Howa Mini or Short Action

[Maxjon]

Im wondering if the How MINI 223 would be a good shooter for SSAA Optical class. It would have to be the light barrel as per 4.5kg weight limit. Its only 100-300m comp.
For $850 its worth a try i think.

[Wapiti]

I have one in the lightweight category, 20" barrel with the pretzel barrel and the carbon-fibre "Stockey's Stocks" sporter stock. A stailess one of course, great for the farm.
It's just the conventional sporter shape, not one of those awful heavy chassis things.
It'd blow away in a medium wind I reckon, it feels like a rimfire.
I didn't put a space telescope on top of it and blow the lightweight concept either, just a 2.5-8x36 VX3, the perfect little scope for such a small rifle and enough magnification for any real-life critter shooting.
I also have a Mini -"varmint" SS too.
Both are freakish tack-drivers. Hopefully you will score a good one too.

[Fester]

I set a mate up with a staino sporter mini in .223
Light as a feather, shot like a lazer, and the trigger was nice.
Even the stock didn't have the flex problems.

A great farm hunting rifle, but they look like a cheaper build than the heavy, all-steel 1500s.
A 1500 makes a better range rifle, and can shoot 5-10 shots, whereas a mini would be too hot.

The Jap machine tolerances are up with the best. I never seen a Howa that didn't shoot, and a bloke that changed barrels a lot said you would be unlucky if you screwed another barrel on and had headspace change.

They say a varmint mini is not a heavy rifle, but I have not handled one.

[morerams]

Pick the one you like the feel of.

[Maxjon]

I think i would go the 20 inch varmint. I think it still comes in under the 4.5kg scoped for SSAA CSD Optical class