Thread: Howa Mini owners opinions

Originally Posted by Mathias

If you go to their website and try to order, 222-223 out of stock

Here you go chaps, direct from the man what makes them:
I am still testing the final design, I haven't sold any yet.

Once I am satisfied with the reliability of the design, the capacity and availability will be updated on the website.
I do as much testing as I can to try and anticipate any weaknesses or improvements.

I am anxious to get them to market as well, I have a waiting list to clear...

Originally Posted by stug

Here is the Jefferson Outdoors link. Looks good but only for Grendel and 7.62x39
https://www.jeffersonoutdoor.com/sho...h-bottom-metal

Thats what ive been waiting for! You bloody ripper!

I had cut my factory mag down as flush as possible and shorted up the mag release lever which really made a huge difference to the mini in my opinion, but this new bottom metal is the business i reckon.

Will i be able to order direct or will i need a bloody import permit these days?

Originally Posted by GWH

Thats what ive been waiting for! You bloody ripper!

I had cut my factory mag down as flush as possible and shorted up the mag release lever which really made a huge difference to the mini in my opinion, but this new bottom metal is the business i reckon.

Will i be able to order direct or will i need a bloody import permit these days?

You can order the floorplate directly from him - apparently us and Oz are big markets for him (he also does a replacement bottom metal to still use the plastic Howa detachable mag).

As for the permit at this end I would imagine yes you do need one as it attaches to a firearm. Can anyone shed more light on this?

There was someone from Queenstown on the US forum who already got one of these floorplates. Are you out there? Pictures would be great!

Ken at 55six has permits and is bringing in the DI Products and Jefferson stuff, so don't worry if you can't be arsed with the hassle to bring them in yourself.

Originally Posted by Tommy

Ken at 55six has permits and is bringing in the DI Products and Jefferson stuff, so don't worry if you can't be arsed with the hassle to bring them in yourself.

This is excellent news!

Now all we need is a nice light aftermarket sporter stock - that we can get in NZ - and I see a Mini in my safe fairly soon.

Originally Posted by Steelisreal

This is excellent news!

Now all we need is a nice light aftermarket sporter stock - that we can get in NZ - and I see a Mini in my safe fairly soon.

I've got the .223 1-8 heavy barrel/varminter mini action in a chassis, and a 6.5 swede in a stug. I'll get another in Grendel if I can get a carbon stock for it, for certain

@stug. How come you aren't making stocks anymore?

Originally Posted by Tommy

I've got the .223 1-8 heavy barrel/varminter mini action in a chassis, and a 6.5 swede in a stug. I'll get another in Grendel if I can get a carbon stock for it, for certain

Be interesting to see if Ken Henderson has pursued thoughts on making moulds. Last time I emailed him, it was at least 3 months away and that was at least 2 months now. He commented it should also have sufficient room to house the Vixen action as well.

the Howa mini's are awesome. I have the 223 for small game up to & including deer (if they walk out), a 6.5 Grendel for goats & deer, the a 7.62 x 39 for pigs, goats & deer. the best results with the Grendel was a red hind @ 120yds behind the shoulders with a 95gnhp & she just took a couple of steps & folded. The x39's taken deer, pigs & goats with ease out to 200yds (with good rest). The 223 does the small stuff & all are light & very accurate. i cut back the mag release as I lost my mag on 3 occasions but managed to back track & find it. Just hold the release back with your thumb nail to be vertical, Cut it flush with some side cutter pliers, release, & tidy up with a fine file.....about 3 minutes work & looks like the release on the latest ones.
Highly recommend them, very good value for money to the extent I went & bought a 308 Model 1500 for the longer shots.

Originally Posted by Tararua Phil

the Howa mini's are awesome. I have the 223 for small game up to & including deer (if they walk out), a 6.5 Grendel for goats & deer, the a 7.62 x 39 for pigs, goats & deer. the best results with the Grendel was a red hind @ 120yds behind the shoulders with a 95gnhp & she just took a couple of steps & folded. The x39's taken deer, pigs & goats with ease out to 200yds (with good rest). The 223 does the small stuff & all are light & very accurate. i cut back the mag release as I lost my mag on 3 occasions but managed to back track & find it. Just hold the release back with your thumb nail to be vertical, Cut it flush with some side cutter pliers, release, & tidy up with a fine file.....about 3 minutes work & looks like the release on the latest ones.
Highly recommend them, very good value for money to the extent I went & bought a 308 Model 1500 for the longer shots.

The .223 HB shoots the Belmont loaded 77gr Sierra HPBT real well, don't know what muzzle speed it was offhand but @Feral may know. The red hind I shot with his Howa was with a 55gr PPU, and it did great. Recovered in opposite skin, still @ 50 something grains.

What sort of rings and bases do you guys use on the Minis?

Originally Posted by Tribrit

@stug. How come you aren't making stocks anymore?

Under the proposed legislation (if it ever comes back for the third reading) I would need to have a Dealers licence and my wife would need to get her firearms licence. I would prob also need a resource consent to operate a dealers from home (it is one of the boxes to tick on the dealers application). It is also a real pain moving firearms around the country. Because of the way I make them I need the firearm to finish the stock. Just getting to be too much of a pain.
I am enjoying my new found freedom though.

Weaver bases for a rem700 fit, with leupold prw rings...just what I had in the parts box.

Originally Posted by Dama dama

Anyone making low capacity flush fit mags for these?

Gunsupplies list a 5 round mag and there is a 6 round option on trade me that is NZ made, neither flush but they get close.

Originally Posted by Tommy

Ken at 55six has permits and is bringing in the DI Products and Jefferson stuff, so don't worry if you can't be arsed with the hassle to bring them in yourself.

Yes Yes Yes!