I've got a pair of Howa Minis in 223...and I picked up the Grendel in the Ruger Predator Action, 22 inch barrel...
I like the heavier barrel weight on the Predator. Didn't like the metal Magazine on the Predator and was looking around for a polymer magazine for the 6.5 Grendel....asked Ruger and a host of other sources and was told that they didn't make one. Was over at the range and a Retired Marine buddy was there, who shoots competition strictly with Garands, M 14s and M 16s. He was in town for the weekend for a match, as he lives 110 miles or so over on the Oregon coast. I asked him about if he shot the Grendel, he said no, but tossed me a 223 polymer mag in 5 round capacity, and said "here, try this and see if that fits". Dropped in as sweet as could be, and held the 6.5 Grendel rounds with no problem... Fired 5 rounds thru it and each round fed a lot better than the Ruger Factory mag.
So I went over to Sportsman's Whorehouse and bought me five ten round polymer mags, for $8.00 a piece with my military discount. From Ruger a 10 round mag would cost me $50 each, and it would be another metal one.
So right there are the reasons, I'd pick the Ruger American, over the Howa Mini....for the Grendel and the 6 ARC.
With a sample of one, the Predator in the Grendel, is more accurate with everything I feed it, than my Howa Minis are in 223. Actually originally I bought 3 Howa Minis from Whitakers, which came with consecutive serial numbers, when they were available for like $300 each from Darryl. I wanted two for myself, and the third was a gift for another Retired Marine Buddy who is disabled, and exists on a limited income, who is in his early 40s. That is his main rifle for Oregon Deer Hunting...although I am sure he'd like the Grendel as an upgrade...But an 80 ELD or a 75 BTHP from Hornady does just fine taking down Oregon Blacktail for James each year with that Howa Mini...
