Howa M1500 Mini Action Super Deluxe 6mm ARC 22″ Walnut
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Howa M1500 Mini Action Super Deluxe 6mm ARC 22″ Walnut? It's a precision bolt-action rifle built on Howa's short-throw Mini Action receiver, chambered in 6mm ARC, and fitted with a 22-inch threaded, suppressor-ready barrel and a high-grade Turkish walnut stock finished in a Super Deluxe profile with classic blue/black metalwork. This configuration prioritizes a direct, repeatable lockup from the two-lug bolt with a 60-degree throw and the crisp, user-adjustable HACT trigger system for hunters and tactical shooters who need sub-MOA accuracy from a compact platform. The 6mm ARC cartridge specifically addresses the ballistic gap between 5.56 NATO and full-power 6.5 Creedmoor, offering flatter trajectories and better wind resistance than .223 Remington in a short-action package.
What is the Howa M1500 Mini Action Super Deluxe 6mm ARC 22″ Walnut used for?
The rifle is engineered for mid-range precision hunting of varmints and medium game like coyote and whitetail deer, as well as practical competition shooting in disciplines like NRL Hunter or tactical rifle matches. Its 22-inch barrel provides optimal velocity for the 6mm ARC cartridge, which maintains supersonic flight past 1,000 yards with 108-grain ELD-Match bullets, while the threaded 5/8x24 muzzle allows direct attachment of a sound suppressor without an adapter. The walnut stock's traditional Monte Carlo comb and palm swell offer stable field shooting positions, and the 4+1 detachable magazine capacity is ideal for most hunting regulations and stage designs that don't require high round counts.
How does the Howa M1500 Mini Action Super Deluxe 6mm ARC 22″ compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win?
The Howa M1500 is a superior choice for shooters prioritizing ballistic efficiency and reduced recoil over raw stopping power at shorter ranges. While the Stevens 334 in .308 Win delivers more energy on target inside 400 yards, its 20-inch barrel sacrifices significant velocity and increases recoil by roughly 35% compared to the 6mm ARC from this Howa. The Howa's HACT trigger is also a significant mechanical upgrade over the Stevens' basic adjustable design, offering a more consistent pull weight that can be tuned down to 2.25 pounds versus the Stevens' typical 3.5-pound factory minimum, translating directly to better accuracy potential for experienced shooters.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 7.1 pounds unloaded and measures 41.5 inches in overall length with the 22-inch barrel. The walnut stock contributes to this weight, adding approximately 1.2 pounds compared to a synthetic stock option but providing superior damping of barrel harmonics. The Mini Action receiver itself is 1.2 inches shorter in overall length than a standard short-action receiver, which shaves critical ounces and improves balance for off-hand shooting. The distance from the trigger to the buttpad is 13.75 inches, making it suitable for most adult shooters but potentially requiring a spacer kit for those with very long arms.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for budget-conscious first-time buyers or those requiring maximum magazine capacity. The $781.99 price point and need for specialized 6mm ARC ammunition, which currently costs about $1.35 per round for basic factory loads, make it a significant investment compared to a Stevens 334 in .243 Win at nearly half the cost. Furthermore, the 4+1 magazine capacity is a hard stop for tactical shooters wanting to run standard 10-round AR magazines, as the Howa Mini Action uses a proprietary magazine well incompatible with AICS-pattern magazines without extensive gunsmithing.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete rifle, one 4-round detachable steel magazine, the factory-installed 13mm scope rail for mounting optics, and a basic set of owner's manuals and warranty paperwork. The manual specifically outlines the torque specification for the action screws at 45 inch-pounds, a critical detail for maintaining bedding pressure on the walnut stock's aluminum bedding block. Notably, the box does not include any thread protector for the muzzle threads, rings or bases for the optic rail, or a chamber flag, so budget an additional $50-100 for those necessities before your first range trip.
Is the Howa M1500 Mini Action Super Deluxe 6mm ARC 22″ worth it at $781.99?
Yes, but only if your use case directly aligns with the 6mm ARC cartridge's strengths in medium-range precision. At this price, you are paying a premium of roughly $250 over a basic Howa barreled action for the select-grade walnut stock, the Super Deluxe finish, and the threaded barrel feature. That investment buys you a rifle that, with quality handloads or match-grade factory ammo, will consistently shoot 0.75 MOA or better, whereas many rifles in this category struggle to break 1.25 MOA. If you predominantly shoot inside 300 yards or prioritize high-volume practice, a cheaper .223 Remington or .243 Winchester platform would offer better value.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- HACT trigger adjusts down to 2.25 lbs. — 1.25 lbs. lighter than most factory rifle triggers.
- Weighs 7.1 lbs. — 1.8 lbs. lighter than a comparable full-size .308 Win rifle with a wood stock.
- 22-inch threaded barrel provides optimal 6mm ARC velocity ( ~2750 fps with 108gr) and direct suppressor mounting.
- Two-lug bolt with 60-degree throw is 33% faster to cycle than a standard 90-degree action.
Trade-offs
- Proprietary 4-round magazine limits capacity versus AICS-pattern systems; extra mags cost $45 each.
- Walnut stock is susceptible to warping in extreme humidity; requires more maintenance than synthetic.
- No thread protector included — you must purchase one separately or mount a muzzle device immediately to protect crown.
- 6mm ARC factory ammunition averages $1.35/rd — 40% more expensive than common .223 Remington plinking ammo.
Key attributes
| upc | 682146854473 |
| manufacturer | Howa |
| manufacturer part number | HWH6ARCLUX |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard AR-15 magazines?
- No, it is not compatible. The Howa Mini Action uses a proprietary steel box magazine specific to its footprint. The magazine well is dimensionally different from both AR-15 and AICS-pattern magazines. You must use Howa OEM magazines or those specifically branded for the Mini Action platform, which typically hold 4 rounds for 6mm ARC.
- Does it fit a standard firearm case?
- Yes, with consideration. The rifle's 41.5-inch overall length requires a case at least 44 inches internal length. I recommend a hard case like a Plano All Weather 42-inch model, which provides adequate clearance for the scope and suppressor when installed. Soft cases under 42 inches will not allow the zipper to close without compressing the recoil pad.
- How long does shipping take?
- To an FFL holder, standard shipping from our warehouse takes 3-5 business days for processing and transit via FedEx Ground. Upon arrival at your chosen FFL, you must complete the Form 4473 background check, which under the NICS system can take from minutes to several days depending on state laws and system delays. We ship from Tennessee.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Yes, but with strict conditions. Unfired firearms in new condition with all original packaging can be returned within 7 days of FFL transfer for a full refund minus a 15% restocking fee. Once the firearm has been fired, test-fired, or the serialized receiver has been altered in any way, it is ineligible for return under federal law and our policy. All returns must be coordinated through your transferring FFL.
- Does this work with Dead Air Sandman-S suppressors?
- Yes, directly. The barrel is threaded 5/8x24, which is the standard thread pitch for .30 caliber suppressors like the Sandman-S. You can mount it using the appropriate Dead Air KeyMo muzzle device or direct-thread adapter. Ensure you check suppressor alignment with a 0.30 caliber alignment rod before firing to avoid a baffle strike, a process that takes about 2 minutes.