Howa Mini Action Chassis Options / Weights / Prices

Hey Guys,

Been collecting data and prices on options for a while whilst building my Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel. Thought, I may as well share it, as I know the Howa Mini is becoming more and more popular, and this may assist some decide on their Mini Action Build.

Firstly, a List of Barreled Action Weights and Prices that I have seen in the past.
Disclaimer, this is based on the 6.5 Grendel, but should be fairly similar to other calibers.
20" Heavy Barreled Action - $829 - 4.4lbs - 1,995g
22" Standard Barreled Action - $549 - 3.8lbs - 1,723g
22" Lightweight Barreled Action - $799 - 3.6lbs - 1,633g

Secondly, a List of Chassis Options, Weights and Prices that I have seen in the past.
Standard Stock - $139 - 2.2lbs - 998g
Sharps Bro Heatseeker - $1,299 - 2.0lbs - 907g
Oryx by MDT - $699 - 4.2lbs - 1,905g
Southern Cross Small Arms TSP X - $699 - 4.1lbs - 1,860g
MDT LSS - $ N/A - 3.0lbs - 1,360g (Incl. CCS Carbine Stock & Pistol Grip)
EXCL Lite - $349 - 1.1lb - 500g (Still no sign or ETA of stock arrival in NZ)

Note: Some prices may have changed
Prices were based on Reloaders.co.nz when they last had stock.
Weights of Barreled Actions came from Legacy Sports USA.
Weights of Chassis came from Manufacturer websites.

@berg243 The EXCL Lite Chassis is so light, that if you used a Heavy Barreled action, it would still be a lightweight rifle!
The Trouble is, these have been in the pipe line since Mid-last year, with an ETA that keeps shifting. The Howa importer still will not be able to give you an accurate ETA on when to expect them. The Heatseeker would be your next best option and be a lot hardier, being Alloy / CF, however, the price is up there... I have opted for the time being to use the Standard stock and maybe one day the EXCL will arrive...

If its a lightweight short range bush gun, you could chop down those 22" barrels to 20' or even 18" to save more weight. I wouldn't go any shorter though.

@dogmatix agreed!

My current set up is 20" Standard Barrel, Standard Stock, DPT mark ii Overbarrel, and (soon) VX-5HD Scope.
Haven't taken rings into consideration, but will have a theoretical weight of 3.5kg.

Once it is sitting in the EXCL Lite I should be pretty damn close to 3kg (6.6lb).

I have just ordered all my bits mini howa 6.5grendel heavy barrell, mdt lss gen 2 chassis, carbon fiber butt stick, mdt hand grip, greystone supressor, mdt rail, mdt rings and burris xtr 1-4 @20mm scope with a utg bipod. Cant wait for it all to arrive and put it together.

im just heading down this road myself cant even remember what i ordered howa mini ss 6.5g just going with standard stock at this stage would need to have a feel of a rifle in a chassis to see how left hand friendly they are

@Larskramer That will be an awesome setup! Big fan of the LSS, if I had the $ I would build a 2nd unit just like that! 1 for the Bush, and 1 for the range.

@northdude regardless of what you ordered, its going to be a lot of fun!

Does anybody have an update on the Excl unicorn? I have to say I am not totally happy with the smoothness of the bolt on the howa mini. It's accurate enough although not as accurate as my custom AR used to be(sob sob sob).

I will call the importers tomorrow and update.

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Originally Posted by kiwi-adam

@Larskramer That will be an awesome setup! Big fan of the LSS, if I had the $ I would build a 2nd unit just like that! 1 for the Bush, and 1 for the range.

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Thanks mate I think so too. Also has a folding stock adapter coming. I am basing it off this setup attached.

Already have a 6.5 prc in a mdt tac21 chassis, a 300wm in a mdt lss gen 2 chassis... and a xbolt in the standard stock.... I think I like my chassis :)

@Larskramer that looks awesome! @noboots Spoke to importer today, they said the last update they received was that production was complete and they are just awaiting shipment, however that this was still like to put the ETA at a couple of months.

When the unicorn eventually arrives, I think I will be have to get it chem dipped in a woodlands version of the above!

[QUOTE=noboots;1009004... It's accurate enough although not as accurate as my custom AR used to be(sob sob sob).[/QUOTE]

I was also a bit ho hum about accuracy until I tried (69gr Matchking) . . .
.223 REM – 69gr Sierra HPBT MatchKing – Australian Outback
Would still like to sort out the flex in stock stock, but at least happier with groups.

Sierras are my go to projectile. Match kings have shot well in every rifle i have owned.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dogmatix

If its a lightweight short range bush gun, you could chop down those 22" barrels to 20' or even 18" to save more weight. I wouldn't go any shorter though.

