• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

Milan metal

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 9, 2012
171
0
43
Well its finally shooting and it shoots well! I shot a couple sub .5 4 shot groups then siked myself out and missed the 5th. Oh well I am still happy with the the couple .6s I got. You can shoot sub moa all day with it. I am going to try to stretch her out next weekend to 400 yards or so.

I would like to thank the guys on here for all the help during the build. I really appreciate it.

Build Specs:

QD billet lower w/CMMG parts kit
RR two stage trigger
Mega billet side charging upper
24" Lilja fluted match barrel
15" JP handguards
Harris bipod
PRS stock
CAA grip w/ palm rest
Redfield 6-18x44 (holding me over until upgrade)
Burris rings

Some crappy pics:

Grendel009.jpg


































See what hot slag does to a sock. You should see my toe!

Grendel001.jpg

 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

Nice! Looks like she shoots as good as she looks.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

Nice build. I'm building one similar. Same handguard and stock, billet lower/side charger upper. I have everything ready to go except the F#%=ing barrel which i keep getting told "yours should be shipping soon" every 3-4 weeks when I inquire
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice build. I'm building one similar. Same handguard and stock, billet lower/side charger upper. I have everything ready to go except the F#%=ing barrel which i keep getting told "yours should be shipping soon" every 3-4 weeks when I inquire </div></div>

Call up mark at precision firearms..he probably has barrels in stock!
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I told you you would be happy with it. once you get out 300+ you will see why its so much better than the .223, I have a JP .223 that I hardly ever touch anymore since I built my grendel. dont get me wrong my .223 AR carbine is my go to rifle for SHTF/zombie's but for long range in a ar15 platform your not going to touch the grendel with any other round. its still a farly light weight rifle that can be carried around, thats something I cant say for an AR10 I dont want to carry my LR-308 for long that is a heavy beast.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lethal93ta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I told you you would be happy with it. once you get out 300+ you will see why its so much better than the .223, I have a JP .223 that I hardly ever touch anymore since I built my grendel. dont get me wrong my .223 AR carbine is my go to rifle for SHTF/zombie's but for long range in a ar15 platform your not going to touch the grendel with any other round. its still a farly light weight rifle that can be carried around, thats something I cant say for an AR10 I dont want to carry my LR-308 for long that is a heavy beast. </div></div>

As of right now it will be staying in the safe. LOL. If it performs as well at 300-600 yards as it did 100 it isnt going anywhere!

So if I keep my brass you want to reload them for me? what would you charge for something like that(if you would do it at all)? PM if you are interested.

I think I am going to start a 300 blk in the next couple months. It will be a short carbine style for those just incase times....
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I really dont think anyone would reload for anyone else, the BATF wouldnt like that, the ammo manufacturing license from them actually dont cost that much to get, but the insurance to do it is crazy, my local shop I deal with canceled his the other year his insurance was just to much to keep up with anymore for how much he actually reloaded. if you do finally start reloading I can give you some loads to try and work your way up from there. XBR 8208 seams to work great after trying it, I was using 2520 for a while witch worked fine to but my crono is telling me the ES and and S-D with 8208 is a lot closer. these are some of the loads Ive been testing so far, I just loaded up 50 more with 29.5gr of 8208 the other day and want to go to the range and give it some more testing, if you start loading start lower than these loads these are getting close to max loads depending on your rifle it might or might not like these loads being on the warm side of things, I didnt see any primers flatening on the first couple of test rounds running 29.5 and the crono is telling me it likes that so far.

hornady 6.5 grendel factory
Series 1 Shots: 10
Min 2602 Max 2634
Avg 2618 S-D 13
ES 32

Series Shot Speed
1 1 2605 ft/sec
1 2 2632 ft/sec
1 3 2606 ft/sec
1 4 2605 ft/sec
1 5 2634 ft/sec
1 6 2632 ft/sec
1 7 2602 ft/sec
1 8 2609 ft/sec
1 9 2628 ft/sec
1 10 2630 ft/sec
---- ---- ---- ----

grendel 123 amax 2520 29 gr
Series 2 Shots: 10
Min 2497 Max 2549
Avg 2527 S-D 18
ES 52

