Thanks. Good luck with your decision. I spent about a year going back and forth on the new upper build and like you focused on reliability. The N GA. mtns are a good place to live and be able to shoot. Metro OTP, not so much without travel.
Seeking Decent 6.5 Grendel Complete Drop-In Upper
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Oh, by the way, on magazines, check this one out--they are in the second generation and reviews are pretty good.
http://www.primaryarms.com/rze-unimag-multi-caliber-magazine-rze-mag-001b
I am probably going to try one but my research indicated that ASC makes good Grendel magazines--I also think that ASC did make Midway's AR-Stoner brand mags for the Grendel but that could be out of date.
PRI and Barrett are the 6.8 SPC champs for mags that work. BTW, If you've never tried them, Primary Arms has great service, fast shipping, and really good sale prices.
Varminterror
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Alexander offers "base" 6.5G uppers at $732, using Shilen standard barrels. RPG's base 6.5 G uppers are $810, built on BHW barrels. I have used over a hundred Shilen barrels in AR builds over the years, and have built a dozen in the last few years on BHW barrels. The BHW barrels tend to shoot somewhere closer to the Shilen Select barrels, better than the Standards, with the added advantage of less fouling/faster cleaning, less bullet distortion, and higher muzzle velocities (and lower observed pressures) which come with polygonal rifling. Alexander offers Shilen Select barrels as an upgrade option, for $242. Alexander also has uppers coming in up to $2,000, similarly, RPG offers high price options too - I assume since you mentioned "cheaper" uppers, you're not considering these from any company.
As for mags, I've had no issues at all with the AR Stoner 10 round mags, nor the Alexander 24rnd mags. Admittedly, I've never been a fan of the gloss finish on the AA's, it's a bit slick and stands out against the rest of the AR's finish, but everything else about it is great - reliable feeding, no body warp when filled, easy insertion.
Here's my latest 6.5 Grendel, although I believe I'll be rebuilding another one like it, since one of my rifle course students fell in love with this one:
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Crowman
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Thanks.
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Crowman
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Thanks. Yeah, I hear you. I "escaped" the ATL metro at earliest opportunity. Have my own private bar, 100 yd shooting range, pistol ranges, hunt in "back yard". Life's good.
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Crowman
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Roger that. I'm capping at < $1,000 total. My thrust is whitetail hunting in densely wooded mountain ridges. A really long shot is 70 yards due to trees & brush.
I have a Hardened Arms in 7.62x39 and it works well, they also offer 6.5 Grendel for an affordable price. The barrel is chrome lined and the finish can be had in Melonite.
https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecProductListing_36-
That said, I went with a gun builder that offered an ultralight 6.5 upper in Cerakote Camo. When I get it I'll post a review.
https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecProductListing_36-
That said, I went with a gun builder that offered an ultralight 6.5 upper in Cerakote Camo. When I get it I'll post a review.
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