Tag Archives: howa mini

Ruger American Gen 2 versus Howa Mini: A Tale of Two ARC’s

July 22, 2026blog6 ARC, 6mm ARC, american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, howa, howa 1500, howa mini, legacy sports internations, m1500, mini action, ruger, ruger americancoldboremiracle

Purpose

As the popularity of the 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (6 ARC) continues to grow, there are more and more firearms chambered in the cartridge. Two popular rifles that carry the 6 ARC chambering (among many others) are the Ruger American and the Howa Mini action rifles. Both are very popular and well built rifles, and today we will be putting the rifles side by side to see how they compare. These are the hard things I do for you, so that you can decide which one better suits your needs. Ruger American Gen 2 versus Howa Mini is a direct comparison of the two rifles, not just as 6 ARC rifles, but as platforms themselves. Both rifles are available in a huge variety of configurations and calibers, but since these two are almost direct comparisons it is a good place to take a look.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, Amend 2, shooting supported from tripod in the mountains, — most of my shooting with the Ruger American has bee using the **Banish Meateater suppressor**

Specifications

Lets start out with a direct comparison of some of the features. The Ruger is a newer design that incorporates many of the newest stylings and manufacturing techniques. While the Howa is a more traditional design, incorporating many of the best features learned from building rifles over the last fifty-years. Despite some of the differences they are still quite similar.

	Ruger American 6ARC	Howa Mini 6ARC
Barrel length	20-inch	20-Inch
Barrel Twist	1:7.7-inches	1:7.5-Inches
Capacity	10-Rounds (factory)	5-Rounds (factory)
Weight	6.5 Lbs	6.6 Lbs
Magazine System	AR-15 Style	Proprietary
Action Type	Three-lug Rotary bolt-action	Two-lug Rotary bolt-action
Extractor Type	Sliding Plate Extractor	M-16 Style Claw
Bolt Construction	One-piece Machined	One-piece Forged
Bolt Knob	5/16-24 interchangeable	Solid
Safety	3-position plus blade safety	3-position
Trigger	Adjustable single stage	Adjustable two-stage
Stock	Configurable Polymer	One-piece Polymer
Bedding System	Power Bedding V-block	Pillar-bedded
Muzzle Device	Radial Muzzle Brake ⅝-24	Thread Protector ⅝-24
Scope Mounting system	Proprietary Rail Included	2-Piece R700 Compatible
Overall Length	41.25-Inches	39.5-Inches
Length of Pull	12-13.75-inches	13.5-Inches
Finish	Cerakote	Matte Bluing

Howa Mini

The Howa Mini is a scaled down version of their popular M1500 short-action, the Mini version made to handle the smallest centerfire cartridge families. Basically cartridges that are made for an AR15 sized action like the .223 Remington, 300Blk, 350 Legend, the 6.5 Grendel and of course the 6 ARC seen here.

The Mini is fed from a proprietary magazine made by Howa, it is a polymer 5-round that hangs out the bottom of the stock. Releasing the magazine is done with a button at the front of the magwell, while capturing the magazine in your palm.

With its two-stage trigger, the Mini gives excellent control for the shooter when breaking the shot. Its three-position safety has a safe, safe load/unload, and a firing position. All this mounted via pillars in the hard molded stock.

Ruger American

The Ruger American also has some scaled down features, but its action remains the same as other short-action Americans. Ruger designed the American to be mass produced, using similar parts for as many models as possible. The magazine well of the stock is interchangeable, meaning you can simply swap it out for a different sized cartridge.

Additionally, the American stock incorporates the Power Bedding V-block system that directly mates with the action. And the stock can be configured depending on the shooter, with a separate removable spacer system to shorten length of pull. You can also order different comb-height spacers to get the best eye position behind the scope.

The American’s Marksman trigger is easily adjustable, and it also has a three-position safety just like the Howa. The difference is the American is tang mounted compared to the Howa’s right side of the tang location.

