6.5 Grendel Build

H

Honeydealer

Regular
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
I am interested in having a varmint/bench rifle built in 6.5 Grendel. I would like to use an AI folding stock and am curious whether AI's .223 magazine will reliably feed the 6.5 Grendel. Does the 6.5 Grendel reduce capacity?
My next thought is to have a barrel no longer than 20". Will this significantly reduce the performance of the Grendel?
To those that have used that have used the Grendel, what are the biggest pros/cons in your opinion?
Thanks in advance!
 
Great idea you have. I've never considered this cartirdge for a bolt gun but I think it has some potential. If the Grendel doesn't work with the AICS mags for whatever reason, you could always consider a very practical wildcat like a 6x45 (6mm-223). It'll definitely work with AICS mags and you've got plenty of choice as far as bullets are concerned.
 
Just tried stuffing some Grendels into an AI .223 mag, the cartridge base is too fat to get them into the mag at all. Probably would work with some modification to the feed lips.
Also tried them in a .308 mag just for the hell of it, but obviously they are way too short for the mag. When advanced as if to load, they nose dive in the mag and
would probably cause misfeeds.
I've also been toying with the idea for some time as I'm thinking you could generate a lot more velocity safely in a bolt gun without the performance drop off you'd see in reduced AR loads.
As for the barrel length issue, lots of guys in the states are bombing grendels at long range with 20-24" barreled AR15's so why wouldn't a bolt gun be just as good especially at higher velocities? ;)
 
Striker66 said:
Just tried stuffing some Grendels into an AI .223 mag, the cartridge base is too fat to get them into the mag at all. Probably would work with some modification to the feed lips.
Also tried them in a .308 mag just for the hell of it, but obviously they are way too short for the mag. When advanced as if to load, they nose dive in the mag and
would probably cause misfeeds.
I've also been toying with the idea for some time as I'm thinking you could generate a lot more velocity safely in a bolt gun without the performance drop off you'd see in reduced AR loads.
As for the barrel length issue, lots of guys in the states are bombing grendels at long range with 20-24" barreled AR15's so why wouldn't a bolt gun be just as good especially at higher velocities? ;)
Click to expand...

What is the OAL and bullet weight of your Grendel loads? After some more research I was informed that a .223 magazine was a no go, but a .308 should work. I was hoping some of the bigger 6.5 bullets would fill a .308 magazine and allow it to feed reliably.
 
No point in using 6.5 Grendel a boltgun when 6.5x47 is readily available and runs from a standard AICS mag. It's intended for an AR platform. If you're looking for reduced capacity for the short barrel, why not go 6mm BR? Better ballistics and a much wider variety of bullets available, especially for varmint hunting. It runs from a mag and uses a 308 boltface, unlike the Grendel with requires a PPC boltface. You could also neck up the 6 BR to 6.5mm or neck down 7 BR.
 
6x223 or TCU.

6.5 TCU (variant of the 6.5-223)

All the above use a 223 bolt head and will feed easily in an AI 223 mag..

Grendel will use a PPC bolt head. Can be done but another step.

Why not the 6.8SPC? That one already comes in a Rem 700 so a drop into an AI folder is easy. goofy bolt head too but at least it will come out of the box that way.

Pick your poison, it will be a fun rig.

There is tons of load info on the Grendel out of AR's. Some will list the difference in speed due to a shorterned pipe. 20" will be a good length for this smaller case.

The 6PPC is another gem that WILL rock in a 20" pipe. and of course the "new" 6.5 LBC.

There are several AR mag options for these chamberings. AR bottom metal is out there

Let us know how the build goes.

As another option, Savage is chambering rifles for the 7.62X39 WITH det mags. ATR was making an adaptor for Savages into an AI chassis. Now a whole lot of fuss just got taken care of.

Jerry
 
Honeydealer said:
I am interested in having a varmint/bench rifle built in 6.5 Grendel. I would like to use an AI folding stock and am curious whether AI's .223 magazine will reliably feed the 6.5 Grendel. Does the 6.5 Grendel reduce capacity?
My next thought is to have a barrel no longer than 20". Will this significantly reduce the performance of the Grendel?
To those that have used that have used the Grendel, what are the biggest pros/cons in your opinion?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Hi,

I recently received an Alexander Arms "Sniper Rifle" in 28" barrel.

31.5 grains of BL-C(2) with 123 grains of Sierra MKs produce an average vel. of 2515 fps.

It does meet my accuracy expectations. My first trip to range with the gun was with 30grains of above mentioned powder with same bullets, and produced some .3" 100m three shot groups... All were shot single feed. 500m performance was great as well. I was very pleased as my calculations at home matched actual range results.

Magazines will need to be modified at lips as well as one will most probably need a dedicated follower. Case has a bigger diameter so I'm pretty sure it will reduce the capacity.

My next plan is to get an adjustable gas block so I can actually stop the gas transfer and use it as single shot. I think the kick during feeding has a negative effect on accuracy; I could be wrong though...

One problem for me was to find cases, so I ordered 400 of them with the gun. Don't know if anybody in Canada has them in stock. I'm yet to find factory ammo as well...

Let me know if you have any specific questions, would be more than happy to answer.

Take care,

aakoksal
 
6.5 Grendel

I have a 6.5 BPC (I have the reamer & go/nogo gauges), which is a 6.5 Grendel with a tighter neck more appropriate for a bolt action rifle, on a BAT SV with a RKS 1x8" 25" barrel.
With 123 Sierra MK's, AA2520, BR-4's and Lapua brass I get 2725 fps with ES=15 and SD=8. So far my best groups @ 900m have been in the 1 1/2 moa area and 130 yds groups of about 3/8".
It is a very efficient rd but more expensive to outfit that say the 6.5x55mm SE.
Good luck with yours, Jay
 
Perhaps I chose a caliber too quickly. I know I want to build something that shoots the high BC 6.5 bullets.
I want to use an AI folding stock and their 10 shot mags. I am left handed but want a right handed action only with a left side ejection port. I'd like the barrel to be 20" or less, and I'd like the whole package to be bench accurate, but field use tough.
Maybe I should take a step back and do some intensive reading about calibers...
 
The 6.5X47 Lapua was designed to feed from mags, which is an issue with an otherwise leader, 6mmBR. Works well at longer ranges, won a 600m BR match first go and wins at CISM.

Regards,

Peter
 
You might also want to review what your stock options are.

Sounds like you are making something not easily supported in the aftermarket.

The least expensive RB/LP action/rifle if you can find them are by Savage.

Jerry
 
Anything wrong with a 260 Rem??I am the process of building a wolf/coyote rifle in 6.5 cal. I won't be using a mag though..
 
Is barrel length going to determine caliber?
Does a 20" barrel give a .308 an advantage over a 6.5?
I am leaning towards shooting 140 gr 6.5's or 210 gr .30's.
 
best luck would be the 6.5x47 shooting 130 grain bergers or 123 grain sierra or hornady, like everybody else says it'll mag feed and you're ballistically better off then a .308 and even a 30/06. Still have yet to shoot mine but I'm hoping for 1/2 moa accuracy out to 600 and sub moa out to 1000 which definately looks possible. I am in the planning phase of building a 6.5 grendel/ 7.62x39 switch barrel. I'm hoping to find a bottom metal kit or possibly building bottom metal to use cz858 mags. Sounded like something you might be into...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom