Howa Mini 6mm ARC Build - Range Report

[Brandon_SPC]

After having my 6mm ARC Howa Mini Build for the last few months, it's safe to say it is a shorter. It seems as I put more rounds through it, the better it shoots.

Build is as follows:
Action: Howa Mini
Barrel: Preffered Barrel Blanks prefit in there #3 sporter. 16.5" 1:7 twist
Trigger: Stock Hact Two Stage. It came from the factory pulling around 2.5lbs
Rings: Ruffs Precision
Scope: Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10 SFP with TMR
Supressor: Banish Backcountry

1st Picture: This was after about 50 rounds through the barrel, post cleaning with JB bore paste and a good copper remover
2nd Picture: 10 shot group of the HSM from the first picture
3rd Picture: This was between two shooters. Myself and pops. This was using 106 Hornady TAP. I shot the left group, pops shot the right
4th Picture: Two shooters, 108 ELDM Factory. I shot the left group and pops shot the right
5th Picture: 500 yards 3 shot group with 108 Hornady Factory. I think I got lucky.

I did end up getting me a new chrono, the Caldwell Velociradar. My old one was reading about 100 fps faster. The Hornady 103s, 105s, and 108s all average around the 2520-2575 fps range. The 106 TAPs are around the 2620 fps. I haven't reloaded for it yet because it has been hot here in FL. But once it cools down, I'm going to get me some Alpha brass, use some Reloader 15.5 and see what I can do with some 109 ELDMs and the 106 TAP Blems I have. It would be nice to try and get these 109s around 2550-2600 fps. With that said, this rifle will be going with me next year on my mule deer rut hunt.

 

[270quest]

105 Berger Hybrids behind 27.0 of H4895 give me 2740 FPS out of a 20" barrel. Very temp stable - may be worth looking at for yours.

 

[VuduDoc]

These Howa mini 6 ARC builds are so sick. Hope you smack a big muley with it!

 

[stilesg57]

D

After having my 6mm ARC Howa Mini Build for the last few months, it's safe to say it is a shorter. It seems as I put more rounds through it, the better it shoots.

Build is as follows:
Action: Howa Mini
Barrel: Preffered Barrel Blanks prefit in there #3 sporter. 16.5" 1:7 twist
Trigger: Stock Hact Two Stage. It came from the factory pulling around 2.5lbs
Rings: Ruffs Precision
Scope: Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10 SFP with TMR
Supressor: Banish Backcountry

1st Picture: This was after about 50 rounds through the barrel, post cleaning with JB bore paste and a good copper remover
2nd Picture: 10 shot group of the HSM from the first picture
3rd Picture: This was between two shooters. Myself and pops. This was using 106 Hornady TAP. I shot the left group, pops shot the right
4th Picture: Two shooters, 108 ELDM Factory. I shot the left group and pops shot the right
5th Picture: 500 yards 3 shot group with 108 Hornady Factory. I think I got lucky.

I did end up getting me a new chrono, the Caldwell Velociradar. My old one was reading about 100 fps faster. The Hornady 103s, 105s, and 108s all average around the 2520-2575 fps range. The 106 TAPs are around the 2620 fps. I haven't reloaded for it yet because it has been hot here in FL. But once it cools down, I'm going to get me some Alpha brass, use some Reloader 15.5 and see what I can do with some 109 ELDMs and the 106 TAP Blems I have. It would be nice to try and get these 109s around 2550-2600 fps. With that said, this rifle will be going with me next year on my mule deer rut hunt.

Did you have to open up the barrel channel in that stock for that #3 profile? I've got a pencil and I still need to open mine up just to get it to free float -- wonder if mine's a different spec.

 

[Brandon_SPC]

D


Did you have to open up the barrel channel in that stock for that #3 profile? I've got a pencil and I still need to open mine up just to get it to free float -- wonder if mine's a different spec.

I did. I had to open it a good amount. I just went to home depot and got me PVC pipe section that was a little bigger than the barrel profile and used that. If I recall, I think I used 3/4" PVC Inner diameter since my barrel OD is 7/8".

 

[Brandon_SPC]

105 Berger Hybrids behind 27.0 of H4895 give me 2740 FPS out of a 20" barrel. Very temp stable - may be worth looking at for yours.

I'll definitely give that powder a try. I'm pretty sure my pops might have some sitting around. Is that 27 grains have you seeing any pressure signs?

These Howa mini 6 ARC builds are so sick. Hope you smack a big muley with it!

They are pretty addicting when it comes to shooting them and thank you. I hope I do too. Next year I'll probably be building me a 25 creedmoor with an 18" barrel to model supplement this 6mm ARC. The 25 creed will probably be my general purpose rifle whole the 6mm ARC will be my trainer/deer and down rifle. These short bolt rifles with suppressors are so fun.

 

[270quest]

I'll definitely give that powder a try. I'm pretty sure my pops might have some sitting around. Is that 27 grains have you seeing any pressure signs?

They are pretty addicting when it comes to shooting them and thank you. I hope I do too. Next year I'll probably be building me a 25 creedmoor with an 18" barrel to model supplement this 6mm ARC. The 25 creed will probably be my general purpose rifle whole the 6mm ARC will be my trainer/deer and down rifle. These short bolt rifles with suppressors are so fun.

27.0 grains is warm but not hot...27.5 and 27.7 started getting in hot territory so backed down to 27.0...

I am also not someone who maximizes 7-10 firings per case. I usually reload a case to 3-4 reloads then move on to new brass.