If you want to go to an aftermarket trigger, Rifle Basics makes one for the MIni and there are several options for the Ruger including a Timney and Jard Triggers.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, magazine, magwell, magazine adaptor, disassembly, — the Ruger uses an **AR15 style 6 ARC magazine**

Using a three-lug bolt on the American shortened the bolt lift for the rifle, making it fast to operate. The Ruger bolt is timed by its bolt-stop that also acts like a key, keeping the bolt stroking inline. As compared to the Mini that uses the bolt lugs against the bolt raceway for timing.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, action and trigger, boltface detail, — here you can see some of the inner workings of the American

The sliding Plate extractor of the Ruger snaps around rims of cartridges, and a plunger style ejector throws them out of the action when the bolt is opened. The M16 claw style extractor of the Mini has more leverage as it bites into the rim, but uses the same plunger style ejector.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, shooting from a tripod in the mountains, — Shooting the Ruger from my **Two Vets carbon fiber tripod**

On The Firing Line

I have shot both of these rifles extensively over the past few years, and both of them serve a great purpose in this caliber. Whether it be for hunting varmints or even lighter big game animals, both of these rifles would be an excellent choice. I have had the Howa Mini longer, so don’t be surprised that I have a little more insight on the rifle.

A fine selection of ammo from **Hornady**

Accuracy

On my first trip to the range with the rifles, I got a fairly similar result from both. I would shoot a couple of the production ammunition options from Hornady. The 105gr Black ammo, the 108gr Match ammo, as well as a few other handloaded options. Neither of them was super impressive with the factory ammunition choices, with the Howa averaging around MOA, and the Ruger as well. But once I switched over to my handloaded 105gr loads, things changed. Both of the rifles quickly tightened up with the new source, shooting well under MOA.

Feeding

Cycling the actions while on a bench at the range, I found out a lot about the magazine systems. The Ruger American uses AR15 magazines, which are metal. And though they feed fine, they are a little more sticky than the polymer lips of the Howa magazine. So both rifles fed without issue, but the Howa had a slightly smoother feel to it.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, bolt manipulation, — the Ruger American wears a **Lucid Optics 4.5-18×44 rifle scope**

Magazines

Conversely, the Howa magazine had its own detriments. For example, they aren’t particularly expensive and it shows. They work great but I’d be afraid that if I stepped on it they would break for sure. I’d love it if they were a bit more robust, and being as they are only five-round magazines, it seems like they should be shorter. Maybe not flush with the stock but at least less obtrusive than they are. Duramag makes a near flush fitting magazine specifically for the American you can see here.

the original setup for the Howa included the **Nikko Sterling scope** and **YHM R9 suppressor**

Triggers

Triggers on both rifles were great considering these rifles prices. I will readily admit that I did adjust both of them a little to improve the feel. But even in their stock configuration they feel fine. I love a good good 2-stage trigger, and the Mini’s 2-stage feels great to me.

If I had to pick, I like it a touch more than the American trigger. I also hate trigger blade safeties, I used to take them off my old Savage rifles back when I had them. Even so, the American trigger is perfectly fine. And after I adjusted it slightly I liked it even more, to the point I completely forgot about the the blade safety.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, Amend 2, — the mag release on the Ruger is a little bit of a reach for the trigger finger

Bolt Lift & Stroke

The shorter bolt-lift of the American seems preferable, and yet when doing most of my shooting I hardly noticed the difference. Its almost like you only notice it when you focus on it. This also depends on the rifle scope used with the rifle. If you put a large riflescope on either of these rifles, the shorter lift of the Ruger is less likely to cause occlusions with bolt or fingers when operating it. Whereas on the Howa, the bolt is much closer to the scope because of its longer lift.

howa, howa mini, 6 arc, 6mm arc, shooting prone — the Howa Mini has had the same **US Optics** scope on it for a few years now

Aftermarket

Support from the aftermarket is a big deal these days, and for that topic the Ruger wins. The American rifle has a host of aftermarket supporters making everything from triggers to bolt-knobs and chassis. While the Mini also has some support, it seems less prolific which makes sense. The Ruger American has been around longer, and Ruger is a massive stalwart in the industry. Howa is a lesser known brand, with perhaps a more traditional following that might be less likely to customize their rifle. That is of course changing nowadays.

Report Card

Instead of a typical pros and cons, I am choosing to give these two rifle a grade as compared to the other. To clarify, this report card is a direct comparison between only these two rifles. As they compare to each other, not against anything else which could be a big difference.

	Ruger American 6ARC	Howa Mini 6ARC
Accuracy	A-	A-
Shootability	A-	B+
Reliability	A	A
Ergonomics	A	B+
Value	B+	A-
Production Quality	A-	A-
Finish	A	B
Aftermarket Support	A	B+
Trigger Quality	A-	A
Action feel	B+	B+
Magazine System	B+	B+
Barrel Features	A	B+
Stock Configuration	A	B
Stock Feel	B+	A-
Average Grade	A-	B+

I was actually surprised myself when I looked at the report card between the two. Because I wouldn’t have thought there would be as much disparity even in my own findings. A great deal of the difference comes from the Ruger’s modularity and aftermarket support, which can be very subjective. As I mentioned I have more time with the Mini, and perhaps thats why I like it so much and defend its virtues.

howa, howa mini, 6 arc, 6mm ARC, deer hunting, mule deer, suppressed hunting, woman posing with a mule deer — the Howa Mini has been my wife’s hunting rifle for years now, you can read about it here

My Verdict

As you can tell by now, I like both of these rifles. I suggest that you go with whichever of the two you find more in line with your needs. For some it might just come down to brand preference. Both of them are capable of good accuracy, and both of them can be had in calibers other than 6 ARC as well. I myself suffer from terminal poly-gunism, and therefore cannot bring myself to eliminate a gun from my collection without at least a moderate disliking. Something neither of these rifles inspire in me.

Hopefully I have shed some additional light on these two rifles, enough to allow you to better choose one for yourself. Feel free to drop a comment or question, I’ll be happy to answer them.

-CBM

If you’d like to see both of these rifle reviewed individually, you can see them here:

Howa Mini 6 ARC

Ruger American 6 ARC

A Stalk to Die for

October 26, 2025huntingDeer, deer hunting, howa, howa mini, mule deercoldboremiracle

Preface

Spot and stalk Mule deer hunting is at the top of many hunters list of to-do’s. Living at the forefront of the Wasatch range of the Rocky Mountains, I often get to practice this style of hunting. The romantic allure of outsmarting one of these bucks is a draw for sure. Today I bring you a story of a stalk to die for, perhaps one of my best executed spot and stalks. And it was sealed with blood and sweat, instead of the more common sweat and disappointment. To add even more value to this hunt, my sweet tiny wife was along to run the trigger for this hunt. And it served as the crown jewel to a hunting season littered with success. Our kids had already shot three deer this week, and we had packed out every one of them. So as the sun began to rise yesterday, I could still feel every pound and mile in my sore legs and feet.

deer hunting, mule deer, — Santiago packing out part of his buck earlier this week. Hiding under all that mess is his **Browning X-Bolt 2** and suppressed by the **Banish Backcountry can**

Sunrise

It was the morning of the seventh day of our Utah Mule deer general season. Our success this year had been above average, as I had yet to see anyone else harvest a buck on the same mountain we hunted. Due to an unanticipated change in plans, instead of watching the sunrise from our typical ridge-top spot at 8500 feet above sea level we started at the bottom of our valley.

From the foothills where I grew up hiking and camping as a kid, we watched the red morning light creep across the frosted landscape. My wife, our youngest and I peered through glass looking for deer. My expectations were low, as several days of prior scouting hadn’t turned up anything worth a second look, at least not down here, but things were about to change.

From roughly a mile and a half away, I picked out a couple does feeding on an open grassy area. As I broadened my search area around them, I picked out another deer that was instantly identified by his boney headwear. From that distance I wasn’t sure of an actual count on points, I just knew he would certainly do.

mule deer, deer hunting, — our buck, seen through the **Nikon Monarch 82mm Fieldscope** from nearly two miles away

A Plan

For several hours, and moving several times to relocate him, we watched this buck move. He was the only buck we’d seen this morning, and I didn’t want him to get away. We followed him across several faces, until it seemed he was ready to bed down. He had been closely following the two does, perhaps in some pre-rut activity based on his body language. They finally slowed down, and fed in an open area in a small bowl. I knew why they’d chosen that spot, it was rugged and thick enough to provide ample security, and far enough away from people to avoid contact. Unless of course they were being watched through my spotting scope off in the distance.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, Nikon Monarch 82ED-A Fieldscope — my **Nikon Monarch 82A Fieldscope** mounted on the **Rokstad carbon fiber tripod**

I knew the way to get to that bowl, and my plan was to hike in from the north. It would be about a mile and a half, gaining a couple thousand feet along the way. So we stuffed our packs accordingly, removing everything we didn’t need, and with enough snacks to wait them out through the afternoon.

The three of us carried our packs, and I carried my wife’s rifle in my Eberlestock Just One pack for comfort. Her rifle is a Howa Mini chambered in 6 ARC, she has done very well with this rifle in the past. Today we would lean hard on the accuracy of the little ARC loaded with Hornady 105 grain BTHP match bullets.

hunting, deer hunting, — a turkey feather cunning placed as we climbed

The Approach

A few hours (and snacks) later, we had gained enough elevation to get into the bowl where the deer hid. To my great relief, the wind was moving perfect for our plan. It came from the side where the deer were expected to lay, and at a fairly constant 5-10 mph it blew in our faces. We’d came in high, as I’d planned to get a good look of the area. Over the course of another half-hour, we quietly snuck deeper into the bowl. Eventually finding the perfect hideout; a large rock structure with a grassy depression where we could build a hide and wait them out. Our position put us downwind, and above the suspected bedding area about two-hundred yards away.

For the next few hours we watched, and rested. Peering over the edge of our towering hide, we’d occasionally see a doe or two feeding about in the thick and thorny bottom.

Weather was inbound, and the 5-10 mph wind was increasing. The overcast skies looked to darken, and potentially bring rain. I felt an urgency building, despite having fought off the desire to bust in their bedroom guns-a-blazin’. So we changed our plan a bit, I sent Santiago our youngest on a mission. To circle around the bowl and get just close enough for the deer to notice him, which they certainly would. Meanwhile his mom and I would be watching from above.

Full-Circle

With my wife in position, she prepared for a shot that was coming. Finding the most steady position, resting the rifle over the rock’s edge. Santiago quickly reached the spot where we had planned, which turned out to be much closer than I’d thought to the deer’s beds. There he was instructed to chill, knowing full well that this kid would be loud enough that the deer would quickly get nervous.

This isn’t the first deer this little Howa Mini has taken

I could feel tension building, was the buck even in there? Had he slipped out already? Or could this possibly work out to be the most perfect stalk we’d ever executed? It was time to find out.

We watched in horror, as instead of sneaking out, three deer bounded from the thicket. But in the classic Mule deer practice, they stopped after only a few hops to look back at the twelve year old threat they had perceived. Mrs. Coldboremiracle was way ahead of them, spotting their very first movements and calling it out. And now our target stood there, just his head, neck and shoulders in view. With his haunches towards us, most of his back was slightly obscured by brush. One more hop was all he needed to disappear and live another day, but the ARC was about to bark.

Success

The shot broke, and the 105 grain bullet was on its way across the 250 or so yards to its target. It struck him at the back of his ribcage, with a heading directly for his heart. As it passed behind the ribs, it travelled under the spine disconnecting large plumbing arteries along the way. Eventually it reached the lungs, imparting what energy was left there.

The handsome buck did a bit of a stagger upon impact, and a split second later I saw him roll his head and topple. Then all I saw was feet-antlers-feet-antlers as he disappeared down a very steep and thick brush covered hill.

We hugged with excitement as the last eight hours culminated to this moment. Everything had worked out as though perfectly planned. We descended to meet Santiago, where all three of us moved in to find the buck. With such a high in the torso impact, there was less blood than I’d anticipated. But the disturbed ground where he tumbled was as obvious as blood. We approached the downed buck with huge smiles and excitement, as we had worked so much to reach this point.

A Fitting End

For the first time we got a good look at his antlers, he was a legit 4 by 5 with nice eye guards if you are an eyeguard kind of guy. We couldn’t have been more happy with him. We set him more comfortably to admire him, and revered his handsome looks. All three of us were incredibly grateful, and we quietly acknowledged the blessing we had just been given.

her rifle uses a **US Optics** riflescope and Maxim **Suppressor**

It was still half a mile back to a location were we could extricate him, so I ended up dragging him through rocks, brush and eventually yellow dry June grass. As the three of us maxed out on exhaustion, and hunger, it was a perfect fitting end to a week of the same. Seeing the buck in the bed of the truck gave amazing satisfaction, something I couldn’t have imagined eight hours earlier miles away.

The satisfaction only grows now, as he hangs outside cooling in the cold October night. He and the other deer will become tasty steaks, burgers, sausage and other delicious meals to feed our family over the next year. Though my legs still ache, I can’t wait for the next opportunity to do it again. And together with family makes it all the more valuable.