Series Shot Speed
2 1 2539 ft/sec
2 2 2521 ft/sec
2 3 2549 ft/sec
2 4 2530 ft/sec
2 5 2497 ft/sec
2 6 2525 ft/sec
2 7 2527 ft/sec
2 8 2497 ft/sec
2 9 2544 ft/sec
2 10 2541 ft/sec
---- ---- ---- ----

grendel 8208 xbr 29 gr
Series 3 Shots: 10
Min 2543 Max 2583
Avg 2567 S-D 12
ES 40

Series Shot Speed
3 1 2578 ft/sec
3 2 2558 ft/sec
3 3 2566 ft/sec
3 4 2566 ft/sec
3 5 2583 ft/sec
3 6 2575 ft/sec
3 7 2553 ft/sec
3 8 2574 ft/sec
3 9 2579 ft/sec
3 10 2543 ft/sec
---- ---- ---- ----

grendel 8208xbr 29.5gr 123 amax
Series 9 Shots: 5
Min 2570 Max 2589
Avg 2582 S-D 7
ES 19
Series Shot Speed
9 1 2583 ft/sec
9 2 2586 ft/sec
9 3 2570 ft/sec
9 4 2583 ft/sec
9 5 2589 ft/sec

---- ---- ---- ----

grendel 8208xbr 29gr
Series 10 Shots: 5
Min 2536 Max 2573
Avg 2553 S-D 13
ES 37

Series Shot Speed
10 1 2545 ft/sec
10 2 2554 ft/sec
10 3 2573 ft/sec
10 4 2557 ft/sec
10 5 2536 ft/sec
---- ---- ---- ----

 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lethal93ta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really dont think anyone would reload for anyone else, the BATF wouldnt like that, the ammo manufacturing license from them actually dont cost that much to get, but the insurance to do it is crazy, my local shop I deal with canceled his the other year his insurance was just to much to keep up with anymore. </div></div>

never thought of it that way. I guess I am going to have to learn...

I heard wolf is coming out with some steel cased ammo for playing around and it should be sub $.30/rnd. Have you heard the same?
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

wolf has been saying that for over a year now, I really think it will happen down the line but when who knows. I just shoot hornady 123 Amax loads so I can save the brass and reload it. very accurate ammo I can get all but 1/4 MOA groups with it. I cant shoot any better than the ammo can.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I tried some Wolf a few years ago in mine. It was just out of spec enough that it wouldn't extract. Hundreds of rds later it's never happened with anything else. Beautiful gun by the way.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

after a while buying a box a week of ammo adds up this is most of what I have so far for the grendel, theres a couple of loaded rounds I dont have in the pic and about 100 that I have that are preped ready to load but waiting till I test some more of the 8208 before I load the rest of them up

grendel.jpg
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Texdoug1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tried some Wolf a few years ago in mine. It was just out of spec enough that it wouldn't extract. Hundreds of rds later it's never happened with anything else. Beautiful gun by the way. </div></div>

I have heard it both ways. some think its great and others think it is junk. you havent tried any lately it sounds like?
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lethal93ta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">after a while buying a box a week of ammo adds up this is most of what I have so far for the grendel, theres a couple of loaded rounds I dont have in the pic and about 100 that I have that are preped ready to load but waiting till I test some more of the 8208 before I load the rest of them up

grendel.jpg
</div></div>

I went through 80 rounds saturday and all I could think was there goes $1.10....over and over again. But you can bet that I found every piece of brass. LOL
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

A trick I've been using to keep my brass is to tie a balacava (sp) around my scope base and let it loosely hang beside the rifle. When I'm done firing a string, all that pricey Grendel brass is in a nice, tidy pile. Not an original idea, but I can't remember who on hee posted about it to give proper credit.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

Damn lethal!!! Stock piling the shit out of that brass! I thought I was doing good with 200 lapua cases : (
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

Your right I haven't. It was also possible at the time that the brass was too soft, and just being cut by the extractor. They have surely figured it out by now.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

Although my Grendels often shoot half minute groups, I believe that the "norm" is much closer to .6-.75 MOA with decent ammo.

