Howa Mini
- Thread starter JSH
- Start date
I built a 300BO (18" barrel, 1:8 twist) on a CZ527 mini-mauser action. The barrel profile is similar to the heavy varmint on the Mini Howa. Although a different gun, the sizes are comparable. It is a well balanced gun... The mini sized actions (CZ or Howa) work perfectly - you need one!!!Has anyone tried one of the Howa Minis as a platform for a .300BO? Sorry if that's already been mentioned... when I look at this thing it just seems to be begging for that sort of application
On my initial request for a McMillan stock with the Mini inlet, I was told there would be a $500 custom inlet charge. I sat on my hands for quite awhile after that, and then Boyds started doing the Mini inlet, and several chassis manufacturers entered the market with chassis made for the Mini. Manners was going to work up an inlet for the Mini; I sold Tom one of my early 6.5 Grendel bbl'd actions so he'd have something to model the inlet on. After SHOT that year (2016 or 2017, don't recall now), I quizzed them about it, since Tom had told me he'd try to have a stock at SHOT that year, but didn't. Whomever I spoke to told me that they'd backed-off the project, and that was that. However, when next I called McMillan, they told me they'd had quite a few requests for the Mini inlet, and that if I'd send them a bbl'd action, they'd forgo the custom charge. So, I sent them a 222 bbl'd action, and in due time, received a stock in Sako Varmint pattern that fit very well, and worked fine with the factory plastic bottom 'metal'. However, that stock wasn't at all comfortable in prone - at least not for me - so I called to ask if they'd do a Game Scout for me, which they agreed to do. I sold the Sako pattern stock to an online friend, and then sat back to await the completion of the Game Scout - and waited, and waited. It took several phone calls before they tracked down the almost completed stock & finally got it completed. The process took just over a year, for whatever series of reasons, I'm not sure. But it's a great stock - fits me much better in prone, and they got the action & bottom metal depths just right - at least for the 222 bbl'd action I'd sent them.
Seems Howa's plastic mags vary somewhat from one to the next, and once you get the action & bottom metal depth just right for the magazine you're using, it won't necessarily be correct for the next magazine you try to use. On top of that, the magazines are what I consider grossly over-priced, and at least right now, are not available anywhere. If Tom Manners ran into this issue while he was doing the work-up for the Mini inlet, it's no wonder he backed away from the project. I haven't called McMillan's since getting the Game Scout I have, but have heard from one or two other guys who claim they won't do stocks for the Mini now. Could be they ran into the same issue, or there could be something else going on. The Boyds stocks I've used (three of them altogether) have worked fairly well in this respect. But recently, I switched stocks between the 22 Grendel & 20 Tactical, and found that the 22 Grendel won't feed while it's in the ProVarmint stock I had the 20 Tactical in - the bolt over-rides cartridges, and won't pick one up unless I push up on the bottom of the mag while running the bolt. So...the way it looks to me, unless & until someone comes out with new & improved magazines for the Mini, shooters are going to continue to have this issue. It's a shame, really, since the Mini is such a fine little action. Mine are all quite accurate, and the action is just about perfect for the Grendel cartridge and for the wildcats based on the Grendel. It also makes a dandy 223, and can be put together to be pretty light to make a great walking varmint rifle, much like the little Sako Vixen I've always admired so much. I've talked with a very talented CNC programmer/operator who came out with his own aluminum bottom metal for the Mini, and he mentioned setting up to make aluminum mag latches that are over-length to work with magazines that don't sit high enough to feed well with the OEM plastic latch. But until Howa (or whomever is making the Mini mags) tightens up the tolerances & makes mags with consistent dimensions, a longer mag latch still won't work with some magazines. Time will tell what becomes of the little Mini action - I sure hope someone steps up and either fixes the issues that factory mags have, or makes a line of quality replacement magazines.
Seems Howa's plastic mags vary somewhat from one to the next, and once you get the action & bottom metal depth just right for the magazine you're using, it won't necessarily be correct for the next magazine you try to use. On top of that, the magazines are what I consider grossly over-priced, and at least right now, are not available anywhere. If Tom Manners ran into this issue while he was doing the work-up for the Mini inlet, it's no wonder he backed away from the project. I haven't called McMillan's since getting the Game Scout I have, but have heard from one or two other guys who claim they won't do stocks for the Mini now. Could be they ran into the same issue, or there could be something else going on. The Boyds stocks I've used (three of them altogether) have worked fairly well in this respect. But recently, I switched stocks between the 22 Grendel & 20 Tactical, and found that the 22 Grendel won't feed while it's in the ProVarmint stock I had the 20 Tactical in - the bolt over-rides cartridges, and won't pick one up unless I push up on the bottom of the mag while running the bolt. So...the way it looks to me, unless & until someone comes out with new & improved magazines for the Mini, shooters are going to continue to have this issue. It's a shame, really, since the Mini is such a fine little action. Mine are all quite accurate, and the action is just about perfect for the Grendel cartridge and for the wildcats based on the Grendel. It also makes a dandy 223, and can be put together to be pretty light to make a great walking varmint rifle, much like the little Sako Vixen I've always admired so much. I've talked with a very talented CNC programmer/operator who came out with his own aluminum bottom metal for the Mini, and he mentioned setting up to make aluminum mag latches that are over-length to work with magazines that don't sit high enough to feed well with the OEM plastic latch. But until Howa (or whomever is making the Mini mags) tightens up the tolerances & makes mags with consistent dimensions, a longer mag latch still won't work with some magazines. Time will tell what becomes of the little Mini action - I sure hope someone steps up and either fixes the issues that factory mags have, or makes a line of quality replacement magazines.
