Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[waspocrew]

Thanks! I had pretty much ruled out the carbon, but wanted the confirmation. Do you think an 18" barrel would be a good fit for my purposes?

Just how light are you wanting to go?

I went with the 20" heavy barrel version. With Vortex 4.5-22 LHT, rings, pic rail, stockys carbon VG, and gunwerks bipod, it weighs 7 lbs 4.5 oz. Add a little over 1 lb for my Gunwerks 8ight suppressor (thinking of buying a Scythe Ti specifically for this rifle). As is, it's probably my lightest rifle in my safe.

The 22" cut down to 20" or 18" will definitely be lighter, but you're also adding in costs as well.

 

[KyleR1985]

Thanks! I had pretty much ruled out the carbon, but wanted the confirmation. Do you think an 18" barrel would be a good fit for my purposes?

Determine minimum velocity for the bullet you want to shoot.

Pick cartridge/powder/barrel length that gets that bullet to the distance you want to shoot.

if you’re shooting factory stuff, well, you only get to pick barrel length.

here’s a rough idea for factory 108’s.

 

[Marshfly]

Thanks! I had pretty much ruled out the carbon, but wanted the confirmation. Do you think an 18" barrel would be a good fit for my purposes?

I hunt almost 100% above that 5k mark here in Montana and my 17.75" Mini 6ARC is absolutely money for me. My factory ELD-M dopes out to having a 2550 MV and holding 1800FPS out to 600 yards.

So yes.

My rifle ended up at like 5# 1oz bare with the VG stock.

 

[Cantharellus]

Just how light are you wanting to go?

I went with the 20" heavy barrel version. With Vortex 4.5-22 LHT, rings, pic rail, stockys carbon VG, and gunwerks bipod, it weighs 7 lbs 4.5 oz. Add a little over 1 lb for my Gunwerks 8ight suppressor (thinking of buying a Scythe Ti specifically for this rifle). As is, it's probably my lightest rifle in my safe.

The 22" cut down to 20" or 18" will definitely be lighter, but you're also adding in costs as well.

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That's a sweet rifle! Thank you for the info. That helps me narrow things down for sure. I was thinking 7 to 8 pounds total, so with the 9.4oz Normad Ti XC I would be right in there with your build. My main hunting rifle right now is a 9lb Tikka 270 without the can, so anything lighter would be a noticeable difference!

How is the balance with the heavier barrel and can? Does it feel weight-forward?

Determine minimum velocity for the bullet you want to shoot.

Pick cartridge/powder/barrel length that gets that bullet to the distance you want to shoot.

if you’re shooting factory stuff, well, you only get to pick barrel length.

here’s a rough idea for factory 108’s.

That's a helpful chart, thank you! Looks like 18 to 20" should be plenty of MV for my purposes!

I hunt almost 100% above that 5k mark here in Montana and my 17.75" Mini 6ARC is absolutely money for me. My factory ELD-M dopes out to having a 2550 MV and holding 1800FPS out to 600 yards.

So yes.

My rifle ended up at like 5# 1oz bare with the VG stock.

That sounds like a sweet setup! Probably right, about 7 pounds with a light scope and can?

 

[JJ3]

Just how light are you wanting to go?

I went with the 20" heavy barrel version. With Vortex 4.5-22 LHT, rings, pic rail, stockys carbon VG, and gunwerks bipod, it weighs 7 lbs 4.5 oz. Add a little over 1 lb for my Gunwerks 8ight suppressor (thinking of buying a Scythe Ti specifically for this rifle). As is, it's probably my lightest rifle in my safe.

The 22" cut down to 20" or 18" will definitely be lighter, but you're also adding in costs as well.

View attachment 812428View attachment 812429

Nice build.

Can you take a diameter measurement at 12.5” on that barrel please?

Thanks

 

[waspocrew]

That's a sweet rifle! Thank you for the info. That helps me narrow things down for sure. I was thinking 7 to 8 pounds total, so with the 9.4oz Normad Ti XC I would be right in there with your build. My main hunting rifle right now is a 9lb Tikka 270 without the can, so anything lighter would be a noticeable difference!

How is the balance with the heavier barrel and can? Does it feel weight-forward?


That's a helpful chart, thank you! Looks like 18 to 20" should be plenty of MV for my purposes!


That sounds like a sweet setup! Probably right, about 7 pounds with a light scope and can?

Thanks! Without the can, it balances pretty well. It does feel forward heavy with the can though since it’s an 18 oz steel suppressor. I’m thinking a Ti can would be just fine.