Howa Carbon Stalker

[squigz]

I've always been more interested in light weight rifles than heavy rifles, in the past I always thought my Remington 700 Mountain Rifles, Ruger M77 RSI and RL were the "ultra-light" deer rifles for hiking the mountains and carrying something light weight, ranging from 7 1/4 lbs to 8 lbs. 

Well, it's changed. I got my hands on a Howa Carbon Stalker Mini-Action in 6.5 Grendel, per the factory 4 lbs 10 oz out of the box.  

Where I "like" the ascetics of the carbon, I'm not a huge fan of how glossy it looks. It's not horribly slippery in hand, but I do wonder how it'll be in the winter time when the season comes around. 



From that point, I did a basic modification - Blind mag conversion (removed the detachable magazine and added in a blind drop plate from Oregon Gunsmithing) this bolted on without modifications needed to gun or stock. This made the gun feel completely different in hand and allows me to carry it much easier. Pictured above with it installed. 

Otherwise the parts are as follows - 
Howa Carbon Stalker Mini 6.5 Grendel
Oregon Gunsmith Howa Mini bottom metal
Tally Lightweight rings medium
Leupold VX-iic 2-7x

Once all put together, it came in around 5 lbs 11 oz (give or take) some day I'll get it on a digital scale and see what it really weighs. I'm a little disappointed, I was looking to do bolt-on only for 5 1/2 lbs, but what's another 3 ounces when you're already saving roughly 20 ounces on your already lightest gun.



I plan on testing Hornady 129 Interlocks, Speer 120gr GoldDots and Nosler 120gr Ballistic tips. I wanted to try some Nosler 100 gr BT's, but they're harder to find and I think I would rather have the 120's anyways for whitetails. My shots are mostly under 150 yards, any of these bullets will do the job without hesitation. 

[potatojudge]

I think you made some great choices. The mini action is a perfect size for those rounds. I think the 6 ARC or 6.5 Grendel would be hard to choose between. Both great options. I also dislike carrying a rifle with a magazine sticking out- ruins a nice lightweight hunter. Talley one piece are my go-to for weight savings also, and those Leupolds really are featherweights in this world of 40 ounce tactical scopes. I suppose if you don't like the stock feel in the winter you could apply some grippy tape or paint the stock. Wrapping the wrist section and forend with adhesive free bandage wrap might get you by. All three of those bullet choices are proven at low velocities and I suspect would kill whatever you hit beyond point blank range (which is what for that 6.5, 200-225 yards? I haven't looked at Grendel trajectories much). 

My RSI 7-08 was my lightweight rifle (excepting Contenders) until I put this Kimber Montana together. 6 lbs 3 ounces for a short action 7-08 with a VX6 2-12 illuminated scope with CDS dial and brake. Prior scope was a VX3 I believe, non illuminated, but the upgrade was worth a couple of ounces. I could have the bolt fluted and a titanium bolt handle screwed on, but its already so easy to carry. The Adirondack and Mountain Ascent versions weight a few ounces less.

I'd recommend a paracord sling for weight savings as well. Not sure if there's a lighter sling, probably is, but the utility of however many feet of paracord if needed emergently is welcome.

[squigz]

Jun 6, 2022 10:53:26 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

I think you made some great choices. The mini action is a perfect size for those rounds. I think the 6 ARC or 6.5 Grendel would be hard to choose between. Both great options. I also dislike carrying a rifle with a magazine sticking out- ruins a nice lightweight hunter. Talley one piece are my go-to for weight savings also, and those Leupolds really are featherweights in this world of 40 ounce tactical scopes. I suppose if you don't like the stock feel in the winter you could apply some grippy tape or paint the stock. Wrapping the wrist section and forend with adhesive free bandage wrap might get you by. All three of those bullet choices are proven at low velocities and I suspect would kill whatever you hit beyond point blank range (which is what for that 6.5, 200-225 yards? I haven't looked at Grendel trajectories much). 

My RSI 7-08 was my lightweight rifle (excepting Contenders) until I put this Kimber Montana together. 6 lbs 3 ounces for a short action 7-08 with a VX6 2-12 illuminated scope with CDS dial and brake. Prior scope was a VX3 I believe, non illuminated, but the upgrade was worth a couple of ounces. I could have the bolt fluted and a titanium bolt handle screwed on, but its already so easy to carry. The Adirondack and Mountain Ascent versions weight a few ounces less.

I'd recommend a paracord sling for weight savings as well. Not sure if there's a lighter sling, probably is, but the utility of however many feet of paracord if needed emergently is welcome.

I'm going to give the feeling of the stock a little time, get some range time with it and see what really happens. I thought about the bandage wrap etc. don't know if I have the heart to throw it on the gun, otherwise having it professional painted and possibly putting a grippy area in might be the next "major" move. I couldn't find a scope that was light weight enough for my needs, so I ended up going with what I know and it's these Leupold 2-7's, even the newer 2-7's are heavier, so I had to spend time looking around for the right one used.

I was initially going the Kimber Mountain Ascent route when I was trying to build a light weight rifle, but decided that I already have all those calibers in other "light weight" rifles and wanted something different. This is the first Grendel I own and am excited just for how little yet potent it really seems.

I wasn't so much between the ARC which is also offered in this configuration from Howa and the Grendel, I have had this planned for well over a year now so I amassed plenty of supplies on the 6.5 front specific to the Grendel's functionality/impact velocities.

I was thinking about the same, changing bolt handle, getting this done, that done, cutting the barrel down etc. But at what point does spending all that money to save, say, 2-4 oz. really make THAT much of a difference? I need to just be happy with it being 3oz heavier than I "perfectly" wanted, which I am by all means.

[potatojudge]

The ounces get more expensive the lighter you go lol.

This Subalpine in 280AI has the fluted barrel, skeletonized extractor, thinned bolt handle, all the factory stuff. Non-illuminated scope with drop reticle and dial. Stock has a grippy rubberized skin, which feels a little weird.

For the same weight, the 7-08 Montana rig is the better option of the two IMO. For even less weight, that Howa is sweet and will cover 95%+ of shots you might take.

[bushog]

You guys are talking about para chord for a sling but Trader Keith’s rifle strap is the choice for all my rifles and is light. At least the lightest sling Ive ever used and THEY WORK!

www.traderkeith.com/products.html

Scroll down to the rifle strap

[jeffh]

HUGE fan of TINY rifles myself!

Currently, my main rifles are Contender Carbines and a CZ 527 American in 222. Once I shot the CZ 527 Youth Carbine in 7.62x39, I bought a Youth Carbine stock for my 222 also. I will be trimming the barrel back to 18.5" when I get a chance and will have a very compact little 22 centerfire.

Intrigued by the Grendel also, mostly because it fits in the CZ 527. Shame they discontinued them, but it's great that Howa is producing a tiny action and including that chambering.

[squigz]

Jun 7, 2022 10:19:27 GMT -5 jeffh said:

HUGE fan of TINY rifles myself!

Currently, my main rifles are Contender Carbines and a CZ 527 American in 222. Once I shot the CZ 527 Youth Carbine in 7.62x39, I bought a Youth Carbine stock for my 222 also. I will be trimming the barrel back to 18.5" when I get a chance and will have a very compact little 22 centerfire.

Intrigued by the Grendel also, mostly because it fits in the CZ 527. Shame they discontinued them, but it's great that Howa is producing a tiny action and including that chambering.

There was the CZ at the LGS when I was picking up this gun, I thought about it for a second cause I would much prefer a wooden stock, but it unfortunately didn't meet what I was attempting to do, and that's keep it around 5.5lbs with scope. Beautiful guns though.