6.5 Grendel

[Ballista One]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scottmilk9</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m_gale</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 6.5 Grendel is a fantastic performer. The weak link in the platform is the magazine. I am aware of a couple of magazine PIP's underway and hopefully one of them succeeds in fielding a high reliability magazine. </div></div>

ive used cproduct magazines for all my grendel builds and haven't any issues with them. </div></div>

My luck has been terrible. I have at least 10 of the C Products magazines that I can't get to feed reliably.

 

[GlockandRoll]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Then it's probably not the mags.. just say'n.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Pretty much settled on getting a 20" fluted Satern barrel for my Grendel build. What's the best or most popular muzzle thread to get? 5/8-24 or 9/16-24? Also I don't see a lot of 6.5mm muzzle brakes/comps/flash hiders. Is it ok to get a 6.8 or 7.62 muzzle device for a 6.5 Grendel barrel?

 

[Mod Adahy]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outlaw45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pretty much settled on getting a 20" fluted Satern barrel for my Grendel build. What's the best or most popular muzzle thread to get? 5/8-24 or 9/16-24? Also I don't see a lot of 6.5mm muzzle brakes/comps/flash hiders. Is it ok to get a 6.8 or 7.62 muzzle device for a 6.5 Grendel barrel?</div></div>

Most of the grendels come with 9/16*24 but 5/8*24 is easier to find. You can absolutely use 6.8 or 7.62 muzzle brakes on the 6.5.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

There's no effect on accuracy on the bore size of a flash hider right? It's basically protecting the crown.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WildBill3/75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Snyper. Only parts needed to convert to 6.5grendel are barrel, bolt, and magazines.</div></div>

Snyper,

Wild Bill is right on. All the other parts are standard AR. I would recommend getting an AA heavy use bolt though. This round is harder on bolts than a standard 5.56 (even loaded to 5.56 pressures) Downloading this case with too slow of a powder is just as hard on brass as loading hot...from an AR anyway.

FWIW, you can stick all styles and weights of 6.5 bullets in this case but you are going to have a natural penalty either way you go. 123 Lapua's are hands down the best performer in this cartridge. Followed by 123 SMK's. I generally shoot the SMK's as they are nearly as good as the Lapua's at about 60-70% of the cost. I've been somewhat dissapointed with the Hornady's as they take 3-4 more moa to get to 1k. But, they get there. As far as using any lighter bullets, they work just fine for coyotes out to 500 yds. anytime day or night. I shot a lot of Berger 85 LD's and Sierra 85 Varmints out of my Grendel that I just sold. I also fire-formed Winchester, Federal and Prvi 7.62x39 brass using the 140 gr. SGK bullets that I bought by the pound so as to shoot through my 6.5x55. I also went a little heavier with match bullets shooting the Norma Golden Targets, and Berger 130 VLD's. The weight penalty with them makes them just a little slower and they don't quite have the high BC of the Lapua that helps them retain velocity. But they get to 1k quite handily as well. In fact all of the upper end high BC 6.5 bullets get to 1k better than the 175 SMK out of a .308 (but not a 30-06)

I mentioned being hard on brass. If you'll note the Grendel reloading on the Alexander Arms website. The range for the loads is very small. This is because everything is set up for 5.56 and this case has 20% more capacity. But, stay within those load ranges and you are golden. I would suggest one very important change though. If you live in an area that temps vary quite a bit, don't go with AA2520. It's too temp sensitive. You'll have to keep summer and winter loads separated like I did in Minnesota. I ended up using 29 gr. of IMR8208XBR for all 123 gr. bullets. and 28.4 gr. for the Norma GT/Berger 130 VLD. That exceeds the intended pressure, but not the component capability.

Anyhow, lecture over. I've run two of these and that's what I'd stay with.
Any high BC launcher from a .308 based case (except the .308 itself) is going to beat this round, but they certainly won't fit in an AR-15.

