Description
The Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel is a 6.5 Grendel bolt action rifle with a 22-inch threaded barrel, a black HTI synthetic stock and 5-round capacity. It sells for $530, and it’s in stock. It’s a solid match for deer, hogs and targets.
Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel features
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.
Howa Machinery has built the 1500 action in Japan since 1979. It uses a one-piece bolt with two locking lugs and a 90-degree lift, plus a three-position safety. The middle position lets you cycle the bolt and unload with the safety on.
A threaded muzzle means you can add a muzzle brake or a suppressor later where local law allows.
The 6.5 Grendel cartridge
The 6.5 Grendel came out of Alexander Arms in 2003 and was standardized through SAAMI in 2017. It packs 6.5mm bullets into a case short enough for AR-15 length magazines. It’s a capable deer round at moderate ranges and a very efficient target round, with good wind resistance for its size and light recoil.
Typical bullets run from 90 to 130 grains, with 120 to 123 grain loads being the most common. A 1:8 twist handles that whole range. If you want the technical side, the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard covers chamber dimensions and pressure. Here’s the history of the 6.5 Grendel too.
Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel specifications
- Model: Howa Mini Action
- Caliber: 6.5 Grendel
- Barrel length: 22 inches
- Muzzle: threaded
- Twist rate: 1:8
- Stock: Black HTI synthetic stock
- Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
- Overall length: 39.5 inches
- Safety: three-position
- Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
- Price: $530
Who should buy it
It suits hunters who want a light, handy rifle for stands, blinds and short walks, and shooters who like AR-sized cartridges but prefer a bolt gun.
Picking ammunition
Start with a couple of quality factory loads and see which groups tighter. Once you find it, buy enough of the same lot to get through the season. For hunting, use a bullet built for the game you’re after, and save the cheap full metal jacket ammo for practice.
Seasons, legal calibers and hunter education rules vary by state. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page links to state wildlife agencies and public land where you can hunt.
More about the Howa Mini Action
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.
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.
How the Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel compares
A few close relatives, in case a different finish, barrel or price fits you better:
- Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel Green: a green stock, $518
- Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel 20 Inch: a 20-inch barrel and a plain muzzle, $542
- Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel Kryptek: a 20-inch barrel, a Kryptek Kratos stock and a scope included, $616
You can also browse all Howa Mini Action Rifles and Howa 6.5 Grendel Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.
Breaking in and cleaning
You don’t need a long break-in routine. Clean the bore after the first few range sessions to get the copper out, then clean it whenever accuracy starts to drop off. Keep a thin coat of oil on exposed steel, especially after a wet day in the field.
Ordering and FFL transfer
Federal law requires rifles bought online to go through a licensed dealer. Pick an FFL near you at checkout, and we’ll ship the Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel there. You’ll complete the paperwork and background check when you pick it up. The ATF questions and answers page covers federal transfer rules. Some states and cities add waiting periods or other limits.
Questions about the Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel
What caliber is the Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel?
It’s chambered in 6.5 Grendel with a 1:8 twist.
How many rounds does it hold?
It holds 5 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. Check the thread pitch before you buy a muzzle device.
Get the Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel while it’s in stock
Add the Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel to your cart now for $530. If you’d like a second opinion first, get in touch.
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