Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[FSB12B]

The 20" carbon barreled action is very low weight....

How’s this one shoot? I see the 20” is quite heavy for being “mini”. I expected in the 6 lbs not over 7!

 

[Marshfly]

The 20" carbon barreled action is very low weight....

That wasn't available for a while. Also can't cut it, so therefore it sucks.

 

[Marshfly]

How’s this one shoot? I see the 20” is quite heavy for being “mini”. I expected in the 6 lbs not over 7!

That is heavy. My Mini 6ARC in a Stockys VG2 is 5# 1oz without the scope.

 

[FSB12B]

That is heavy. My Mini 6ARC in a Stockys VG2 is 5# 1oz without the scope.

The 22” still threaded? Would love to see pics!

 

[IDVortex]

Question regarding bedding again...

If I get a new bottom metal, is it better to get that than bed the stock, or will that not change anything?

 

[Marshfly]

The 22” still threaded? Would love to see pics!

It's cut to 17 inches. This is one of the only "full" pics I have. LOL. It weighs 6 pounds 10 ounces scoped with the S&B Klassik.

 

[Tanner]

Question regarding bedding again...

If I get a new bottom metal, is it better to get that than bed the stock, or will that not change anything?

I like to have the bottom metal that will be used in place while I bed because it may change how much action screw engagement you have, if the bottom metals are different thickness.

 

[KyleR1985]

Swfa 3x9, 4 dasher rounds, barrel cut to 16”, Jefferson bottom metal and factory mag, extra thick butt plate that weighs probably 6oz I had laying around to get extra LOP.

Wolfhunter for the business end, right around 7.5lbs. I think I can shave 4 ounces or so with a normal butt plate.

I don’t want it to be, but could he 6.75ish with a lighter scope, lighter can, and lighter butt plate. 7-7.5 seems to be perfect for this amount of powder burn to me

 

[UnckleBob]

Any reason to go with the 22" over the 20"? Anyone happier with one over the other?

More velocity.

 

[Te Hopo]

The new 17.5" barrel fitted


New barrel and over barrel suppressor work out a similar length as the Ultralight 20" barrel

 

[Te Hopo]

The Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal allowed me to load 75 ELDMs well out and still feed perfect.
In fact I'm impressed with hos well the Mini feeds the AI, my mate has a Rem 788 in 223AI and he's so fed up with feed issues that he's gonna take it back to regular 223

 

[Te Hopo]

I tested some Hornady 75ELDMs and 55SPs at 75m.
Just a quick session to sight in and see what grouped decently for 5 shots.
No chronograph at the mo, I'll get that sorted in the next couple months.

The ELDMs look like they're gonna be my choice as they're cheap and freely available.
This is the projectile I'll be focusing on for my main hunting load in the future.
I got a bit too excited and definitely slapped the trigger on the last shot


And the 55s showed real promise which is good as I have 600+ to get through.

 

[Stocky]

I tested some Hornady 75ELDMs and 55SPs at 75m.
Just a quick session to sight in and see what grouped decently for 5 shots.
No chronograph at the mo, I'll get that sorted in the next couple months.

The ELDMs look like they're gonna be my choice as they're cheap and freely available.
This is the projectile I'll be focusing on for my main hunting load in the future.
I got a bit too excited and definitely slapped the trigger on the last shot
View attachment 863586

And the 55s showed real promise which is good as I have 600+ to get through.
View attachment 863587

I'm seriously jealous. Having a bloody mare with this mini and 75s 3 barrels all hate them.

 

[Te Hopo]

I'm seriously jealous. Having a bloody mare with this mini and 75s 3 barrels all hate them.

I've never had a centerfire that showed this sort of accuracy potential, and especially not in a rifle that weighs 2.6kg.

My mini is an early one so the stock barrel was a 1-9, best it seemed to group anything was a realistic 1.2-1.5moa.
Perfectly fine for hunting

 

[Stocky]

I've never had a centerfire that showed this sort of accuracy potential, and especially not in a rifle that weighs 2.6kg.

My mini is an early one so the stock barrel was a 1-9, best it seemed to group anything was a realistic 1.2-1.5moa.
Perfectly fine for hunting

My kimbers have more or less always been around moa shooters for 10 rounds. I really just want a 1-1.5moa with the 75 at 2700ish to be happy. The latest barrel is a hardy and is worse than the factory barrel.

 

[SwampThing0331]

Took the factory 6 arc barrel off today. What a battle that was. Barrel vise, action wrench, cheater bar, heat, PB Blaster, impact. Nothing would budge it. Finally had to do a relief cut in the barrel with a hack saw.

Thankfully, the new Carbon Six barrel went on without issue and headspaced correctly. I still need to open up my Stocky’s for the wider profile, then range trip to see how it shoots.

 

[Bratch]

Sorry if I missed it in the 29 pages, is there a recommended action torque for a Stocky’s with a metal (Jefferson) bottom metal? I keep seeing 35# for the plastic bottom.

 

[Te Hopo]

Took the factory 6 arc barrel off today. What a battle that was. Barrel vise, action wrench, cheater bar, heat, PB Blaster, impact. Nothing would budge it. Finally had to do a relief cut in the barrel with a hack saw.

Thankfully, the new Carbon Six barrel went on without issue and headspaced correctly. I still need to open up my Stocky’s for the wider profile, then range trip to see how it shoots.


View attachment 866435

View attachment 866436

I wonder if there's a bit of a difference between the stainless and blued barrels, I watched my gunsmith take my original stainless barrel off after I'd given it 24hrs with Penetrol and it went pop real easily.

Sorry if I missed it in the 29 pages, is there a recommended action torque for a Stocky’s with a metal (Jefferson) bottom metal? I keep seeing 35# for the plastic bottom.

My original manual stated 55#, Legacy changed their manuals when it was found that was cracking the plastic, the new torque recommendation is now 35# as you say.

When I got the Jefferson and Stockys I bumped mine right up, I use 50# now

 

[SwampThing0331]

I wonder if there's a bit of a difference between the stainless and blued barrels, I watched my gunsmith take my original stainless barrel off after I'd given it 24hrs with Penetrol and it went pop real easily.

I read the blued barrels are harder to remove. Something about how they seal the threads so the blueing process doesn’t end up corroding them. Not sure if that’s true.

When I got mine off, the threads were soaked in PB Blaster. It wasn’t helping. I also read that some guns give up the barrel easy and others hold on to the bitter end. I have another mini that’ll need the factory barrel off eventually. I’m hoping that one will be easier.

 

[J_Jacobson]

I'm just putting together parts for an ultra-lightweight 27cal wildcat build on a howa mini action. I've searched the thread and can't seem to find the info I'm looking for, but what is the muzzle diameter of the carbon stalker sporter barrels @22"? I'm considering ordering a contour similar to the PacNor Lightweight contour shown in the image attached. Has anyone gone this light before on their minis? How did it group? Was the weight saving worth it over a #1 or fluted #2.
Once I've done my initial testing of the cartridge I'll most likely cut the barrel shorter based on what velocity I achieve.