Anyone have a Howa Mini in 22 ARC?

[SUD1988]

I am wanting a 22 ARC in a Howa Mini. I am seeing some of the 22” sporter barrel models, but no “heavy barrel” models.

My Howa mini 6 ARC in the HB profile is shooting very well. It seems like the liter 22” barrels get mixed reviews.

Anyone have a 22” 22 ARC Howa Mini?

 

[glennjones]

Just following along

 

[The Guide]

I am wanting a 22 ARC in a Howa Mini. I am seeing some of the 22” sporter barrel models, but no “heavy barrel” models.

My Howa mini 6 ARC in the HB profile is shooting very well. It seems like the liter 22” barrels get mixed reviews.

Anyone have a 22” 22 ARC Howa Mini?

I have one with the 22" barrel that I picked up 2 weeks ago. I tried it in the Excel Light chassis first and it grouped the 80 ELDX and 88 ELDM well but I just couldn't get comfortable with the plastic chassis as it just wasn't stiff enough. I'm getting some vertical stringing with both loads in the factory Houge stock (which usually indicates the need for tuning the torque on the action screws on Mini Actions) and I haven't had time to do any adjustments on the action screws in the last week. I have a Bell and Carlson stock to try if I can't get the rifle tuned in the factory stock.

Jay

 

[hereinaz]

I have a 22 BR mini, but it’s a custom job…

Pretty sure I have some Preferred 22 arc prefits for the mini. PM if interested. Not heavy barrels, but not pencil either.

Mini are too hit and miss than I like to admit. Love the platform.

 

[Hypernatremia]

I have the 6 ARC with the thin sporter barrel cut to 16.5" and suppressed. It seems like others experiences have been varied, but mine is plenty accurate. 10 shots groups in the 1" range and I shot a 0.33" 3 shot group yesterday with factory ELDMs.

 

[SUD1988]

I have a 22 BR mini, but it’s a custom job…

Pretty sure I have some Preferred 22 arc prefits for the mini. PM if interested. Not heavy barrels, but not pencil either.

Mini are too hit and miss than I like to admit. Love the platform.

Once I have some PM rights I will touch base. I have a .223 Howa mini that I am thinking about turning into a 22 ARC.

 

[PC356]

I’ve got both a 6 and a .22 ARC. Both factory skinny shortened/threaded barrels and both bedded into Stockys CF stocks. Mine are shooters with factory ammo or my hand loads. One I just put together for my ol man in .22.

 

[stilesg57]

I’ve got both a 6 and a .22 ARC. Both factory skinny shortened/threaded barrels and both bedded into Stockys CF stocks. Mine are shooters with factory ammo or my hand loads. One I just put together for my ol man in .22.
View attachment 904416

Ok, if you had to pick one -- and already have a Mini in 6.5 Grendel -- which cartridge would you go for?

Eyeing my next one and want to stick with the Grendel/ARC mags but looking to try a new caliber...

 

[The Guide]

Ok, if you had to pick one -- and already have a Mini in 6.5 Grendel -- which cartridge would you go for?

Eyeing my next one and want to stick with the Grendel/ARC mags but looking to try a new caliber...

It really depends upon your use case. I own all 3 in a Mini Action. If you are looking at just a range/target toy, I'd look at the 22 ARC. If you are looking for a hunting and range tool I'd go with the 6 ARC just because I've been impressed with the 103 ELDX from both an accuracy and a performance on flesh stand point.

But that said, if you already have a 6.5 Grendel (great hunting gun for sub 500 yards) and wanted another rifle to shoot a lot, I'd get a 223 and shoot the heavy bullets in 223 and 5.56 out of it. You can get good ammo for half the price of the other 3 rounds and getting good with a 223 makes you better with all other guns too.

Jay

 

[PC356]

Ok, if you had to pick one -- and already have a Mini in 6.5 Grendel -- which cartridge would you go for?

Eyeing my next one and want to stick with the Grendel/ARC mags but looking to try a new caliber...

Meaning you want to rebarrel the 6.5 or in addition to? If keeping the Grendel I’d get/build a .22 ARC.
If rebarreling the Grendel I’d go 6 ARC in a PBB prefit on the Grendel action. With 95 VLDs and Lever in an 18” PBB barrel I was getting not quite 2950 FPS and clover leafs. Deadly.

 

[stilesg57]

It really depends upon your use case. I own all 3 in a Mini Action. If you are looking at just a range/target toy, I'd look at the 22 ARC. If you are looking for a hunting and range tool I'd go with the 6 ARC just because I've been impressed with the 103 ELDX from both an accuracy and a performance on flesh stand point.

But that said, if you already have a 6.5 Grendel (great hunting gun for sub 500 yards) and wanted another rifle to shoot a lot, I'd get a 223 and shoot the heavy bullets in 223 and 5.56 out of it. You can get good ammo for half the price of the other 3 rounds and getting good with a 223 makes you better with all other guns too.

Jay

Thanks!

Yep, my Grendel Mini is an ultralight build for a hunting gun (though I've never taken a shot past 350yds with it), but it's so light and short on the LOP that it's not particularly fun at the range. So this build is going to be an all-purpose but mainly range use fun gun.

