Howa mini actions, a micro-sized push feed

[Corn-Picker]

Howa is releasing a mini-action based rifle. The action looks to be about three quarters of an inch shorter and a few ounces lighter than a standard short action. Initial calibers released are 223 and 204 in 20" barrels. Howa has said there will be more calibers to follow. Personally I hope that includes a 6.8 SPC, 300 blackout, and 7.62x39 with 16" threaded barrels With a compact stock and short barrel these would make for a deer capable rifle less than 35" in length and weighing less than 5.5 pounds. It's good that the CZ 527 is getting some competition.

http://legacysports.com/howa-kryptek-mini-action-rife

 

[Ankeny]

Would make a good gun to build from for anything based on .223, .204, etc.

 

[Bezoar]

make it in a 30-30. id buy that.

 

[Corn-Picker]

make it in a 30-30. id buy that.

The 30-30 is likely too long to fit. The WSSM line of cartridges might fit, but the magazine may not be big enough and there might not be any market for that. I'm guessing "other calibers" means 6.8 SPC and or 300 blackout.

 

[ECVMatt]

I am definitely in for one of these! I love to shoot the .223 and this looks like a great match up!

 

[Gtscotty]

That's pretty neat, I might have to pick one up if they come out with a 6.8 SPC, or 6.5 Grendel, seems like it would be a great little woods gun. I didn't see a twist rate for the .223 on their website, I wonder if they'll be set up to handle heavier bullets.

 

[WestKentucky]

It sounds like a good home for 10mm, 357mag, 357 max, 22 tcm, and a few other hot handgun rounds. Would certainly be fun in 357 max but I doubt we ever see that again except in a custom build.

 

[bhk]

Sure wish it didn't have the magazine hanging down below the stock. Makes normal hunting style carry very uncomfortable. Even CZ now offers a flush magazine.

 

[Jim Watson]

Once upon a time Howas were pretty close copies of then Sakos.
Sako has changed more than Howa, so now we have a new Vixen, except for the ugly 'nanner clip.

 

[Jackal]

I'm in for a 7.62x39 with proper bore diameter/twist for under $600. I'm likely a minority in my opinion that the .30x39 is a better light recoil bolt action round than it is a low recoil semi auto round...

 

[Malamute]

Sure wish it didn't have the magazine hanging down below the stock. Makes normal hunting style carry very uncomfortable. Even CZ now offers a flush magazine.

That was my first thought on seeing the picture.

The magazine sticking out was one of the reasons I sold the CZ I had.

I have zero interest in a bolt rifle with a magazine sticking out like that.

 

[bannockburn]

I'd be into getting one in 7.62x39 as well. I have lots of ammo; can't let my Hungarian AK have all of the fun.

 

[Corn-Picker]

The CZ 527 micro mauser is available in 7.62x39 (and 223). For 2015 CZ has added a youth model carbine (exactly the same as the regular carbine but it has a 12.75" LOP).

 

[horsemen61]

I'd like to see a 22 hornet version

 

[urbaneruralite]

It may be that the mags are modular and can be made a near flush fit. I think I read that somewhere. Maybe.

Is it just me, or does it seem kind of big to be a mini? If it's being compared to a Remington short action, that one is kind of big compared to a Model Seven or NULA.

 

[greyling22]

the cz, sako, and zastava mini actions are (to varying degrees) pretty cute. I have the zastava and wanted the sako (no lefty ). Nice little actions, but typically the small bolt handles make them kind of tricky to scope properly. I'd be up for one in 300aac or 7.62x39 if they make a lefty or bare action I can get a stock inlet for. and a threaded barrel.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

make mine a creadmore but I sure hope they make it with a flush mag or better yet a blind mag instead of that wart they have on the bottom now.

 

[Art Eatman]

I emailed the marketing folks about the hang-down magazine. Suggested having a flush or near-flush magazine to be included with the rifle.

I suggest that others do the same.

 

[Walkalong]

It would be nice to have flush fit as well as extended mags.

I like the camo pattern/color.

Reckin' the .300 Savage would fit the action? I could go for that.

 

[Walkalong]

I'd like to see a 22 hornet version

That too.

 

[Corn-Picker]

Reckin' the .300 Savage would fit the action? I could go for that.

If it's like other mini-actions, I doubt anything longer than about 2.3-2.4 inches in overall length will fit; so the 6.5 Creedmoor or a 300 Savage would be a no go. If you want a 6.5 Creedmoor, Weatherby chambers their Vanguard S2 in that round (the Vanguard S2 is the Howa action/barrel with a nicer stock and better customer support).

Probably the most powerful round that this rifle could handle would be a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel. The action is probably long enough to accommodate the WSSM line, but I don't know if the cylinder is fat enough to handle that case (and I doubt Howa would release a rifle chambered in such an uncommon caliber). For reference the 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel are around 1700-1800 ft-lbs and the 25 WSSM runs around 2200 ft-lbs. Any of these would be fine for the PA/WV deer I hunt for as far as I can shoot.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

I emailed the marketing folks about the hang-down magazine. Suggested having a flush or near-flush magazine to be included with the rifle.

I suggest that others do the same.

I shot them an email too Art