Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch Rifle, Threaded

Description

The Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch is a .223 Remington bolt action rifle with a 20-inch threaded barrel, a gray HTI synthetic stock and 10-round capacity. Price is $542, and we have it in stock. Most buyers pick it for varmints, coyotes and targets.

What you get with the Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch

The Mini Action is Howa’s answer to AR-sized cartridges in a bolt gun. The action, bolt and chamber are about 12 percent shorter than a standard short action, so the bolt throw is shorter and the rifle is lighter and quicker to cycle.

The 1500 action is the reason Howa has such a following. It’s simple, strong and made in Japan, with a one-piece two-lug bolt and a three-position safety you can unload on.

The muzzle is threaded 1/2×28, so you can fit a brake, flash hider or suppressor where your state allows it.

The .223 Remington cartridge

The .223 Remington went commercial in 1964 and shares its case shape with the 5.56x45mm NATO. It’s a small, fast .22 caliber centerfire with very light recoil. It’s a varmint and predator round first: prairie dogs, groundhogs and coyotes out to a few hundred yards. It’s also a cheap way to practice field shooting from a bolt gun.

Bullets run from about 40 to 77 grains. A 1:8 twist handles the heavier 69 to 77 grain match bullets as well as the lighter varmint loads. Fire .223 Remington ammunition in a .223 chamber; SAAMI lists 5.56 NATO in a .223 Remington chamber as an unsafe combination. If you want the technical side, the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard covers chamber dimensions and pressure. Here’s the history of the .223 Remington too.

Specifications

• Model: Howa Mini Action
• Caliber: .223 Remington
• Barrel length: 20 inches
• Muzzle: threaded 1/2×28
• Twist rate: 1:8
• Stock: Gray HTI synthetic stock
• Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
• Safety: three-position
• Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
• Price: $542

Who this rifle is for

If you shoot from a truck, a tree stand or a ground blind, the short action and light weight make sense. It’s also a good first centerfire for a younger shooter. A 20-inch barrel keeps the rifle short and balanced without giving up much velocity.

Picking ammunition

Every rifle has loads it likes. Buy two or three different factory loads, shoot groups with each at 100 yards and stick with the one that groups best. For hunting, use a bullet built for the game you’re after, and save the cheap full metal jacket ammo for practice.

Before the season, check your state’s rules on legal cartridges and hunter education. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a good starting point for public land hunting and state contacts.

More about the Howa Mini Action

Howa built the Mini Action around cartridges like the .223, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC and 7.62×39. Shrinking the action to fit those rounds cuts weight and bolt travel, and it feeds from a detachable box magazine.

Getting it zeroed

Set up at 25 yards first so your first shots land on paper. Then move back to 100 yards and adjust in small steps, firing three-shot groups and letting the barrel cool between them. Once you’re zeroed, shoot from sitting and kneeling too, since that’s how most field shots happen.

Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch vs similar Howa rifles

Here’s how it stacks up against similar rifles we carry:

• Howa Mini Action 223 Rem: a 22-inch barrel, a black stock and a plain muzzle, $546
• Howa Mini Action 223 Rem Green: a 22-inch barrel and a green stock, $518
• Howa Mini Hunter 223 Rem: the Mini Action walnut model, a 22-inch barrel and a walnut stock, $601
• Howa Mini Excel Lite 223 Rem: the Mini Excel Lite model, an American Flag finish and a scope included, $819

You can also browse all Howa Mini Action Rifles and Howa 223 Rem Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.

Care and storage

Wipe down the Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch after every outing, more so after rain. A safe or cabinet with a dehumidifier keeps rust away, and a quick check of the action screws each season keeps your zero where you left it.

Shipping to your FFL dealer

We send the Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch to the FFL dealer you choose. They run the federal background check, you sign the transfer form, and the rifle is yours. For the federal side, see the ATF firearms Q&A. Your state may add its own rules, so look those up too.

Questions about the Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch

What caliber is the Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch?

It’s chambered in .223 Remington with a 1:8 twist.

How many rounds does it hold?

It holds 10 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber.

Does it come with a scope?

No. It’s drilled and tapped, so you can mount the scope and rings you prefer.

Is the barrel threaded?

Yes. The thread pitch is 1/2×28.

Order your Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch

Ready to order? The Howa Mini Action 223 Rem 20 Inch is $542 and ships to your FFL. If you’re stuck between two models, send us a message and we’ll give you a straight answer.