I converted the Grendel to a Jefferson floorplate internal mag bottom metal, so now I've got several Mini mags for Grendel/ARC sized cartridges just collecting dust. That plus my half-dozen other 223 and 300 guns are why I'm only looking at 22ARC and 6ARC. Sounds like the 6 is more versatile but maybe the 22 is better for punching paper?

 

[The Guide]

Thanks!

Yep, my Grendel Mini is an ultralight build for a hunting gun (though I've never taken a shot past 350yds with it), but it's so light and short on the LOP that it's not particularly fun at the range. So this build is going to be an all-purpose but mainly range use fun gun.

I converted the Grendel to a Jefferson floorplate internal mag bottom metal, so now I've got several Mini mags for Grendel/ARC sized cartridges just collecting dust. That plus my half-dozen other 223 and 300 guns are why I'm only looking at 22ARC and 6ARC. Sounds like the 6 is more versatile but maybe the 22 is better for punching paper?

I wouldn't have an issue with killing anything sub 500 yards with either the 22 or 6mm ARC. That said, hunting big game with 22 caliber rifles isn't for everyone. 22 ARC and 6 ARC ammo is close to the same price per round as other good hunting cartridges like the 6 Creedmoor so you aren't really saving money but you are gaining shoot ability due to lower recoil and less powder burned. Buy a good Howa Mini Action stock and get a rifle in each caliber and shoot the shit out of them until you figure out what on you like the best and sell the one you don't like.

Jay

 

[TheGDog]

Are you guys seeing LGS's start to better support the .22 ARC round? I'm near-ish to the beach/coast, so niche new hunting calibers can be sparse for selection when first introduced.

Turner's is offering the lil Howa .22 ARC with the "Yote" camo dip on the stock. Seems like it'd be a bitchin' setup. But when I go look at their ammo selection online for it. Their currently carrying just 3 loads. Two of which ya can't even use for hunting in CA, since lead-free.

 

[The Guide]

Are you guys seeing LGS's start to better support the .22 ARC round? I'm near-ish to the beach/coast, so niche new hunting calibers can be sparse for selection when first introduced.

Turner's is offering the lil Howa .22 ARC with the "Yote" camo dip on the stock. Seems like it'd be a bitchin' setup. But when I go look at their ammo selection online for it. Their currently carrying just 3 loads. Two of which ya can't even use for hunting in CA, since lead-free.

There is factory Hornady CX ammo available. Might be worth the drive to get some from Nevada or Oregon.

Jay

Hornady Superformance 22 ARC Ammo 70 Grain CX Polymer Tip Lead Free

Hornady Superformance Ammunition uses progressive propellants that take your CX bullets to levels of performance that are simply unattainable with...

www.midwayusa.com

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/ammunition-ammo-for-hunting-shooting-sports/rifle-ammo-hunting-shooting-sports/hornady-superformance-22-arc-70gr-cx-rifle-ammo-20-rounds/p/1920150

Turner's has it but it is labeled wrong. The item number is the same as the 70 grain on the Hornady website.

https://www.turners.com/hornady/hornady-superformance-22-arc-50-grain-cx-lead-free-20-rounds-1933981

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/22-arc-70-gr-cx-superformance#!/

 

[Marty]

I’ve got a Howa Mini 22” barreled 6ARC in a MDT chassis.

Shoots good enough with factory 103 ELD-X and 108 ELD-M.

One constant complain is bolt lift; it’s heavy (and not because of spicy hand loads).

In retrospect, I should have got a quality M700 clone action or a Tikka action to build off of.

 

[TheGDog]

My point was... I'd hate to lock myself into a purchase where factory loads are too limited. Later forcing me to have to do reloads, due to no other option. Just kinda trying to gauge how well this cartridges adoption is going.. I guess.

Yeah.. I'd already noted they messed-up on the ammo listing for the CX load. The math didn't work out right for Ft/lbs of energy they claimed. So I researched it separate and figured out they'd oopsied on the item listing a lil.

 

[TheGDog]

From looking into this cartridge earlier, it sounded like it's supposed to be between the .223 Rem and the .22-250, in terms of velocity. But gives ya the option of doing long HighBC heavy grain .22 cal offerings. Like 80gr, which would make it sorta like take away the need to ever get a .243 Win.

 

[The Guide]

My point was... I'd hate to lock myself into a purchase where factory loads are too limited. Later forcing me to have to do reloads, due to no other option. Just kinda trying to gauge how well this cartridges adoption is going.. I guess.

I don't worry about the noise. I just buy ammo by the case and enjoy shooting my rifle. I understand your predicament living in a state where you need ID to buy ammunition but I live in a free state. I order a couple of cases of ammo a month and enjoy shooting my rifles. I see the 22 ARC as a spicy 223 or a poor man's 22CM. I've gotten ammo as low as $1.12/round which is cheaper than most 77tmk 223 ammo and less than 1/2 the price of the Factory 22CM ammo I bought with the gun. 22 ARC gives you velocities right in the middle between the 223 and the 22CM with the same grain bullets.

Jay

 

[TheGDog]

Thanks for sharing that info!

Hrmm.. since I don't have tags this year since I couldn't know how long it'd take to heal after C-TIF procedure surgery in May 2025. Thinking it might be fun to grab one of these and have fun getting it on it's first 'yote.

 

[BLJ]

poor man's 22CM