New Howa Mini Build l. Finally got it to the range!

[B8brad]

This is my 1st post but I have been lurking here for a few years. I have been in the Grendel game for about 7 or 8 years.

This is the caliber that finally got me into reloading after years of wanting to get into it.

I started with a couple of Aero Precision 20” AR platform builds that have been absolute tac drivers with my hand loads and pretty much immediately made the Grendel one of my favorite calibers.

This past spring I put together a Howa Mini 20” Heavy Barrel action from Brownells on a Bell & Carlson M40 stock and upgraded with DPI bottom metal.

Been busy with work and getting one kid graduated from college and getting the second started in college. GIG EM! Anyway, finally got out this last weekend to shoot.

Wow is all I can say! This rifle is going to be a shooter

So far I have landed on 27.6 g AR-comp with 123 ELDM. I could probably go higher as I was not seeing anything remotely close to pressure signs.

I did decide to somewhat, for the first time ever, follow the break in procedure. I cleaned after every shot for the 1st ten but instead of cleaning after every two after the 1st ten shots I shot 2 more groups of 5 and cleaned after each group of 5.

Here is my ladder progression. Let me know if you guys are seeing around the same results.

Powder: AR Comp
Bullet: Hornady 123g ELDM
Primer: CCI 400
Brass: New never fired Starline brass / full prep (no anneal on new brass)

5 shot groups at 100 yds- will do 10 shot groups next trip.

27.0 g AR Comp
2420 FPS
Spread 26
SD 10
Group .52

27.2 G
2440 FPS
Spread 20
SD 8
Group .65

27.4 G
2448 FPS
spread 28
SD 9
Group .70

27.6 G
2461 FPS
Spread 17
SD 6
Group .48”

[VASCAR2]

Congrats on the new build, sounds like you have a keeper. From reading on here you might see your velocity come up as the barrel wears in. Pictures are always welcome on the forum.

[biodsl]

This past spring I put together a Howa Mini 20” Heavy Barrel action from Brownells on a Bell & Carlson M40 stock and upgraded with DPI bottom metal.

I have to admit this very combination has been a temptation to me. I really like the look of the M40 stock. Congratulations on your build.

[B.White]

I have the same on the way from Brownells and have some ELDs ready to load next week and see if they work out ok with 8208. Might be a while before the stock and other pieces arrive to try it out. I have a couple of other Howas in 6.5CM and like them, so it didn't take much to convince me to add this one.

[cwlongshot]

Congratulation Brad. Some impressive results! Im hoping to also pickup this barrelled action in the spring. I have a stock, scope mount & Bottom metal in hand. Ill just need choose & source a optic.

I have a LWT Barrel Howa mini thats a shooter too. Hoping this hB is.


CW