Howa Mini 223 vs BCL Bison

Tudenom

Tudenom

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Does anyone have any experience with these two rifles?

I'm thinking of stretching my horizons a bit and purchasing an all around handy 223 chambered rifle for practical carbine practice / competition but I'm having some trouble finding info on how quick the bolt actions are on these two rifles. Ideally, I'd have a No5 Lee Enfield chambered in 223 with an easily detachable magazine, but since that doesn't exist I'm looking at other options.

How do these two rifles compare when it comes to quick bolt cycling, does either one stand out when it comes to smooth and light bolt manipulation? I find that many #### on opening bolt action rifles tend to twist the rifle a fair amount when cycling the action and it breaks your sight picture a fair amount.

The Bison is very AR 15'ish and I find that appealing, but it's a bit more expensive, heavier, and the pistol grip configuration seems like it would get in the way of quick manipulation of the bolt. But what the hell do I know, I've never shot one and no one I know has one.

I'm very interested to hear your opinion. Thank you for your time.
 
I would ask you to consider mag length before making a final decision.

The 223 AR pattern mag will only allow ammo that is less than about 2.300" long.

If you want any kind of long range performance at all, you will want at least 75 grainers seated to an OAL of at least 2.500". I run close to 2.700" with 88s and 90s.

If you are not a hand loader and plan to never be a hand loader, then feel free to dismiss the point.

If you do hand load, then you want to focus on some sort of Rem 700 pattern action and an AI pattern mag. That way you have the framework to get around the "short comings" of the standard 223 round.
 
I had a HOWA mini 223. It is a very typical bolt action rifle. I liked mine, and would give it a recommendation if you are looking for a good 223 bolt rifle. It has a mini size action, so no wasted bolt travel. It shoots as fast as you can work the action. Not really a replacement for a semi automatic, but it is a lot cheaper than those.
 
I would suggest adding the Ruger American Ranch to your list. Handy, lightweight. AR pattern mags.

Lighter than either the Howa or the porky BCL. Howa takes proprietary mags. BCL bolt is ok with mags it likes, but the Ruger runs better and faster in my experience. My Ruger is the gun i grab over pretty much every other one when i need #### done. Plenty accurate with 75 grain BTHP shooting 1/2 MOA all day long.
 
Omenator said:
I had a HOWA mini 223. It is a very typical bolt action rifle. I liked mine, and would give it a recommendation if you are looking for a good 223 bolt rifle. It has a mini size action, so no wasted bolt travel. It shoots as fast as you can work the action. Not really a replacement for a semi automatic, but it is a lot cheaper than those.
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wouldn't that action be better with a shorter lower bolt throw

any straight pull 223s out there?
 
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Tompullings said:
Really eh I have a couple friends with them who rave about the accuracy. Bolt action accuracy out of a fun to run pump.
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From what I've heard the troy QC isn't great so some people get absolute bangers and some people get lemons. The 223 models seem more prone to being lemons than the 308s. Even with heavy, expensive match ammo it was trash until I put and MRA HBar on it. Now it groups but that added a fair bit of weight.
 
Howa mini can be upgraded with a nicer bottom metal, and mambamag will have nicer mini mags soon. Or even changed to cz527 magazines like mine.
Factory stock sucks.

Speaking of the CZ527, that's another option. I honestly favor my howa over the cz at the moment, the bolt on my cz isn't the smoothest to run.

I would of bought a bcl bison, but I wanted a traditional style rifle
 
The Bison is heavier, but it is also a fairly robust rifle. The chassis, mini action and proprietary 20 round BCL mags are worth the price of admission - imho. I think with the latest rendition, they are getting the design refined. The BCL mags are fantastic in the rifle, as I've had zero issues with them. AR mags on the other hand are finicky and problematic, but they can be on so many other platforms so much so that this is a given.
The barrel quality is in my view the biggest letdown, but it will shoot 10 rounds into 1.5moa, which I think is average for this price point.

I don't have a BCL mag in front of me so I can't give you the allowable oal they'll allow, but I doubt very much people buying these are the type to be loading 90s for the 800m line for it.
 
Omenator said:
I had a HOWA mini 223. It is a very typical bolt action rifle. I liked mine, and would give it a recommendation if you are looking for a good 223 bolt rifle. It has a mini size action, so no wasted bolt travel. It shoots as fast as you can work the action. Not really a replacement for a semi automatic, but it is a lot cheaper than those.
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I just ordered one from Marstar, I haven’t shoot it yet but cosmetically it looks like a $500 rifle and yet I paid $960 for it. The ugliest looking rifle I bought so far ��, I’m now wishing I didn’t buy it. I’m glad you liked yours
 
lone-wolf said:
Howa mini can be upgraded with a nicer bottom metal, and mambamag will have nicer mini mags soon. Or even changed to cz527 magazines like mine.
Factory stock sucks.

Speaking of the CZ527, that's another option. I honestly favor my howa over the cz at the moment, the bolt on my cz isn't the smoothest to run.

I would of bought a bcl bison, but I wanted a traditional style rifle
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I lied, I changed the bolt handle on the cz back to a factory new style and now the thing is nice and smooth
 
To comment on the pistol grip concern, OP, some people who run a bolt gun in a chassis or otherwise with a pistol grip keep their thumb on the right side of the grip. Some chassis even have a thumb shelf to give it a place to rest. Keeps you from having to return to the wrap around position between cycling the bolt.
 
Maple57 said:
I would ask you to consider mag length before making a final decision.

The 223 AR pattern mag will only allow ammo that is less than about 2.300" long.

If you want any kind of long range performance at all, you will want at least 75 grainers seated to an OAL of at least 2.500". I run close to 2.700" with 88s and 90s.

If you are not a hand loader and plan to never be a hand loader, then feel free to dismiss the point.

If you do hand load, then you want to focus on some sort of Rem 700 pattern action and an AI pattern mag. That way you have the framework to get around the "short comings" of the standard 223 round.
Click to expand...

While I agree 100% if these are the 2 choices I don’t think the plan is heavy long bullets.
 
If you are looking for the feel and durability of an Enfield in a 223 rifle, I think your best bet is the Ruger Gunsite Scout. Laminate wood stock, solid detachable magazine and iron sights.

You'll have to scan the used market as they are no longer manufactured.
 
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