The RAVEN mini action thread

[hereinaz]

I dont want to say too much but I have something modeled along those lines but have just lost my ability to machine it myself for a bit. Personally to benefits of a Mini action are to reduce overall length rather than save weight. The weight in actions is in the diameter not the length as the magwell adds minimal weight and the larger cutout in the same profile stock often negates some weights savings. So I want it as short as is reasonably possible from the trigger position to the bolt face. Hence why I like the contenders as they are slightly bullpupped, and appreciate the shortness of the blaser although one built to suit 308 length cases would be even better.

Also what did you want to see from that post?

Just curious, but if you’re not ready to reveal, makes sense.

I agree, it’s not about weight so much as the way it runs. If Howa were 70 degree, that would be awesome. It’s not. But with companies making 70 degree bolts for their actions, I wonder what it would take to make a 70 degree mini bolt.

 

[Stocky]

Just curious, but if you’re not ready to reveal, makes sense.

I agree, it’s not about weight so much as the way it runs. If Howa were 70 degree, that would be awesome. It’s not. But with companies making 70 degree bolts for their actions, I wonder what it would take to make a 70 degree mini bolt.

I just dont want to give away some of my specific ideas. It may not come to market especially with the difficulty or firearms stuff down here. But I have a few ideas that id like to make even if just for myself that I think would suit a niche. If someone else beats me to it then thats the way it goes. I would live to see someone else do it as the more options the better even though we cant get half the niche stuff from the states.

The minis biggest fault I find is bolt lift and magazines both mag length in 223 for heavies and being kinda average. They are however good value for money if you dont want it to be perfecr in the end. They seem to be very picky also in all my examples so far in 223. They also arent any shorter or lighter than a kimber 84m which is able to be chambered in far more capable rounds (not needed just suggests there is more optimization to be had.

A guy down here used to make a like aluminium single/double shot in 223 that was about 3pounds something similar would be doable. Here's one below. They were a bit rough as it was all done on a manual machine but good proof of concept.

 

[hereinaz]

I just dont want to give away some of my specific ideas. It may not come to market especially with the difficulty or firearms stuff down here. But I have a few ideas that id like to make even if just for myself that I think would suit a niche. If someone else beats me to it then thats the way it goes. I would live to see someone else do it as the more options the better even though we cant get half the niche stuff from the states.

The minis biggest fault I find is bolt lift and magazines both mag length in 223 for heavies and being kinda average. They are however good value for money if you dont want it to be perfecr in the end. They seem to be very picky also in all my examples so far in 223. They also arent any shorter or lighter than a kimber 84m which is able to be chambered in far more capable rounds (not needed just suggests there is more optimization to be had.

A guy down here used to make a like aluminium single/double shot in 223 that was about 3pounds something similar would be doable. Here's one below. They were a bit rough as it was all done on a manual machine but good proof of concept.

That is pretty cool! The ULUL AR15 as a straight pull is similar in concept.

The Howa bolt can be timed to improve bolt lift and polished to make it significantly better. I also had my Mini bolt DLC. Once I get the action nitrided, I think it’s gonna be slick and run great.

The trigger is also pretty good. Reminds me of rhe Tikka trigger.

 

[RME]

Personally to benefits of a Mini action are to reduce overall length rather than save weight...
....So I want it as short as is reasonably possible from the trigger position to the bolt face. Hence why I like the contenders as they are slightly bullpupped, and appreciate the shortness of the blaser although one built to suit 308 length cases would be even better.

I also find short overall length a more appreciated feature than light weight. I don't hunt open country like many here, it's close range from a saddle or climber and really like the compactness of a Contender/CVA.

 

[Stocky]

That is pretty cool! The ULUL AR15 as a straight pull is similar in concept.

The Howa bolt can be timed to improve bolt lift and polished to make it significantly better. I also had my Mini bolt DLC. Once I get the action nitrided, I think it’s gonna be slick and run great.

The trigger is also pretty good. Reminds me of rhe Tikka trigger.

Yeh ar15 based stuff is a hassle here. Id love to build one stateside then import it to NZ. They do seem hard to beat. If the arc cas3s ran better a 22arc would be mint from AR mags.

 

[ztc92]

The low cost to dress up a Howa Mini is what keeps me from going any further in the thought process.

