At the SHOT 2016 Media day Howa premiered their new Mini Action series of rifles in 6.5 Grendel. The Mini Action series features an action that is 12% shorter than a 6.9″ action. These rifles are incredibly lightweight and very compact. The two models I got to shoot; a heavy barrel Multicam model, as well as a thin barreled OD green model, were very accurate. Howa will be introducing a 7.62×39 model later this year.

Howa Mini Action rifle. This rifle was chambered in 6.5 Grendel. It was very accurate and I had no problems hitting steel at 300 yards. There was very little recoil. The trigger was crisp and broke clean.

Getting it done at 300 yards.

Howa Mini Action model with small profile barrel. Note the Hogue OverMolded stock.

These rifles are part of the Howa 1500 series. They come with 20 and 22 inch barrels. They feed from a 10 round detachable magazine and feature Howa’s two stage H.A.C.T trigger. These rifles include a 3-9 scope.

The Howa Mini Action rifle would be perfect for varmint hunting, “plinker” for a recoil sensitive shooter or as a long range training rifle. I like to practice the fundamentals of precision marksmanship with both a .17 HMR and a .223/5.56 rifle. I have around 500 rounds of 7.62×39 in my safe. I will probably add the 7.62×39 version of this rifle to my collection when it hits the market. The Howa representatives were extremely nice on Range Day. Thank you for the opportunity to shoot your rifle.

Howa is at Legacy Sports International. Booth’s 3036 and 3035.