Bedding a howa mini

[codyadams]

did you create "mechanical locks" for that polymer stock? -- polymers have oils in them and over time the bedding compound will break free if you don't create mechanical locks for the epoxy to "hold" on to

epoxy's will bond to wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber stocks, but polymer stocks need a mechanical bond

This is good advice. On any plastic stocks it's good to have a form of a lock into the stock. A couple cuts with a dremel, or a couple shallow holes drilled can help it stay in place. It looks good though!! A little clean up and it will work great.

 

[cohunt]

This is good advice. On any plastic stocks it's good to have a form of a lock into the action. A couple cuts with a dremel, or a couple shallow holes drilled can help it stay in place. It looks good though!! A little clean up and it will work great.

yup, you can also use a hot nail to create holes or pockets for the epoxy to mechanically bond to --I played around with a plastic rem 783 stock this way, did a full bed job and also used epoxy liquid to stiffen the fore end--the mechanical locks really help hold everything together

 

[ntsqd]

You made me curious, so I looked up their properties. Devcon offers their Metallic Putties in these flavors: Steel (ST), Aluminum, Stainless Steel (SST), Bronze (BR), and Titanium (Ti). Click on the "TDS" button to the right to get a pdf of the properties of each.

Devcon Steel (ST) Putty
Devcon Aluminum (AL) Putty
Devcon SST Putty
Devcon Bronze (BR) Putty
Devcon Titanium (Ti) Putty

Cf-Thermal Expansion as of this writing (19/05/22):
ST: 48in^2*F°EE-6
AL: 29in^2*F°EE-6
SST: 34in^2*F°EE-6
BR: 33in^2*F°EE-6
Ti: 22in^2*F°EE-6

Compressive Strength:
ST: 8260psi
AL: 8420psi
SST: 8400psi
BR: 8540psi
Ti: 15,200psi

Shrinkage:
ST: .0006in/in
AL: .0008in/in
SST: .0010in/in
BR: .0010in/in
Ti: .0010in/in

Ti is attractive for it's Cf-TE and Comp Strength, but the shrinkage kills it. Their shrinkage also eliminates the SST & BR putties.

AL putty is slightly higher in compressive strength and gives up .0002in/in in shrinkage to the ST putty. So in the total action length of the Howa Mini it will have shrunk about .001in more than the ST putty. AL has ~40% lower Cf-TE than ST and for me makes it the obvious choice.

 

[ntsqd]

While I was at it, I looked up Marine Tex. So far I've only found its compressive strength listed.
Gray: 13,000psi
White: 8,700psi
I've asked for the other info & will post it when/if I get it.

 

[snox801]

I did indeed makes locks. The grinder I used is very fine and I used it for porting. Maybe an 1/8" think. I cut a few locks in behind the recoil lug and some holes at the bottom.

 

[snox801]

Turned out very nice after I cleaned it up some. Very happy can't get a good picture without shadows right now. But it looks much better

 

[smcdurmon]

snox801

I've bedded 6 Howa Mini's similar to what you have done. They are pretty simple little actions to bed. I usually bed the Recoil Lug area and around the Rear Tang with Devcon. Results have been really good so far accuracy wise.

In case you didn't know, Bell & Carlson is making the M40 Stock for the Howa Mini Action now and they have plans to make a Lightweight Stock in the near Future.

DIP Products Inc is making Aluminum Bottom Metal for the Howa Mini that accepts the factory magazines.

I just finished a 6.5 Grendel with the Bell & Carlson M40 and DIP Bottom Metal. Had Short Action Customs install the Bolt Knob and LRI Flute the Bolt.
That's 3 shots at 100yds with Factory Federal 90gr TNT Ammo.

 

[NO1080]

Hi all, I am bedding my Howa mini action today, I am using a local product MatchGrade Bedding Compound from ballisticstudies . com, I have only done a few bedding jobs in the past following online videos. I have cut the heads off M6 x 1 x 1oo mm bolts to line up the action,

 

[ntsqd]

[HIJACK]
smcdurmon,
Have you by chance weighed that rifle? I'm at 6.2 lbs now and really wanted to get under 5 lbs scoped and slung.
I wish that dpi had done something to hide the mag catch a little better. I had high hopes until their part arrived & I saw that they re-use the Howa catch assembly. Haven't installed it because of that. What I'd really like is a BDL style bottom metal for these rifles. I'm willing to cut up a mag to get it.
[/HIJACK]

 

[smcdurmon]

That's a Heavy Barreled Howa Mini in the M40 and it weighs 8.0lbs with the Picatinny Rail and No Scope.

I have a Lightweight 20" Howa Mini in 6.5 Grendel as well. I heavily modified the Factory Stock. It weighs 6.0lbs with the Picatinny Rail and No Scope.

DIP sells the extended Mag Release also. I got one of those for the M40 Mini.

I have cut down several 5 Round Factory Magazines to make them Flush Fit to the bottom Metal. I posted a thread on 65grendel.com a while back on what I did.

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?14214-Howa-Mini-Magazine-Modification

Here is my Lightweight Howa Mini with modified Stock, Mag Release and Mag.

 

[snox801]

5.3 lbs by my crap scale the way it sits. Here is the best pic I could get of the bedding. It's a very snug fit and I mean very. I think it will work fine.
Howa mini cut down to 16" and heavy fluting to barrel and bolt. Swfa ultra light scope.

 

[snox801]

I also ordered that bottom metal as my plastic cracked when I hit 30 inlbs. Cracked right at the seam

 

[smcdurmon]

Slick looking Mini snox. That's real light too.

Yep, I had one crack at just over 30inlbs.

 

[snox801]

Thanks, I bet a few get cracked. I was working up by ten pounds and it popped. Really like I g the rifle so far. Have the adapter come I g for my can. And using a very short brake. Had to reblue the flutes today as it was very shines in the sun and though I liked the look it is for hunting so it could be reflective like it was.