6.5 Grendel flinger of choice?
- Thread starter Joel
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I have a bit of a love/hate thing with the Howa mini. They're cheap, pretty smooth, feed effortlessly, both of mine are pretty accurate until the barrel warms up, and nobody ever has reliability issues with them. But the synthetic stocks suck, and the plastic bottom metal sucks. I'm still trying to make my mind up on whether those plastic mags suck or if they're somewhat passable. They're cheap and I haven't broken one yet.
The magazine release sits in front of the mag, and sticks out, so you're just asking for lost magazines when you walk into the bush. Jefferson makes internal mag conversions, along with a CZ 527 detachable mag conversion, to help avoid that. MDT also makes an aluminum bottom metal that moves the mag release back between the magazine and trigger guard, where it would be much harder to accidentally hit and drop a mag. I'd almost call one of these upgrades mandatory.
The stock is fairly stiff, similar to a Tikka, but they feel tiny and neither of my barrels are free-floated. The low comb on the synthetic stock isn't ideal for higher rings, which you'll want to run with the 90* action. I just don't find these stocks comfortable to shoot.
But they weigh nothing with the skinny barrel, and they do shoot well for the dirt cheap price I paid. They're not heirlooms like a cz 527 would be, so once my boy is old enough to learn to shoot I won't be upset if they get roughed up.
The magazine release sits in front of the mag, and sticks out, so you're just asking for lost magazines when you walk into the bush. Jefferson makes internal mag conversions, along with a CZ 527 detachable mag conversion, to help avoid that. MDT also makes an aluminum bottom metal that moves the mag release back between the magazine and trigger guard, where it would be much harder to accidentally hit and drop a mag. I'd almost call one of these upgrades mandatory.
The stock is fairly stiff, similar to a Tikka, but they feel tiny and neither of my barrels are free-floated. The low comb on the synthetic stock isn't ideal for higher rings, which you'll want to run with the 90* action. I just don't find these stocks comfortable to shoot.
But they weigh nothing with the skinny barrel, and they do shoot well for the dirt cheap price I paid. They're not heirlooms like a cz 527 would be, so once my boy is old enough to learn to shoot I won't be upset if they get roughed up.
Boaunting? Tactical reloads?
Love the 527. Love it so much mine it has a practically smoothbore barrel. I think its around 5000 rounds, but every time I actually do the math it gets higher.
I keep thinking of selling it for parts but I'll probably hold onto it until I can afford to rebarrel.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
His would have to be a .223 to be nearing end of accurate life at 5k rounds.
It's a 7.62x39 I just treated it horribly. Borepaste and bore shine have both failed to remove the carbon.
Probably closer to 7 anyways. Don't rely on patch out for carbon.
Regardless of your opinion, the rifling is very rounded
Honestly it's a gong smasher with peep sights, now that I can see rifling again I should take it out, warm up the carbon by shooting and scrub vigorously
Probably closer to 7 anyways. Don't rely on patch out for carbon.
Regardless of your opinion, the rifling is very rounded
Honestly it's a gong smasher with peep sights, now that I can see rifling again I should take it out, warm up the carbon by shooting and scrub vigorously
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Here is what you need Joel!
Had to show me huh?? Holy cow that is NICE. Think it can domestically abuse my knuckle all it wants lol.
Going to the mag box like that, do you find you have more room to seat bullets out longer? More space than the detachable mag?
One of em with the Howa factory floorplate setup might save a bit of money and help...would like to load for a 7.62x39 using Barnes Tac-Tx and Hornady CX made for the 300 Blackout, but faster, and not be stuck single feeding them lol.
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My Dad has a 527 in 6.5 grendel. Yeah on the magazine, nice non rattley but a pain that it's right where the balance point /carry is.
Maybe go the route of a 527 blind mag or that ruger?
Maybe go the route of a 527 blind mag or that ruger?
So is the Howa so i cut the the factory 5 shot mag down to be flush now ! Nice to carry it there ! RJ
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Here is what you need Joel!
I really like that rifle. A lot. Looks like you put a lot of thought into that one. Very nice.
Howa Mini Carbon with a Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal. That's what I would go with and what I hope to get some day.
Just installed the Jefferson blind mag conversion on my Howa 7.62x39 and it fits and feeds awesome. Looks a little weird being flat with no rounded contour on the bottom like the hinged floorplate conversions but it eliminates one more needless complication for me.
The CZ527 would be the perfect action other than the safety and detachable mag.
Just installed the Jefferson blind mag conversion on my Howa 7.62x39 and it fits and feeds awesome. Looks a little weird being flat with no rounded contour on the bottom like the hinged floorplate conversions but it eliminates one more needless complication for me.
The CZ527 would be the perfect action other than the safety and detachable mag.
Howa makes a good project rig. Cz wears in nicely and can be made into the slickest highest quality and pride of ownership. The rugers are best for needing nothing, diy kitchen table working man’s option, robust truck beater etc. I found howa needs most everything changed, stock, bottom end, don’t like the 2 stage trigger or stamped safety but do like bolt locks down on safe, Cz does that also, ruger does not. Howa and Ruger most accurate out of box, take your pick they both can stack em, cz was about 1-1.25 moa, the other two under no prob. Good aftermarket support for the Ruger and howa. Be nice to see at least a stainless barrel one day. If project and stainless what you’re after then maybe try and find Ruger 77 7.62x39 boat paddle stainless and rebarrel? Or I’ve contemplated if going full out sheep mode with the howa to grab a stainless barrel for it also but I’ve sunk enough money into it and not chasing sheep as much these days.
Ah, one of the main guilty parties shows up at last haha.
Thanks for the breakdown BB! At least with Howa offering a 22" barreled rifle in a wood stock with a floorplate mag these days, that can be lived with until the stock is replaced with a good synthetic! Wish they did for the 20 inch as well.
What do you think the max attainable speed for Barnes 100gr TTSX and 115gr Tac Tx is from a 16" barrel? They list them as 2900 and 2660 fps respectively from a 24.
2700 and near 2500 would be nice but probs asking too much
BTW, RJ that cut down magazine you made looks freakin great!
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Will post some pics tomorrow but there is a decent amount of room in the mag that would allow a longer COL than specified. Like a fool I forgot to measure the actual length of the box before putting it in. Too excited to get rid of the horrendous plastic factory junk lol.
Hahaha couldn't pull that thing off fast enough eh?
No worries! Just curious. The 7.62x39 rounds I loaded with 300 BLK bullets like the 110gr CX and 120gr Tac-Tx were like half a polymer tip too long to fit in a Mini 30 mag...if even.
If they fit in an internal that'd be pretty cool. Maybe get 2400 fps out of that .358 BC 120gr Tac TX instead of 2150 from a 16" 300 Blackout...
as it is right now, its doable it just makes the rifle into a single shot lol
Jefferson bottom metal be it hinged or blind will let you run 2.4" 'ish reliably.
The mag chop that RJ describes as "flush" is a bit of a stretch, although I would agree it makes the rifle much better handling there's still a wart down there...just like a Tikka and it doesn't lay beautifully in the carrying hand like the Jefferson and you still are dealing with the poorly designed mag release exactly where it should not be.
Also, in .223, 300BO or 300 HAMR that chopped mag holds six down no problem.
The mag chop that RJ describes as "flush" is a bit of a stretch, although I would agree it makes the rifle much better handling there's still a wart down there...just like a Tikka and it doesn't lay beautifully in the carrying hand like the Jefferson and you still are dealing with the poorly designed mag release exactly where it should not be.
Also, in .223, 300BO or 300 HAMR that chopped mag holds six down no problem.
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