Howa 6.5 Grendel Mini Action ... barrel weight?

[Legionnaire]

Toying with the idea of a Howa Mini Action in 6.5 Grendel. I don't own or plan for a suppressor, but a muzzle device of some sort isn't out of the question. I'm especially interested in hearing from those who made this decision. If you own one, how do you like it? Would you buy the same barrel weight again?

 

[codytrucker]

22 inch is what I went with. It was as cheap to buy one with the plastic stock from my ffl then get just a barrelled action , so I did that and bought a "old 102" stock from Richard's microfit. I only shot it a few rounds to do barrel break in with the original stock , but it shot ok , the stock was bearing a little on one side , but since I am restocking it anyway I didn't worry about it. Just getting started on my project. I will be glass bedding it and hopefully get it to looking like some semblance of a little stalking rifle. I think they should advertise these stocks as 85 % , bit I was expecting to have to do a bit of work so far I'm happy with it..

 

[gunmechanic]

I got on a few months back, great gun went with the heavy profile 22" and the plastic stock. The trigger is great. I am in the process of scope selection now and will put it in a nicer stock or chassis.I went with a 20moa mount and rings from warne.I also want to change the bottom metal to get rid of the plastic trigger housing and go to a floor plate magazine.I love the cz527 wanted one in 6.5 grendel but they are not making them any more. The cz527 is a beautiful gun i have a 527 in 762x39 what a high quality gun and shoots great !

 

[highlander 5]

I have the 20" put an Atlas comp on it replaced the plastic trigger guard with a metal one that uses CZ 527 mags.

 

[high country]

My Howa mini is 7.62x39 with the 20" lightweight barrel (same muzzle diameter as the 22" sporter, but 2" shorter). I feel like the stock choice and balance would be a determining factor. I haven't held one, but it seems like the heavy barrel version with the factory stock would be very muzzle heavy. In a Boyds stock, probably less so.

I got mine as a barreled action, and put it in a Boyds stock. It was very butt heavy with the LW barrel. I drilled out the inside of the butt to get it balanced as best I could, and it's about right. It would probably be a little better with the 22" sporter contour. Mine made for a nice light package with a total weight with a crossfire 2-7x of 6.75lb. But more barrel weight would probably make it a little easier to shoot well. It is still quite accurate, just takes an extra bit of focus.

I'm looking at rebarreling that action (or getting another one) in 6 ARC, and will go with a heavier barrel and a new boyds to balance it, with a target total weight around 9-10lb depending on the scope. My hope is that will result in a compact package that is easy enough to carry and balances well. A little heavy for a long hike, but still easily portable. That weight rifle in 6 ARC or 6.5 Grendel should make for really low felt recoil.