Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC build: an ultralight bolt-action hunting rifle

Key points: Howa Mini Action 6mm

• Kyle started the build around 2022, before he joined Hornady, from a Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel barreled action of about $400, chosen for its compact size, two-stage factory trigger and three-position safety that locks the bolt.
• He replaced the factory barrel with a 20-inch Proof Research carbon fiber barrel in full Sendero contour and a 1:7.5 twist, chambered with a standard SAAMI reamer by a gunsmith working on a manual lathe.
• The varmint barrel channel of his roughly 20-ounce carbon fiber stock was nowhere near big enough for the Proof barrel, so he opened it with a Dremel and finished the stock in textured spray paint and clear coat.
• The plastic factory bottom metal cracks if tightened past about 45 inch-pounds, so he fitted a Jefferson Outdoors hinged floor plate.
• With a Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40, Talley ultralight rings, a Dead Air Nomad suppressor and a twist-lock bipod, the rifle weighs about 7 pounds, and the scope's dial turret covers his practical limit of about 600 yards.
• His go-to handload is the Hornady 90-grain CX copper bullet at about 2,925 fps, which he names as his one cartridge and bullet for life.
• His StaBall Match loads for the 103-grain bullet showed pressure signs right away, so he hunted with factory 103-grain Precision Hunter ammunition and took a Utah pronghorn from a bag at about 275 yards.

About this Gun Review video

Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC hunting rifle, built by Kyle Brockhaus of Hornady's tech department and walked through part by part with host Seth Swerczek on the Hornady Podcast. He started from a 6.5 Grendel barreled action, swapped in a 20-inch Proof Research carbon fiber barrel, opened up a carbon fiber stock by hand and topped it with a Leupold VX-3HD. It weighs about 7 pounds as shown and took a Utah pronghorn at about 275 yards.

Transcript: Howa Mini Action