Jumping into the 6.5 Grendel pool!

Status
Not open for further replies.
primalmu

primalmu

Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2012
Messages
1,064
Location
Mooresville, NC
I made the decision to finally build a 6.5 Grendel AR, something I've been wanting to do for quite some time now. The thought of having a semiautomatic rifle that rivals my .308 bolt action in both accuracy and range (given the 6.5mm projectile's superior ballistics) is intriguing to me. Plus, who doesn't need an excuse to build another AR?

For the scope I'll probably be pulling the SWFA SS 6x42 scope off my Remington 700. I've got a Black Hole Weaponry 20" barrel on the way, and will be using my UTG Pro 15" Keymod FF tube. Lower is built with a RRA NM trigger and RRA Operator A2 stock.

I understand that the 6.5 Grendels benefit from an adjustable gas system, so I've decided to try out an adjustable gas key rather than an adjustable gas block. Not only is this cheaper, but it should be far easier to adjust at the range.

One thing I'm curious about, though, are the Lee 6.5 Grendel dies. I keep reading that they are not recommended, but I can't find any info on WHY.
 
Primalu, I've got an Alexander upper, so I'd never heard of the need for an adjustable gas system.
Whatever "fixed" gas port I have now works well across the board.

As to Lee/Grendel dies, I've seen comments all over the map -- Greatest thing since sliced bread to GodAwful.
It may not be fair, but I'd go with Lyman, RCBS, or Redding
 
Had my Grendel for quite a few years now back when it wasn't so popular. I have used nothing but Lee dies with no issues. The Grendel is a nice medium caliber round. I've dropped a lot of pigs and song dogs with it.
 
MEHavey, my understanding is that 6.5 Grendels tend to be overgassed and put extra stress on components. If that's not the case then I've always got my stock gas key that I can reinstall.
 
Here it is:

65grendel_zpsswuqhpne.jpg

I'm planning on hitting the range with it tomorrow to get it sighted in, get the adjustable gas key sorted out, and get some preliminary ideas of accuracy with some Hornady ammo I bought.

For those interested, here's what it is composed of:
  • Aero Precision lower with RRA NM trigger
  • RRA Operator A2 stock
  • 20" Black Hole Weaponry barrel
  • UTG Pro FF tube
  • SWFA SS 6x42 scope

The scope may or may not stay on the rifle. If I use this rifle for coyote hunting I'll probably slap on my Leatherwood 1-4x scope. I'm pleasantly surprised that it weighs in right at 9.5 lbs, just a few ounces more than my stock RRA M4-gery with an Aimpoint.
 
Not trying to derail the thread, but how hard is it to form cases from 7.62x39 brass?
Has anyone had any luck with reforming steel 7.62x39 cases for the Grendel?
 
You won't be able to reform steel cases. While the 6.5 Grendel is based off the 7.62x39 case (or, seemingly more accurately, the case head), it is not tapered nearly to the extent the 7.62x39 is. It will crack rather than expand. Besides, unless I'm mistaken, 7.62x39 cases are Berdan primed, making reloading FAR more trouble than its worth (unlike steel .223, which I reload all the time).
 
primalmu,
Please tell me more about the adjustable gas key system, like who makes it, and how it is installed and how to adjust it. This is the first I have heard of this system.
 
Trek, here is the link to the part from Brownells: http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...s/ar-15-m16-adjustable-gas-key-prod71557.aspx

The picture doesn't show it, but on the back face of the gas key there is a tapped channel for a set screw. The channel intersects with the gas port in the key, allowing the set screw to effectively adjust the size of the opening. A second set screw is placed on top of the first to lock it into place.

I'll be trying out today so we'll see how effective it is.
 
Back from the range. All in all I'm pretty happy with my Grendel so far. Once I got the gas key adjusted, and discovered that the Wolf Gold/PPU ammo I got is unreliable (won't be getting anymore of that!), I'm seeing a lot of promise with this rifle. The best group today was a 3 shot group into 0.6" using Hornady 123gr AMax ammo.

Regarding the Wolf Gold/PPU ammo, I had a lot of issues with failures to extract and light primer strikes. In fact, 4 rounds of the 20 round box I brought wouldn't fire. Looking at the rounds, the primers appear to be seated too deeply to get a reliable primer strike. In contrast, the Hornady ammo was 100% reliable.
 
Nice looking rifle, glad she's shooting well for you. I'm no help on factory ammo, nothing but hand loads in mine from day 1.
 
Thanks for the link primalmu. That looks like a great option for regulating the gas flow. Also, congratulations on the great group. That looks like a fine rifle you have built. Keep us posted on how your range sessions go. Do you hand load? This cartridge is a prime candidate for hand loading. You have an almost unlimited variety of ammo choices with hand loads, and chances are, you can likely even do better than that group if you find the right load.
 
Yes, I do reload so I'm going to be doing a bit of experimentation working up a good coyote load (thinking 95gr VMax). I've decided that the AR isn't my cup of tea for a target rifle just due to ergonomics, so I slapped my 1-4x scope on it this evening and will be using it for a longer range coyote rifle to complement my .223 AR with an Aimpoint.
 
primalmu, I tested some 95 V-max with 25 gr H322, a cool 60 degrees. Right at 2600 fps with a BHW 20-inch barrel. Just checking pressure and velocity, no accuracy test. I like the BHW barrel. So far no fouling in the first 60 rounds.
 
I found I like the 129 grain Hornady SST's for a hunting round. They do really well on game at long ranges. Heavy and slow but does a great job!

My Grendel...
059548AA-227F-47FF-A950-F1D6F4DFD1B4_zpsdcqwbdau.jpg
 
I might try the 129gr SSTs. I was reading that a lot of people don't like the 129gr bullets, though. I wonder how much difference there is between the 129gr and 123gr SST bullets.
 
I've had really good luck with them and H335 powder. When I first started loading them there was no data out there but I got it figured out nicely!
 
Using Lee dies, 123 Amax for starters and Trying to decide which powder to go with. I use H-335 for .223 and have some laying around so I'll start there.
 
CFE223 is also showing to be a good powder for the Grendel, especially for the heaver bullets
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

primalmu
  • Locked
Range Report - 6.5 Grendel and .308 Win, poor .223 performance
Replies
13
Views
683
M118LR
M118LR
G
  • Locked
Newest 6.5 Grendel Build
Replies
22
Views
1K
MTMilitiaman
MTMilitiaman
S
  • Locked
Looking for a 6.5 Grendel upper
Replies
7
Views
505
madcratebuilder
M
S
  • Locked
Overall 6.5 grendel opinion
Replies
22
Views
2K
ol' scratch
ol' scratch
C
  • Locked
Questions on 6.5 grendel...
Replies
6
Views
860
mshootnit
M
Back
Top