I am considering a new compact .223 rifle. trying to decide between the Ruger American Rifle compact or the Howa mini with the 20 inch barrel. Any information from owners of either one of these rifles will be appreciated. Thanks
CT

My compact 223 is a Remington Model 7 stainless. Yes, it's pricier than either the Ruger or the Howa, but it sure does shoot good. By the way, I handled the Ruger and considered getting one, but the Model 7 just felt better to me.

Of those two I'd get the Mini.

Of the ones you didn't mention I'd get a standard Howa.



Travis

Mine is a CZ527 varmint. The barrel should be called a heavy sporter. It is not that heavy. My choice was made considering what else I have. A stainless synthetic Mini-14 is a tight shooter, and should I get the urge to walk about, I have a TC Carbine with a .223 barrel. Absent these. Two, I would have gone for the lightweight version 527.

Best,

Jack

Howa mini.

The RAR-Ranch rifles are compact and accurate.

yes they are!!!!

But back on topic...

Listen to Travis and Ingwe....

Having both the RAR/Predator and the Howa Mini... and also the Howa Standard and also a Weatherby Vanguard 2....

I'd say I prefer the Howas.... A LOT

My Ruger has had magazine issues... and then yesterday, I had to order a new trigger adjustment screw.. Never adjusted it, but somehow it wouldn't shoot, and took the stock off to look at the trigger and the screw had managed to work itself out, and dropped it....

The Howa products, zero issues....

plus I know 4 or 5 people so far have bought Howas, due to liking mine, especially the Mini so much... 4 of them bought Minis...

Consider an L461 Sako...

I have the lightweight Howa Mini in .223. It's one hell of a shooter using many factory loadings. My only complaint is how awkward the rifle is to carry with the detachable magazine, sometimes releasing the magazine carrying one handed. Hopefully Howa will offer a blind mag conversion or blind mag model soon.

I'm looking for a compact 223 as well, however I'm leaning towards a Tikka T3x compact.

Exactly why I'd never buy one. How Howa could put that ugly abortion of a magazine hangin out right where you want to carry it and have folks think it's the greatest thing since canned beer is a mystery.

The Tikka t3 superlites are pretty cool. My buddy has one and it's a damn nice rifle. I was just looking at them at Sportsman's today...

What will you be doing with the rifle? Is twist rate a factor? The Howa and the RAR may have the same twist, but if you look elsewhere, I would factor that in. 1:8/1:9 is perfect IMO

Another mention of a gun you didn't mention. I have an older CZ527M carbine with the 1/12" twist (new ones are 1/9"). I like the rifle, it is very well made and it carries nicely due to the small size. However the trigger is mushy in the standard mode and too light for hunting in the set mode. My rifle will shoot up to 62 grain lead core bullets accurately, but will not shoot solid copper bullets accurately (55 GMX and 62 TSX).

Who has the RAR compact stainless 1-8" 223?