Hope that helps some, -good luck

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

well said sandwarrior---I think the thing that sets the Grendel apart from others is that it fits in an AR15 and can be used at any practical range with good results, and is now a SAMMI round. have tried 14.5, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24" barrels--current favorites are 14.5 and 22---can shoot everything from varmints to deer/hog size game at all ranges---and no, I don't use it for everything as I match the upper to the task, but when I am just out or an opportunity presents itself I am not found wanting---(have 204,556,and 450 uppers for specific tasks)

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BERTMAN77MK2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">well said sandwarrior---I think the thing that sets the Grendel apart from others is that it fits in an AR15 and can be used at any practical range with good results, and is now a SAMMI round. have tried 14.5, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24" barrels--current favorites are 14.5 and 22---can shoot everything from varmints to deer/hog size game at all ranges---and no, I don't use it for everything as I match the upper to the task, but when I am just out or an opportunity presents itself I am not found wanting---(have 204,556,and 450 uppers for specific tasks) </div></div>

I've also found that practical range with this is about 1k-1100. Shooting out past that, is akin to competing with a .223/5.56 out to 1k. It gets there but everything else is pretty much hammering it.

To put it in a 'smaller' nutshell, this round is about the best option you can use for only having to replace the barrel/bolt and magazines. Even the 6mm AR or 6mm AR turbo, when loaded hot need the bigger bolt. You add quite a bit of expense (at least the last time I priced it) to go with the WSSM's or any of the BR cases.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

I've heard some people using adjustable gas blocks with 18" barrels. If I go with a 20" barrel should I get an adjustable gas block or just a standard one?

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Standard with 20". But, then again, you may be able to boost your performance by restricting some gas flow back.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Never used an adjustable gas block.

So use a standard gas block with a 20" barrel with rifle length gas system. But with a 18" barrel you need an adjustable one? It the length of the gas tube not the barrel length that determines if its over gased right?

 

[bronco_buster]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Just get an adjustable. That will save you money. I bought 3. First was a set screw design that I was concerned was affecting accuracy, so off it came and was swapped with a clamp on design. The system was still overgassed, so I bought a Syrac adjustable gas block. Problems solved.

Buy this one and forget it:

Click This

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Is that one better than this one?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/363956/..._vc=subv1321768

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Ok not looking for a muzzle brake, just a flash hider. Is there any other concerns I need to worry about other than getting 5/8-24 thread to match my barrel and making sure my bore diameter is at least 6.5mm?

Most likely will have to get a 7.62 flash hider, as there aren't a lot of flash hiders in 6.5mm with 5/8-24 threading.

I'd like to get a Smith Vortex but they're made with 1/2-28 thread. Other option would be a AAC Blackout, but I think it would have to be a 7.62 flash hider.

Rob

 

[ker2222]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

tag.....
am experimenting with an 18" middy upper myself. Saturn barrel. It is slightly overgassed using a standard carbine buffer. Going to try it out on a rifle buffered lower this friday. And then move to the adjustable gas block from there.

THe grendel is going to be my main hunting rig (deer/antelope) once i get it up and running the way I want......

 

[mjh30]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

Outlaw45, take a look at the black river tactical linear brake, in 6.5mm 5/8-24 thread pattern, not bad value for money.
Kerr2222 a H2 buffer might help, been running a 18 inch upper for a while, no problems but I was using an older full auto bcg..

 

[bronco_buster]

Re: 6.5 Grendel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outlaw45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is that one better than this one?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/363956/..._vc=subv1321768

</div></div>

What you linked to is a set screw type block as opposed to a clamp on style block. Difference is that it is postulated that the set screw type by applying a "choke" or pressure point from the screws being dug into it, compromises accuracy. I'd only go with Syrac (no financial interests in company) because of the detents. Some of the other blocks just depend on a set screw that gets turned in and out, and if you don't loctite those, they shoot loose. The Syrac adjusts with 2 long allen wrenches at will...on a hunt, you could adjust it in 10 seconds in the field. Its solved my reloading problems with the grendel which can be seen HERE . For me its one of those "required" items to get total reliability out of a cartridge that stretches the AR15 platform to its limits.