Howa Mini in 22 ARC

[ThatDUDE]

I am having my gunsmith turn my Howa Mini in 6mm ARC into a 22 ARC.

I have a Stockys VG stock on the way.

The load data is very promising. I can get less drop and drift with the 88 ELDM compared to the 108.

It’s going to be a month or two, but I will keep this thread updated.

I have a Taperless 750 with a 1/7 twist coming. It’s going to be finished at 18”.

 

[ThatDUDE]

22 ARC Load Data

 

[mustelid_master]

any updates?

 

[AZ_Hunter]

We would like to learn more…

 

[ThatDUDE]

I ended up pausing that build. I read somewhere that Howa may come out with the 22 ARC this next year. I had a hard time paying $500 for a rebarrel when I could get the whole gun for that.

 

[General RE LEE]

This thread had me look up the 22 ARC. I might get a mini barreled action if it comes out.

 

[hereinaz]

Definitely fun! It’s cool shooting the high BC 22 bullets out of a little rifle.

I built a 6BRA on a mini Howa and then added another barrel in 22BR. Have to open the bolt face a little for the larger case, but dang fun shooting gun.

 

[Robinhood21]

Not sure when but it’s coming

HOWA MINI HUNTER 22ARC 22'

<p>Howa USA M1500, Bolt Action Rifle, 22 ARC, 22' Threaded Barrel, 1/2x28 Thread Pitch, Walnut Stock, Matte Finish, Black, 5 Rounds HWH22ARC</p>

notjustguns.com

 

[hereinaz]

That’s the best cartridge for the Howa Mini platform, IMO.

 

[mustelid_master]

Man thats exciting. If only howas were more ..... refined....

 

[tak]

just bought a Ruger American 22 arc, but this sure is interesting

 

[General RE LEE]

Well

Would it be a thread hijack if I asked what’s better for deer sized game…6 or 22 ARC?

 

[hereinaz]

Well

Would it be a thread hijack if I asked what’s better for deer sized game…6 or 22 ARC?

Same-same IMO, if you are hand loading, you can shoot heavier for caliber bullets faster in 22 than similar 6mm bullets.

I haven’t looked at loaded ammo, but look at velocity and ballistics and distance/terminal velocity for each.

Man thats exciting. If only howas were more ..... refined....

I sanded/polished the bolt which helped tremendously.

 

[The Guide]

Well

Would it be a thread hijack if I asked what’s better for deer sized game…6 or 22 ARC?

Define "better"...

22 ARC will be like a hopped up 223 with the ability to shoot higher weight/BC bullets than the regular 223. Will extend the range 100 to 300 yards with same bullets from the 223 but with more powder and lower barrel life.

6mm ARC is like a detuned 6CM. Can shoot all the same bullets but in a lower velocity range that makes its maximum range around 200 yard shorter than a 6CM but with less recoil and longer barrel life.

Either would be great deer sized game cartridges with the 22 ARC maybe having a tiny bit further reach but the 6 ARC is more mainstream and easier to find.

Each person has to define their own "better".

Jay

 

[General RE LEE]

Well said thank you.

 

[ThatDUDE]

I am learning that I enjoy the shooting process so much more with the smaller cartridges. I have shot more with a 6 ARC this year than any year previous. I see the 22 ARC allowing me to get a little shorter barrel, even less recoil, and still maintain a +\- 600 yard effective range.

 

[PC356]

I put together one recently with a 16” 1-7 twist Preferred Barrel Blanks barrel.
Built it on a stainless 7.62x39 barreled action from Brownells. With a full JO hinged bottom metal it weighs in at 5.5 lbs minus bipod and Scythe. Surprised me how well it could make hits out to over 800 yds even with just a Trijicon 3-9 running off the shelf 88 ELD Ms. Love this thing.

 

[ThatDUDE]

I put together one recently with a 16” 1-7 twist Preferred Barrel Blanks barrel.
Built it on a stainless 7.62x39 barreled action from Brownells. With a full JO hinged bottom metal it weighs in at 5.5 lbs minus bipod and Scythe. Surprised me how well it could make hits out to over 800 yds even with just a Trijicon 3-9 running off the shelf 88 ELD Ms. Love this thing.
View attachment 775585

Dude. I was thinking about doing the exact same thing with a stainless action. I thought I read somewhere that the 7.62x39 and the ARC had different bolt face dimensions. That must not be the case. Are you have any extraction issues?

 

[Ozarkansas]

Dude. I was thinking about doing the exact same thing with a stainless action. I thought I read somewhere that the 7.62x39 and the ARC had different bolt face dimensions. That must not be the case. Are you have any extraction issues?

The ARC case is ultimately derived from the 7.62x39 so they should have the same case head size. With that in mind I don’t see why they would have different bolt faces.

Ironically the ARC descends from the Grendel, which descends from the .220 Russian- a necked-down 7.62x39. So we’ve kind of come full circle.

 

[PC356]

Dude. I was thinking about doing the exact same thing with a stainless action. I thought I read somewhere that the 7.62x39 and the ARC had different bolt face dimensions. That must not be the case. Are you have any extraction issues?

It has run flawlessly so far. Maybe 400 rnds thru it. I’ve also done another stainless 7.62 action converted to a 6 ARC PBB barrel that has even more rnds thru it and it’s done great as well.