I made up one load, and obviously got something wrong, because that load only shoots about 1.5 MOA. I thought something was wrong with the rifle until I loaded up a few rounds of an old recipe, and the rifle's accuracy went right back to what I thought it should be. So, I now have about 200 rounds of practice ammo.

One thing I found with the Lapua cases is that the flash hole's size isn't consistent. I run a one sixteenth inch drill bit through all the cases just to uniform the flash holes. The bit goes through about 50-60% of the flash holes without removing any material. The other 40-50% has a wee bit of material removed. I have no idea if accuracy is improved because I haven't tested the "before and after". But it does make me feel better.

I found this out when I was using a metal rod to clean case media out of the flash holes. Usually I tumble cases with primers in place, but I had a few cases without primers that needed tumbling, and found the problem.

I have annealed the brass, and try to do so every 3-5 firings. Now, I loose about one case per hundred to neck cracks. The primer pockets are still tight after 5-10 firings per case. I think Lapua brass lasts VERY well.

I only got about 2-3 firings out of the Wolf brass before the large primer pockets became too loose.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I use a brass catcher made for an AR15 to catch my brass, it does a decent job, every now and then it will catch a case and it gets stuck between my receiver and the bolt but normally only after I get 30-40 cases in there if I empty it every 20 or so I normally dont have problems, Im probably going to put some thin plexi glass inside on the top to help hold it open when the weight from the empty cases get in there

brass.jpg
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Texdoug1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your right I haven't. It was also possible at the time that the brass was too soft, and just being cut by the extractor. They have surely figured it out by now. </div></div>

Yeah I am going to try a case just for plinking and the brass. I will let you know how it goes.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lethal93ta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a brass catcher made for an AR15 to catch my brass, it does a decent job, every now and then it will catch a case and it gets stuck between my receiver and the bolt but normally only after I get 30-40 cases in there if I empty it every 20 or so I normally dont have problems, Im probably going to put some thin plexi glass inside on the top to help hold it open when the weight from the empty cases get in there

brass.jpg
</div></div>

I seen something very similar at cabelas, I think I may try one.

When you are shooting to test your skills are you using a bag or your monopod for the rear? I don't have either so I was thinking about getting something to see if I could get sub .5 groups.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lethal93ta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a bag and a mono pod I use depending on what I feel like that day. </div></div>

What pod do you have? I was looking at a couple different accu-shot models.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

heres the CTK I use on my PRS stock, CTK sells a stud that you can drill out the bottom of the PRS stock and put it in there the cover still slides over the stud when the monopod isnt in use.
1.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blasst</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Milan....what BCG did you use with that side charger?

Nice looking build. </div></div>

To be honest I don't know. I bought with the upper. It's not young....I will dig into it tomorrow for you if I get a few minutes.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milan Metal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blasst</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Milan....what BCG did you use with that side charger?

Nice looking build. </div></div>

To be honest I don't know. I bought with the upper. It's not young....I will dig into it tomorrow for you if I get a few minutes.</div></div>

Did you buy the upper from Precision Firearms?
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blasst</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milan Metal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blasst</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Milan....what BCG did you use with that side charger?

Nice looking build. </div></div>

To be honest I don't know. I bought with the upper. It's not young....I will dig into it tomorrow for you if I get a few minutes.</div></div>

Did you buy the upper from Precision Firearms? </div></div>

Nope. Just the barrel. I was supposed to get a QD but 3 weeks to me is different to them. I got lucky and my local gun shop was parting one out so I bought his mega.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I love my Grendel, by and far my favorite rifle. Completely different build, but similar results. .33MOA best with 100gr. AMAX handloads.

