Howa mini action questions

[LostWanderer]

Long time Rokslide listener, first time poster.

I’m considering getting a Howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel for my kid’s first deer/centerfire rifle, and for me to play around with when she’s not using it. I’m pretty set on the Howa mini action and on the caliber. I’m trying to talk myself out of a carbon stock but I also want to rifle to be lightweight yet sturdy. The Howa website is lacking for detailed specs so I’m hoping I can get some answers here.

The Howa website claims the basic model with the 20” heavy barrel and plastic stock is 6.4 pounds, while the carbon stalker with the 22” steel barrel (not carbon barrel) is 4 lbs, 14 ounces. I’m finding it hard to believe the basic model is a pound and a half heavier. Do the basic models really weigh 6.4 pounds? If it is that much heavier, is the majority of the weight difference in the barrel or the plastic stock? Is there something else I’m not seeing like a steel receiver versus an alloy receiver?

The other question I have is about the 22” barrel on the carbon stalker version. What barrel profile is it, and is it thick enough to be threaded if it’s shortened? Is there a difference in the carbon stalker’s 22” barrel versus the basic model that comes with a 22” barrel?

My plan with the barrels either way I choose is to shorten it to 16”, so I’m not too afraid of the heavy barrel of the cheaper version.

 

[gtriple]

I think most people that build off of these buy the barreled action from Brownell’s. You can get discount codes to get them cheaper than MSRP.

The 6.5 Grendel is out of stock. But I’d recommend going with a 6 ARC instead. And it is in stock.

HOWA M1500 6mm ARC 20" BBL Mini Action Blued SKU: 430102218

Check out HOWA M1500 6mm ARC 20" BBL Mini Action Blued SKU: 430102218 available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[KyleR1985]

The weight of the 6ARC 22” sporter barreled action is 3 pounds 15 ounces. If that’s of any use to you. I’d expect the Grendel to be similar.

I don’t recall off top of my head the weight of the heavy barrel.

Yes you can cut barrels down and thread. My 22” 6mm barrel was cut to 16” and threaded again.


I’d also recommend the 6 arc for about a half dozen reasons. The biggest one it’s in stock.

Stockys sells blem carbon stocks for 300-400 if you call them and or wait for sales.


You can easily hit 7.5lbs scoped and suppressed. (Mine is 7.5 with a swfa 3x9, sd wolf hunter, and a thicker recoil pad, and four dasher rounds).

 

[coyotekilla]

I went with the ruger g2 6.5g myself. Not everyone was getting great accuracy with their howa 6.5's, and my other ruger Americans shoot really well. Added bonus for ruger, they are already 16" in the ranch.

 

[menhaden_man]

I’d call Howa - met some of those guys at the NRA show in Atlanta and they’re top notch. Surely they’d walk you through everything.

We picked up a mini in 6.5G with youth stock for the kids maybe 2019. Really accurate and fun to shoot. Two of my kids got their first kill with it.

The Nikko Sterling scopes that come with the package deals are garbage.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Do the basic models really weigh 6.4 pounds?

I weighted a 6.5 G, 22" barrel, with factory "plastic" stock yesterday and it was 6 lbs 3.3 oz. The same barreled action in a carbon stock is 5 lbs 0.6 oz. It's listed in the classifieds.

If it is that much heavier, is the majority of the weight difference in the barrel or the plastic stock?

Plastic stock is the difference. The barreled actions are the same.

Is there something else I’m not seeing like a steel receiver versus an alloy receiver?

No. It's the stock.

The other question I have is about the 22” barrel on the carbon stalker version. What barrel profile is it, and is it thick enough to be threaded if it’s shortened?

Yes. Some come threaded at 22"...but...it's 1/2x28 there.

Is there a difference in the carbon stalker’s 22” barrel versus the basic model that comes with a 22” barrel?

No. Again, it's the stock that adds weight.

 

[ElPollo]

Don’t know anything about your kid’s age or abilities, but you may want to consider going the cheap and heavier route on the stock first. Particularly if you are going with the 6.5. The weight will offset more recoil. You can upgrade to the carbon stock later as your kid’s skill increases.

Honestly though, the 6 arc and 223 are probably better choices for deer from a ballistics and recoil perspective. The Grendel is getting towards the slow side for the caliber. It’ll work well with SSTs and the like, but it doesn’t do anything the 6 arc and 223 won’t with the right bullets.

 

[LostWanderer]

I really appreciate all the info. Gives me things to think about. I’m really surprised the plastic stock is such a tank on such a small rifle, although I’m probably just naive to how much more plastic stocks weigh because I don’t own any carbon stocks to compare them to.

I really liked the suggestion of using the cheap heavy stock for recoil control for now, then upgrading later. She needs to get a lot of range time before fall so I’ll likely do that.

 

[UnckleBob]

6ARC with 20" CF barrel. I forgot to weigh it before I added the scope (23oz) rails & rings

 

[eric1115]

I really appreciate all the info. Gives me things to think about. I’m really surprised the plastic stock is such a tank on such a small rifle, although I’m probably just naive to how much more plastic stocks weigh because I don’t own any carbon stocks to compare them to.

I really liked the suggestion of using the cheap heavy stock for recoil control for now, then upgrading later. She needs to get a lot of range time before fall so I’ll likely do that.

It's a really chunky stock. I shortened the forend by about 2½" and shaved probably ⅛" off both sides and the bottom of most of the length of the forend on the one I got for my kids.

+1 on all the 6ARC recommendations.

 

[rookie7]

I own/have owned 3 Howas and 3 Ruger Americans.

I have a Howa mini in 6.5 grendel with the 20 inch "heavy" barrel - have had it for about 5 years. Just my small sample size the fit/finish on mine is slightly better than is what is found today on Howas. When I first got mine I bought the DIP aluminum bottom metal, but back then the mag release still protruded. It cost me a shot on a coyote in a deer stand, but it was still my fault for sliding the belly of the rifle on the front rail where I contacted the mag release and dumped it. Now it has the Jefferson Outdoors hinged BDL floorplate and is near perfect for a whitetail rifle.

A few points: most people don't buy the cheaper Howa and it's done. Most upgrade the bottom metal that will crack. They do not have a "heavy" barrel. It is really just a sporter barrel. Maybe slightly leaning towards sporter magnum, but not even close to being "heavy". Also, the Howa's bolt knob is hollow now for some reason. That isn't going to be a simple task for a smith to turn it down and thread it for a larger knob which I recommend. I did have that done to my Howa years ago, and it makes it very easy for my daughter to work the bolt.

I recommend not buying the BA from Brownell's. You can buy the complete 20" rifle in 6 arc for the same price or just a few dollars more than buying the BA. Then at least you have a stock and can shoot the rifle while you wait for a better stock or chassis. Right now the heavy barrel rifle in 6 arc with 20" barrel 5/8x24 threads can be had for around $475 to $480 plus shipping and no tax. Brownell's charges tax.

Whatever you pay for the Howa add at least 200 on top of that for a new bottom metal. Plus, if you upgrade the stock that is more $$. Just keep that in mind. You will also need a picatinny scope base and Outer Impact makes a nice one for around $50.

The Ruger can be a buy and done rifle. You remove the LOP spacer from the factory and now you have one with a 12" LOP for your daughter. A hunter is much better off with a shorter LOP than one that is too long. The only item you might want to get for the Ruger is a trigger spring to improve the pull weight. I bought a Timney.