Howa mini actions?

I've got the sporter barrel and it shoots far better than I can. I've been shooting factory Barnes ammo and have had great luck it. I wasn't a fan of the Boyds stocks offered for it but come across http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/ on a post on the Grendel forums and picked up their bottom metal. A lot of different colors offered and super light weight. He was about a 3 month wait but well worth it.
 
So… I do not have a Howa mini action. I do have a 243 in a 1500. Shoots great. I was looking into a mini action and was reading a lot about it not feeding well with the factory mags. And the factory mags being junk. Anyone else have issues with this?
 
So… I do not have a Howa mini action. I do have a 243 in a 1500. Shoots great. I was looking into a mini action and was reading a lot about it not feeding well with the factory mags. And the factory mags being junk. Anyone else have issues with this?
I have not had any issues with my 223's and 204. I cannot speak for the others but would like to know as well
 
HOWA Machine makes great kit, and has for many, many years. ( Vanguards, SW1500s, and some BLRs that were STUNNING!( in 300 win mag to boot!)
 
I got a Howa Mini in .223 from Brownells when they were on sale about 6 months ago. IIRC, sale price was around $350. Sorry now I didn't buy several of them. I have not yet found a stock I like, and I am still researching how to lighten the trigger, but it is a sweet rifle. Now I'm looking for a load using the 50 gr Hammer Hunters.

I say get it!
 
I have a few minis. The first three from a few years ago are nice and smooth actions. The one I bought in 7.62x39 a while back is not near as nice. With the decent wood stock I really thought it would be nice.

I had a pencil barrel 223 that shot ok as long as you didn't get it warm, then vertical stringing. That barrel came off and it is now a 22Nosler with a new barrel.
Have a 222 heavy barrel that is a dandy.
6.5 Grendel is in a B&C stock, a very light and handy rig. Doesn't seem picky on loads. As mentioned the 90 grain TNT are great. I hope someone comes out with a 100 grain deer bullet.
The speed the Grendel runs, the TNT performance I have seen on hogs, I wouldn't worry that it would not work on white tails.
 
I like the Dip inc mag release.
I second this. I took the minor weight penalty on my lightweight build to get it.

You know how some rifles just seem to understand what you're trying to hit and help you out while others seem to work actively against you? My Mini in 7.62x39 just hits what I point it at, every time. Ammo choice doesn't seem to matter a lot, but it does show an affinity for the PPU SP's. To me, this is the definition of an "Inherently Accurate Rifle".

Those who don't like how proud the mag bottom sits can do something about it. You won't get it flush, but it will get a lot less proud if you don't mind losing one or two rounds of capacity. Note the rib on the sides of the body that is almost flush when inserted in the rifle. Can cut the mag body down to the bottom of that rib and reassemble it. As I recall in 7.62x39 this makes it a 3 round magazine.

Boyd's stock, dip bottom metal-
Uncut mag:
i-s96Pzbn-M.jpg


cut down mag:
i-8ggqJKG-M.jpg
 
Pipper:

I'd like to hear more about the 30 Blackout on the Mini action. I've been thinking of doing the same thing on a Mini action. Only problem is, I guess I'd have to buy a new action to do it with, as I don't think I could find a used donor action. But a bolt action Blackout with a suppressor on a Mini action should be a sweet coyote rifle. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to hijack this thread.
 
I would probably have one if they came in left hand. Sticky's usually has overruns of their Carbon stock that weighs like sub 18oz that you can pick up for around $350. Not sure if they have any in stock now. Think they are $500 for a normal one. There is also a new company making mags and bottom metal that are a proprietary pattern but look to be a good upgrade. I think they only have 10 rounders currently though. Can't remember the company off the top of my head.
 
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