher and the changed the mag release to a recessed design that is much better than the old version. So in my view the newer factory bottom metal is serviceable provided you don't mind a DBM.

 

[mahonsr]

They did a re-design of the factory plastic bottom metal. The new version is a fiber infused polymer so it seems tougher and the changed the mag release to a recessed design that is much better than the old version. So in my view the newer factory bottom metal is serviceable provided you don't mind a DBM.

Is “they” Howa or one of the aftermarket options? Good to know in particular if it was Howa. Any idea on when this happened?

 

[General RE LEE]

They did a re-design of the factory plastic bottom metal. The new version is a fiber infused polymer so it seems tougher and the changed the mag release to a recessed design that is much better than the old version. So in my view the newer factory bottom metal is serviceable provided you don't mind a DBM.

I cancelled my order with Oregon Gun Smithing. I actually prefer a DBM. I found out Howa updated the bottom plastic and mag release earlier today. Fingers crossed the barreled action I ordered this morning from Brownells is the latest version.

 

[mahonsr]

I cancelled my order with Oregon Gun Smithing. I actually prefer a DBM. I found out Howa updated the bottom plastic and mag release earlier today. Fingers crossed the barreled action I ordered this morning from Brownells is the latest version.

Haha! Same here! Did you back order the HB or order the longer sporter. I back ordered the HB. Called LSI and they said brownells put in an order for 100 in Dec or Jan (don’t remember which he said now) so hopefully won’t wait too long. Also said stainless wasn’t planned for anytime, although it was available internationally which is consistent for what’s been stated elsewhere. This was from a call earlier this week. The gentleman I spoke too was very helpful.

 

[General RE LEE]

Haha! Same here! Did you back order the HB or order the longer sporter. I back ordered the HB. Called LSI and they said brownells put in an order for 100 in Dec or Jan (don’t remember which he said now) so hopefully won’t wait too long. Also said stainless wasn’t planned for anytime, although it was available internationally which is consistent for what’s been stated elsewhere. This was from a call earlier this week. The gentleman I spoke too was very helpful.

I got the 22” sporter. It’s available, I might not shoot it with anything on end of barrel and it’s more likely to have clearance when installed in a Bell and Carlson. Granted, the 20” heavier barrel will likely fit fine as well.

The 22” will be more like a traditional hunting rifle. I would have got the 20” instead had it been available but the 22” will be fine.