Sabre Defense/AA bbl throat problem

[Tactical30]

I had bought a 6.5 Grendel barrel from Sabre Defense and they go by Alexander Arms specs for the 6.5 Grendel barrels. There is no free bore-throat in this chamber (picture attached below)
I had got some Lapua 123gr. Scenars and they shoot fine but when you go to do some reloading its a different story. All the bullets seat (following Lapua + Alexander Arms loading data) get pig-jammed into the lands. The only bullet that doesnt seem to get jammed is the 123gr. Lapua scenar but every other bullet gets jammed. I talked to Bill Alexander @ AA and he said those barrels have that bore its supposed to "fool" the bullet. He named it a "Compound Throat" He said thats all normal. Im afraid of the pressure spike with going into the lands but then again I heard its better to be just touching the lands for better accuracy. The bad thing is they dont make much factory ammo for it, so I follow the factory ammo OAL and am fine but you cant load anything else. Im thinking about going with a Lothar Walther 6.5 barrel to replace it. I was also thinking 500-800rds will probly wear that throat out enough to give me enough free bore. I dont know what to do. Get a new barrel or run a ton of factory ammo thru it to open up the throat? I hate posting on 6.5Grendel forum, its a bunch of retartds.

 

[SpotcheckBilly]

Re: Sabre Defense/AA bbl throat problem

I don't shoot a Grendel, but I shoot the 123 Scenar in my 6.5x47 Lapua. I've experimented with different seating depths with this bullet, all the way from .015" out, to just kissing the lands, to jammed .015" into the lands.

I've achieved the best accuracy by far with these bullets seated .015" into the lands. I've also experimented with several different powders at different load levels, from mild to hot, and never encountered any "pressure spikes" when shooting these bullets jammed into the lands.

Just my opinion, but you don't need any long throated chamber with lots of "freebore" with the combo that you're shooting unless you desire to play with very long bullets that were never considerd to be in the loading parameters for this cartridge. It'll take an awful lot of shooting with your Grendel to erode the throat enough to worry about, and when the throat length does advance just chase the throat by seating your bullets further out. Listen to Bill Alexander on this one. I would suspect that he knows what he's talikng about

Just FYI, my 6.5x47 has a Border 5R barrel, 8.5" twist, chambered by JR (the barrel maker) at Border Barrels using a PT&G reamer throated for the 123 Scenar seated out into the lands. It's one beautifully made barrel, and does it ever shoot

 

[awp762]

Re: Sabre Defense/AA bbl throat problem

I have a 6.5 Grendel with 24" Sabre barrel Heavy bench target.

Here are my Jam numbers for the various tips using a sinclair green comparator body with their 6.5mm insert.

130gr Berger VLD target 1.548"
123gr Lapua 1.533"
120gr Nosler 1.615"

Have you checked you jam numbers (to the ogive) & if so how to they compare to mine? I would start there & not worry about factory OAL. I only use book data as a reference point.

Be careful when using this comparator if your brass isn't cut to 1.518" or less, the insert will bottom out on your brass & give you false readings when seating the tips.

I seat my 123gr lapua @ .011" jump & they shoot well.
I haven't tried any of the Noslers i have to see how they shoot.

I've heard that the LW barrels are good but never tried one.

I'm sorry you are having issues with yours & hope you get it resolved!

 

[awp762]

Re: Sabre Defense/AA bbl throat problem

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that these measurements were taken after 300 rounds were fired. Also here is some contact data for Sabre in case you haven't tried contacting them about your issue yet:

Michael Curlett
Director of Sales and Marketing
Sabre Defence Industries
450 Allied Drive
Nashville, Tennessee, USA 37211

Tel. +1 (615) 333-0077
Fax +1 (615) 333-6229


Mike will probably get you in touch with: Aloysius Donovan their customer service manager, he is the one who deals with problems associated with their products.

Either way you go i would check your jam on the tips you want to use & seat them accordingly.

I'm sure you don't want to lose case capacity but do what is safe for your sake, adjust loads if necessary.

I hope this helps!