Thread: Kiwi made Howa mini ultralight chassis a reality?

Saw this in the flesh today, @Wingman you've done a magnificent job on it!

I totally get the micro action thing and think this is a cool gun, is there any plans to do a normal short action size gun so we can shoot some of the more normal deer calibers. A 22-250 and 308 switch barrel would be sweet.

Originally Posted by rusl

I totally get the micro action thing and think this is a cool gun, is there any plans to do a normal short action size gun so we can shoot some of the more normal deer calibers. A 22-250 and 308 switch barrel would be sweet.

No not at this stage. The short action is the same as any remington and tikka action length out there and plenty of companies already make chassis for them.
This was always only going to be a mini action lightweight focused project.
Short actions are heavier to start with so get very little positive gains from an ultralight chassis. Recoil becomes a factor in ultralights so the bigger the cartridge the harder they are to shoot well.

Nice to meet many of you today and I look forward to catching up with more of you tomorrow. Be sure to get a confirmation email through to info@shooterready.co.nz if you did want to grab one of the few chassis builds left we will work through the emails early next week when we get back to the workshop and first in first served. We are happy to ship nation wide.

There is just a handful of bare chassis left after the Sika show so flick an email through to the shop if you would like one.

Originally Posted by Wingman

There is just a handful of bare chassis left after the Sika show so flick an email through to the shop if you would like one.

Thought about doing one to suit a Kimber 84m action? They are lighter than the howa mini action and take all the 308 based cases. Hunter models are pretty affordable as a base rifle. Also wondering what you are expecting for cost to setup as a takeoff barrel and whether you can do it with a factory barrel or whether it requires rebarrelling.

The kimber actions are a med action and about twice the price of a howa mini action. In todays market it seems a stretch for 99% of my customers to even afford the Howa barreled actions. My goal was also to keep this an affordable package so many actions were ruled out early.
The Howa .450 bushmaster has the .308 bolt face and can cope with all the BR and dasher length cases.

If there is enough demand, the take down barrels will be done on the factory barrels.
Cost will be about $350 extra on the build but includes shortening threading and lightening with the carbon sleeve system.

Originally Posted by Wingman

The kimber actions are a med action and about twice the price of a howa mini action. In todays market it seems a stretch for 99% of my customers to even afford the Howa barreled actions. My goal was also to keep this an affordable package so many actions were ruled out early.
The Howa .450 bushmaster has the .308 bolt face and can cope with all the BR and dasher length cases.

If there is enough demand, the take down barrels will be done on the factory barrels.
Cost will be about $350 extra on the build but includes shortening threading and lightening with the carbon sleeve system.

That's actually not something I had thought of in regards to the BR catridges being an option. I wonder if they do a stainless 450 action.

@Wingman when you say bare chassis that is without the stock correct?

No, the lightweight carbon fiber stock is included

Originally Posted by Wingman

No carbon stock is included

Should that be...

No, carbon stock is included. ??

It looks really good Phil, well done mate.

Cheers mate, yes.. the carbon butt stock comes complete with the chassis.

Originally Posted by Wingman

Cheers mate, yes.. the carbon butt stock comes complete with the chassis.

Out of interest, is the carbon butt stock made in NZ? Looks very nice.

Originally Posted by Kiwi.bloke

Out of interest, is the carbon butt stock made in NZ? Looks very nice.

Yes it is all made in NZ. I had considdered just using Sig stocks but figured I can do better cost wise and make it lighter at the same time. The butt stock only weighs about 200 grams which is a 3rd of the weight of my of the Sig stocks.

It's real!