Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[UsAndThm]

I was finally able to get in an order for Jefferson Outdoors BDL style bottom metal. I hate magazines stick out the bottom of rifles.

I get that. I couldn't decide so I have both the magazine and bdl floorplate and use them in different circumstances. The magazine floorplate is mostly for the scout rifle vibe.

 

[Te Hopo]

Picked up a bargain 6.5 Grendel at a price that couldn't be refused.
Popped it into my spare Stockys Sporter along with a Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal with a cut down mag, the barrel will be getting trimmed to 15-16" so the reflex suppressor will be close up to the fore end.
Still deciding on the scope.

 

[JHcaliber9]

Hey all,


Just picked up a Howa Mini Stainless Carbon Stalker in .223 Rem with 1:8 twist as a lighter backpack/fun gun after running heavier stuff (smallest was 6.5 Creedmoor). Super light and handy, low recoil for more range time and precise shooting on game.


I don’t reload, so I’m looking for solid factory ammo recommendations. I know you guys have tons of experience (and this massive .22 caliber centerfire thread) on these for game. Looking for real-world input before taking it into the deer woods:


• Best factory loads / bullets for deer? (Especially ones that perform well in a 1:8 twist Howa Mini – 70-77gr range like TMKs, TSX, etc.)


• What velocities/distances to keep it ethical and effective? (Shot placement is key, but any rules of thumb on max range or energy?)


• Things to know switching from heavier calibers – wind, terminal performance quirks, preferred shot angles, etc.?


• Any Howa Mini specific tips or gotchas in the field?


• Will 5.56 ammo be safe in this .223 chambered rifle, or should I stick strictly to .223 Rem labeled ammo?


Appreciate any input from folks who’ve run similar setups. Planning lots of practice this summer. Thanks!

Rifle:

Howa mini 223 1:8 stainless 22” sporter
Stockys carbon fiber stock
Jefferson bottom metal

 

[Williammcinall]

Made some changes to my mini 20” 6 dasher
Notably added the check riser to the stock. It’s a Canterbury tikka riser kit. Heated it up with a heat gun to allow it to expand and fit the stockys stock. Replaced the nxs with a nx6 2-12x42

 

[SUD1988]

Made some changes to my mini 20” 6 dasher
Notably added the check riser to the stock. It’s a Canterbury tikka riser kit. Heated it up with a heat gun to allow it to expand and fit the stockys stock. Replaced the nxs with a nx6 2-12x42

What bottom metal are you running now?

 

[Williammcinall]

What bottom metal are you running now?

MDT with the factory mag modified to work with it. It was on my 22 arc but I Cut out the front of the mag for more mag length to work with the 6 dasher

 

[shomi]

Anybody put peep sights or iron sights on their mini?

My 16" 6ARC is a woods gun for shots less than 150 yards, usually in the rain, under dark cover. I'm thinking about ditching the scope for something simpler and hopefully less affected by rain. I also like doing things the old way for a challenge.

I haven't used a peep sight since shooting 22LR in the Boy Scouts decades ago. If you have experience hunting with peeps, please feel free to tell me why it's a good or bad idea before I figure it out the expensive way.

 

[Te Hopo]

I mounted a Lyman aperture sight on my CZ455 22WMR and it is a hoot to use
They're nice an low profile, light weight and look damn cool.
But my eyes limit me, contacts or glasses are hard for me to focus/aim with range much more than 50m.

I've been thinking of trying a Bushnell TRS25 red dot on my new Grendel just because I have one sitting around

 

[shomi]

I mounted a Lyman aperture sight on my CZ455 22WMR and it is a hoot to use
They're nice an low profile, light weight and look damn cool.
But my eyes limit me, contacts or glasses are hard for me to focus/aim with storage much more than 50m.

Thanks for the tip! I also wear lenses and wonder what my effective range might be.

I've been thinking of trying a Bushnell TRS25 red dot on my new Grendel just because I have one sitting around

I used a Vortex Crossfire II last year. I liked how light and minimal it was. I’d like it even better with a shorty pic rail that doesn’t interfere with loading rounds into the JO bottom metal.

 

[Te Hopo]

Thanks for the tip! I also wear lenses and wonder what my effective range might be.


I used a Vortex Crossfire II last year. I liked how light and minimal it was. I’d like it even better with a shorty pic rail that doesn’t interfere with loading rounds into the JO bottom metal.

I've used target aperture sights out to a few hundred meters, it took a bit of adjustment of peep size to really dial it in.
I also just remembered I had a 10/22 with TechSights for a while.
I find with the Lyman and the Techsights, they're easy to use but I'm realistically only effective for hunting small game out to maybe 50-60m.

I've got a Talley rail on my Grendel and will be sticking with the mag cause on my 223 with the JO bottom metal and no rail, its still fiddly to load.

 

[KSdude]

I'm new to the group here. Picked up a Mini in 22 ARC. Standard model with 22" barrel, KVP plan B muzzle device, Diligent Defense Enticer S, 1.5 coils cut off the trigger spring, and a sponge paint. Trying to improve the horrendous bolt lift is my next goal. Sighted it in yesterday with factory Hornady Black 75gr ELD-M. These were the first 11 rounds (1 sighter, then 5 round group in the red, another 5 round group on the number) down the barrel and in a 20 mph wind, so I'm pretty excited for this little gun.

 

[Natebonebusta]

I'm new to the group here. Picked up a Mini in 22 ARC. Standard model with 22" barrel, KVP plan B muzzle device, Diligent Defense Enticer S, 1.5 coils cut off the trigger spring, and a sponge paint. Trying to improve the horrendous bolt lift is my next goal. Sighted it in yesterday with factory Hornady Black 75gr ELD-M. These were the first 11 rounds (1 sighter, then 5 round group in the red, another 5 round group on the number) down the barrel and in a 20 mph wind, so I'm pretty excited for this little gun.

Looks like you did a good job on the paint. All my Howa minis have been shooters.

Bolt knob from exterra has been a nice slim add for two of my minis and eliminated the ridiculous lift.