Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[BBob]

I use guide studs and the hillman plastic spacers as Al does in that Howa post. I tape the barrel in two places to set the action height. With the tape, the studs, and the spacers, everything will be aligned and the action will float. I use strips of rubber cut from bike inner tubes to wrap around the stock and barrel to hold it in place. I start the wrap in the middle of the tube strips cross crossing and finishing with a single overhand knot. Mock it up to check action height before committing to the epoxy. I use a strip of blue masking tape down the sides of the action going approximately 1/8” below the stock line and mark a horizontal line on the tape at the stock line for reference when it’s bedded. You don’t care if epoxy gets in the bolt holes, it’s going to regardless. When it’s cured you remove the guide pins before you pop the action out. Once the action is out you drill the holes back out removing any epoxy. I also glue the plastic spacers in with a little medium or heavy super glue. They’ll also get drilled/pushed out when you clean up and drill the epoxy out of the holes.

Some pull the action into the stock when gluing it up, I prefer to float it as described.

Most Ace Hardware’s carry the hillman spacers.

Oh, on the stocky’s stock you need to remove some the angled stepped edge (the accublock) in front of the lug so it’s not impinging on the lug.

 

[BigWoods]

Use tape, not too tight. Get bolts at the hardware store to fit the action screw holes. Cut the heads off. Thread them in and they will protect your action and keep the holes in the stock from filling with resin. Lots of good videos on YouTube. Don’t forget to coat all the metal with release agent.

Very helpful; thanks!

 

[22Conch]

Anyone have a Howa Mini Excl Lite?

Do they even produce them anymore?


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[KyleR1985]

Stockys blem, Jefferson metal, 223ai Shaw 16.5” barrel fitted and reprofiled by @longrangelead

It’s a 350 legend mini I bought on the cheap. Need to finish milling action back to .223 inlet, get this barrel coated somehow(it’s chrome steel).


Have a pile of 77’s and 88’s for it.

 

[Stumpy208]

I am trying to unload Preferred prefits in 16” 22 ARC and 18” .223 Wylde barrels. $369

I bought them thinking there would be some demand, but they are well below my cost now and when they are gone they are gone.

This is an awesome deal. I bought a barrel from him when he first brought the 22 ARC barrels in. They're accurate, light, and easy to install once you get the factory barrel off. The 16" barrel is really nice to run suppressed.

Here's a couple pictures of it from this year.

 

[hereinaz]

This is an awesome deal. I bought a barrel from him when he first brought the 22 ARC barrels in. They're accurate, light, and easy to install once you get the factory barrel off. The 16" barrel is really nice to run suppressed.

Here's a couple pictures of it from this year.

View attachment 979846

View attachment 979845

Thanks, if you do not want to pull the factory barrel and headspace, I can also install it for discounted $45 right now.

 

[BigWoods]

Well I bedded in JB weld last night (with Johnson Paste wax for release agent). How long should I wait before pulling it out?

 

[hereinaz]

Well I bedded in JB weld last night (with Johnson Paste wax for release agent). How long should I wait before pulling it out?
View attachment 980590

It’s done by now.

 

[BigWoods]

It’s done by now.

Awesome! Now I can prep the rest of it for painting.

 

[bnsafe]

is the real life weight diff between the 22 an 20 inch versions on here somewhere?

 

[Chris in TN]

Well I bedded in JB weld last night (with Johnson Paste wax for release agent). How long should I wait before pulling it out?
View attachment 980590

Nice.

I mean, using JPW.

I only have half a can so I rarely use it since they discontinued it.

 

[BigWoods]

Nice.

I mean, using JPW.

I only have half a can so I rarely use it since they discontinued it.

Saw it suggested in a bedding video by AllTerra Arms - worked like a charm!

 

[Te Hopo]

is the real life weight diff between the 22 an 20 inch versions on here somewhere?

My notes show an approx 70gm (2.4oz) difference

 

[bnsafe]

phew im glad you translated that into freedom units lol. just kidding, thank you.

 

[Chris in TN]

Saw it suggested in a bedding video by AllTerra Arms - worked like a charm!

I’ve used it for that purpose for years but stopped using it for anything when they discontinued it.

Jokes on me, though, as the solvents evaporate over time even with the lid closed.

 

[Terrapin]

I used the minwax paste wax on my last bedding job. My usual recipe of wiping it on and buffing it off twice, followed by a quick spray of OneShot case lube. Seemed to work perfectly.


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[BBob]

Pro-Bed sells a paste wax mold release. Works the same as Johnson’s.

 

[JRay]

I’ve used clear shoe polish on 4 bedding jobs. Worked perfectly

 

[BigWoods]

Well my .223 Mini is complete (for now). I bedded with JB Weld, then sanded the stock with 600 grit. With a bit more JB, I textured the stock a la @Tanner before sponge painting with Krylon Fusion Deep Matte Grey and Matte White. I followed that with eight or so layers of clear coat.

The scope is a Burris Fullfield 2-8x35 with an illuminated reticle in Low Talley's. The cheek weld is perfect in the Lows and there's plenty of clearance both at the bolt and barrel. The e3 reticle is a bit different (fine and more detail) and thus will take some getting used to, but the illumination should help offset that for quick target acquisition .





Now to wait for a warm enough day to get to the range!

 

[Te Hopo]

That Burris looks like a great match for these compact rifles, and a very practical mag range.