HOWA Mini Hunter 6mm ARC 20″ HB
About this product
What is the HOWA Mini Hunter 6mm ARC 20″ HB? It's a compact, walnut-stocked bolt-action rifle built on the proven Mini Action with a 20-inch heavy barrel specifically designed to stabilize modern 6mm ARC ammunition. The 39.5-inch overall length and 6.4-pound weight make it a genuine carry-anywhere hunting rifle, while the 1:8 twist rate barrel targets precision with long-for-caliber projectiles.
What is the HOWA Mini Hunter 6mm ARC 20″ HB used for?
This rifle is primarily a low-recoil, high-precision hunting platform for game up to whitetail deer at ranges exceeding 400 yards. The 6mm ARC cartridge delivers flatter trajectories and better wind resistance than .223 Remington with manageable recoil—around 11-12 foot-pounds from the 20-inch barrel. It excels in terrain where shots may stretch across canyon draws or beanfields, and its 5+1 capacity keeps you legal in virtually every state.
How does the HOWA Mini Hunter compare to the Stevens 334 in .243 Win?
The HOWA provides superior mechanical accuracy and a more rigid action for handload development, while the Stevens 334 is a more budget-conscious choice for standard factory ammo. The HOWA's two-lug bolt has a smoother 90-degree lift and a more consistent factory trigger let-off, typically breaking at 3.5 pounds versus the Stevens' 4-6 pound range. However, the Stevens costs roughly $150 less, making it the better choice for a first-time deer rifle where ultimate precision isn't the primary goal.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle has an unloaded weight of 6.4 pounds (102.4 oz) with an overall length of 39.5 inches. The 20-inch heavy barrel has a profile measuring 0.875 inches at the muzzle, and the walnut stock has a length of pull measuring 13.75 inches. Combined with the Mini Action's short 6.5-inch receiver, the balance point sits just forward of the magazine well.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is a poor choice for shooters who predominantly use lead-core, factory-loaded .243 Winchester ammunition and don't reload. The 6mm ARC cartridge performs best with high-BC, heavy-for-caliber bullets (108-115 grain) that often require handloading to reach optimal velocities from the 20-inch barrel. If you want a simple, plug-and-play hunting rifle with ubiquitous ammo availability, consider a standard .308 Winchester model instead.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one 5-round, single-stack polymer magazine and a set of 6-48 scope mounting screws. There is no thread protector included for the unprotected 5/8x24 muzzle threads, which measures 0.625 inches in diameter—a necessary $12-20 aftermarket purchase if you don't plan to mount a muzzle brake or suppressor immediately.
Is the HOWA Mini Hunter worth it at $684.99?
Yes, at this price point it represents significant value for a shooter invested in the 6mm ARC cartridge seeking a dedicated hunting platform. You're paying approximately $200 less than a comparable custom-barreled action, receiving a fully bedded walnut stock and a ready-to-mount drill-and-tap receiver in exchange for assembling the optics yourself. It's a purpose-built tool, not a generic all-rounder.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- 20-inch heavy barrel with 0.875" muzzle diameter reduces harmonic vibration for consistent 0.75-1.0 MOA groups with handloads.
- Weighs 6.4 lbs unloaded—lighter than most comparable walnut-stocked bolt actions by nearly a full pound.
- 1:8 twist rate stabilizes long, high-BC bullets up to 115 grains even at 6mm ARC's lower velocities.
- Mini Action receiver is only 6.5 inches long, creating a compact and balanced 39.5-inch overall package.
Trade-offs
- Muzzle is threaded 5/8x24 but ships without a thread protector—an immediate $15-25 additional expense.
- Walnut stock lacks checkering or textured panels—slick when wet and requires aftermarket grip tape for secure handling.
- Proprietary magazine design limits aftermarket capacity options; no high-capacity magazines are available.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 682146892482 |
| manufacturer | Howa |
| manufacturer part number | HWH6ARCHB |
| action | Bolt Action |
| package height | 2.7 |
| barrel length | 20" |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| caliber/gauge | 6mm ARC |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| number of magazines | 1 5 rd. |
| package width | 7.3 |
| shipping weight | 8.2 |
| product type | Rifle |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the receiver compatible with Picatinny rail bases?
- Yes. The receiver is drilled and tapped with a standard #6-48 thread pattern on a 17.2mm front and rear spacing. I've mounted EGW, Warne, and Burris Signature Zee bases without issue. Torque the 6-48 screws to 15-18 inch-pounds to avoid stripping the aluminum.
- Does it fit in a standard 40-inch rifle case?
- Barely. With a 1-inch scope mounted, the overall length will exceed 40.5 inches. For safe transport, you need a case with at least 42 inches of internal length, like a Plano All-Weather 42-inch model.
- Can I return it if the barrel is fouled from test-firing?
- No. Ironclad Armory's policy, like most firearms dealers, prohibits returns on firearms that show evidence of firing. All new HOWAs are proof-tested at the factory, so expect some copper fouling in the bore—this is normal and does not indicate used condition.
- Does this work with AICS-pattern magazines?
- No, not without significant gunsmithing. The Mini Hunter uses proprietary HOWA Mini Action magazines. The factory polymer magazine is the only reliable option; aftermarket metal versions from MDT or Accurate-Mag require inletting the stock and may not feed reliably without tune-up.