Howa Mini Action

[oldcars]

So, I have seen a lot of information about these, but have yet to see one in person. After searching around on line, I can't find the info I am really looking for... how big is the diameter of the action itself ? is it the same diameter as the other Howa actions, just shorter ? or is it smaller diameter like the Sako A1 or L461 ?

 

[KRP]

They are 1.175" vs the standard actions 1.35" and length is 3/4" shorter than a standard short action.

 

[oldcars]

Cool, thanks !

 

[oldcars]

Has anyone done a size comparison with the Mini Howa -vs- a small Sako ?

 

[Laurie]

Smaller diameter bolt and smaller lugs than a 1500 short equivalent as well as being shorter.

 

[watercam]

Don't forget the CZ 527. I have a 30" bbl on one in a match stock (did bed 1" of the barrel shank to ease the load on the small action). .223/ Sierra/Berger 80.5s and 90s make it an excellent Mid-range rifle. Trigger can be worked to by-pass the set trigger and have a very good 1.25Ib. trigger pull. Will go lower but why would you.

 

[oldcars]

The 527's are nice little rifles, I have one in 17 Hornet. I just don't care for the safety or the magazine arrangement.

Does anyone know if a single stage trigger/2 position safety from an older Howa 1500 or Weatherby Vangaurd can be swapped with the Howa Mini HACT trigger ?

i feel like there is a real market for Sako to bring back an A1 size action, or someone to start importing Mark X mini Mausers ( and parts !) again.

 

[McFred]

The Howa Mini is actually a very close knock-off of the L461. It has a mini M16 style extractor and a spring-loaded ejector. They did not go out of their way to cut out the bottom of the receiver for a stagger-feed box magazine. The aftermarket's stepped up to address that: oregunsmithing and jefferson outdoor products have both made BDL-style floor plates. The trigger's pretty nice (full sized Howa HACT) and the trigger spring can be swapped out for a lighter one.

FWIW, the 527's narrower/lighter/shorter than the Mini which is narrower/lighter than the Remington Model 7. The Cooper Model 38 is the smallest by far, but only a single shot, expensive and discontinued.

Sako could bring back the L461/A1, but I doubt many people would buy it. Americans are cheap. They could buy 3 hideous Savages for a the price of a pretty Sako.

Regarding the Zastava/Charles Daily Mini Mauser, the one example I've held, it left a lot to be desired in the fit-and-finish department. It was shiny, but sloppy bolt and rough machine marks in places. Perhaps I just witnessed a poor example. Back in the day, Realguns did a Zastava/527 comparison. The review exists here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170911075410/http://www.realguns.com/articles/237.htm/

Mini vs CZ 527

Reference: http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9411043/m/7291044912?r=3711031522#3711031522

Mini vs Remington Seven

Cooper M38 (discontinued) vs Mini:

Reference: http://www.saubier.com/forum/showpost.php?p=288518&postcount=32

 

[Laurie]

Excellent post @McFred - it's true that a good picture is worth a lot of words.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Only thing I dont like about the Howa mini is the super cheap plastic trigger guard assembly. But I suppose they had to cut costs somewhere to sell a complete barreled action for $300. However, for $100-$120 a person can buy an aluminum aftermarket trigger guard which turns it into a very nice all around quality rig. The mini is the only Howa action that has a plastic trigger guard. All the rest come with aluminum.

My view on the Howa actions is that the Japanese took the best of both worlds from the Remington 700 and the Winchester model 70. Flat bottom receiver, good stout integral recoil lug, and tang safety. But they didnt stop there and made further improvements by adding a mini-16 extractor to the boltface, gave them a pretty good trigger by factory standards, and a side bolt release. The Howas really are a heck of a nice action for the money. They would be a heck of a nice action for twice the price in my opinion. One down side is limited aftermarket parts. Other possible downside to the Howas is that they are heavy actions when compared to other makes of the same size so if a person was looking to build a lightweight rig, they probably aren't the best option.

