Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[General RE LEE]

Range report yesterday my Howa Mini 22” barrel 6 ARC was getting more hits on the 12” steel plate at 1K than my 20” barrel 308 CTR.

308 was 178 ELDX and wind was blowing it around pretty good. 108 ELDMs fly so well.

 

[hereinaz]

Range report yesterday my Howa Mini 22” barrel 6 ARC was getting more hits on the 12” steel plate at 1K than my 20” barrel 308 CTR.

308 was 178 ELDX and wind was blowing it around pretty good. 108 ELDMs fly so well.

Love that little 6mm.

The 109s are even just a little better…

 

[Te Hopo]

DPT Machinist suppressor?

I went with a Nielson Sonic 35mm with only a couple baffles.
Aluminium body with stainless inserts to handle the bulk of the blast, it knocks the sound down to a level I'm comfortable with.

I like the DPTs, great value suppressor but when I test fitted one it showed up a lot in the scope, just a tad bulky in the diameter.

 

[MT_Fin]

Reading through the various howa mini threads there are several recommendations for scope mounts, but things changes just checking in on it again.

What’s the current best option for the mini’s?

 

[Tanner]

Anybody running a 16-18” 6 ARC that can report on velocities with 103-109gr class of bullets ?

 

[Touchdown88]

Reading through the various howa mini threads there are several recommendations for scope mounts, but things changes just checking in on it again.

What’s the current best option for the mini’s?

I used Talley one piece for my build. Not the absolute best but they work.

 

[KyleR1985]

Anybody running a 16-18” 6 ARC that can report on velocities with 103-109gr class of bullets ?

Not a mini, but 108 eldm factory 2540 16” gasser. You can expect 2500-2600.

i could probably get 2650-2700 with lever and loading at 2.3”.

 

[Tanner]

Not a mini, but 108 eldm factory 2540 16” gasser. You can expect 2500-2600.

i could probably get 2650-2700 with lever and loading at 2.3”.

Thanks Kyle.

 

[270quest]

I’m planning/hoping to run 106s at 27-2750 with my 20” mini and lever…

 

[The Guide]

Reading through the various howa mini threads there are several recommendations for scope mounts, but things changes just checking in on it again.

What’s the current best option for the mini’s?

It depends on your desires for scopes. Of our 5 Mini Actions, I have 2 guns that are Tally type rings, 2 that are factory mounts from the package rifle, and one that is a rail. I'm at a point where I'm buying more expensive scopes and using them on multiple guns so all my guns will be getting rails from now on unless they have the Tikka integrated rail and I'll swap those guns with scopes that have UM's Tikka ring system.

If you are putting a scope on and leaving it there, any of the mounts will work. If you want to use the same scope on 3 or 4 different guns, use a rail. If you are going to use a non factory bottom metal, a rail may not work the best as you will need to be able to top feed the now internal magazine.

Jay

Edited to add context...

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Reading through the various howa mini threads there are several recommendations for scope mounts, but things changes just checking in on it again.

What’s the current best option for the mini’s?

Burris XTB two piece are a good fit if you plan on pic rings. Low height, open port, and the front base can be reversed to increase ring spacing if needed. I use these on 3 mini's.

Another option if someone wants to go very light but strong are DNZ Game Reaper 2 (2 piece). I use 30mm lows with 4 screws (wider than the 2 screw) and I use a bubble level top on the rear ring. A few touches with a fine file allows the rear ring to be reversed to max ring spacing if you have a longer scope (NXS 2.5-10x32). Front ring can be reversed as well. I use these on 2 mini's I wanted to keep as light as possible.

​

 

[KyleR1985]

Burris XTB two piece are a good fit if you plan on pic rings. Low height, open port, and the front base can be reversed to increase ring spacing if needed. I use these on 3 mini's.

Another option if someone wants to go very light but strong are DNZ Game Reaper 2 (2 piece). I use 30mm lows with 4 screws (wider than the 2 screw) and I use a bubble level top on the rear ring. A few touches with a fine file allows the rear ring to be reversed to max ring spacing if you have a longer scope (NXS 2.5-10x32). Front ring can be reversed as well. I use these on 2 mini's I wanted to keep as light as possible.

