Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[Schroedernd]

The 20" barrel is the heavy barrel and the 22" is the lighter sporter contour. I would suggest getting the 22" barrel for a light carry hunting rifle. Shoot it in the 22" configuration to verify it is a shooter and then cut it to your desired length. I use a Omega 300 DTM on mine @ 22" with no issues. I use the factory bottom metal and mags with mine (2 ing 6.5 Grendel, 1 in 6 ARC, 1 in 22 ARC, and 3 in 223) with 0 issues. I have a Stockys VG on my 6mm ARC and a Bell and Carlson M40 Howa Mini Action stock on a 223 and on my 22 ARC. The rest are in factory configuration. I like the B&C stock better than the Stockys VG. My 22 ARC and my 223 in the B&C stocks are probably my favorite to shoot. I highly recommend the B&C stock for the Howa's for the price and shoot ability of them.

Jay

Bell and Carlson: HOWA/S&W/MOSS. 1500

Bell and Carlson is a leader in synthetic stock design, technology and manufacturer of the highest quality fiberglass, aramid and graphite gun stocks available.

www.bellandcarlson.com

The B&c looks nice but a bit heavier than the stockys. You have a weight on the rifles with thst stock?

 

[Schroedernd]

Have you looked at Brownells bottom metal? Id suggest that.

Ps, buy sanding paper for your stock.

The Gy6? It's more expensive then the Jo though which is well liked on here.

 

[UnckleBob]

Ill probably hunt deer with it this year, but use hornady eld-x until I develop a load for it. Thanks for the other info as well for the profile, ill probably chop to 18". What are you referring to for "US OG"?

I didn't have any 6 ARC hunting handloads available when I got a last minute invitation to take my daughter on a hunt. Since the Hornady Match ammo was available at Cabela's, she shot he deer using the 108 Eld-m

It did as much damage as the 150g Eld-x did from my 280 AI.

 

[Kaleb]

Same here. I kinda got the cart before the horse and had factory 108’s before components or the gun for that matter. I shot 7 or 8 deer with it and could not ask for better performance. My handloads are faster and more accurate but was extremely pleased with the factory loads performance. Without looking back to be exact I remember them running around 2500 2550 with a 17” barrel.

Another thing I’ll mention is the JO BDL style floor plate offers a little more coal room than the magazines and with a 2 piece pic base I don’t find it difficult to load. For timed drills or something it’s slower to load but just loading it up to shoot a deer it’s no problem.

 

[The Guide]

The B&c looks nice but a bit heavier than the stockys. You have a weight on the rifles with thst stock?

I don't have a weight comparison for ya. I build them light but I build them right. I'm out of state working right now and don't have the ability to get you the weights. I'm not worried about an ultralight rifle if it won't shoot for me. If I really wanted to do ultralight I'd go with a NULA Model 20 for $3k. Howa Mini Action are budget friendly guns that don't break ya to build.

Jay

 

[nm.otter]

Howa Mini Action are budget friendly guns that don't break ya to build.

...as is the Howa Superlite. And they're crazy light. Could be magic in 6mm GT.

 

[hereinaz]

...as is the Howa Superlite. And they're crazy light. Could be magic in 6mm GT.

I have a 22 creed that I am putting together in a Superlight.

 

[The Guide]

...as is the Howa Superlite. And they're crazy light. Could be magic in 6mm GT.

The only thing that has kept me from jumping on one is the lack of stocks. You can get the walnut stocked version for $599. A wood stocked lightweight 6GT would be pretty slick. 6GT would give you another 150 yards on the 6ARC.

Jay

 

[nm.otter]

Oregunsmithing makes very nice stocks (in quite a few flavors) for them. $750 custom fitted LOP, swivels, etc. and bedded.

 

[KyleR1985]

If you are going to build a custom barrel, 6dasher fits just fine in the mini action with 87,95,103,108 bullets.

Feeds flawless out of 450 bushmaster mags.


Still working with Jefferson on the hinged metal mag box and follower.


2700 108eldm 2800 95tmk from factory 6ARC sporter barrel cut to 16” and punched to dasher.

 

[Ferrulewax]

...as is the Howa Superlite. And they're crazy light. Could be magic in 6mm GT.

If I was going to build something else, an SBR superlight in 6GT would be up there on my list. I also want to build a 338 arc mini. Too many cool options and not enough money

 

[IDVortex]

If I was going to build something else, an SBR superlight in 6GT would be up there on my list. I also want to build a 338 arc mini. Too many cool options and not enough money

The 338 arc has my interest. Be a sexy rifle, especially SBR.

 

[bnsafe]

so for the b an c stock. are yall buying the sporter version or the m40 version for the sporter barrel

 

[The Guide]

so for the b an c stock. are yall buying the sporter version or the m40 version for the sporter barrel

I buy the M40 as I like the more vertical grip along with the wider forend.

