Thread: Howa Mini 338 ARC

Just a quick thread on Howa Mini action build, rifle was a new Stainless Howa Mini 223 20inch Varmint bought back at the beginning of year. I had original planned to build a 22 ARC this year and placed an order for the 338 ARC brass and dies when it was announced. Reloading stuff turned up sooner than expected so a barrel and a PTG reamer was order.

22inch 1:7 twist stainless barrel M14x1 thread, bolt face opened up to handle the larger rim and standard 223 extractor massaged however I have order 2 Grendel extractors for future use.

307gr Subsonics, 175gr HPBT and 161gr OEP all feed like butter

Picking up 2 new Howa mini ARC's last week from the Gunsmith



range set up

What barrel brand did you go with?

Originally Posted by Friwi

What barrel brand did you go with?

Its a Lapped TSE barrel, unfortunately someone at TSE got the profile wrong and the barrel will be going back shortly. When I get it back i will be getting my gunsmith to run a 338 throat reamer back up it to give me another 120 thou. This will be handy and allow me to run a 2.300 COAL and have about 30 thou jump. I should then be able to jam more powder in as well. Happy days

I did not realise you were in oz. Thank you for the information you are providing to the forum anyway.

It's portrayed that Aus gun laws are draconian and that ownership is nigh on impossible. And there you are buying up new mini ARC's? Are NSW gun laws less strict than elsewhere?

Originally Posted by Tahr

It's portrayed that Aus gun laws are draconian and that ownership is nigh on impossible. And there you are buying up new mini ARC's? Are NSW gun laws less strict than elsewhere?

Re Gun laws in NSW, I think the balance is right mostly, lack of Surpressors for regular folk is my biggest gripe however we have so hope here as our Shooting fishing farmers Party has some legisaltion being debated atm..... We have an online permit to acquire system and approval same day mostly. Ive got a 50 cal in the safe and find myself building stuff that you cant buy yet or I think will be fun. This 338ARC is way too much fun.

Hey Billo,

I built a 9x39 on a Howa mini a while back. Similar idea to the ARC and heaps of fun. Twist is only 10, so limited to 286gr bullets, plus the range of .366/9.3 projectiles is not great. I am tempted to do the .338 too.

I look forward to a range report!

Originally Posted by Crusty

Hey Billo,

I built a 9x39 on a Howa mini a while back. Similar idea to the ARC and heaps of fun. Twist is only 10, so limited to 286gr bullets, plus the range of .366/9.3 projectiles is not great. I am tempted to do the .338 too.

I look forward to a range report!

Hey crusty I saw you 9x39, looks pretty neat, few years ago when I was in germany I picked up some the S&B 173ge SP, originally designed for the 9.3x72R, would be about the only light projectile I can think was ever made.

https://www.sellier-bellot.cz/en-us/...sp/detail/240/

I have some 174gr copper hollow point from france that I intend to use in my 9.3x62… they should zip along quite well.

Barrel came off mid week and has been sent back to the gunsmith for reprofiling to a sporter profile not the straight taper Varmint it currently is, should come back about 1lb lighter, just a little misunderstanding

Originally Posted by Friwi

I have some 174gr copper hollow point from france that I intend to use in my 9.3x62… they should zip along quite well.

Hey Friwi, how did you get hold of those?

It would be good to have some high velocity rounds, but the main problem with the 1-10 twist is 286 gr lead core is the heaviest I can use. The longer copper bullets don't stabilise.
Ideally I would like a 7 twist barrel. Not many barrel makers do 9.3 and most are 1-12.

I brought them back with me and the manufacturer was very reluctant to sell them as they were part of his next cartridge loading schedule.

So coming back to the main subject, I did a few velocity tests this week.
161 cutting edge projectiles set at 55.39mm oal. Of course, all the following loading are safe in My rifle and may not be yours.
On some of them I have voluntarily not pushed the charge but just threaded carefully on the water. Up to the future users to step up from there if they want to.

1680 powder:
-22 grains = 1800fps
-22.6=1870
-23.2= 1925
-24= 1993 heavier bolt lift. Just be aware.

CFE black:
22.3= 1763
23= 1814
23.3 =1883

Norma 200:
20 gr= 1511
21gr = 1633

Vitavhuori N110:
18= 1881
19.2= 1935
20.1= 2026

Little gun:
17= 1937
18= 2016

Originally Posted by Friwi

So coming back to the main subject, I did a few velocity tests this week.
161 cutting edge projectiles set at 55.39mm oal. Of course, all the following loading are safe in My rifle and may not be yours.
On some of them I have voluntarily not pushed the charge but just threaded carefully on the water. Up to the future users to step up from there if they want to.

1680 powder:
-22 grains = 1800fps
-22.6=1870
-23.2= 1925
-24= 1993 heavier bolt lift. Just be aware.

CFE black:
22.3= 1763
23= 1814
23.3 =1883

Norma 200:
20 gr= 1511
21gr = 1633

Vitavhuori N110:
18= 1881
19.2= 1935
20.1= 2026

Little gun:
17= 1937
18= 2016

Some seriously low velocities going on there. How long is your barrel as I'm seing others pushing factory 175gr HP out at 2100fps.

Originally Posted by Billo

Re Gun laws in NSW, I think the balance is right mostly, lack of Surpressors for regular folk is my biggest gripe however we have so hope here as our Shooting fishing farmers Party has some legisaltion being debated atm..... We have an online permit to acquire system and approval same day mostly. Ive got a 50 cal in the safe and find myself building stuff that you cant buy yet or I think will be fun. This 338ARC is way too much fun.

Heard a few people in Taz and NSW go on holiday to NZ and post themselves a 'can' or two