Howa Actions at Brownells

[spitfire_er]

They have few Howa barreled actions available at brownells now. I picked up a 6.5 Grendel mini for the hell of it. With a coupon it was just over $400. Always wanted to mess with one.

HOWA 1500 6.5 GRENDEL 20" THREADED HEAVY BARRELED MINI ACTION | Brownells

Howa 1500 Barreled Actions are the perfect platform for a quality precision rifle build, at an affordable cost. This Howa Barreled Mini Action features a hammer forged barrel, detachable magazine, 5/8"-24 threaded muzzle, and precise HACT two stag...

www.brownells.com

 

[K22]

My rifle smith who has building custom rifles for about 30+ years told me that they are very good action to start a build.

I have the new series Vanguard which I bought a few years ago with the intent as a rebuilt project, meaning rebarrel with either a Douglas or Hart barrel, one contour heavier, replacing the trigger with a Timmey and an aftermarket stock. My understanding is that the Vanguard has a Howa action.

Well, my project went south for a lot of reason, one of which is this component shortage BS. So, I've tabled the rebuild. The factory rifle is as advertised, a 1 moa rifle despite load development.

I really like the action, 3 position safety, extractor is excellent, bottom metal very good and surprisingly, the trigger is good enough for hunting applications. The factory stock is ok but I don't like the pressure point at tip of the stock which is there presumably because the action is not securely bedded in the stock.

Anyway, I think a Howa action is a good place to start for a rebuilt project.

 

[MClark]

I bought one a few weeks ago. The plan is to rebarrel to a 6mm AR (6 Grendel).
I am on the list at Oregon Gunsmithing for the flush bottom metal.

 

[jackieschmidt]

That mini action looks neat enough to chamber in 30BR

But The barrel tenon diameter is only 22 mm. That’s less than 7/8 inch.

 

[longbow]

Have done 5 shot 3/8" groups with my Mini 6.5 grendel shooting Hornady 123 SST's. But that is with the suppressor attached. Did the one shot clean,Sweets.Barrel cleaned up in ten shots! Unheard of for A production barrel. It is a fun little gun.Adding a 6 ARC switch barrel to it.....

 

[joshb]

Have done 5 shot 3/8" groups with my Mini 6.5 grendel shooting Hornady 123 SST's. But that is with the suppressor attached. Did the one shot clean,Sweets.Barrel cleaned up in ten shots! Unheard of for A production barrel. It is a fun little gun.Adding a 6 ARC switch barrel to it.....

I like the good report. I just picked one up.

 

[jlorenzo]

I bought a 20" 308 on sale for 250$ a few years ago. Very nice action, not sure if its my reloading or the barrel but I can't get it to shoot super consistently, almost shoots 2 seperate groups within one. Still right around or under a minute though.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Howa is a great action. I have two mini actions (both PPC bf) and one 1500 short action with .378” bf. The 1500 short is also really nice because it comes with “metal” bottom metal and also has some decent stock options available.

I don’t run factory barrels on anything. I buy the Howa barreled actions and slap a custom pipe on them. Kind of a waste but you can’t buy the actions alone anymore

 

[No manches"]

I bought one a few weeks ago. The plan is to rebarrel to a 6mm AR (6 Grendel).
I am on the list at Oregon Gunsmithing for the flush bottom metal.

You won't regret that build.

 

[Sandstorm]

That’s less than 7/8 inch.

Thats the problem i have as well with the otherwise decent mini action.
All my barrel blanks are 1.250...Think ill pass.

 

[MClark]

Oregon Gunsmithing called. Flush bottom metal is on the way.
Sweet

 

[joshb]

Thats the problem i have as well with the otherwise decent mini action.
All my barrel blanks are 1.250...Think ill pass.

I thought he said the tenon if ~ 7/8” , not the outside diameter of the action.
Edit: I just measured mine. The action measures 1.17”, by my Mitutoyo. Pretty close to my Tikkas.

 

[MClark]

I appears the action diameter is about 1 1/8” with the top at 1.35 so a standard scope base can be used

 

[NZ_Fclass]

That mini action looks neat enough to chamber in 30BR

But The barrel tenon diameter is only 22 mm. That’s less than 7/8 inch.

yes - that's why they don't offer the mini in 308 case head calibres. Why not 30 Major? (30 Grendel)

 

[dantiff2]

yes - that's why they don't offer the mini in 308 case head calibres. Why not 30 Major? (30 Grendel)

Actually, they did for a few years. The 450 bushmaster “mini action” models have the 473 bolt face. Unfortunately, They are rare now and hard to find.
Dan

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Actually, they did for a few years. The 450 bushmaster “mini action” models have the 473 bolt face. Unfortunately, They are rare now and hard to find.
Dan

Quite right - I forgot about that one - I don't think that I ever saw one for sale down here. Shame, it would make a nice bush rifle. Having said that - I see a couple for sale...tempting, but no.

Howa Mini Action 450 Bushmaster 16.25" Barrelled Action Heavy Barrel Threaded (Blued finished) | Reloaders Supplies Ltd

Shop for high quality Howa Mini Action 450 Bushmaster 16.25" Barrelled Action Heavy Barrel Threaded (Blued finished) from Reloaders Supplies NZ. Browse our full range of products and order your choices online.

www.reloaders.co.nz

 

[Sandstorm]

thought he said the tenon if ~ 7/8” , not the outside diameter of the action.

My Bad Josh....I should read more thoroughly..
But yea..still a bit on the small side...but will be fine for a 6 Grendel for sure...
And I would'nt mind that at all.

 

[Chiquita]

Howa is a great action. I have two mini actions (both PPC bf) and one 1500 short action with .378” bf. The 1500 short is also really nice because it comes with “metal” bottom metal and also has some decent stock options available.

I don’t run factory barrels on anything. I buy the Howa barreled actions and slap a custom pipe on them. Kind of a waste but you can’t buy the actions alone anymore

How easy is barrel removal from the action?

My HOWA .308 may need a new barrel in about year or two.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

How easy is barrel removal from the action?

My HOWA .308 may need a new barrel in about year or two.

I hear some of them can be really bad but the smith I use to do my barrel work gets it done no problem. May have to make a relief cut in the shank if they are too stubborn

 

[LiveFire]

I bought a 20" 308 on sale for 250$ a few years ago. Very nice action, not sure if its my reloading or the barrel but I can't get it to shoot super consistently, almost shoots 2 seperate groups within one. Still right around or under a minute though.

Im kinda the same with my 308 weatherby vanguard (re branded howa) in that I shoot 5 shot groups and I seem to get 3 in a tight group then half inch over I get 2 holes in a tight group. Its a deer rifle and shoots 5 into 1-1.3" at 100 yards with cheap speer 150gr hot cors so Im not complaining just kinda confused I guess.