Jay

 

[Schroedernd]

I buy the M40 as I like the more vertical grip along with the wider forend.

Jay

What made you choose that over the stockys? I just don't like the extra weight of the B&c but haven't decided yet.

 

[The Guide]

What made you choose that over the stockys? I just don't like the extra weight of the B&c but haven't decided yet.

I bought a Stockys Howa Mini Action VG stock first. Got a discount but there was only 1 color in stock. Put my 6mm ARC sporter in it. The barrel channel was supposed to be the varmint/tactical profile but the sporter almost touched. Not as much clearance as I expected. The forend is narrow and I had to shim my Harris bipod to get it to pull tight. Shoots fine from prone but the grip/palm swell/trigger reach isn't as comfortable for me from other positions due to the grip angle.

I bought a couple of Howa barreled actions from Brownells and needed stocks. I put the 223 in the factory stock from the 6mm ARC (and it shot great) and ordered a B&C M40 for the 6.5 PRC LA Howa 1500. I really liked the feel and balance of the stock and the rifle shot rounds 2-6 into a group that was all touching. I was troubleshooting issues with a clients 300WM Weatherby Vanguard and put that action into the B&C for testing and it controlled the recoil much better than the factory stock and was fully free floated so we could remove some potential issues that could have been issues when it was in the factory stock. I decided I wanted to put the 223 in a new stock and bought the M40 for the Howa Mini Action on the black Friday sale for about half of what I got the Stockys for. I've got over 1k rounds through the 223 in the B&C M40 now and I really like it more than the Stockys. When I got my 22 ARC and had accuracy issues that I attributed to stock fitment with the factory stock, I ordered another B&C M40. The 22 ARC shoots great now. No more vertical stringing and no need to bed the aluminum mini chassis in the B&C where as LOTS of people have had to bed the Stockys to get them to shoot well. Plus, undiscounted prices are $360 for the B&C M40 vs $599 for the Stockys VG.

I suggest trying both and seeing which one you like the best.

Jay

 

[bnsafe]

thx for the feedback. i hate to hear about the clearance issues. i kinda had my heart set on a stockys. but im not wanting to fix a new stock to get it to shoot

 

[waspocrew]

Stockys can be a good price, but need work. I have the heavy barreled 6 ARC and went with a VG with Varmint barrel channel. Guess what? I also had to have it opened up to accommodate the barrel.

 

[The Guide]

thx for the feedback. i hate to hear about the clearance issues. i kinda had my heart set on a stockys. but im not wanting to fix a new stock to get it to shoot

The B&C aren't perfect either. I've had to scrape a paint and coatings off from the inlet for the bottom metal and where the action seats as there was over spray and extra "web" material but over all it was just a minute with a utility knife and a flat chisel to clean up the over spray and get everything fitted. Nothing like having to bed the action and open the barrel channel.

Jay

 

[Schroedernd]

I bought a Stockys Howa Mini Action VG stock first. Got a discount but there was only 1 color in stock. Put my 6mm ARC sporter in it. The barrel channel was supposed to be the varmint/tactical profile but the sporter almost touched. Not as much clearance as I expected. The forend is narrow and I had to shim my Harris bipod to get it to pull tight. Shoots fine from prone but the grip/palm swell/trigger reach isn't as comfortable for me from other positions due to the grip angle.

I bought a couple of Howa barreled actions from Brownells and needed stocks. I put the 223 in the factory stock from the 6mm ARC (and it shot great) and ordered a B&C M40 for the 6.5 PRC LA Howa 1500. I really liked the feel and balance of the stock and the rifle shot rounds 2-6 into a group that was all touching. I was troubleshooting issues with a clients 300WM Weatherby Vanguard and put that action into the B&C for testing and it controlled the recoil much better than the factory stock and was fully free floated so we could remove some potential issues that could have been issues when it was in the factory stock. I decided I wanted to put the 223 in a new stock and bought the M40 for the Howa Mini Action on the black Friday sale for about half of what I got the Stockys for. I've got over 1k rounds through the 223 in the B&C M40 now and I really like it more than the Stockys. When I got my 22 ARC and had accuracy issues that I attributed to stock fitment with the factory stock, I ordered another B&C M40. The 22 ARC shoots great now. No more vertical stringing and no need to bed the aluminum mini chassis in the B&C where as LOTS of people have had to bed the Stockys to get them to shoot well. Plus, undiscounted prices are $360 for the B&C M40 vs $599 for the Stockys VG.

I suggest trying both and seeing which one you like the best.

Jay

Wow, excellent write up! So no bedding in the B&c, just drop in a shoot? I like the sound of that!