Description
The Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray is Howa’s Mini Action rifle chambered in 6mm ARC, built with a 20-inch barrel, a gray HTI synthetic stock and 5-round capacity. Price is $537, and we have it in stock. It’s a solid match for deer, pronghorn and long-range targets.
What you get with the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray
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. SAAMI sets the industry dimensions for this round; the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard lists them. There’s also a good summary of the history of the 6mm ARC.
Specifications
- Model: Howa Mini Action
- Caliber: 6mm ARC
- Barrel length: 20 inches
- Twist rate: 1:7.5
- Stock: Gray HTI synthetic stock
- Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
- Safety: three-position
- Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
- Price: $537
Who should buy it
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.
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. When you hunt with it, zero with the exact hunting load you’ll carry, since a different bullet can land an inch or two away at 100 yards.
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
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.
At the range
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. 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.
Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray vs similar Howa rifles
A few close relatives, in case a different finish, barrel or price fits you better:
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC: a charcoal stock, $537
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC 22 Inch: a 22-inch barrel, a black stock and a threaded muzzle, $514
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC 22 Inch Green: a 22-inch barrel, a green stock and a threaded muzzle, $514
- Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Compact: a black stock and a scope included, $598
You can also browse all Howa Mini Action Rifles and Howa 6mm ARC Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.
Setting up your Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray
Before you shoot it, run a patch through the bore to clear out any shipping oil and check that the action screws are snug. Pick rings or a base that suit the scope you plan to run, and use a torque driver on the ring screws. Zero at 100 yards, then check where your load lands at the distances you actually shoot.
How buying a rifle online works
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 6mm ARC Gray there. You’ll complete the paperwork and background check when you pick it up. 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 Gray FAQ
What caliber is the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray?
It’s chambered in 6mm ARC with a 1:7.5 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. You pick the scope; the receiver is ready for bases and rings.
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 Gray while it’s in stock
The Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray is in stock at $537. 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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