Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Rifle, 20″ Barrel

Description

The Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC is a 6mm ARC bolt action rifle with a 20-inch barrel, a charcoal 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

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.

Every Howa 1500 starts with a forged and machined receiver and a one-piece bolt with two lugs. The three-position safety has a middle setting that lets you work the bolt to unload while the rifle stays on safe.

The 6mm ARC cartridge

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.

Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC specs

• Model: Howa Mini Action
• Caliber: 6mm ARC
• Barrel length: 20 inches
• Twist rate: 1:7.5
• Stock: Charcoal gray HTI synthetic stock
• Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
• Overall length: 39.5 inches
• Safety: three-position
• Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
• Price: $537

Is this the right rifle for you?

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

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.

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.

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.

Your first range trip

Bring a solid rest, a few targets and at least two boxes of ammo. Start at 25 yards to get on paper, then move to 100 and make your final adjustments with three-shot groups. 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 vs similar Howa rifles

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

• Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gray: a gray 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.

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.

Shipping to your FFL dealer

Rifles can’t ship straight to your door. When you order the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC, we ship it to a federally licensed (FFL) dealer near you. You fill out ATF Form 4473 there, pass the background check and take it home. 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 6mm ARC

What caliber is the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC?

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. If you want a brake or suppressor, pick one of the threaded models instead.

Order your Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC

Ready to order? The Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC is $537 and ships to your FFL. If you’re stuck between two models, send us a message and we’ll give you a straight answer.