6.5 Grendel Build.......?

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viking499

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So.......I have this poor, lonely, purchased cheaply PSA complete lower that needs something to "mate" with..........and have been thinking of putting together a Grendel upper for it, if I can do it without mortgaging the farm.

For those of you that have a Grendel upper.........

How do you like it?
Build it yourself or buy it already complete?
If you built yourself, what and where is a good place to get part, recommendations? I am currently leaning towards an 18" barrel.

Other ideas or opinions.........
 
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i like 6.5 grendel, ive used it before but never in my own rifle, i was contemplating a build in this caliber to take advantage of cheap wolf ammo but what i learned is the specs on that cheap ammo are not that great, could easily be matched with something like a 6.5 TCU or even a poorly designed 6.5 PCC and the compromises you have to make on either having a weakened bolt or a weakened extractor given the larger diameter case and thicker rim werent tradeoffs i was willing to make

fact is there are other long range options for the AR-15 that are going to be just as accurate and would be cheaper to handload than 6.5 grendel ammo

one such cartridge i like so far is .277 wolverine, it delivers a 120 grain bullet at over 2400fps (7.62x39 bullet weight and velocity) while (if using the hornady 120 grain SST) youd get a ballistic coefficient of .400 which is very close to the aerdynamics of a 150 grain .308 bullet, so it gives you all the energy and barrier penetration of 7.62x39, a range of 600 yards or beyond, cheaper bullets than 6.5 as remington seemingly has a commitment to producing cheap 110 grain FMJs, and it can be made on cheap .223/5.56 brass

also, due to the larger caliber diameter of the bullet, 62kpsi against the base of that bullet is going to build velocity quicker in a shorter barrel than 52kpsi ever will on the base of a 6.5mm bullet
 
I know that there are probably better options out there. I was just thinking of the 6.5 area since I already reload for a 6.5x55 rifle already, so bullet selection might be easily found on my shelf.

If I do this build, it will not be for large quantity shooting (the 223 can take care of that area), it will be more for target, varmint or truck ride along responsibilities.
 
I'm in the same spot. Have a free lower and wanted to build a Grendel. Things added up quickly. $300 to $400 for an 18" barrel and bolt eats a lot of the cost. Then think another $150 to $200 for a free float hand guard and you get your build up to $1000 very quickly. I decided to hold off for a while.
 
I've got a Radical Firearms 6.5G complete upper that I bought earlier this year. It is a nicely made upper seems like good quality. It was cheaper than I could build it for so I jumped on it. I have less that 100rds through it but it has functioned 100% and proven to be sub MOA @ 100yds with Hornady 123gr Amax factory loads.
 
Nice, I've wondered about the accuracy of those Radical Firearms uppers, they seem to be good build quality.
 
Gtscotty I can't complain about mine at all. It is more accurate than I thought it would be for sure and a complete upper in 6.5G for under $600 is tough to beat and if the barrel shot like crap I could have swapped out for a match grade barrel (lilja, shilen, etc.) and still been money ahead
 
Viking, I bought a high end upper several years ago. I've had zero problems and it's fun to shoot. I've not had any issues, bolt or otherwise. IMO it's still the best option for a long range upper. If you don't reload, good ammo is readily available, and if you do reload components are cheap available. My current project is building a Grendel bolt action.
 
I built one and have been enjoying it quite a bit, I shoot it more than my .308.

There are some theoreticians here that have decided that 6.5 Grendel isn't any good on paper, I suggest listening to those who actually own and shoot them.
 
I'v e had an AA 16" tac upper, and a 19.5" hunter upper for going on 10 years now. I've been completely satisfied with them. My 16" upper is my whitetail gun; I reload and 120 gr loads are absolute deer hammers. The 19.5" upper is just a range gun.
I am very much looking forward to 2016 - Howa is releasing their micro action bolt guns in 6.5G, something I've been waiting for someone to do for some time...
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. The accuracy and every down range see like a good combo for the Grendel. The cost is the only thing I am in the process of calculating out right now. If it's going to be too expensive, I might just stick with a bolt gun in 6.5 and do something else with the lower.
 
That Radical upper looks to be pretty affordable. Im assuming the 20" upper has a bull barrel?
 
Olympus the 20" which is the one I own has a straight contour barrel. I wouldn't call it a bull barrel but it's not a lightweight pencil barrel either...

My 20" 6.5G upper with lower and scope weigh less than 9lbs. It's not heavy but not exactly light either
 
That's a good option too. The Radical Arms may be a bit cheaper after you start adding all the components to complete an upper with that barrel though.
 
CarJunkieLS1 said:
Olympus the 20" which is the one I own has a straight contour barrel. I wouldn't call it a bull barrel but it's not a lightweight pencil barrel either...

My 20" 6.5G upper with lower and scope weigh less than 9lbs. It's not heavy but not exactly light either
Click to expand...
Is your gun too heavy to use as a hunting rifle?
 
Olympus it is definitely not to heavy to use as a hunting rifle. In fact I've been carrying an AR-15 in 30 RAR all hunting season. The are the same length and weigh within a few ounces of each other. I'll carry the Grendel next year, when I have time to get a hunting load worked up for it.
 
Alexander arms seems to have a lot of complete uppers in the Grendel. They start at the $800 range. And i have no experience with them, I'm just deciding if I want one. The one I like has a 24" barrel. And the option to upgrade to a shien match barrel.
 
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