+- 6.5 Grendel Forum (https://65grendel.com)
+-- Forum: 6.5 GRENDEL DISCUSSION FORUMS (https://65grendel.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: 6.5 Grendel Bolt Actions & Single Shots (https://65grendel.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=17)
+--- Thread: HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? (/showthread.php?tid=24355)
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - USAF Retired - 03-10-2022
First post here. Just had an AR in 6.5 built and would like a bolt action as well. I am looking at the Howa mini 1500. I am pretty short and the stock on it has a pretty lengthy LOP for me. Was looking at getting a barreled action from Brownell's and a Boyds stock. Was wondering how much work the pillar bedding is that you can order. For a hunting rifle is it worth it or can you just drop it in and shoot? It will be a truck gun for deer hunting. Thanks.
Patrick
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - grayfox - 03-10-2022
Welcome to the forum Patrick,
The Boyds stocks have basically 3 issues you would need to address.
1. The pillar bedding, I got some stuff on my own and over 2-3 days got that done but there was a lot of planning and figuring since it was my first, mostly to figure what diameter of inserts to use, exactly how long they should be, and how to drill out the bolt holes correctly, that all was 1-1.5 weeks of planning and thinking.
2. The biggest problem is getting the wood straight down where the bottom plastic goes, and the depth correct. Boyds has trouble getting those dimensions right, plus the plastic has a tendency to crack if you tighten it too much - that happens too easily. It's better, if you're going this way, to get the Dip insert or one from hokypokeykid who is on here, Jefferson something-something., or there's an outfit Oregun works I think, so 3 options.
3. The barrel channel probably is not centered and may even hit the barrel so that usually needs sanding out - it's big enough but typically off center.
A better way IMO is to look at the bell and carlson stock, there's a regular for thin barrels and an M40 style for heavy barrel. These pretty much are gtg out of the box. And with the time/effort/parts/supplies you need to get for the boyds, about the same cost wise.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - HokeyPokeyKid - 03-10-2022
I just ordered a Boyds platinum stock for another action I was building and it was surprisingly better than expected. I ordered it with factory pillars installed because I didn't feel like doing it myself.
I was satisfied with the fit and the barrel channel was centered, only a few pieces of splintered wood from inletting needed to be removed. Was it luck of the draw?
That being said all my other Howa Mini's live in bell and carlson stocks but I don't know if you can order a custom LOP
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - Harpoon1 - 03-10-2022
Quote:That being said all my other Howa Mini's live in bell and carlson stocks but I don't know if you can order a custom LOP
I believe you can when ordering by phone. Theres an up charge but then you get a custom LOP.
I would think the B&C would also be lighter than the Boyds. Every Boyds I have feels over built, and heavier than it could be for its size.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - HokeyPokeyKid - 03-10-2022
Harpoon1 Wrote:I believe you can when ordering by phone. Theres an up charge but you get a custom LOP.
I would think the B&C would also be lighter than the Boyds. Every Boyds I have feels over built, and heavier than it could be for its size.
My B&C m40 stock is 6oz lighter than the Boyd's platinum....
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - Harpoon1 - 03-10-2022
HokeyPokeyKid Wrote:My B&C m40 stock is 6oz lighter than the Boyd's platinum....
Roger that!
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - grayfox - 03-10-2022
HP kid, might have been luck of the draw. then again they might have re-visited and corrected their designs. Don't know.
But the B&C still seems to be better. Don't know if he can get the B&C in the shorter lop however....
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - garyrapp55 - 03-18-2022
The Boyd's I got needed a good bit of work. Hind sight, I wish I had got something else.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - gmww - 03-21-2022
I bought a Boyds stock for my HB Howa Mini in .223. When I bought the 6.5 Grendel mini-action I went with the thinner longer barrel. For grins I tried it in the HB stock and it fit pretty well. Looks good too even with the HB barrel channel. Still haven't shot it yet but it is pretty tight and I don't think the 6.5 Grendel recoil is going to give it any issues.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - Sammy - 04-02-2022
This is my first time using Boyd's stock(AT-One). The installation went absolutely fine. Like any other wood stock, it needs bedding. Also, due to the bottom being plastic, one has to also make sure the bottom mating surface is absolutely flat. I used the same "bedding" approach for the bottom. After the bottom epoxy cured, I bedded the action itself. After 3 months and a couple of hundred rounds, there are no cracks.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - just_john - 04-07-2022
First, thank you for your service!
I put the Howa in an AT-One stock, needed some channeling to get the barrel off of the left side. But, I have two other issues. The first, the wrist in this stock is, by design, squared with distinct corners. I'm an older guy ( mid-70's ) with developng arthritis in my hands. One of the edges of the squared off wrist lines up quite well with one of the joints in my right thumb. Painfull !! Took a lot of Dremel to smooth 'em off and make it more comfortable. Secondly, I also have several toys in the thumb hole version of that stock. There is a significant ( perception ? ) weight difference, the original At-One seems significantly heavier than the T-H versions. And, with either, get someone's metal bottom plate.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - grayfox - 04-07-2022
Yeah, several of us guys have the big 7-0 in the rear view!
At one seemed awfully blocky to me. And roger on the heavy side too.
I know you've already sunk some $$ in it but what I finally did was sell it and get an mdt chassis setup. Now that works great for the mini...
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - just_john - 04-07-2022
I have several in the At-One thumbhole stocks. The balance is much better and they seem lighter as well. Been getting with the bedded posts already installed. Love 'em!! Dropped a Ruger 6mm CM into one of the TH stocks and get sub caliber grouping with factory ammo.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - BD264 - 04-15-2022
I've worked on dozens of Boyd's stocks, as I do all the woodwork for a gunsmith in town. Out of those dozens, all but a couple have needed hours of extra work to get them right. Good place to start, but there are better options out there as lined out by people above my post.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - USAF Retired - 06-11-2022
Thanks everyone. Sorry for a delay in reply. Family emergency. I will be buying the Bell and Carlson stock since it is a drop in. The standard stock has a 13.87" LOP and the B&C has a 13.5, which should fit me just fine. Thanks again.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - USAF Retired - 07-05-2022
[ATTACH=CONFIG]18947[/ATTACH]
B&C stock. Fits me great. Vortex Diamondback 4-12x44.
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - VASCAR2 - 07-05-2022
Look great!
HOWA MINI and Boyds Stock - Work Required? - USAF Retired - 07-06-2022
VASCAR2 Wrote:Look great!
I like it. Have to get high scope rings, though. With the raised comb, it puts my big melon a bit above center line.