New Rifle Day! (Howa Mini)

[Spats McGee]

Ok, so it's really a "new to me" Howa Mini. I had a recent thread in which I asked for help deciding what to get when I sold my PC Shield 2.0 .45. One of the options that came up was a .223 bolt gun. Well, I guess Fate smiled upon me. A Howa Mini in .223 popped up in The Trading Post and I jumped on it. It arrived today, and I'm just tickled.

 

[horsemen61]

Nice can’t wait to hear your range report

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Im awfully tempted to get one of these in 7.62x39 but wouldn't kick that one out the gunsafe either. ....
Nice score.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm just tickled.

Understandable.

 

[LoonWulf]

Nice rifle setup! i remember seeing that post, definitely a score.

 

[JmacD]

NICE! I’ve been eyeing one at a lgs that’s looks to have been shot a bunch… I’ve started to make an offer so many times…

 

[Spats McGee]

First thing tomorrow, I’m headed to the local gun club for my orientation, so it’s my hope that none of us will have to wait too long for a range report.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Nice find!

I have the HB model in 223 and it's a good shooter.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

I want it in Grendel

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

I want it in Grendel

 

[outdoorman63]

My wife purchased the mini in 6.5 grendel and was not happy at first, accuracy was less than moa at 100 yards and the recoil was horrible compared to my Ar. She did comp it and added a little weight to the stock and that helped some. Accuracy improved a bit over time. She started having mag issues and was unable to find a replacement, even Howa have none for sale. We found a used one in a shop for $75. That was too much but only we could find anywhere.

 

[ECVMatt]

That looks great! Congratulations.

 

[igotta40]

I have one in 6.5 Grendel. I added a muzzle brake and some weight in the stock. Accuracy was dismal the first couple times at the range, 2-4 MOA, but then the third time out it was grouping 5 rounds almost touching each other. I also don’t care for the black stocks so it’s Cerakote now in Benelli Tan

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

I have one in 6.5 Grendel. I added a muzzle brake and some weight in the stock. Accuracy was dismal the first couple times at the range, 2-4 MOA, but then the third time out it was grouping 5 rounds almost touching each other. I also don’t care for the black stocks so it’s Cerakote now in Benelli Tan

I have one in 223, noticed something similar. Did you do an elaborate break in?

 

[LoonWulf]

Im holding out for 6ARC and a specific model. Im looking forward to the range report, those rifles seem to have a pretty decent following. Ive had 2 (3 if you count a Vanguard) full size 1500s, and neither were slouches in the accuracy department, tho the 300 took quite a few rounds to really settle down and shoot consistently.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

When i was waiting for 7.62x39 rifles. To come back in stock, A Howa was one on my list. I ended up with a RAR. Congrats on your find Spats,

 

[highlander 5]

I have a Howa in 6.5 Grendel nice rifle but the plastic trigger guard and magazines didn't impress me so after some searching found a metal trigger housing that uses CZ 527 mags.
I also put an Atlas comp on the rifle and honestly there is virtually no recoil.

 

[Plano11]

Nice looking rifle, what scope do you have one it ?

 

[Spats McGee]

Nice looking rifle, what scope do you have one it ?

The one that came with it: https://sightron.com/products/s-tac-3-16x42

I’ll have to figure out how to use it properly.

 

[MarshallDodge]

The one that came with it: https://sightron.com/products/s-tac-3-16x42

I’ll have to figure out how to use it properly.

Does it have the Duplex or the MOA-3 reticle?

 

[mdThanatos]

Does it have the Duplex or the MOA-3 reticle?

The MOA-3 reticle.

Reticle Instructions

 

[MarshallDodge]

It's a second focal plane scope so be sure to have the scope on the correct power for the reticle to equal the zoom, typically max so 16x= 1:1

It looks to be 2 MOA per tick. If you have a ballistics app, it will tell you how many MOA to hold. For example- 547 yards with zero wind

 

[Walkalong]

It's a second focal plane scope so be sure to have the scope on the correct power for the reticle to equal the zoom,

Yep, and pretty nice scopes, so you did well there.

 

[igotta40]

I have one in 223, noticed something similar. Did you do an elaborate break in?

I have only had this rifle at the firing bench 3 times. No barrel break in. If the accuracy remains consistent I don’t think I will bother.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

I might stop doing barrel break-ins, they don’t seem to make much difference