New Rifle Day! (Howa Mini)
- Thread starter Spats McGee
- Start date
OP
OP
There is a 99.987% chance that I will be back with questions about this.
Hey do you have the info about that bottom metal? I already have a compatible CZ527 mag so that would be ideal for me, thanks in advance!
highlander 5
Member
Yes I believe it was from a company by the name of Jefferson in CA. Do a Google search for metal trigger guard Howa mini action.
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rdnktrkr
Member
I have 3 Howa 1500s, two 30-06 and a 6.5CM, all 3 shoot good when shooting heavier loads, 168 & 180gr in 30-06 and 140gr loaded just below max in 6.5CM (8 xring and 2 10ring @600yrd and those 2 almost hit the line).
I've had to contact CS 2 times about minor issues (torque specs and sling stud) they have been very helpful and friendly.
I think you will be pleased with your Howa smoothness and accuracy.
I've had to contact CS 2 times about minor issues (torque specs and sling stud) they have been very helpful and friendly.
I think you will be pleased with your Howa smoothness and accuracy.
Hey yes sir thanks, they are temporarily out of stock, I will watch the website, thanks again!
highlander 5
Member
I chose the mag version as I have CZ 527s in 6.5 Grendel and 7.62x39.
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OP
OP
As luck would have it, an email from Brownell's led me to something that might be of interest to y'all: https://www.brownells.com/brands/md...mpaign=RifleParts&utm_content=2023_06_27_Howa
highlander 5
Member
Doesn't say whether the Howa mags will work the Mamba 10 rd mags are $120 when and if they become available.
OP
OP
I believe the comments said the Howa mags would not work, so proceed with caution
OP
OP
First range trip is in the books. Details later, but the short story is:
- Man, that trigger is LIGHT.
- It appears to prefer 62 grain to 55 grain, but I am still pretty inexperienced with center fire rifles;
- I’m old and have a real hard time seeing my hits; and
- I think a different stock may be in its future.
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When I got my Grendel I had the stock Cerakote painted to jazz it up a little bit. Looking back, I should have saved the money and just spray painted it. I also packed some of my wife’s glass decorative marbles into the stock to balance it.
Bottom Gun
Member
I was very pleased with the accuracy of mine after I inherited it. My barrel isn’t marked so I called the factory rep who told me it was a 1 in 9 twist.
I’m not so pleased with the stock but I haven’t found an economical replacement yet. A good stock with bottom metal costs more than the rifle is worth. I’m still debating.
One issue I did have is the magazine latch being tripped accidentally. I’ve had to pick a magazine out of the dirt several times. I looked at trying to modify the latch or use a stronger spring and decided against it because I don’t think the plastic parts would react favorably to any additional stress.
I’ve seen Youtube videos showing short lanyards some guys have put on their magazines but I didn’t want to try that.
Since this rifle is being used mostly for ranch duty, a 10 rd magazine probably holds a weeks supply of ammo if I shot varmints every day with it. So I wasn’t concerned with fast mag swaps.
I decided to take the easy no talent route and go with a friction fix. I shimmed the magazine on three sides with painters tape. I tried different types of tape, thickness, pattern, etc. I got the perfect amount of friction from a single layer of painters tape on three sides. It holds firm when the latch is tripped and now requires a small amount of force to pull free of the magazine well.
This does not affect operation of other magazines and is instantly removable if you need to replace it or you don’t care for it. I may look for a more permanent fix later but this works for now.
I left a bit of tape exposed below the mag well so I can tell at a glance when this shimmed magazine is in place.
I just wanted to share that redneck solution with anyone who is having a problem with mags dropping out of their mini.
I’m not so pleased with the stock but I haven’t found an economical replacement yet. A good stock with bottom metal costs more than the rifle is worth. I’m still debating.
One issue I did have is the magazine latch being tripped accidentally. I’ve had to pick a magazine out of the dirt several times. I looked at trying to modify the latch or use a stronger spring and decided against it because I don’t think the plastic parts would react favorably to any additional stress.
I’ve seen Youtube videos showing short lanyards some guys have put on their magazines but I didn’t want to try that.
Since this rifle is being used mostly for ranch duty, a 10 rd magazine probably holds a weeks supply of ammo if I shot varmints every day with it. So I wasn’t concerned with fast mag swaps.
I decided to take the easy no talent route and go with a friction fix. I shimmed the magazine on three sides with painters tape. I tried different types of tape, thickness, pattern, etc. I got the perfect amount of friction from a single layer of painters tape on three sides. It holds firm when the latch is tripped and now requires a small amount of force to pull free of the magazine well.
This does not affect operation of other magazines and is instantly removable if you need to replace it or you don’t care for it. I may look for a more permanent fix later but this works for now.