000_1397.jpg


Oh, that was with an ACOG. It is getting a new Leupold MR/T and Larue 10deg. mounted here in a few days. Can't wait to try that one out. Really want to use it at the local highpower matches if I can get up to it this summer.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love my Grendel, by and far my favorite rifle. Completely different build, but similar results. .33MOA best with 100gr. AMAX handloads.

000_1397.jpg


Oh, that was with an ACOG. It is getting a new Leupold MR/T and Larue 10deg. mounted here in a few days. Can't wait to try that one out. Really want to use it at the local highpower matches if I can get up to it this summer. </div></div>

Looks good. What's the specs?
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

Milan Metal,

Nice looking rig! A few questions if I may: Full length gas tube? Did you use an adjustable gas block? All the other stuff you called out on your specs is really nice stuff to have. And yeah, the Redfield will get replaced someday no doubt, but enjoy it while you have it. They are pretty good scopes for the money.

Stay in touch with lethal93ta on his 8208 loads. That's actually what I found to be much better than AA2520.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I'm building something similar but in 204 Ruger. Just ordered a Shilen 24" barrel/bolt combo yesterday.

Which/Who's BCG are you using? I haven't decided on either the Young Mfg or Fulton Armory; are there any others?
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I have gone through 4 different Grendels, and settled on the two I have now. I just love the cartridge. My load of 123 grain Scenar at about 2550 fps is really mild, yet doesn't go transonic until around 1300 yards. It smacks steel plates with far more energy than the 5.56, yet doesn't have the recoil of the 7.62x51.

For the practical rifle stuff I enjoy (usually out to 550 yards), it seems like the perfect cartridge. Lots less wind drift, more impact on steel, low recoil.

If I were doing the builds over, I would get a free floated fore end without rails all around it. I would go for either a smooth fore end that has provisions for mounting rails as needed, or a tube with only one full length rail.

Trades anyone?
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

OP - good looking rifle.

Unkown: look at the Troy TRX rails. Smooth and three sides with a full length top rail and three bolt on rail sections that can go anywhere.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

thats why I like the JP handguard, you can put rails on there if you want where ever you want them. Im not much on rails myself. I have a 4 rail on my ar carbine and actually hate it.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milan Metal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love my Grendel, by and far my favorite rifle. Completely different build, but similar results. .33MOA best with 100gr. AMAX handloads.

000_1397.jpg


Oh, that was with an ACOG. It is getting a new Leupold MR/T and Larue 10deg. mounted here in a few days. Can't wait to try that one out. Really want to use it at the local highpower matches if I can get up to it this summer. </div></div>

Looks good. What's the specs?</div></div>

Satern 20" heavy barrel and matching bolt, JP Ent. Tactical carrier, JP internals, Geissele Hi-Speed 2-Stage with SDM springs, Magpul grip and alum. trigger gaurd, KAC FF rail, Noveske lower, VLTOR MUR-1 upper, A2 stock, PRI adj. gas block, AAC Blackout mount, Harris bipod and KAC mount, KAC sling attach. for leather shooting sling.

Will get the Larue 10deg. mount today and put on the 2.5-8x Leupold MR/T on it.

Obviously I built the thing. What I liked about this particular build was no stoning, no polishing, no extra work. Every one of those parts went together slicker than Bubba and vaseline. May need to polish the ramps, but they look pretty good already.

Yeah, I love this machine and cannot wait to get it running again!
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lethal93ta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thats why I like the JP handguard, you can put rails on there if you want where ever you want them. Im not much on rails myself. I have a 4 rail on my ar carbine and actually hate it. </div></div>

+1
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BLDTYLRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm building something similar but in 204 Ruger. Just ordered a Shilen 24" barrel/bolt combo yesterday.

Which/Who's BCG are you using? I haven't decided on either the Young Mfg or Fulton Armory; are there any others?

</div></div>

I still haven't looked into the bcg but I believe it is a normal unit with he handle installed after. If I was to buy a new one I would run young.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milan Metal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love my Grendel, by and far my favorite rifle. Completely different build, but similar results. .33MOA best with 100gr. AMAX handloads.

