6.5mm Grendel Question

[Sgt_Jamez]

After pondering a 25 WSSM upper, I have settled on doing a Grendel. However, getting brass for it seems to be tough.

1) Is there a good source for brass? MidwayUSA and Grafs are out.

2) The better brass has small flash holes. Is there a reason not to ream it to standard size?

3) How reliable is it to fireform 7.62x39mm brass to Grendel after necking down?

4) Will a Forster FL sizer work for necking down the AK brass?

Thanks guys!

 

[Buzzsaw]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

I'm having a 6.5 Grendel bolt gun built. I got some brass from Sinclair. Also put your name on the wish list at Midway, I just picked up a box of Hornady 6.5 Gren. 123 AMAX loads ,Hornady brass is out there, try Natchez Shooting Supplies, also Alexander Arms but watch out, thier shipping fees are very high and be sure to call and check stock before you order. The have a case shoulder bump measure and other neat stuff for the grendel. Be sure to check out 6.5 Grendel.com They can answer your other questions.
I'm looking forward to developing some loads for my Dakota. It should be done if a couple more weeks.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sgt_Jamez</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After pondering a 25 WSSM upper, I have settled on doing a Grendel. However, getting brass for it seems to be tough.

1) Is there a good source for brass? MidwayUSA and Grafs are out.

2) The better brass has small flash holes. Is there a reason not to ream it to standard size?

3) How reliable is it to fireform 7.62x39mm brass to Grendel after necking down?

4) Will a Forster FL sizer work for necking down the AK brass?

Thanks guys! </div></div>


<span style="text-decoration: underline">For 6.5 Grendel Brass: </span>(what I could think of off the top of my head, im sure there is more sites)

Midway USA
Sinclair Int.
Powder Valley Inc. (<span style="font-weight: bold">powdervalleyinc.com</span>)
Umlaut Arms
Alexander Arms
Grafs
Natchez
Brunoshooters.com
MidSouth Shooters Supply

Powder Valley usually always has Grendel brass in stock and its the cheapest 6.5 Grendel Lapua brass price your probly going to find. Everytime I had ordered it from powder valley it was in stock.

I have NEVER fireformed Grendel brass but some guys do, I wont. Ill stick to my Lapua brass w/ 15-19 reloads thru them.

You have a choice of Lapua, Alexander Arms and Hornady for Factory 6.5 Grendel Brass. Go with the Lapua and dont look back.

 

[rasp65]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

Only the Hornady brass has a large flash hole. The case was originally based on the 6mmPPC that has a small primer and flash hole. The Lapua flash holes are drilled rather than punched so are generally a cleaner hole and I know the Redding dies have a decapping pin that fits. When people called Lee about their decapper sticking in the hole they suggested opening up the flash hole. Your Forster dies should work fine for resizing 762x39 cases. The only problem I ever heard of is with the adjustment on the expander button, not familiar with the Forsters. The 762x39 is a fairly good option if the Lapua or AA Grendel brass is not available but because of the high quality and longevity of the Lapua brass they may not be as cheap in the long run. You must remember that the reformed brass will have about 2 less grains of water capacity and the loads would have to be reduced.

 

[was21]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

If you haven't already , here's the GO-TO place for your Q's....

65grendel.com

Loading data/proceedures for the 6.5 grendel abounds.Especially check out Bill Alexander's loading data PDF.

The one thing that I have found with trying to use necked down AK brass is that I can't get top performance due to capacity being lower , but they make great 3-400 yd loads. Also found that trying to use once fired range pickup AK brass was a real pain...get new. Better yet , bite the bullet once and get the Lapua/Alexander [same] brass.

The one thing that I would definitely caution on w/ this round....stay with Bill's loading data in all aspects. This ctg. seems to be one of the more critical for the fine points to remain in the "safe" range.....i.e...go for max or above and expect some broken bolts [in AR's].

I do love mine...just stay in the lanes!

FWIW
wes

 

[Sgt_Jamez]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

Sounds like good advice was21. Now if I could just find some actual Lapua brass in stock... I checked all the places mentioned above. I'm 0 for 7.

 

[SFC Carpentier jr]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

Look like some of your questions have been answered here. I myself have been playing around with the grendel since the begining of the year. I currently have two uppers set-up in 6.5 grendel. When I first started it was hard to find brass. Since then I have been able to find brass. Now that Hornady is starting to make brass maybe we will be able to find some (the last batch I picked up from Midway).

As was posted the 6.5 grendel forum is a GREAT place to get information. There are quite a few people on there that know quite a bit about the grendel. Also Bill Alexander of Alexander arms also post on there.

Also you might check with Brunos and see if they have lapua brass. Good luck.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sgt_Jamez</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like good advice was21. Now if I could just find some actual Lapua brass in stock... I checked all the places mentioned above. I'm 0 for 7. </div></div>

Grab some Hornady brass @ Grafs (its in stock also) to get you by for now.

 

[Sgt_Jamez]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

Longrange... pics of your build made me start thinking of the Grendel. So yeah looks like Hornady brass is going to be the way to go. Thanks everyone!

 

[Tactical30]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

Have fun with it and let us know what loads worked for you!

 

[Sgt_Jamez]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

Will do... haven't built the upper yet. Ordering parts now. Wouldn't ya know it... MidwayUSA now out of stock on the 24" bbl. Ordering from Rainer Arms.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: 6.5mm Grendel Question

I'd personally go with the 20" barrel. You're not gaining that much speed with a 24.