 

[McFred]

The Mini's out on loan. Otherwise foreground to background: L461, 527 and M7. I tried to line up the recevier rings at the barrel. The scopes kind of dominate the photo, but oh well. The mini's effectively the same size as the Sako, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

 

[McFred]

Other possible downside to the Howas is that they are heavy actions when compared to other makes

With regard to the Mini, in my opinion, it really is in a class of its own for current-production actions. The CZ is similar, but it's roughly twice the cost, and mechanically at the limit for Grendel sized case heads/pressure. There's more 'meat' for lugs to hold pressure in the Mini vs the 527. If you want to discuss weights, compared to a Remington Model 7 the Mini's nearly 5 oz lighter:

Rem M7 statistics (my scale):
Bare action+lug-------376g (13.26 oz)
Complete bolt/F-pin---331g (11.68 oz)
Walker trigger+pins---82g (2.89 oz)

Mini statistics:
Bare receiver--351g (12.38 oz)
Bolt------------257g (9.06 oz)
trigger pack---45g (1.59 oz)
Jefferson outdoors bottom metal with action screws-68grams (2.4oz)

Reference for Mini trivia:
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/show...-action-weight&p=255552&viewfull=1#post255552

I don't know how a standard short action Howa compares to a M7. Like you say, it's probably heavier than the M7 and the Mini by a good bit.

I figure that should answer a lot of questions nobody asked.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The Mini's out on loan. Otherwise foreground to background: L461, 527 and M7. I tried to line up the recevier rings at the barrel. The scopes kind of dominate the photo, but oh well. The mini's effectively the same size as the Sako, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Nice bolt handles!!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah I was talking about the weight of Howa actions in general, not necessarily the mini. I also said it's a "possible" downside meaning not everyone sees it as a downside. I've built a couple magnum rifles on Howa long actions. They are very heavy, but that's because they are built like a tank.

The mini is a perfect platform for all small varmint rounds. Other than needing lighter trigger springs and replacing the bottom metal with an aftermarket aluminum, there's really nothing else to complain about. Once those two things are done, they are perfect in my opinion. Jut wish they had more stock options. Regardless, I'm very happy with the fit and function of mine and will continue to use them in the future. Plus I think they are a good looking action too.

Heres a new 20 PPC I'm finishing up on a Howa Mini with Boyd's stock. Turning out really well, especially considering the small amount of money I have into it.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/new-low-cost-20-ppc-build.4006836/

 

[McFred]

That's a fine looking wildcat you have there, Ledd. Other than the Mini, I've zero experience with Howa, and I agree about the limited ring options for the L461. I'm tempted to sell my L461 just so I can justify buying another 3 Minis. haha.

Just wish they had more stock options.

It's not inexpensive, but Longrifles Inc will inlet whatever you want for the Mini now:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/howa-mini-1500-stock-fitting.7004872/

Nice bolt handles!!

Thank you.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

That's a fine looking wildcat you have there, Ledd. Other than the Mini, I've zero experience with Howa, and I agree about the limited ring options for the L461. I'm tempted to sell my L461 just so I can justify buying another 3 Minis. haha.


It's not inexpensive, but Longrifles Inc will inlet whatever you want for the Mini now:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/howa-mini-1500-stock-fitting.7004872/


Thank you.

I actually really like the Boyds Pro Varmint stock. Heck of a stock for the money. Have 3 of them on varmint rifles now and plan to use more in the future. But I will definitely have a look at the Long Rifles stocks. Thanks for the tip

I recently drilled and tapped a M995 for a guy. Put on a picatinny rail and bedded it to the receiver with Marine Tex. Worked out great. If you dont have the means to drill and tap the holes yourself correctly on a milling machine, most gunsmiths will charge about $15-$20 per drilled/tapped hole. So $60-$80 plus the cost of the rail. I buy blank rails on Ebay for things like that so I can cut and make them fit how I want.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

This will definitely help the Howa Mini action. Jard is making some lightweight triggers specifically built for the Mini now.
Thinking I might have to try the 6-8 oz. unit...

 

[shadowwolf249]

I bought one for my 6.5 grendel and it didn't fit.. the trigger shoe was too long and angled to far back.
Bought in july sent it back and still waiting on my credit

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

I actually really like the Boyds Pro Varmint stock. Heck of a stock for the money. Have 3 of them on varmint rifles now and plan to use more in the future. But I will definitely have a look at the Long Rifles stocks. Thanks for the tip

I recently drilled and tapped a M995 for a guy. Put on a picatinny rail and bedded it to the receiver with Marine Tex. Worked out great. If you dont have the means to drill and tap the holes yourself correctly on a milling machine, most gunsmiths will charge about $15-$20 per drilled/tapped hole. So $60-$80 plus the cost of the rail. I buy blank rails on Ebay for things like that so I can cut and make them fit how I want.

Brownells has a walnut stock for the mini action Howa.$200. Best deal ever. All you have to do is light sand and true-oil. They are great. Piller bed of course.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

I bought one for my 6.5 grendel and it didn't fit.. the trigger shoe was too long and angled to far back.
Bought in july sent it back and still waiting on my credit

Any replacement trigger will most likely need the trigger guard dremmeled out for proper operation. I had to for the rifle basics 1lb trigger.