Howa Mini (and Superlite) action screw torque specs

[Justabirdwatcher]

Sometimes searching the Interweb can be pretty informative. I found this factory "study" on the torque testing for Howa Mini action screws with the bottom plastic. They reference the Superlite as well. Cracking the bottom plastic when torquing the action screws is clearly a problem known to LSI. Not sure if this was for public consumption, but as someone who has cracked at least one Howa bottom plastic, it's good to know this has at least been tested by LSI.

https://www.legacysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Action-Screw-Torque-Specs-Howa.pdf

Just one more reason to send Oregunsmithing $150 for their real bottom metal hinged floorplate IMO. Pity LSI doesn't offer one anymore the way they used to do with the now legendary (in my mind at least) Alpine model.

 

[kodiakisland]

Replaced that plastic crap with JO bottom metal before I shot one round through my 6ARC. Wish Howa had a floor plate option instead of that plastic “tactical” magazine.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Replaced that plastic crap with JO bottom metal before I shot one round through my 6ARC. Wish Howa had a floor plate option instead of that plastic “tactical” magazine.

I had one of JO's first ever hinged floorplates in my Mini 6.5 Grendel. Never looked back. I cut down the magazine in my other mini to get it as close to the stock as I could, but it still stuck out almost 1/2". The Alpine rifle came with both a real metal hinged floorplate and bottom plastic with a DBM. The hinged floorplate was steel and weighed a ton, but at least it was a factory option. Why LSI/Howa has this cracking problem is beyond me. Savage rifles have had steel pillars in all their trigger guards, bottom plastic and plastic stocks for decades now and you can torque them well above 40 in. lbs. with no problems. Mine usually get 45-50 and I've never had one crack.