Which barrel length for 6.5 grendel?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

See poll. Which is the best tradeoff of lightness & handiness vs. performance in a lightweight "fighting rifle"? I'm thinking 16.

 

[gvnwst]

To me, the grendel is a long(er) range cartridge, and must be given the velocity to do its job. That and i really like my 18" SPR, the 16" upper i have is only lighter. Not more hand iin any other way.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

You have TWO uppers in grendel, gvnwst?

 

[gvnwst]

No, i have them in .223. I would LOVE to have 2 grendels, but i don't even handload, so ammo would kill me. I was just meaning that my 18" AR is not that much more clumsy than my 16", other than being heavier. The wieght is mostly due to the different rail system. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Oh I see - gotcha, that makes sense. I have an AR15 in 5.56/.223 with a 20" bbl, and though I don't like the weight, I believe that that little pill benefits the extra vel for most applications.

But with the grendel, it's no relying so much on speed, as it is weight, so I figure 16" is good, but you're right, 2" doesn't add much weight in a lightweight profile bbl.

 

[rangerruck]

I also, am with the benefits of longer range/more speed, is needed for this bullet.

 

[Quiet]

The 6.5Grendel is more of a medium-long range cartridge. Should be shot out of a 20-24" barrel to get it's full potential.

If you want something shorter than a 20" barrel, go with the 6.8SPC, since it's more of a short-medium range cartridge.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Of the two, I'd go 18" barrel.

Grendel isn't really a fighting rifle cartridge, but with 16" you're eating into what it actually does well, whereas 18" gives your a better long range performer that can work as a fighting rifle if need be.

 

[quicherbichen]

I'm not sure what the definition of a "fighting rifle" is, but barrel length really depends what you are trying to get out of it. If you look at the ballistics Alexander lists here.

http://www.alexanderarms.com/grendel_ballistics.pdf

The difference between a 16 and 19.5 isn't all that big. 18 isn't listed but would obviously be even less of an advantage over the 16

I looked over them all myself and ended up with the 14.5 I figured if I'm not going with the 24 I might as well go as light as possible without any special permission from the government. I'll add a 24 later most likely.

Bill Alexander himself has said the 14.5 is probably more accurate than the 16 in the tactical series. Those are the chrome lined barrels for those who don't know.

I assume you are wanting a stainless barrel from your two choices. I voted for the 16 based on that.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

By "fighting rifle" with respect to external and terminal ballistics at least, what I mean is MAXIMUM distance of target is 150 yards, and ordinarily well under 50 yards, and is capable of rapidly incapacitating a human attacker.

Grendel isn't really a fighting rifle cartridge

WhatchutalkinboutWillis?

 

[dejr2000]

I believe I read somewhere on http://www.65grendel.com/forum/ that in Bill Alexander's tests the optimum barrel length for the Grendel was around 20".

 

[R.W.Dale]

By "fighting rifle" with respect to external and terminal ballistics at least, what I mean is MAXIMUM distance of target is 150 yards, and ordinarily well under 50 yards, and is capable of rapidly incapacitating a human attacker.

in which case just go with a 5.56 with a 1/7 twist

In my opinion buying a 6.5g with a less than 20" barrel for under 150yds is like those mall crawler Jeeps with big knobby tires but open diffs and stock gears. In other words all show and it most assuredly won't kill a baddie any deader than a 77grn 5.56 round or better yet a plastic tipped projectile especially inside 150

 

[quicherbichen]

By "fighting rifle" with respect to external and terminal ballistics at least, what I mean is MAXIMUM distance of target is 150 yards, and ordinarily well under 50 yards, and is capable of rapidly incapacitating a human attacker.

Ok, then if that is what you are looking for, what advantage would a longer barrel have?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

in which case just go with a 5.56 with a 1/7 twist

In my opinion buying a 6.5g with a less than 20" barrel for under 150yds is like those mall crawler Jeeps with big knobby tires but open diffs and stock gears. In other words all show and it most assuredly won't kill a baddie any deader than a 77grn 5.56 round or better yet a plastic tipped projectile especially inside 150

Well, krochus, you may be exactly correct, and this is (probably) mostly hypoethetical, as far as I'm concerned, and I'll probably stick with a 5.56 for my short range "fighter". But you've got a bit better barrier penetration with 6.5 grendel however, if the baddies are behind cover, may be about the only justification.