Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel- what is wrong?

[SMK1000plus]

In the last 8 months at the range, I've seen three brand new Vortex Crossfire II scopes bad right from the first round! One was my best friends. Luckily, I almost always have a couple of spare scopes with me when I go to the range, usually testing them or a rifle.

Start with a well proven scope or a new higher quality scope next...

 

[Farmerboy78]

I would double check everything to be sure it's all tight. Base, rings, action screws! If you dont find anything there, I'd replace the scope with another to check it.

 

[snox801]

Well I just had to replace that same scope for doing something very similar. So I wouldn't rule that out. It was not that extreme but same type of issue. Also check your bottom metal or in this case plastic. These are notorious for cracking on the seam of the plastic about the same time you get to trq. I got two of these and the first cracked the very first time I went to trq it down. Second one I only went half trq and that was all I dared. Funny thing was mine cracked at the same trq as about 20 other people. So I now have actual metal bottom. But hour sounds more like a scope issue.

 

[L.Sherm]

Start by replacing scope. If that doesnt work back to Howa.

 

[codyadams]

I would say scope/base/mounts, check torque. 18 in-lbs is max on the vortex. That is my first thought with groups that bad.

This is out in left field, but try to unscrew the barrel by hand. Went to unscrew the thread protector on a Begara HMR in 6.5 creed a few weeks ago, the the barrel started unscrewing from the receiver with about 5-10ish in-lbs!!! I would say very, very rare circumstance, but it is one more thing I will add to my checklist of things to check on a rifle before purchasing ha ha.

If after a scope swap and proper torque it still does it, just contact Howa. Something is wrong with the gun.

 

[CVCOBRA1]

Also check the crown, simple to do. My AR Grendels are amazingly accurate.

 

[UplandFreak]

Trying to find out what is wrong with my Son's 6.5 Grendel.
The above picture is 5 3 shot groups at 100 yards. We have checked the action screws, free floated the barrel, lapped the bore and tried a dozens of loads from 90 grain Speer TNT's to 129 grain Hornady's.
This thing just does not shoot well. On top of the group size, every different load prints in a different location (usually a stock issue) but this thing is pillar bedded. I tried bedding the recoil lug but it appears to be as tight as possible.
A trip to the gunsmith and he saw nothing out of sorts. Does anyone have experience with this Action or Rifle?
What can we do to get this thing to be a reliable shooter?

Have you tried some factory hornady black ammo with the 123gr eldm? Every howa mini I have shot loves that stuff?

 

[Holycity73]

Wow. I get miffed if my Grendel gasser shoots >.5" groups. My head would explode.
Kill it with fire and buy him a Creedmoor.
Or, you could contact Howa. They stand by their products very well.

 

[JoshHaker]

I have seen and shot my friends Howa 6.5 Grendel and it is very accurate! 1 inch or less at 200.

 

[Joefrazell]

I had a how's in 300 win group like that. Took legacy sports 8 months to get me my rifle back

 

[Johnd45lc]

You guys all make some really good suggestions!
We are going to change the scope load some more rounds and give it a try.
I am actually thinking about asking my Dad to help us go over it and double check my work. Never hurts to have another experienced eye on a project like this.
I did email Howa and ask them if this would fall under a warranty issueo if the once over and scope swap do not work we will travel that route.

But Holy Cow- 8 months to get a rifle back!
If that is the case, We will most likely send it off to Howa and pick up another rifle for hunting season. My son expressed interest in a Ruger Predator in 6.5 Creed. Any thoughts?
This kid is paying for this himself. He wants to earn the money and make it his rifle. I am really proud of him for that but I hurt for him buying a cheap rifle... but he just turned 16 and I like seeing him tinker to try and figure it out. This is a much better pass time than playing a video game AND he has really started learning how to reload. Both of those are a plus in my book.

 

[SMK1000plus]

You guys all make some really good suggestions!
We are going to change the scope load some more rounds and give it a try.
I am actually thinking about asking my Dad to help us go over it and double check my work. Never hurts to have another experienced eye on a project like this.
I did email Howa and ask them if this would fall under a warranty issueo if the once over and scope swap do not work we will travel that route.

But Holy Cow- 8 months to get a rifle back!
If that is the case, We will most likely send it off to Howa and pick up another rifle for hunting season. My son expressed interest in a Ruger Predator in 6.5 Creed. Any thoughts?
This kid is paying for this himself. He wants to earn the money and make it his rifle. I am really proud of him for that but I hurt for him buying a cheap rifle... but he just turned 16 and I like seeing him tinker to try and figure it out. This is a much better pass time than playing a video game AND he has really started learning how to reload. Both of those are a plus in my book.

DON'T BUY A RUGER AMERICAN PREDATOR! YOU'LL BE HOOKED, LIKE ME! I now own Seven Predators and four Standards! Every one of them shoot at least sub-3/4 MOA. I have them from 223 Rem up to 30-06. Two of them are the "Go Wild" (Predator) version, most of the rest are the Predator with the AI style mags and four are the Standard version. Several shoot <1/2 MOA. I have one in 30-06 "Go Wild" (Predator ), two in 308 Win (one Predator, one Standard Compact), one 270 Win (standard), three in 6.5 CM (one Lefty Predator, one "Go Wild", one Predator), one in 6mm CM (Predator), two in 243 Win (one Predator, one Standard) and one 223 Rem (Lefty) standard. They are addictively accurate!

I bore scoped the barrels to see why they shoot so good. They are exceptional for factory barrels! Not hand lapped match grade barrels but, not terribly far from them... Man the bores look good!

Man, I'm hooked bad! Going to get the "Go Wild" in 338 Win Mag next!

 

[snox801]

Don't be shocked if hornady black isn't that good. I have a 2 mini's and and ar none shoot that stuff better than 1.25" but man do my hand loads shoot.
Also if you end up needing a new rifle just get him another grendel a I'm a huge fan of the least amount of recoil possible for kids and new shooters. For most the creed has no recoil but I'll tell you right now that when I volunteer for the youth hunt at a ranch by me that they all shoot better with a 300blk or 6.5 grendel. Remember the base he forms now is gonna stock with him a while. So learn the fundamentals right without having to worry about recoil. Same reason most of us have a practice rifle and don't practice with lapua's.

 

[SMK1000plus]

The Ruger American Predator comes in 6.5 Grendel, Model 26922. Grab-A-Gun has them in stock for $413.99 plus S&H to your FFL. Their shipping is very reasonable. Bud's Gun Shop has them for $447.00 (cash Price) with free S&H and will usually match prices or at least get you close on most in stock firearms. You may want to check Gunbroker as well but, watch the S&H cost and Credit Card fees, if applicable.