'Big' little stuff 6.5 Grendel Mini Action build

[mac86951]

Hello all!
I'm getting back around to 6.5 Grendel having a few ARs and impressed with the results I decided to further my interests and acquired a howa mini action with 20" #6 barrel. Heavy is a 30" 1.25" straight, so I won't call this barrel a heavy.

Unboxing was fun and uneventful; it's a barreled action in a bag. Well oiled, thread protector on the 5/8-24 muzzle and one magazine.

Action is well short. My Weastherby vanguard series 2 long action is not. Hact trigger was rough and heavy on first attempt, fine now, but means it's all due for a cleaning, no surprise. Of interest:. If I lightly tighten bottom screws by hand, the magazine will not insert with closed bolt. Open bolt and try again, magazine inserts and bolt will not close... Hmm Interesting, but to me means pillars or a good stock needed to keep proper distance from action to bottom metal needed. Probably no biggie to seasoned bolt guys odd to me the AR guy.

Plastic bottom, 50-55in-lbs torque: I'll be placing washers for sure.

Bell and Carlson in the mail, or on the truck, or being walked here by hand <however you prefer to describe brown truck shipping>.

Project Goal: M40ish mini. I plan on trying some local PRS, local MR Fclass, and plinking. Threaded barrel may come in handy for a tuner / tuner-brake combo; and I plan on forming 762x39 brass in this chamber for later AR use. I'm very interested in a 170gr cast bullet and seeing how this goes.


If/when the barrel sucks the project will change. 6mm something, or 6.5 with 28" barrel and stock change.

Sign out for now pics later,
-mac

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Hello all!
I'm getting back around to 6.5 Grendel having a few ARs and impressed with the results I decided to further my interests and acquired a howa mini action with 20" #6 barrel. Heavy is a 30" 1.25" straight, so I won't call this barrel a heavy.

Unboxing was fun and uneventful; it's a barreled action in a bag. Well oiled, thread protector on the 5/8-24 muzzle and one magazine.

Action is well short. My Weastherby vanguard series 2 long action is not. Hact trigger was rough and heavy on first attempt, fine now, but means it's all due for a cleaning, no surprise. Of interest:. If I lightly tighten bottom screws by hand, the magazine will not insert with closed bolt. Open bolt and try again, magazine inserts and bolt will not close... Hmm Interesting, but to me means pillars or a good stock needed to keep proper distance from action to bottom metal needed. Probably no biggie to seasoned bolt guys odd to me the AR guy.

Plastic bottom, 50-55in-lbs torque: I'll be placing washers for sure.

Bell and Carlson in the mail, or on the truck, or being walked here by hand <however you prefer to describe brown truck shipping>.

Project Goal: M40ish mini. I plan on trying some local PRS, local MR Fclass, and plinking. Threaded barrel may come in handy for a tuner / tuner-brake combo; and I plan on forming 762x39 brass in this chamber for later AR use. I'm very interested in a 170gr cast bullet and seeing how this goes.


If/when the barrel sucks the project will change. 6mm something, or 6.5 with 28" barrel and stock change.

Sign out for now pics later,
-mac

I bought same same.! Rifle basics one lb varmint trigger Brownells walnut stock for piller bedding. I am changing barrel to 13.5 twist krieger/ 6mm grendel. This combination should be the best best !

 

[Marksman]

Mind mentioning how much you paid for the stock? I might have to go this route myself. I've been looking at the DIP bottom metal too.

 

[jbmarshtx]

I think that the B&C stocks are advertised as $272 on the B&C site. $215 for the Brownells I think. I bought a boyds, and did a self pillar/bed job. It's ok.

I would get the DIP metal, it's much nicer. They also make a mag release that is more flush with the bottom metal. There's tons of info on the 65grendel forum about the magazine, mods, stocks. I used mine for hunting this year and it worked as expected. I've got a 6.5 grendel M700 in progress for high power silhouette, but I'm not sure if it'll knock down the rams at 500m.

 

[mac86951]

Mind mentioning how much you paid for the stock? I might have to go this route myself. I've been looking at the DIP bottom metal too.

I paid the full asking. $272 plus shipping.

I was sold on the aluminum mounting block internally. Boyd's pro varmint would be fantastic, but could benefit from bedding and I'm curious to make a M40A1ish mini and see how it does.

I know classically I'd have a 10x scope; I'm thinking warne or EGW 20moa rail and styrka S5 side focus I think it's a 4-14.

All in the rifle should be about 7.5lbs and should shoot decently. A Harrels tuner break may be in the future to help me use up the barrel.

-mac

 

[L W P]

You have to stay with the plastic Howa mags though right? Because it's a Mini, unless I'm mistaken.

 

[Lone Hunter]

You have to stay with the plastic Howa mags though right? Because it's a Mini, unless I'm mistaken.

So far only Howa has the plastic mags. Have not been able to find anyone making a metal mag yet. I wish someone would though. The plastic mags are pricey too. I would definitely get the aluminum bottom metal as the plastic bottom metal is a POS. I don't understand why Howa would put that on there. Big difference between the plastic and aluminum bottom metal. And yes because it's a mini you have to use the plastic mags.

 

[mac86951]

So far only Howa has the plastic mags. Have not been able to find anyone making a metal mag yet. I wish someone would though. The plastic mags are pricey too. I would definitely get the aluminum bottom metal as the plastic bottom metal is a POS. I don't understand why Howa would put that on there. Big difference between the plastic and aluminum bottom metal. And yes because it's a mini you have to use the plastic mags.

I did find the CDi bottom metal. That changes mags to a "standard" short action mag and it's own set of troubles.

