Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

[KPK]

I'm just having an early morning episode and have an extra Bartlein barrel sitting here, lol.

I'm thinking about starting on a somewhat custom rig for my son. He's only four, but figuring I can get a little use out of it before him and he loves to shoot as is.

So the real question. I've always liked the Grendel and always thought it would be "neat" to have one in a 700, but then there's the 6.5x47? It's bigger, not as "neat", in that it can do some business, but shouldn't produce much more recoil, right? I've about to decide on 16.1" or so.

I have a Bartlein 1:8.5 twist and both will probably be shooting sub 120g bullets.

Anyone have a Grendel in a 700? What's your thoughts? Don't waste money on the Grendel, just get an AR barrel, and do a short x47? I have everything I need to put together a Grendel except the barrel I think...

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

Your Remington is probably .473" bolt face dieter. The Grendel requires .440". You or may not have a problem. I can think of no reason to choose the Grendel over a 6.5x47....or even 6.5 Creed or .260 Rem.

 

[steve123]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

The easy solution is 6.5x47. It's easy to load down with a faster powder and light bullets.

I think if I were to do a Grendal bolt gun I'd build off of a CZ527 in 7.62x39 or 6mmPPC.

 

[White Mamba]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

If you can get the bolt situation figured out, one of the advantages of the grendal over the 47 would be the availability and cheap cost of factory ammo. The second would be building a ar15 paltform down the road for you and your son and haveing all the components ready.

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

I should have my 18" 6.5x47 barrel in next week. I'm building a bolt action Rem-age rifle for suppressed hunting. Plan on shooting the 107smk and 123 amaxes for yotes and hoping for 2600-2700 with the 130vlds for deer. I built my cousin a 6.5 Grendel with a 18" barrel and he's lucky to get 2500fps out of it with the 123's.

 

[KPK]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

That's the deal. I'm working on a Creedmoor or 260 right now. Almost have all the parts together to build it. I'm just thinking. A lot of guys around here let their kids hunt with 223 bolt guns, not that they wonnt work, but I'd like a little more knock down.

I have a remington action and could sell the bolt to get a 6ppc ptg bolt. That would cost a little but would be cool.

I really like the idea of the cheap factory ammo. I bet you could push the round a little faster in a bolt gun as well. Especially with 107s etc.

Always gotta have a project. Not sure I'd want to do a x47 since ill have the other larger 6.5 before long.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

If you are rolling your own, the cheap ammo thing is neglible, really. You just use cheap components and go. Seems like a lot of trouble to swap out just to do the same thing, but not as good.

Hell, for a kid, just run .243. Deer won't know any difference.

 

[wadebrown]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

If you are rolling your own and want to try something a little different how about a 6.5 mm BR, just run the 6mmBR brass through and expander and you are ready to go. For dies I would take type S redding 6 mm BR and have them bored out a little so there is enough clearance to work with the 6.5 bushings.

I think that would give you and your son a great 6.5 mm gun maxing out with 123 g Scenar bullets. Your son could start reloading with brass you already fired and then progress to necking up the cases as an additional learning experience and have the delight of having a pretty unique cartridge.

 

[KPK]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

All good points and the .243 was my first thought for him. I'm just thinking. It may be a cool project or it may be stupid...I don't know.

The BR looks like a good option too. That may be cool.

Even if I deciced to go with the Grendel...where would I get it chambered...lol

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

The Grendel would be different and fun to mess with. Not sure how well it would feed as a repeater. Just something to consider.

Regards,

Paul

 

[rwleonard]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

FWIW,

Some 700's have a bolt face in the middle of the tolerance range that will work with both cartridges, grendel/lapua. I happen to have one.

Started with a 6PPC Improved, which is essentially a grendel necked-down to 6mm. Couln't get it to feed from the mag, no matter what. Re-chambered to 6x47L and it feeds just fine.

Hard to get that BR case to feed, too, if that matters to you.

 

[steve123]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rick</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FWIW,

Some 700's have a bolt face in the middle of the tolerance range that will work with both cartridges, grendel/lapua. I happen to have one.

Started with a 6PPC Improved, which is essentially a grendel necked-down to 6mm. Couln't get it to feed from the mag, no matter what. Re-chambered to 6x47L and it feeds just fine.

Hard to get that BR case to feed, too, if that matters to you. </div></div>

You mean two of the best chamberings ever created, just so happens they are my mainstays BTW.

 

[KPK]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

Don't think they'd feed out of a modified 223 AI mag or a modified 308 mag?

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

I have a .22 BR that feeds pretty good using a modified .223 follower in a box magazine. The length of the .6.5 bullets will certainly help with feeding. I would do some research before I jumped in. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

Regards, Paul

 

[KPK]

Re: Just pondering: 6.5 Grendel or 6.5x47 shorty?

No Paul, I really appreciate the help! I've been digging all over the Internet and this is really my main concern, feeding! Some say its a nightmare and some have said just a 308 follower in a bdl works great.

Seems like most have problems though.

It may be a fun, but expensive, project!