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Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 3:10 pm
by Bearcatrp
Anyone own one in any caliber? Am looking at the 300BO version. Just wanting to see if they are a good bolt rifle. Found one this morning at brownells but wanted to see what folks who have them like or dislike them. Should have jumped on it because its out of stock already.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 7:11 pm
by smurfman
I've shot one in 223 and one in 7.62x39. They were both good shooters and I kick myself for not buying the 7.62 as the prices went up dramatically afterward.

Both were the sporter models which felt more like a 22 to me than a "real" gun. Even the bolt throw was noticeably shorter. This is what initially put me off on them as I felt they were too small and light for what I wanted. Times change and I can see a place for the larger bore in my usage and is the reason I regret my lack of foresight. Plus, looking back, it was a good deal.

If I found one at a price I was comfortable paying, I would buy it. Even the 6.8 would be a possibility as it would be interesting to see if it could be rebored to 30 or 32 Remington.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 9:09 am
by Holland&Holland
So is the Howa mini basically a rem 700 scaled down? Looking at a pic on line I see the opposing lugs and push feed. Looks like it would be awesome especially in 6.5 Grendel.

I have 2 of CZs micro actions which are scaled down mausers. One in 7.62x39 with an 18 inch barrel, the other in .204 Ruger. They are awesome. Extremely accurate. Light weight. Compact. Everything you would want them to be. I highly recommend them.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 10:02 am
by Ghost
I know nothing about Howa rifles but was always impressed watching Les Johnson use them on predator quest.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:04 pm
by crbutler
Howa has a decent reputation.

Sounds like a fun toy.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:40 pm
by Bearcatrp
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/r ... 28726.aspx
This is what I am looking at. Thought about a grendel but after the crap I went through with a AR grendel, I sold it all. Wasnt taking any chance trying another grendel. So far have not heard one bad word on Howa. Guess I will order one when they come back in stock. Brownells seems to be the only place selling one without the chassis.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:56 pm
by Bearcatrp
Got lucky and saw they had one in stock a few minutes ago. Ordered it.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 5:04 pm
by Holland&Holland
Nice and great price!

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 6:21 pm
by Bearcatrp
Now to research a chassis for it. The original is pretty cheap (under $100) but will see what I can find.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 6:59 pm
by Ghost
What are your goals for it, 300BO seems like an interesting choice to me.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 7:20 pm
by Bearcatrp
Already have 2 AR's in 300 BO. I shoot 110 gr bullets in those for higher velocity. The bolt I'll try around a 120 grain bullet if I can get MOA at 300 yards. May have to stay with 110 gr. My loads for the AR's are 20 gr of H110 with Hornady V Max. Can't get any higher without popping primers. Should be able to push it a bit more with the bolt action. Like the Barnes Tac X 110 gr but expensive. May try the 120 gr version for the bolt. Should make a nice deer rifle.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 7:27 pm
by Ghost
Bearcatrp wrote:Already have 2 AR's in 300 BO. I shoot 110 gr bullets in those for higher velocity. The bolt I'll try around a 120 grain bullet if I can get MOA at 300 yards. May have to stay with 110 gr. My loads for the AR's are 20 gr of H110 with Hornady V Max. Can't get any higher without popping primers. Should be able to push it a bit more with the bolt action. Like the Barnes Tac X 110 gr but expensive. May try the 120 gr version for the bolt. Should make a nice deer rifle.

Agree it will be a nice deer rifle. Sucks you didn’t like the Grendel, I thought you had it figured out last I read.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 8:48 pm
by Bearcatrp
Got it to shoot accurate. Cycling sucked. Would jam every few rounds. Tried every tip to fix it but nothing worked. Never out of all the AR's I owned have had such a pain in the arse AR as the grendel. Couldn't trust it so got out of it.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 10:28 pm
by Ghost
Bearcatrp wrote:Got it to shoot accurate. Cycling sucked. Would jam every few rounds. Tried every tip to fix it but nothing worked. Never out of all the AR's I owned have had such a pain in the arse AR as the grendel. Couldn't trust it so got out of it.

Looking forward to your review of this one.

Re: Howa Mini Action rifles

PostPosted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 6:47 am
by Holland&Holland
Ghost wrote:
Bearcatrp wrote:Got it to shoot accurate. Cycling sucked. Would jam every few rounds. Tried every tip to fix it but nothing worked. Never out of all the AR's I owned have had such a pain in the arse AR as the grendel. Couldn't trust it so got out of it.

Looking forward to your review of this one.

Me too