Description
The Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact is Howa’s Mini Action rifle chambered in 6mm ARC, built with a 20-inch barrel, a black synthetic stock and 5-round capacity. A Nikko Stirling GamePro 4-12x40mm scope comes with it. It’s priced at $598 and in stock now. If you want one rifle for deer, pronghorn and long-range targets, this is a good place to start.
What you get with the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact
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.
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.
What the 6mm ARC is good for
Hornady designed the 6mm ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) and released it in 2020. It’s based on the 6.5 Grendel case necked to 6mm and fits AR-15 length magazines. It gives long-range performance from a short, light action. Shooters use it for steel out past 800 yards, and with good hunting bullets it handles deer and pronghorn at sensible distances.
Factory loads use 103 to 108 grain high-BC bullets for target work and lighter bullets for hunting. A fast twist like 1:7.5 is what those long bullets need. If you want the technical side, the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard covers chamber dimensions and pressure. Here’s the history of the 6mm ARC too.
The included scope
This rifle comes with a Nikko Stirling GamePro 4-12x40mm scope. That’s a sensible hunting range of magnification. Keep it low in the woods and turn it up for longer field shots. Before the first hunt, check the ring screws, then zero at 100 yards with the ammo you plan to hunt with.
Specifications
- Model: Howa Mini Action
- Caliber: 6mm ARC
- Barrel length: 20 inches
- Stock: Black synthetic stock
- Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
- Safety: three-position
- Optic: Nikko Stirling GamePro 4-12x40mm scope included
- Scope mounted on the factory base
- Price: $598
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. A 20-inch barrel keeps the rifle short and balanced without giving up much velocity.
Best 6mm ARC loads for this rifle
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 game, choose a bonded or controlled-expansion bullet. Practice ammo is fine for paper but not for animals.
Hunting rules are set state by state. Start at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page for federal lands, then check your state agency for seasons and caliber limits.
Getting it zeroed
Plan a full session for the first trip. Get on paper at 25 yards, then zero at 100 and shoot a few groups so you know what the rifle and load can do. The 6mm ARC really shines past 300 yards, so once you’re zeroed, it’s worth getting time at longer distances and writing down your drops.
How the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact compares
Not sure this is the exact setup you want? These are the closest matches in our Howa lineup:
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC 22 Inch Scoped: a 22-inch barrel and a threaded muzzle, $598
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray Scoped: a 22-inch barrel and a gray stock, $598
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gamepro: a gray stock, $598
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC: a charcoal stock and no scope, $537
You can also browse all Howa Mini Action Rifles, Howa Rifles With Scope and Howa 6mm ARC Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.
Setting up your Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact
Before you shoot it, run a patch through the bore to clear out any shipping oil and check that the action screws are snug. The scope is already mounted, so check the ring screws with a torque driver before you zero. Zero at 100 yards, then check where your load lands at the distances you actually shoot.
How buying a rifle online works
We send the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact 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.
Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact FAQ
What caliber is the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact?
It’s chambered in 6mm ARC.
How many rounds does it hold?
It holds 5 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber.
Does it come with a scope?
Yes. It ships with a Nikko Stirling GamePro 4-12x40mm scope.
Is the barrel threaded?
No, this version has a plain muzzle. Look at our threaded options if you plan to run a suppressor.
Get the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact while it’s in stock
The Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact is in stock at $598. Add it to your cart, choose your FFL dealer at checkout and we’ll get it moving. Questions about fit, caliber or ammo? Contact us and we’ll help you pick.
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