Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[hereinaz]

Any update on your progress getting these magazines worked out?

I have put it on hold for now.

 

[hereinaz]

First group out of the Preferred barrel in 22 ARC with Hornady factory ammo. The barrels in 22 arc and 223 are on clearance. Wiggly table so I think it made horizontal spread. Still nice for shots 2-8 out of the barrel.

With 16” 22 ARC barrel, Stocky’s carbon fiber stock and 20 MOA rail it weighs 5 lbs 7 oz.

 

[4090Sharps]

First group out of the Preferred barrel in 22 ARC with Hornady factory ammo. The barrels in 22 arc and 223 are on clearance. Wiggly table so I think it made horizontal spread. Still nice for shots 2-8 out of the barrel.

With 16” 22 ARC barrel, Stocky’s carbon fiber stock and 20 MOA rail it weighs 5 lbs 7 oz.

View attachment 997031

88gr?

 

[4090Sharps]

I'm really hoping the answer is no... Been tempted to order one of those prefits, but the 7.5" twist has held me back, as I'm mostly interested in 88's with the 22 ARC.

As luck would have it, I ordered the 6mm ARC barrel on my Howa in 2023 (before it was available from Howa) after going back and forth about whether I should instead get a 22 Grendel barrel. Ultimately decided I didn't want to deal with wildcat brass and dies...

Just after my barrel build was started, the 22 ARC was announced. Poor timing. Since then, been trying to avoid the pull of the 22 ARC, but I'm close to caving and converting all my 6 ARC brass.

 

[hereinaz]

I'm really hoping the answer is no... Been tempted to order one of those prefits, but the 7.5" twist has held me back, as I'm mostly interested in 88's with the 22 ARC.

As luck would have it, I ordered the 6mm ARC barrel on my Howa in 2023 (before it was available from Howa) after going back and forth about whether I should instead get a 22 Grendel barrel. Ultimately decided I didn't want to deal with wildcat brass and dies...

Just after my barrel build was started, the 22 ARC was announced. Poor timing. Since then, been trying to avoid the pull of the 22 ARC, but I'm close to caving and converting all my 6 ARC brass.

This was with the 80s.

I have had a 224 Grendel upper for a while. Glad to see when they saamied it and made it right.

 

[fshaw]

223ai forming brass with 77’s over lever 2850fps 10 shot group, and 20 shot group 77’s over h335 I had leftover from wife’s rifle 2700fps


View attachment 996889View attachment 996890

What’s your charge weight for 77s and Lever? Thanks.

 

[KyleR1985]

What’s your charge weight for 77s and Lever? Thanks.

Fired LC brass (through standard 223) neck sized, 26.5gr lever, 2.35” coal.

I would consider this a warm load for a 223.

I’m a reloading idiot.

 

[hereinaz]

I'm really hoping the answer is no... Been tempted to order one of those prefits, but the 7.5" twist has held me back, as I'm mostly interested in 88's with the 22 ARC.

As luck would have it, I ordered the 6mm ARC barrel on my Howa in 2023 (before it was available from Howa) after going back and forth about whether I should instead get a 22 Grendel barrel. Ultimately decided I didn't want to deal with wildcat brass and dies...

Just after my barrel build was started, the 22 ARC was announced. Poor timing. Since then, been trying to avoid the pull of the 22 ARC, but I'm close to caving and converting all my 6 ARC brass.

For curiosity, what drives your decision to go with the 88? I should have made the barrels a 7 twist to accommodate them.

I like high BC bullets for sure. I look at the numbers and my personal criteria doesn’t tip me to the ultra heavies in the 22 arc.

 

[ACHILLES]

I'm really hoping the answer is no... Been tempted to order one of those prefits, but the 7.5" twist has held me back, as I'm mostly interested in 88's with the 22 ARC.

As luck would have it, I ordered the 6mm ARC barrel on my Howa in 2023 (before it was available from Howa) after going back and forth about whether I should instead get a 22 Grendel barrel. Ultimately decided I didn't want to deal with wildcat brass and dies...

Just after my barrel build was started, the 22 ARC was announced. Poor timing. Since then, been trying to avoid the pull of the 22 ARC, but I'm close to caving and converting all my 6 ARC brass.

7.5” should be fine
10shot group from my 18” with factory 88s at 900’ DA 7.6” twist running 2670fps.
Even at 900’ DA SG should be right at 1.49 with the 7.5”

 

[ACHILLES]

For curiosity, what drives your decision to go with the 88? I should have made the barrels a 7 twist to accommodate them.

I like high BC bullets for sure. I look at the numbers and my personal criteria doesn’t tip me to the ultra heavies in the 22 arc.

I feel the same I wanted to run the factory 75s in mine but I found 1600rnds of the 88s for half price so I went that route.
When I had my 20” bbl I shot the factory 88s and 75s side by side at 750yds, 2930fps vs 2690fps wind call was the exact same for both and the 88s have a little more drop. I prefer the 80eldms for the arc wish they had done those in factory ammo instead of the eldx but that’s kinda of nit picking since the 88s are doing just fine.

 

[KyleR1985]

1:7 with 88’s at 2675fps

 

[Foster_65]

First group out of the Preferred barrel in 22 ARC with Hornady factory ammo. The barrels in 22 arc and 223 are on clearance. Wiggly table so I think it made horizontal spread. Still nice for shots 2-8 out of the barrel.

With 16” 22 ARC barrel, Stocky’s carbon fiber stock and 20 MOA rail it weighs 5 lbs 7 oz.

View attachment 997031

What’s the speed in a 16 in arc with the 80s?

 

[4090Sharps]

For curiosity, what drives your decision to go with the 88? I should have made the barrels a 7 twist to accommodate them.

I like high BC bullets for sure. I look at the numbers and my personal criteria doesn’t tip me to the ultra heavies in the 22 arc.

I have a bunch of 88s for my 22CM, and the desire to tinker

 

[nortac]

Here is a little video of my Howa Mini 6.5G at 600 yards.....

https://www.facebook.com/reel/25665454679808914