Howa Mini Action Rifles

The Mini Action is Howa’s compact bolt action for AR-sized cartridges. The action, bolt and chamber are about 12 percent shorter than a standard short action, so the rifle is lighter and the bolt throw is shorter. We carry it in synthetic, walnut, carbon and chassis versions. We have 39 Howa Mini Action Rifles in stock, priced from $510 to $1,093.

Howa Mini Action Rifles by caliber

Here’s what’s in stock, grouped by cartridge:

6mm ARC: 12 rifles from $514, like the Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC 22 Inch
6.5 Grendel: 8 rifles from $518, like the Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel Green
7.62x39mm: 8 rifles from $518, like the Howa Mini Action 7.62×39 Green
.223 Remington: 5 rifles from $518, like the Howa Mini Action 223 Rem Green
22 ARC: 4 rifles from $510, like the Howa Mini Action 22 ARC
.350 Legend: 2 rifles from $624, like the Howa Mini Hunter 350 Legend

Why choose Howa Mini Action Rifles

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. It’s for the hunter who likes wood and blued steel but wants a lighter rifle than a full-size bolt gun.

Every centerfire rifle here uses the Howa 1500 action family: a two-lug, one-piece bolt and a three-position safety whose middle setting lets you unload on safe. Howa builds it in Japan, and it has been in production since 1979.

For cartridge specs, SAAMI publishes the industry standards. If you’re buying for a hunt, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page links to public land and state agencies.

A few to start with

Howa Mini Action 22 ARC ($510, the lowest price here): 22-inch threaded barrel and black synthetic stock. 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.

Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Gamepro ($598, a middle option): 20-inch barrel, gray HTI synthetic stock and a Nikko Stirling GamePro 4-12x40mm scope included. 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.

Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC Kryptek ($1,093, the top of the range): 22-inch barrel and carbon fiber stock with Kryptek Altitude camo webbing. 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.

Which caliber should you pick?

6mm ARC: best for deer, pronghorn and long-range targets
6.5 Grendel: best for deer, hogs and targets
7.62x39mm: best for deer, hogs and targets
.223 Remington: best for varmints, coyotes and targets
22 ARC: best for targets, varmints and coyotes
.350 Legend: best for deer in straight-wall states

If you mostly shoot paper and steel, lean toward the 6.5s and 6mm ARC. For deer and black bear, the .308, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 are hard to beat. For elk at distance, look at the 7mm PRC and magnums.

How shipping to your FFL works

Rifles ship to a licensed FFL dealer near you, not to your home. You’ll complete ATF Form 4473 and the background check when you pick it up. The ATF firearms Q&A covers the federal rules, and your state may add its own.