Thread: Howa Mini Match Barrel 1:8 load

Hi, anyone owns one of those rifle know a good load? It is the heavy barrel with 1:8 twist 223.

Many thanks!

Originally Posted by hey

Hi, anyone owns one of those rifle know a good load? It is the heavy barrel with 1:8 twist 223.

Many thanks!

What weight pills

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I'm open minded, whatever works. I have some 69 SMK (and ordered 73gr eld-m), but keen to know if it works with something lighter like 55gr.

Originally Posted by hey

I'm open minded, whatever works. I have some 69 SMK (and ordered 73gr eld-m), but keen to know if it works with something lighter like 55gr.

In mine I used 69 grn Targex and 2206. Any pill 55 to 80 will shoot well with 2206 between 24-26 grn

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finally got my howa mini 223 to shoot. The new rifle (match barrel) arrived shooting 3-4 inches whatever the projectiles I have tried. I then chopped the 1/2-20 UNF thread and replaced it with 18x1 thread. The group shrinks by half. So if your mini doesn't shoot you might want look into removing the factory thread. I read some other people have no issues with the factory thread, maybe just my bad luck.
Two projectiles shoot well now. Hornady 68gr hpbt, the SMK 69 gr. Both loaded with 26 grain 2208 and with max magazine length. Speed is about 2920 for both. My barrel is about 20". Also tried barns 55gran TTSX, 55 Hornady vmax, and 73gr ELD-M. the ELD-M need jump long way if loaded to magazine length so probably is the reason not shooting well. Interestingly the very cheap Remington 55grain softpoint shoots well, with 24grain 2208, average about 1", and I paid 25.00 for 100, wish I bought more now...
Below are the groups: left is smk, right is 68gr. Not sure about the flyer. It was windy at range. The distance is 100M

My mini Howa with 1:8 twist shoots Belmont 62 gr very well, but prefers their 77 grain. Luckily I have a good supply of both. An earlier 1:9 Howa really performed with Aussie Outback 55 gr.