Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Howa 1500 mini action 6.5 Grendel

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    161

    Howa 1500 mini action 6.5 Grendel

    This is a gun you may not have considered, the cartridge (based on the 7.62 by 39) looks too small to be a serious long range or hunting calibre, however, american shooters have been routinely shooting 1000 yard matches and hunting whitetail deer and feral pig with it (admitedly mainly using AR 15 derived guns as the round was developed around this platform to fit AR 15 magazines.
    I have just taken delivery of one of the standard barrelled 22 inch mini action 1500's and first impressions are very good, the gun is smaller than the short action and lighter, the pillar bedded overmoulded stock is not hougue but is very comfortable with a good but pad. The HACT trigger is crisp with no creep although I may replace the springs to reduce the weight slightly. The ballistics of the 6.5 make it a very serious contender, the mini action is probably a much better hunting rifle than a target shooter, I will let you know how it shoots but if it is anything like my 1500 .243 I will be delighted as that is a 0.5 moa shooter.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Devizes
    Posts
    5,031
    My mate has one and loves it, he's taken fallow and roe with it running 120 NBTs at 2700 fps which is just shy of what I run them at in my 6.5x55 (could push them up to 3k but deer wouldn't be any more dead and more damage would occur).

    I was quite tempted by one but already have 2 x 6.5s and they aren't importing the CZ527 in Grendel which would be my choice over the howa, the sporter I have handled was just a bit 'too light' for my liking but I have a thing for heavy barrels.

    My middle cartridge of choice instead will be the 25-45 sharps; once I've shot through my remaining .223 ammo the cz527 will be re-barrelled with a medium weight barrel in this calibre. This will give me an all deer legal cartridge If however I didn't have a howa varmint in 6.5 creedmoor then I definitely would have gone for a varmint 6.5 grendel.

    PS if you reload and you want a decent fox / long range vermin bullet and you can find them the Sierra 85gr varminters are working very well for me out of the creed, you should get them up to circa 3000 fps out of the Grendel.
    Thanks for looking

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    161
    To be honest a slightly heavier barrel would be nice but I was intrigued by the fact that such a short cartridge could show the potential it does. The 6.5x55 is a superb deer rifle but the cartridge is much longer and needs a lot more powder, I like the very short action of the mini howa coupled with the light weight and the very light recoil. The creedmore is also interesting and very capable but the Grendel is just that bit different.
    I am reloading for it and my first loads will use the lapua 123gn scenar heads, it was all I could find at short notice, I intend to try the 85gn and the 110gn when I have the chance.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Devizes
    Posts
    5,031
    Quote Originally Posted by neutron_bomb View Post
    To be honest a slightly heavier barrel would be nice but I was intrigued by the fact that such a short cartridge could show the potential it does. The 6.5x55 is a superb deer rifle but the cartridge is much longer and needs a lot more powder, I like the very short action of the mini howa coupled with the light weight and the very light recoil. The creedmore is also interesting and very capable but the Grendel is just that bit different.
    I am reloading for it and my first loads will use the lapua 123gn scenar heads, it was all I could find at short notice, I intend to try the 85gn and the 110gn when I have the chance.
    100 gr NBTs would be a good choice for deer out f this cartridge
    Thanks for looking

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    161
    I have finally managed to fire a few shots through this rifle and it is very smooth, the recoil is light and the factory two stage trigger is very crisp. I even like the stock Howa have used it is very comfortable and fits me well. All told this is an impressive gun shooting a surprisingly effective projectile with little muzzle blast or recoil. I was unable to shoot many rounds and need to do more using a good scope to assess its accuracy but first impressions are very good.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    161
    I have now replaced the trigger springs and the weight is down to about 1.5 lbs and very crisp, I have a boyd stock on order and a 6-24x50 scope and have started fire forming some cases, the gun shoots well and I will start to work up an accuracy load soon along with some chrono work. The gun is lovely to shoot with very little recoil.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •