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.
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 | ⅚-24 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 trigger 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 make a near flush fitting magazine specifically for the American you can see here.
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.
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.
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.
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.