6.5 Grendel bolt gun

Status
Not open for further replies.
I recently got a Howa 1500 Mini heavy barrel that a found to be pretty accurate with the hand loads I’ve made so far. The action is smooth, and the trigger is okay but I would like it a bit lighter. Not too impressed with its appearance though, so I looked at some options and decided since the accuracy is acceptable then I’ll just have a Cerakote treatment done to the factory synthetic stock. My best group so far on the lower right. View attachment 1094187View attachment 1094188View attachment 1094189

If all of your groups were like the lower right, I'd be sold. Unfortunately they aren't. Maybe the Mini 6.5 Grendel isn't what I want. I wonder if the 1500 Oryx shoots a little better?
You realize he was doing a load work up? The groups have different powder charge weights labeled above them....unless I'm mistaken @igotta40 ?
 
The mini actions can present a problem for mounting scopes. The action is very short and the front scope ring can force the scope too far back or too close to the shooter's eye. The trend in good glass has been increasing the size of the oculars and increasing the eye relief, which will exacerbate any problem created by these mini actions.

The issue can sometimes be worked around by slamming the turret all the way forward against the front scope ring and using a custom stock with more length-of-pull. Really, the LoP should be determined by fitting the shooter, but the mini-action rifles don't come with more than one option.

Be aware of this because it is not something that can be easily figured out just by handling an un-scoped rifle at the shop counter.
they got extension rings where you get 2 of them front facing north rear one facing south
 
If your choosing a bolt action why restrict yourself to cartridges neutered for an AR action. 6mmbr 6 dasher, 6ppc all way better than 6.5 Grendel.
I watched a kid on u tube hit a milk jug at 1500 yds after just 5 shots on long range shooters of utah while burning the most minimum amount of powder possible and getting real long barrel life. 6mm's eat barrels for lunch
 
I watched a kid on u tube hit a milk jug at 1500 yds with an AR 22' barrel after just 5 shots on long range shooters of utah while burning the most minimum amount of powder possible and getting real long barrel life. 6mm's eat barrels for lunch
 
I watched a kid on u tube hit a milk jug at 1500 yds after just 5 shots on long range shooters of utah while burning the most minimum amount of powder possible and getting real long barrel life. 6mm's eat barrels for lunch
I watched markandsamafterwork hit a steel plate with a 45-70 lever gun with 5 shots at a mile with iron sights, so are we talking about shooter ability or what. Neither round has any energy when the get there. Barrel life is a function of powder volume vs bore diameter. Hunters and target shooters run in the highest node they can find and use cartridges that eat barrels. A 6br is not exactly a barrel burner.
 
If I were in your shoes, wanting bragging rights shooting bench-rest;
I’d get a Sako M85 in 6mm PPC.
Factory Norma ammo shot mid “.3’s”, 5-shots @100yds from an acquaintances M75 Sako Varminter. It had a 5-25 Nightforce scope but no particular tuning.
Shooting Berger or Euber 65gr match bullets over H322, it would shoot in the upper “.2”’s.

He had a .17Rem and .22 PPC that were .4’s or better. But, the 6mm PPC was the best.
I have a good friend that has one in .223. A national level benchrest shooter used it to shoot multiple sub .5 groups @ 200 yards. I understand this is a sample size of one, but it seems to be a pretty common theme
 
I have a good friend that has one in .223. A national level benchrest shooter used it to shoot multiple sub .5 groups @ 200 yards. I understand this is a sample size of one, but it seems to be a pretty common theme
I built and use a 223 for metallic Silhouette out to 600 yards with hand loaded 80 grain bullets. The overall expense was so much lower than the 6br that everyone else is running. I loose a few points but there is no prize money so who cares. There might be a cheaper route to compete but not by much. I would not want to carry that rifle on any hunt ever. If shooting yotes is off the tailgate or off the back porch then maybe.
 
I watched markandsamafterwork hit a steel plate with a 45-70 lever gun with 5 shots at a mile with iron sights, so are we talking about shooter ability or what. Neither round has any energy when the get there. Barrel life is a function of powder volume vs bore diameter. Hunters and target shooters run in the highest node they can find and use cartridges that eat barrels. A 6br is not exactly a barrel burner.
so you are talking about shooting an animal at 1500 yds? is that why you said those rounds would have no energy at that range? what I am saying is the grendel is the cheapest way to shoot long range with the most barrel life.
 
so you are talking about shooting an animal at 1500 yds? is that why you said those rounds would have no energy at that range? what I am saying is the grendel is the cheapest way to shoot long range with the most barrel life.
If you read the op he discusses shooting animals.
 
You realize he was doing a load work up? The groups have different powder charge weights labeled above them....unless I'm mistaken @igotta40 ?

Ya, I kinda felt bad after I posted that, and apologize if I hurt any feelings. Mainly because they are pretty decent groups with a lightweight rifle, and might get better as he refines his loads. After all of the input here and elsewhere, though, I've decided not to take a chance on the Howa. Still thinking on the American, largely based on @LoonWulf 's experience with his. Definitely going to check out the Savage 110 Tac as I think that is going to be the best chance in a production rifle to be better than what I'm shooting now and I have a 6-24x50 Bushnell that would be a perfect fit for that rifle.

I loaded up the rest of the 55 Bergers which will get me through the 2 remaining matches this year. We'll see how it goes. I've been shooting mid-90's with my Varget/55 VMax loads which has gotten me on the podium once this year. July results come out next week, with a 95-1x for me. The Bergers look like they shoot a little bit tighter than those.

thumbnail_IMG_20220805_163556601.jpg

I realize that I can buy my way into the .2's but don't have that level of commitment (yet). If I do get something new I'm dreading trying to find, then paying for, bullets, brass, and several jugs of powder to work up loads let alone a $2000+ rifle. BTW, any hunting will take place in the woods behind the house; longest shot might be 150 yds.

Thanks for your help and discussion!
 
Definitely going to check out the Savage 110 Tac as I think that is going to be the best chance in a production rifle to be better than what I'm shooting now and I have a 6-24x50 Bushnell that would be a perfect fit for that rifle.
Ive also had a half dozen or so savages. They are boringly accurate, and if more is necessary they offer more on hand barrel options than most other actions (except the 700s and ARs).
 
I have a Howa mini that I built from the action available at Brownells.
It ended up being much heavier than I hoped but I do really like it.
Bottom plastic was changed out to the aluminum metal from DIP. Stock is a Boyds Prairie Hunter.
Magazines do suck though. I'm pretty sure there is no metal magazine option currently.
Most likely going to change to an internal box mag.
With that I love the rifle and cartridge.
 

Attachments

  • 20201025_144101.jpg
    20201025_144101.jpg
    109.7 KB · Views: 9
I started to get the Brownells barreled action and a Boyd’s stock but didn’t. I may get the DIP bottom metal. I’ve read other criticisms of the magazine. What in particular do you dislike about it?
 
I started to get the Brownells barreled action and a Boyd’s stock but didn’t. I may get the DIP bottom metal. I’ve read other criticisms of the magazine. What in particular do you dislike about it?
So far mine have fed fine. They are plastic and just feel cheap.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top