Howa "mini action" rifles~anyone playing with one of these?

If I would buy one of these, it would be the H-Bar version.
Accuracy looks much better than lighter barrels versions.
With the HB, it weight just under 6 and half pounds.
IMO, it also make more sense to put the HB in the Hogue stock.
 
20171013_184656.jpgi shot barnaul hollowpint today 4 rounds 1.5 inch. I used my hand as rear rest so i think the howa shoots this cheap ammo pretty good. I shot my own loads with russian pulled bullets . it was not much better than norco.
 

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That previous photo is sideways, the dispersion is horizontal the same way my crosshairs were moving.20171013_193236.jpg20171013_193219.jpg
 

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If I would buy one of these, it would be the H-Bar version.
Accuracy looks much better than lighter barrels versions.
With the HB, it weight just under 6 and half pounds.
IMO, it also make more sense to put the HB in the Hogue stock.

I think you're correct about this, heavier barrel would be better choice for this rifle/cartridge combo.
 
I own a howa and the first thing that i did was replace the stock with a Bell and Carlson. the Houge stock is basically a wet noodle. The one thing i wish i would have known was that there really isnt a market for aftermarket parts as large as the rem 700 has. I also am kind of kicking myself that the i got the rifle and didn't realize that the barrel is not really easily removed without taking it to a machine shop to basically turn it off. Other then that its an extreamly accruate lower cost rifle. Weatherby uses the action on the Vanguard series and they are some of the most accurate rifle around. I would go as far as saying that the Howa action is one of the more underrated and unappreciated budget actions out there. I have been able to shoot sub MOA hand loads out of mine with no problem
 
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What kind of stock are you replacing with?

I’m curious because I somehow can’t get past not wanting the mini in 6.5 Grendel...but at the same time I don’t want to dump $1000 into a cheap gun to make it better either...
 
I contacted wildcat composites and he said he would be willing to inlet for this gun if someone sent him one. I think I figured at the time that this would bring the pencil barrel to or below 5lbs.
 
I recently got one in 7,62x39

My goal wasn't to build a precision rifle but just to have access to cheap ammo for those days i didn't had time to reload and just want to go shoot some informal targets while beeing louder than a .22lr
I'm not very semi or auto attracted and the bolt rifle is my go to firearms.
The offering in 7,62x39 in a bolt action is very thin. First rifle that comes to mind is the very nice but expensive CZ 527 Carbine. Spending a thousand on a plinker can be questionnable at some point.
Zastava is offering a rougher but still nice rifle in that caliber. Howa Mini Action rifle is certainly a nice gun to consider for quality and precision at a lesser price than the CZ.
Savage and Ruger are now offering bolt rifles in this caliber too in the Axis II Scout and American Ranch forms.

The rifle i received don't have the Hogue stock but the HTI pillar bedded stock. Still have some flex but less than older Accustock or Ruger American Rifle .
It also have the 20'' heavy barrel.

Norinco surplus ammo looks to give 2 MOA groups but reloads are more promising giving MOA or less groups on my firts attempts .

The main drawback with that action is there is not much accessories available to customize it.

But on the actual form , it is fun to shoot at the range, compact and lightweight enough to bring in the wood while hunting deer , predators or varmints.

Reloading can give some interesting results for a caliber not well served in the semi auto world.

Personnally , i'm totally satisfied with that nice little shooter.


https://www.legacysports.com/catalog/howa/howa-mini-action-rifle/

Howa 125PH 29BLK cci200 Win - Copie.jpg

I usually shoot load tests at 100m but this one had been shot at 50m. Sorry.
 

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I bought one a while back from one of our sponsors. Its a 204 med weight 22' bbl.
I have a vx3 mounted on it and so far accuracy is looking pretty good.
I have yet to properly sit to a bench and really try for best grouping but every thing from 32grain to 40 grain shot well.
I like that it is a light rifle, the bolt works well and the trigger is good for a factory gun.
Overall I am happy with mine
 
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