I left a bit of tape exposed below the mag well so I can tell at a glance when this shimmed magazine is in place.
I just wanted to share that redneck solution with anyone who is having a problem with mags dropping out of their mini.
OP
OP
Ok, the real range report: I started out shooting 55 grain On Sale Ammo at 50 yards, just to be sure I was on paper. I couldn’t see my hits, but that turned out to be an eyesight issue. I moved the crosshairs down when I really should have just aimed lower. As it turns out, I couldn’t see my hits in the red zone, but I could see them in the yellow. (Target pics are coming). I used 55 grain “on sale” ammo for this, but it only took about 5 rounds (and several trips to the target)
The shooting is mediocre at best, but I think that’s a shooter issue at this time.
After that, I moved the target out to 100 yards. I shot 5-10 rounds of each (55 & 62 grain) to get my feet under me, then replaced the target. I added a couple of extra dots for aiming points, and shot five 55 grain rounds at the lower left dot, five 62s at the lower right, then 5 at the bull.
Overall, I really like this rifle. The stock is a little light, but the action is smooth, and it feels well made. I understand this to have the HACT 2 trigger, and it’s a lot lighter than I am used to. That’s a solvable problem, though.
After that, I got out one of my other favorites, The Rat.
I shot a few mags at 100, and I don’t think I’ve ever stretched .22 out that far, at least not on a “formal” target. I shot some federal bill pack that I have bought within the last 5-10 years, some Mystery Ammo I got from Dad, and some Peters’ “Rustless” that was in a box that looked to be from the 1960s. And every Peters round went bang.
Unfortunately, I got through 2 mags before I remembered to take wind into account!
Necessary_Nutrient
Member
Mine was disappointing until I had about 50 rounds through it but is steadily improving and I’ve been very happy with some recent groups.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Enjoying the thread. I need to downsize, not buy another rifle ... but the Howa minis are sure tempting. Think I'd want a 6.5 Grendel or a 6 ARC, and I'm pretty sure it would turn into a money pit with stock and bottom metal upgrades. Not looking for one, but if a good deal was to cross my path ...
This, exactly.
I really don’t need anything like this but I’m sure ready to get one of their minis in 6.5 Grendel
kmw1954
Member
Spats, you might wanna try moving up to a 69gr bullet. My two 223 Savage didn't like 55gr loads, 62gr were better but it really started to shine when I went to the 69gr. Though I have to say now that my league is over I tried some 60gr Hornady VMAX and again was pleasantly surprised. Will be working up more of these.
OP
OP
Yeah, she did seem to like 62 better than 55. So I definitely need to try some different bullet weights. A good friend of mine reloads & offered to send me some rounds in 52 grain BTHP and 75 grain BTHP to try out.*. We’ll see how it goes.
(*= I trust his handloads. He’s been handloading & reloading ~40 years, has all his fingers & learned from his dad, who is a hand- & reloader & has all of his fingers, too.)
(*= I trust his handloads. He’s been handloading & reloading ~40 years, has all his fingers & learned from his dad, who is a hand- & reloader & has all of his fingers, too.)
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rdnktrkr
Member
On my Savage Axis 223, I stiffened the stock by glueing 2 carbon fiber arrows in the forearm with epoxy. I made cutouts in the ribs for the arrows, test fitted the barrel (multiple times) roughed up where the glue was on the stock and used slow setting epoxy, then added baking soda to another epoxy mix and made filets, then added some sandpaper to a piece of pvc pipe and smoothed everything and removed the high spots. That took a few days to complete but made a big difference in the stock flex.
My long actions, 30-06, have a very stable stock for plastic, I have been pleased with them and assumed all were like that.
My long actions, 30-06, have a very stable stock for plastic, I have been pleased with them and assumed all were like that.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
No worries about your targets. Practice will make you better. I always like to get used to the firearm first. Do the basics and enjoy.
kmw1954
Member
Again with my Savage that has a 1:9 twist I could not get any 75gr bullets to shoot well. Even at the high end I don't think they were fully stable with that twist rate. Also HP or Tipped bullets will generally shoot better groups than FMJ. For awhile I was finding a Hornady 62gr BTHP at MidSouth that shot very well but they have not had them for over 2 years now. In my Model 10 I was having great success with the RMR 69gr bullets. My Model 11, not so much.
As for shooting some else's reloads I stay out of that conversation as I too have a couple friends that I absolutely trust to shoot their loads and a couple other I have no qualms shooting their reloads in their guns. As for myself I load and my wife shoots those loads exclusively so to have her shoot them would equal the same care and responsibility as if I were shooting them myself. But then all my loads are fully tested in each of our guns.
OP
OP
Good to know. Thanks.
That sounds about right. I just included that paragraph, because I figured someone (obviously not you) would come along and tell me the dangers of shooting someone else's handloads.
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