Howa 1500 Mini - 6.5 Grendel

[wendell]

I’m sold. I also may be in love. This gun shoots.

Howa 1500 mini
carbon fiber wrapped barrel
6.5 Grendel. (Brownells).

Stockeys carbon fiber stock
Timney trigger
Nightforce NX 8 2.5-20x
Silencerco Omega 300



I have shot a total of 10 rounds through it. Never cleaned it, just shot. Had a New Year’s party that was kicking off, so I just sighted it in and shot one group and came back to the party.

5 rounds to sight in and confirm zero.

The next group is also 5 rounds. The last three shots were in the middle of this group. Last 3 were probably 1/4”.

Total size is 7/16”. I expect great things from this gun.


The load I used is the same load we use in 4 other Grendel’s. 27.9 gr TAC. CCI 450 mag primers. Hornady brass. I run this through a Dillon 550 with a Lee factory crimp die.

Stockeys stock only had a few finishes in stock, so I got the carbon fiber finish. Not a fan of that look on a stock, so I scuffed the finish with steel wool and Duracoated it Magpul OD green. Bedded the recoil lug and free floated the barrel a bit more than it was from the factory.

 

[wendell]

Shot another few groups today. This is my best 3 shots group to date with this gun. 3 shots, didn’t measure it, but I’m pretty happy.

But, it’s finicky. If you don’t hold it perfectly, you won’t get good groups.

Like any light rifle, it just won’t shoot right if your grip is inconsistent. I had a few disappointing groups as well due to poor form.

Still, I love the gun.

 

[jeff]

I want to add a bolt gun this yesr and a Howa Mini, albeit in 6mm arc, is also on my short list.

What a fine rifle you have there.

 

[wendell]

I want to add a bolt gun this yesr and a Howa Mini, albeit in 6mm arc, is also on my short list.

What a fine rifle you have there.

Yes sir. Thank you.

Yeah that 6mm ARC is pretty tempting. I just built a really nice ARC for my ranch manager. (6.5 Grendel on top, 6 ARC on the bottom)



They do make that Howa mini in 6 ARC. I may buy the non carbon fiber barrel action for a 6 ARC build, as my next gun project.

I have 4 Howas; 7 Mag, 270 win, 308 and this 6.5. Well … I have Weatherby’s, but it’s the same gun. All of them are solid guns.

For what it is, this Howa may be a tad bit pricey at just under a grand for the barreled action and $350 for the stock (on sale) but I sure do like how it shoots and how light it is. Of course, I throw a can and a big fat heavy Nighforce on it! That took care of the lightness problem!

Still, it’s a pretty cool little gun for an impulse buy.