​

They don’t show a tactical (4 screw) option for the mini. Are you using a different gun model DNZ?

 

[JCMCUBIC]

They don’t show a tactical (4 screw) option for the mini. Are you using a different gun model DNZ?

Remington 700 actions have the same contour and hole spacing. 2 piece 700 bases work for the mini.

 

[MTNDUDE]

They don’t show a tactical (4 screw) option for the mini. Are you using a different gun model DNZ?

Game Reaper 2. They have an option to choose 4 screws from the drop downs. I have the tactical four screw models on both of my Howa Minis.

 

[MTNDUDE]

I am wondering how many of you are running Lever in your 6 ARC. I am currently running Varget for the temperature stability, but I would like the additional velocity Lever would offer. Anyone having any problems with Lever?

 

[MT_Fin]

Thanks guys,
In was looking at Mountain Tech rail and rings. I’ve never used the DNZ ones.

I’m not planning on swapping bottom metal but you never know.

@WyoWild it looks like you have the DNZ on yours. Any complaints or reasons to go with rail and pic rings instead?

 

[OneShot]

Been wanting to put together a gun for my girls as they have just started shooting this past year. Ordered a 20” 6 arc from a local shop. Also picked up a Resilent Jolene S that will be for the 6 arc and my wife’s 243.
I’m going to have the barrel cut down to 16.5” and also order a Stockys to have for future use.

Not wanting to dump a bunch on a scope just yet for this, I saw a sell on a Crimson Trace 3-12x44. Had it to the door for $200. After mounting it, looking through it and shooting with it, I’m actually impressed for the price. But time will tell.

First impression of the gun. The bolt lift is very heavy. My girls can’t cycle the bolt after dry firing. The bolt was anything but smooth. After cleaning, adding some grease and cycling the bolt a few hundred times while watching tv, it is pretty smooth now.

The LOP was a bit long for the girls. I cut off 1-1/4” and added a limbsaver that I had. Also cut off the forearm area 3”.


The girls wanted to paint their stock. I’ve let them help with numerous other stocks, so they were excited to paint their own. We picked out some colors, practiced on some cardboard and found what they liked.


Here it is next to a 16” 223.


Overall weight


This morning I was like a kid on Christmas, wanting to play with a new toy. Wanting to see how it shot, felt recoil and most of all, how it sounded with the Jolene S. With slippers still on, grabbed the tripod, 5 rounds and walked out the door. Very impressed with how it shoots and especially with the Jolene.

 

[Unckebob]

It depends on your desires for scopes. Of our 5 Mini Actions, I have 2 guns that are Tally type rings, 2 that are factory mounts from the package rifle, and one that is a rail. I'm at a point where I'm buying more expensive scopes and using them on multiple guns so all my guns will be getting rails from now on unless they have the Tikka integrated rail and I'll swap those guns with scopes that have UM's Tikka ring system.

If you are putting a scope on and leaving it there, any of the mounts will work. If you want to use the same scope on 3 or 4 different guns, use a rail. If you are going to use a non factory bottom metal, a rail may not work the best as you will need to be able to top feed the now internal magazine.

Jay

Edited to add context...

I saw an opportunity to buy a package rifle for something like $8 more than the gun without the scope. I plan to buy the package just so I can get the scope rings. I figure the rings should be fine on a light shooting 6 ARC.

Btw - Are the package scopes any good? I have another scope in the safe I plan to use, but I am curious how bad/good the scopes are.

 

[hereinaz]

As for rings, I think I picked up some Talley. I am going to epoxy mine onto the action and bed the scope into the rings and use loctite. With that, most any rings should work on a low recoiling rifle.

 

[WyoWild]

Thanks guys,
In was looking at Mountain Tech rail and rings. I’ve never used the DNZ ones.

I’m not planning on swapping bottom metal but you never know.

@WyoWild it looks like you have the DNZ on yours. Any complaints or reasons to go with rail and pic rings instead?

They are serviceable and I like them better than Talley. At a minimum I would recommend bedding your scope bases or rail. I ended up using loctite to permanently bond on a Warne pic rail. Running an old set of Seekins 1" rings.