Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[Ophidian]

I am in the woods with my 6arc setup. One thing I’m going to change is the JO hinged floor plate. It’s really nice but loading it with a pic rail on rope is rough for me. I’ll probably end up selling it and getting the JO bottom metal for a mag fed solution.

 

[KyleR1985]

I am in the woods with my 6arc setup. One thing I’m going to change is the JO hinged floor plate. It’s really nice but loading it with a pic rail on rope is rough for me. I’ll probably end up selling it and getting the JO bottom metal for a mag fed solution.

Have you tried loading it from bottom on a closed bolt?

 

[Ferrulewax]

I am in the woods with my 6arc setup. One thing I’m going to change is the JO hinged floor plate. It’s really nice but loading it with a pic rail on rope is rough for me. I’ll probably end up selling it and getting the JO bottom metal for a mag fed solution.

That is exactly why I didn’t go with a pic rail. It’s hare enough with a low mounted scope.

 

[tall]

I am in the woods with my 6arc setup. One thing I’m going to change is the JO hinged floor plate. It’s really nice but loading it with a pic rail on rope is rough for me. I’ll probably end up selling it and getting the JO bottom metal for a mag fed solution.

I hear you. I took a dremel to my pic rail when I got tired of skinned knuckles. Now I have a set of Talley rings waiting to be installed after I remove a terribly stuck screw from the pic rail. The JO bottom metal is just too nice in the hand while hunting for me to part with it.

 

[Schroedernd]

area 419 seems to be the only option i can find. decided the factory howa barrel was too slow though and ordered a replacement barrel from crown ridge instead with appropriate threading in 5/8 24. my friends arc with the same length barrel is getting over 100 fps better velocity with factory fodder and i wanted to run my can on it anyhow, so 2 birds...

Did crown ridge do your barrel install too?

 

[Te Hopo]

Talley UL Rings are a great match with the Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal.
No way I could fit my fingers top loading with a one piece pic rail

 

[Te Hopo]

Righto Howa owners, get those rifles out and let's see some 10 shot groups.
Yesterday while fireforming brass I shot a rushed group in decent cross winds.
Its not a super tight benchrest group but its certainly hunting accurate and a solid zero.

Thread 'Let’s See Your Howa 10 Round Groups'

Nov 21, 2025

Let’s see your Howa 10 round groups. I’m a fan of the Japanese barreled action and the HACT 2 stage trigger.

I’ll go first

Howa Mini with Muellerworks 22” barrel chambered in 6 ARC. 108 ELDM hand loads with Varget.

• General RE LEE
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Firearms

• 

 

[Chris in TN]

I almost hate to ask because I'm sure it's been posted, but

a) what's the best floorplate option now for these? I absolutely hate detachable magazines. I'd have to be able to get a BDL style floorplate for me to buy one of these.

Also, b) what's the max COAL these actions will feed? Could the 109ELDM be loaded any longer than 2.26"? Or is that even feasible with the short ARC case?

 

[SUD1988]

I almost hate to ask because I'm sure it's been posted, but

a) what's the best floorplate option now for these? I absolutely hate detachable magazines. I'd have to be able to get a BDL style floorplate for me to buy one of these.

Also, b) what's the max COAL these actions will feed? Could the 109ELDM be loaded any longer than 2.26"? Or is that even feasible with the short ARC case?

Jefferson Outdoors has been great.

 

[KyleR1985]

I almost hate to ask because I'm sure it's been posted, but

a) what's the best floorplate option now for these? I absolutely hate detachable magazines. I'd have to be able to get a BDL style floorplate for me to buy one of these.

Also, b) what's the max COAL these actions will feed? Could the 109ELDM be loaded any longer than 2.26"? Or is that even feasible with the short ARC case?

Max you’re loading in mags is 2.4” if they’re windowed. Hinged floor plate 2.45”.

This is without modification, other than windowing mag(45 seconds with a hacksaw blade needle nose pliers and a file).

Mags I believe are around 2.35” inside measurement unmodified.

Without 109’s on hand, my guess is you’re not going to be able to load them longer than 2.3-2.35 before you contact the lands in saami chamber. But if you get me a tip or base to Ogive measurement of those bullets we can approximate.


I’m confident that the mag or mag box won’t be the limiter on 6ARC and 100-109 bullets, due to chamber design. You’ve got .8” of clearance(plus .020 to not contact front of mag) in the magazine dimension. I don’t think there’s a bullet with a +.8” tip to ogive measurement you’re going to shoot in this gun

 

[Chris in TN]

Max you’re loading in mags is 2.4” if they’re windowed. Hinged floor plate 2.45”.

This is without modification, other than windowing mag(45 seconds with a hacksaw blade needle nose pliers and a file).

Mags I believe are around 2.35” inside measurement unmodified.

Without 109’s on hand, my guess is you’re not going to be able to load them longer than 2.3-2.35 before you contact the lands in saami chamber. But if you get me a tip or base to Ogive measurement of those bullets we can approximate.


I’m confident that the mag or mag box won’t be the limiter on 6ARC and 100-109 bullets, due to chamber design. You’ve got .8” of clearance(plus .020 to not contact front of mag) in the magazine dimension. I don’t think there’s a bullet with a +.8” tip to ogive measurement you’re going to shoot in this gun

Thank you! I haven't bought yet. Not sure I will. Just window shopping at this point, but I needed that info anyway.