I'm not too crazy about plastic mags, but I'm not worried either just target shooting for me. Maybe CDi if I want to try PRS, but it's gotta feed well.

-Mac

 

[Lone Hunter]

I did find the CDi bottom metal. That changes mags to a "standard" short action mag and it's own set of troubles.

I'm not too crazy about plastic mags, but I'm not worried either just target shooting for me. Maybe CDi if I want to try PRS, but it's gotta feed well.

-Mac

Mac, that is not the correct bottom metal for the Howa Mini Action. Here is a link to the bottom metal. This will work with the plastic magazine as this is what I have on my Mini Action.
https://www.diproductsinc.com/Products.aspx?CAT=12462
Hope this will help you. Love the Grendel round.

 

[Lone Hunter]

Mac, here is another guy that makes bottom metal for the Howa Mini also. Good Guy too.

https://www.jeffersonoutdoor.com/shop

Hope it will help.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Standard except for the trigger. MDT LSS stock, some AR15 rear end, EGW 20moa rail. Busnell 10x scope. Shoots really well with Power Pro Varmint powder and Lapua 123gr in Lapua cases

 

[boltfluter]

Standard except for the trigger. MDT LSS stock, some AR15 rear end, EGW 20moa rail. Busnell 10x scope. Shoots really well with Power Pro Varmint powder and Lapua 123gr in Lapua casesView attachment 1099925

What a cool little Rifle! That loading port is really compact! Looks like a lot of fun too me!

Paul

 

[mac86951]

Mac, that is not the correct bottom metal for the Howa Mini Action. Here is a link to the bottom metal. This will work with the plastic magazine as this is what I have on my Mini Action.
https://www.diproductsinc.com/Products.aspx?CAT=12462
Hope this will help you. Love the Grendel round.

Thanks, I did see the dip bottom metal; and since I'm not concerned about the plastic mags; I'll most likely go with DIP and maybe the mag release too.

I like this idea, but I don't see many reviews yet.

http://www.cdiprecisiongunworksstore.com/howa-1500-mini-action-dbm/

 

[mac86951]

Getting cleaned then time to load up the first rounds.

-Mac

 

[JSH]

Tempted to try a mini for my next project like I need another.

As small as the action is, hanging a big heavy barrel with such a small foot print seems like it could be counter productive? Much like having a 1/4” drive ratchet with a 1 1/4” socket?
Just asking as I am interested in playing with one.

I was more in the thoughts of it going with a long thinner barrel for slow work, no colony critters. Do a full length bedding job as well.

I like the looks of the chassis for these.
Jeff

 

[msalm]

Tempted to try a mini for my next project like I need another.

As small as the action is, hanging a big heavy barrel with such a small foot print seems like it could be counter productive? Much like having a 1/4” drive ratchet with a 1 1/4” socket?
Just asking as I am interested in playing with one.

I was more in the thoughts of it going with a long thinner barrel for slow work, no colony critters. Do a full length bedding job as well.

I like the looks of the chassis for these.
Jeff

I really like these little rifles and agree with you, they are unique since the do make such a light handy rifle, if I want a heavy barrel why not use a full size action. I've made a couple 6mm Grendels and a 22 Grendel on these with duplicate barrel contours as the lightweight 20 and 22" factory barrels and they are handy little rifles for sure. Next up is a 20 Grendel I'm waiting on the reamer for.

 

[mac86951]

Ok,it's been far too long:. Range results time.

Backstory; received B&C stock; rifle won't strip rounds from Mag. Sent stock back to B&C, awesome customer service. They fixed it and turned it right back. Fitted rifle; needed scope. Borrowed a low power for rifle testing/ barrel break-in.

Function slick, recoil without break is manageable, stock is Handy and a bit short for bench or prone; but I'm 6' 5" and need a longer stock anyway. Rifle performed well and cleaned up nicely.

Handloads:. Lapua brass, Sierra 120SMK 2.255", cci450; wc846 powder lot A-131.

These groups are shot at 100m with 27.9gr. no velocity measurements; those will come later.

I worked up to 29.0 where I saw flat primers and primer cratering while out at the range on a 95 degree day, 5000ft, and probably 0.01% humidity (seriously though maybe 15%)

-Mac

 

[linebaugh]

Bought one of these barreled actions last weekend on sale through brownells. 360$ and I had a 45$ coupon code. I intend to turn this into a 20 PPC but like many I am 2 projects behind and have a shop to build before I get to any of it.

Your accuracy results are making me want to shoot mine as is instead of stripping the action away from the bbl. I was going to use the B&C plus DIP bottom metal but after seeing that MDT picture I may be changing my plans. I will be following your results.

 

[mac86951]

Bought one of these barreled actions last weekend on sale through brownells. 360$ and I had a 45$ coupon code. I intend to turn this into a 20 PPC but like many I am 2 projects behind and have a shop to build before I get to any of it.

Your accuracy results are making me want to shoot mine as is instead of stripping the action away from the bbl. I was going to use the B&C plus DIP bottom metal but after seeing that MDT picture I may be changing my plans. I will be following your results.

I too acquired my barreled action with plans of a new barrel; turns out I have a couple of howas/vanguard's that I've had this plan. Each have surprised me by being too accurate to ditch the barrel right away without feeling excessively guilty.

Next up for me; 120smk seating depth tests; I'll go from 2.255" and work up to touching the lands. I actually haven't measured the chamber yet so I don't know how much jump my rifle has. I also plan to work up a load for 107smk and 129sp as I have collected plenty of both along the years.

-Mac

 

[Lone Hunter]

Mac, try some 123 ELD M’s. I run IMR 8208 XBR with CCI 450’s. Hornady brass in AR. Lapua brass in the Howa Mini. Very accurate.