Howa 22 inch Sporter Review, 6.5 Grendel.

[usmcm16a2]

Gents,


Recently purchased a Howa 22 inch Sporter barreled Mini-Action in 6.5 Grendel. It’s equipped with a 3x9x40 Leupold Freedom scope. I went to the range on Tuesday and it shot very well. At 100 yards, groups were .75-1.0 MOA with 120gr Barnes TTSX. The rifle is here with me in the Eastern Sierra, I have spent the last two days hunting yotes. About 10 stands, nothing. June Lake Area, very little sign. I have the DIP magazine system, with 2 cut down mags. It is very light, and easy to point. Very pleased, A2

[biodsl]

Thanks for the comments. Given the direction Oregon is going I may have to purchase a bolt rifle soon. Tough decision between the Howa and CZ, but it sounds like you make the right choice.

[usmcm16a2]

Bio,


Avoid the CZ like the plague, I have had 2. Complete junk. One the chamber was wrong, sent it back. The second didn’t feed for shit. Howa, is the only rifle worth the money. And there are alternate magazine systems for the rifle. Jefferson Outdoors and Oregongunsmithing have now made BDL style bottom metal. The Howa is an outstanding action. A2

[A5BLASTER]

Bio,


Avoid the CZ like the plague, I have had 2. Complete junk. One the chamber was wrong, sent it back. The second didn’t feed for shit. Howa, is the only rifle worth the money. And there are alternate magazine systems for the rifle. Jefferson Outdoors and Oregongunsmithing have now made BDL style bottom metal. The Howa is an outstanding action. A2

My CZ putshpots the howa I had and the howa was a soild 1/2 moa rifle with handloads.

My CZ will do sub moa with factory ammo and tighter with handloads.

I do miss the flush fit mag setup of my howa.

[Harpoon1]

Both of my CZ’s have been issue free right from the factory. Both feed fine, 17 Hornet and Grendel. Same goes for both of my Howa’s, 7.62x39 and Grendel.

The problem with the Howa is, way too much plastic crap, bottom “metal” and magazines are pitiful.. And whoever designed the factory mag latch needs to be shot! Really?

The CZ is turnkey where the Howa needs upgrades to even compete. CZ has a better tigger, better mags (they’re actually metal) and a more reliable positive control micro-mauser action.

If I could start over again, I’d skip the Howa and just get the CZ, and never look back. YMMV.

Having said that, the Howa is a good gun, just wish it came with metal mags and a different mag latch design.

[tdbru]

A2,
i also picked up the howa mini 6.5 Grendel in 22" barrel length. put it in a B&C stock with JO flush bottom metal. and a Leupold 3x9 firedot vx-r patrol. i noticed that specific scope has been discontinued. probably why i got such a deal on it.

i've been trying to find a load for the barnes 100gr. TTSX that will group well. so far no luck. will try some more powders.

what is your load for that 120gr. TTSX?

i too like how light the rifle is and how handy. however, until i find the right load, mine isn't nearly as accurate as yours. by the way that 120gr. TTSX is long. you've got a lot of it inside the case. that's one of the reasons why i'm trying to find a 100gr. TTSX load that my mini likes. less bullet inside the case. also ttsx like speed. so i figure the light one is the one to use. so far it's being quite picky. I'm trying to work with the 100gr. TTSX and get a good load for it if we're forced to go to LFP too. i've tried Alliant Pro Power Varmint and Benchmark. i'll try some CFE223 tomorrow and see what happens. if that doesn't work i'll be trying some H4895 next. if i can't find a good load with any of these, i might be stuck. i went to get some things at Sportsmans' warehouse on Friday, and they were cleaned out of powders, most of the bullets were gone. primers were low. i've not seen that before. so i'll have to work with what i have on hand i suspect.

the sierra 85gr. HP varmint bullet groups ok, but i need to optimize that load too. hoping to use it on coyotes.

and while i was in at SW i found 2 boxes of 120gr. Federal Fusion and one box of 123gr. Hornady SST. that was about it for factory 6.5Gr ammo. so i'll give those a try and see how they group.

since everyone here touts the 120gr. Sierra MK as both accurate and forgiving on loading, i even have some of those to try out.

eventually i should find something that my little rifle likes... i hope.

-tdbru

[grayfox]

I've been able to get the 100 ttsx to shoot well in 16" AR, 20" AR and bolt (howa), and now in my 22" RAP, using 8208 xbr.
Work up but I'd guess you find a good node xxxxxxx-ish.

Edit: somewhere 28.8-29.6-ish...

[Javman]

With the 100TTSX at 30gr xbr it was very accurate in my 20"GB barrel set to 2.24" and hit 2800 FPS.

[Code4]

With the 100TTSX at 30gr xbr it was very accurate in my 20"GB barrel set to 2.24" and hit 2800 FPS.

As above. Also try that load with the 95-V-Max.

[tdbru]

local shops are all out of powder. of any kind. but next time i see some 8208 i'll grab it.
-tdbru