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I am mainly interested in a chassis for mine for gongs and targets for my son and myself with some adjustability for LOP and cheek riser height between us.

I have never owned a chassis of any kind but bush hunting is the last thing I would have thought it suitable for?
What am I missing?

I just got a Dpt and if it had a short barrel it would make a great snap shoot bush hunter
The pistol grip gives a real good standing shot wobble reduction
Its long tho and is going to be used for gongs/hunting off a bipod

I could probably restart this post and include Boyds stocks!

@berg243 My only gripe with Grendel is the lack of Factory Ammunition options.
At this stage we have;
Hornady Black 123gn ELD-M at $50 for box of 20
Hornady Custom 123gn SST at $55 for box of 20

When the new 6mm ARC (6mm Grendel) arrives, I may adding that to the collection. Both out perform the 223, but 223 has the better selection and price ammo.

@veitnamcam nothing wrong with a chassis for hunting, the general issue is the weight of them. That's where the EXCL lite comes in. Consider is a hybrid of sorts, completely usable for range and gong work, and lightest option for a hunting option.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by berg243

xcel lite chassis has a nominal arrival in november. still cant decide between 223 or 6.5grendel. all i know is it will be chopped to 16 inches .

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@berg243 do you know if this is still the case?

Think Howa Importers eta is September. 55six have them in a current shipment that is on the water, just waiting for arrival. Indicated price is mid $300's.

Had my new chassis arrive from 55six today. Sharpsbros heat seeker! Damn its fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kiwi-adam

Think Howa Importers eta is September. 55six have them in a current shipment that is on the water, just waiting for arrival. Indicated price is mid $300's.

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They are going to absolutely smash the market at that price

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nick-D

They are going to absolutely smash the market at that price

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I've got my name down for pre orders ,will most likely buy two :)

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I am mainly interested in a chassis for mine for gongs and targets for my son and myself with some adjustability for LOP and cheek riser height between us.

I have never owned a chassis of any kind but bush hunting is the last thing I would have thought it suitable for?
What am I missing?

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Depends on the design. A minimalist chassis with pistol grip shoulders and points super fast. I preferred my ar in the Bush for that very reason. Also way easier to get the eye in the right place for fast target aquisition

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Larskramer

Had my new chassis arrive from 55six today. Sharpsbros heat seeker! Damn its fine.

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Pics please

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Pics please

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

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For some reason, since yesterday I haven't been able to attach any pictures.

Attachment 147815Attachment 147816Attachment 147817Attachment 147818

The issues I see with the EXCL lite is that it is just synthetic without any bedding blocks but unlike my current stock at least it won't flex enough to touch the barrel (even though it does flex) and screw up my groupings.

The oryx chassis also looks good. If anyone has used one I would love some feedback.

@poodle I was having a tough time with the standard stock on my 6.5 Grendal. To the point I was going to get rid of the entire rifle.

Then the EXCL finally arrived, and yes looking over the chassis I was left a little disapointed.

However, in use, I absolutely love it!
It has pillars, and beds fine.
The forend twist is useful for rifle cant, more than enough barrel clearance.

Have since regularly shot deer and goat out to 300m.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by poodle

The issues I see with the EXCL lite is that it is just synthetic without any bedding blocks but unlike my current stock at least it won't flex enough to touch the barrel (even though it does flex) and screw up my groupings.

The oryx chassis also looks good. If anyone has used one I would love some feedback.

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I've got an Oryx. It's the only chassis I've ever used so can't make any great comparisons other than it is quite heavy, it's a solid bit of kit.

The Excl Lite is a really good idea for these budget light weight rifles. They are still very light weight and functional enough.

To anyone who has the excl chassis, does the pistol grip dig into your back if you have it in a sling?
Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TLB

To anyone who has the excl chassis, does the pistol grip dig into your back if you have it in a sling?
Cheers

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You set the sling points on the side, like an ar so no, it sits flat

What mag do you use with the excl chassis just the standard one?

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Originally Posted by 7remmagman

What mag do you use with the excl chassis just the standard one?

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Yeah it sits flush though, I would like a magpul quick pull thing on mine, not sure if you can get them for Howa mags.

Dope looking at getting one and a 22" 223 barrel and action, got a Ar223 4.5-18 to go on top

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 7remmagman

Dope looking at getting one and a 22" 223 barrel and action, got a Ar223 4.5-18 to go on top

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They are good for what they are. I just run a 300 blackout heavy barrel setup in one. Looking to chop it down to about 12.5" soon and run my oceania muzzle bake and can on it.

The excl chassis are lightweight and It is cool how you can front sling them if you run a QD on the rearmost mlok.