000_1397.jpg


Oh, that was with an ACOG. It is getting a new Leupold MR/T and Larue 10deg. mounted here in a few days. Can't wait to try that one out. Really want to use it at the local highpower matches if I can get up to it this summer. </div></div>

Looks good. What's the specs?</div></div>

Satern 20" heavy barrel and matching bolt, JP Ent. Tactical carrier, JP internals, Geissele Hi-Speed 2-Stage with SDM springs, Magpul grip and alum. trigger gaurd, KAC FF rail, Noveske lower, VLTOR MUR-1 upper, A2 stock, PRI adj. gas block, AAC Blackout mount, Harris bipod and KAC mount, KAC sling attach. for leather shooting sling.

Will get the Larue 10deg. mount today and put on the 2.5-8x Leupold MR/T on it.

Obviously I built the thing. What I liked about this particular build was no stoning, no polishing, no extra work. Every one of those parts went together slicker than Bubba and vaseline. May need to polish the ramps, but they look pretty good already.

Yeah, I love this machine and cannot wait to get it running again! </div></div>

Looks good! You are not changing the stock? I almost bought a the jp side charger but I got cheap.
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milan Metal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milan Metal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love my Grendel, by and far my favorite rifle. Completely different build, but similar results. .33MOA best with 100gr. AMAX handloads.

000_1397.jpg


Oh, that was with an ACOG. It is getting a new Leupold MR/T and Larue 10deg. mounted here in a few days. Can't wait to try that one out. Really want to use it at the local highpower matches if I can get up to it this summer. </div></div>

Looks good. What's the specs?</div></div>

Satern 20" heavy barrel and matching bolt, JP Ent. Tactical carrier, JP internals, Geissele Hi-Speed 2-Stage with SDM springs, Magpul grip and alum. trigger gaurd, KAC FF rail, Noveske lower, VLTOR MUR-1 upper, A2 stock, PRI adj. gas block, AAC Blackout mount, Harris bipod and KAC mount, KAC sling attach. for leather shooting sling.

Will get the Larue 10deg. mount today and put on the 2.5-8x Leupold MR/T on it.

Obviously I built the thing. What I liked about this particular build was no stoning, no polishing, no extra work. Every one of those parts went together slicker than Bubba and vaseline. May need to polish the ramps, but they look pretty good already.

Yeah, I love this machine and cannot wait to get it running again! </div></div>

Looks good! You are not changing the stock? I almost bought a the jp side charger but I got cheap.</div></div>

Nah, probably not, believe it or not I actually like the A2! I may change it with an A1 though, I do like the length better because I can't tuck in as tight with the A2. I shot a shitload using a rifle just like this and it just feels good; also in the past, I used to tap a coin to it so I could repeat the weld. After awhile, the G. Washington dent in my cheek just kind of lined up automatically. I just put a Leupold on it Friday, that Larue SPR-S is a nice mount. Anyway, I get a pretty decent cheek weld on it. I may like a bit of puss pad duct tape taped on it later though, I don't know.

Besides, I got .33MOA best with it, I don't think there is much I can do to it to make it shoot any better at this point! But bet your ass, if that scope didn't line up and I didn't get the cheek weld, that stock would have been gone.

Oh, it does have a side charging handle, one of those modified grabber type charging handles? I think a non-reciprocating side handle would be nice on the AR, not sure though. But If I got one, it would probably be a JP.

Can't wait to get it out and try this scope out. Didn't work out this weekend, maybe next weekend...
 
Re: Grendel...Finally Done...Thanks

I have built two Grendels and love both of them. One is for myself and one for my 10 year old daughter. She is going to be hunting whitetail's with it. I thought the Grendel will be a better choice instead of the 5.56 because it delivers more energy on target, so even if it is a marginal shot it will do the job better. Both my grendels are 16 inch barrels, but my next one for my son will be a 26 in barrel for prairie dogs. I have a few years to build this next one, my son is only 8 years old.