Thread: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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?