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+--- Thread: Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? (/showthread.php?tid=24197)
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - s3silver - 01-24-2022
So I already own a Howa mini with a 20" sporter barrel. It's all factory right now. I haven't shot it too much (nor done load workup for it) but from what I've shot it shoots a consistent 1 to 1.5 moa which is good enough for hunting. I got to thinking about a rebarrel to a heavier barrel profile higher end barrel which would probably set me back $300-400. Then I thought why not just buy another mini with the heavy barrel then I'll have two mini's: the sporter barrel one would be more of a lightweight hunting rifle while the heavy barrel one would be used for both hunting and as a range toy. My question is, those that have the heavy barrel, how satisfied are you with it? Is it a consistent 1 moa or less shooter that you have not justified upgrading to a higher end barrel?
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - garyrapp55 - 01-24-2022
I'm getting better than MOA from mine. I think about rebarreling to 22 Grendel sometimes but doubt that'll happen anytime soon, if ever. I might just build a 223AI. It may be thicker than the sporter but it is not really what I'd call a heavy barrel. Nonetheless, for what I gave for it, I'm pleased. My daughter ran it so hard one day I couldn't hold the barrel it was so hot. She was steadily making hits on 1 MOA steel.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - Paringa - 01-25-2022
The sporter will do better than MOA consistently with the right load.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - sharp.shooter - 01-25-2022
On my Howa Mini with 20" heavy barrel, I have been nothing but impressed with its accuracy. I bought the barreled action and installed in an MDT LSS chassis.
I've shot Hornady Custom 123 SST ammo as well as their American Gunner 123 gr. BTHP bulk ammo and both were better than 1/2" for 3 shots. I've since had the barrel shortened to 16.5" and accuracy went to pot. Had the barrel re-crowned, and accuracy improved to better than 3/4" but not to what it was before the barrel chop. It's still plenty good enough for white-tailed deer and hogs out to 250 yards, so no complaints.
Sharpshooter
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - myrifle - 01-25-2022
I loved, loved, loved my howa grendel I had. Except for one thing. The barrel wasnt long enough.
If they had a heavy barrel version with a 24 or 26 inch barrel, i would have never gotten the cz grendel.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - Worstletter - 01-26-2022
No the barrel isn't really a heavy barrel. My groups open up after 10 rounds on a hot day. It holds a good group with handloader but I would consider rebarrelling it once this one is shot out.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - s3silver - 01-27-2022
Thanks for all the feedback. No two barrels are alike but its reassuring to hear the heavy barrels out there are consistent shooters.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - s3silver - 01-27-2022
sharp.shooter Wrote:On my Howa Mini with 20" heavy barrel, I have been nothing but impressed with its accuracy. I bought the barreled action and installed in an MDT LSS chassis.
I've shot Hornady Custom 123 SST ammo as well as their American Gunner 123 gr. BTHP bulk ammo and both were better than 1/2" for 3 shots. I've since had the barrel shortened to 16.5" and accuracy went to pot. Had the barrel re-crowned, and accuracy improved to better than 3/4" but not to what it was before the barrel chop. It's still plenty good enough for white-tailed deer and hogs out to 250 yards, so no complaints.
Sharpshooter
Sorry to hear the accuracy went south after the barrel chop. This is a good example of how much we know about barrel harmonics and the shorter, stouter barrel may not always have the best harmonics.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - grayfox - 01-29-2022
s3silver Wrote:Sorry to hear the accuracy went south after the barrel chop. This is a good example of how much we know about barrel harmonics and the shorter, stouter barrel may not always have the best harmonics.
Roger that, but as an alternate theory, it could be that, inch for inch, the MV loss does not equate to staying on a node in the shorter barrel via the harmonic changes...
A powder load that hits your node for a 20" barrel most likely will not be on a node for a different length (aka Chris Long, OBT theories), that powder load will show a drop in MV at the shorter length, but the actual MV needed to be on the node at 16.5" (or whatever the new length might be), won't be the MV that the original load would give you.
In handloads you would most likely need to tweak the powder to get back to an MV that is on the node for that new length... or not and watch your shots spread out on the target...
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - xlcc - 01-29-2022
My Howa 20" HB shoots easily under 1" MOA with the correct load.
I wouldn't call it a real heavy barrel compared to other factory rifles.
I shoot out to 500yards at my home range and hunt with it.It is very consistant with a variety of bullets.
You will be happy if you buy one with it's accuracy.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - s3silver - 02-08-2022
grayfox Wrote:Roger that, but as an alternate theory, it could be that, inch for inch, the MV loss does not equate to staying on a node in the shorter barrel via the harmonic changes...
A powder load that hits your node for a 20" barrel most likely will not be on a node for a different length (aka Chris Long, OBT theories), that powder load will show a drop in MV at the shorter length, but the actual MV needed to be on the node at 16.5" (or whatever the new length might be), won't be the MV that the original load would give you.
In handloads you would most likely need to tweak the powder to get back to an MV that is on the node for that new length... or not and watch your shots spread out on the target...
That's a good point and observation that may be overlooked more times than not.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - s3silver - 02-08-2022
xlcc Wrote:My Howa 20" HB shoots easily under 1" MOA with the correct load.
I wouldn't call it a real heavy barrel compared to other factory rifles.
I shoot out to 500yards at my home range and hunt with it.It is very consistant with a variety of bullets.
You will be happy if you buy one with it's accuracy.
Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep my eyes out for one. They are hard to find new here and the ffl's here charge quite a bit to have guns shipped/transferred into the state.
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - Harpoon1 - 02-09-2022
s3silver Wrote:Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep my eyes out for one. They are hard to find new here and the ffl's here charge quite a bit to have guns shipped/transferred into the state.
Brownells has the 20 HB action for sale right now!
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - 1Merlin - 02-09-2022
There is a nice 6.5 complete USED rifle on GB right now....
Are you satisfied with the Howa mini heavy barrel? - Harpoon1 - 02-09-2022
1Merlin Wrote:There is a nice 6.5 complete USED rifle on GB right now....
I would never sell an accurate rifle!
Unless I actually knew the gun or could shoot it first, no way would I ever consider buying a used gun! To be fair, Im fiscally conservative. Only purchase low fee Index funds and prefer to take all of my risk in Equities!