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Flatlander - thank you for the in-depth response. It is unusual to see so few stock options ... it has to be around issue of magazine. If I were a stock manufacturer, I wouldn't want a manufacturer's design issue to blow back on me as if it were my stock's failure. Concern around the magazine has kept me on the sideline with my barreled action sitting in a box. I keep hoping for someone to produce a replacement metal magazine.
Oso - Your comment on the magazine issue blowing back on stock makers is true & to the point. Check out the thread on Bell & Carlson's #1003 stock for the Mini over on the 6.5 Grendel website in the "Bolt action & single shot" forum. Gunner75 is a good personal friend of mine who I pestered to make stocks for the Mini. After the issues they had - caused by the Mini magazine dimension variations - I almost wished I'd never said anything to him about it. It's something than can be & has been worked around, but it's much less of a headache for someone like me who only has his own rifles to deal with. I really like the B&C #1003 that I've got my 6.5 Grendel Mini in - it feeds well with the mags I've tried in it, and I like the shape & proportions of it.
I saw that rollout of new B&C stock for Howa Mini and all the issues around the magazine inconsistencies. I'm staying out of pool until this gets sorted out. I'd be happy if DPI made a blind hinged magazine.
Is anyone making blind mags to suit these things yet? I abhor box magazines for serious night culling, which is why I have stuck exclusively with the lovely Sako L461. Early built Rem 700s come in a very distant second place. I thought these Howa minis would be a good cheap knock about gun, but the rubbish mag and plastic bottom will make me stick with what I know.
Yes, no doubt the plastic trigger guard/mag well has put more than a few shooters off trying the Mini. DPI makes a very decent aluminum DBM unit that works well. The geometry of the mag latch/spring cut in the DPI unit puts a lot more spring tension on the mag latch, and really lowers the chances of an accidental mag dump. I've got DPI units on all four of my Mini-based rifles, and have yet to accidentally drop a mag. Installing the DPI DBM units on these rifles does away with most of the impression of a 'cheap' design - coming out with a more substantial, more uniform magazine for them would do away with any remaining issues for my use.
Whatever the reasons for it, Howa's decision to put the mag latch at the front of their trigger guard/mag well wasn't a good idea. That's the balance point for carrying the rifle, and it makes no sense whatsoever to have the latch right there where you want to put your hand while carrying the rifle. I've read so many posts from shooters who would much prefer either a blind magazine, or something similar to Rem 700BDL hinged floorplate in place of the detachable magazine. Whether LSI just isn't listening, or has decided not to pass this feedback on to Howa, I can't know. But I do believe sales of the fine little Mini action-based rifles would increase measurably if they (LSI & Howa) would react to the demand for re-vamping the magazine system.
Has anyone tried one of the Howa Minis as a platform for a .300BO? Sorry if that's already been mentioned... when I look at this thing it just seems to be begging for that sort of application
Not a blackout but i did ream out a factory 7.62X39 barrel chamber with a 6.5 Grendel chamber reamer... a .311 bore Grendel. That gives a bit more useful velocity to the 125's and while I haven't shot any game yet, a 125 Sierra Prohunter at 2600+ will do great I'm sure.
Guess I'm the odd duck and like the plastic parts (same for other brands). The clip's are quieter against the bolt then steel, don't scratch the bolt, and do not bend. The trigger guard/floor plates don't show scratches as easy and don't get bent. There lighter and I've yet to break one or ever seen one broken. All in the eyes of the beholder, is what it boils down to.
Philip
Philip
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The plastic parts on the Howa don't bother me a bit for the prices I paid for the rifles and barreled actions. I've ended up with 10 of the little things as I've been rebarreling several to those Grendel wildcats and whatnot. Wish I still had a 223 bolt face one left as I wanted to try a 357AR or 357 Maximum rimless in one.
Pretty good value trigger. You can adjust most models of their drop-ins a little heavier, the adjustment range is small though.
I assume y'all means( you all) ! Proper English is a requirement on this forum.
mroper3
Gold $$ Contributor
I guess in your case, the main requirement is being a DICK!
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
Really.......guys. Looks like Bell&Carlson did another stock for the mini. Just saw that on the 6.5G forum.
I almost ordered a chassis till I got to looking, how the heck do ya get a cleaning rod in it. Remove from the chassis or bore snake is what I was told.
I am still on the fence as to what to build. The lite weight is handy. I just can’t see taking these and hanging a bunch of heavy parts on it trying to make it heavy.
Leaning towards a 17 or a 20, but preferred barrels doesn’t list either as I want to try one of their nut sytems.
Had an accidental mag dump this morning trying to get on a coyote. I have the DIP bottom metal and their mag release. Moved the rifle into position quickly because the yote was trotting. The front of the lever hit the shooting rail on the stand, and the mag fell to the ground 15’ below.
I have spoken with LSI on a few occasions. They are either: not well managed, or don’t care about customer base needs/wants, or something else. My first encounter with them points to #1.
I have spoken with LSI on a few occasions. They are either: not well managed, or don’t care about customer base needs/wants, or something else. My first encounter with them points to #1.
The consensus is they don't care. As I recall the one solid employee who was very responsive to people on the 6.5forum left LSS to take a job at a more reputable business, MDT. Hoping that he will convince MDT to make a quality metal replacement magazine,
I have a couple of Mini’s that have been sitting around for years. I finally got around to shooting the 223 / 22” barrel recently. I put about 30 rounds of factory Lapua through it and shot this 14 shot group at 300 yards. I know it doesn’t look like it, but I’m pretty sure it was 14. It satisfied me enough that now I intend to buy a Bell and Carlson stock and 3D print a blind / flush ‘bottom plastic.’
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