Seeing this part of your comment, all I can think is for such a niche, why not optimize the mags and bolt on a Howa Mini. I’ve never used one but know they have a bit of a cult following. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a mini or a ULUL AR but have other priorities that are more important right now. I think now that we have the Rokstok Lite for the Howa Mini action, it seems primed for a better DBM and mag that would make it more reliable and less annoying to use. I’ve also heard the bolt can be rough but seems to improve after it breaks in.

I think if someone spent the time to optimize the magazines and DBM, I and many others would be a lot more interested in a Mini + Rokstok Lite. Personally, I’d want mine in 6ARC but if you were content with 22 caliber, the 22ARC would be hard to beat…

 

[hereinaz]

Seeing this part of your comment, all I can think is for such a niche, why not optimize the mags and bolt on a Howa Mini. I’ve never used one but know they have a bit of a cult following. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a mini or a ULUL AR but have other priorities that are more important right now. I think now that we have the Rokstok Lite for the Howa Mini action, it seems primed for a better DBM and mag that would make it more reliable and less annoying to use. I’ve also heard the bolt can be rough but seems to improve after it breaks in.

I think if someone spent the time to optimize the magazines and DBM, I and many others would be a lot more interested in a Mini + Rokstok Lite. Personally, I’d want mine in 6ARC but if you were content with 22 caliber, the 22ARC would be hard to beat…

I have started the bottom metal and mag project, but hasn’t been a priority as I worked on building inventory for the Tikka barrels. Always pops up in my brain…

 

[ztc92]

I have started the bottom metal and mag project, but hasn’t been a priority as I worked on building inventory for the Tikka barrels. Always pops up in my brain…

Both are admirable projects, I know many have been quite pleased with the barrels you’ve made available. Would love some more details if/when you get some prototypes out for improved DBM and mags for the mini.

 

[NSI]

Has anyone gotten a howa mini to run and feed truly smooth? And not screw with the trigger mechanism when you run the bolt hard?

Nobody wants this to work more than me, but I haven’t been able. Maybe it needs the nitride/DLC treatment…

-J

 

[Stocky]

Has anyone gotten a howa mini to run and feed truly smooth? And not screw with the trigger mechanism when you run the bolt hard?

Nobody wants this to work more than me, but I haven’t been able. Maybe it needs the nitride/DLC treatment…

-J

Polishing the trigger housing fixed mine when racking fast.

Polishing bolt makes binding way worse.

Ive not felt a smooth one but mine feed as good as a 223 tikka.

Someone trimmed firing pin spring apparently this helped.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

The gay tiger is calling all of you, and me too

Just need to see shelves full of whitebox match murders in 77-88 gr 22, 108+ 6mm and 123-130 6.5’s

Skip the xs and just feed nice from the s

I’ll take the 6.5 version and start with 1000 rounds of 123 please

This is the goldilocks way we just haven’t gotten there yet as a whole

Seems the short fats will never make it to the middle bowl of porridge and the arcs are short fats, br, ppc, dasher, arc...too short too fat. GT is the next step..,for the current 22, 6mm and lighter 6.5 murders and tmks we dig...

 

[Stinky Coyote]

Has anyone gotten a howa mini to run and feed truly smooth? And not screw with the trigger mechanism when you run the bolt hard?

Nobody wants this to work more than me, but I haven’t been able. Maybe it needs the nitride/DLC treatment…

-J

Mine gets it done but it’s a far cry from a tikka, first round feed is thick regardless of my bottom metal options, cz, hinged, factory, ejection is weak and actually dumps unfired back into the action but drops fired about 14” to the side in a cute little arc for hand catching. They are money pits that will never satisfy. Period. You cannot throw enough money at them

The only reason they still alive is most of em drive tacks otherwise they’d be long gone, just like mine would be

How do you turn a 4 lb 13 oz not including scope Grendel loose that stacks 3 factory eldm into half minute without even trying every time you test it or try a new scope and doesn’t matter how far...fackin hate this gun, kids love it, it’s a fackin curse, don’t ever buy one

 

[nm.otter]

Skip the xs and just feed nice from the s

At that length, I'll just rebarrel a T3x. Full assortment of magazine sizes and families, 3rd party everything, etc.

XS is intriguing from a compactness perspective.
Need to factor in the additional $1k in magazines I'd need to make it workable for regular training.