6.5 Grendel XCR

I

ianfroese

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
103   0   0
Location
SW Manitoba
Hey guys,

I've been in contact with Herron Arms about a potential 6.5 mm Grendel barrel build for my XCR-L. They had mentioned that they had built a few of them, and they ran well. Just curious if any of you out there have a 6.5 barrel for your XCR, how you like it, and how it has performed accuracy and range wise.

Thanks for any insight you can give!
 
I was looking at the hornady grendel specs and my jaw dropped. Those rounds are a pretty damn good performer. Probably the best intermediate between 5.56 and 7.62x51
 
How is the accuracy on these conversions?

If I were to get a XCR in 6.5 Grendel made up it's role would be that of a "long range" (~800m) semi auto that I could hunt with too, if I so pleased. What I'd like to know is whether or not the XCR platform would be up to the task of delivering accuracy on par with a AR-15 in the same chambering. If not, I don't think I'd see much value in an XCR in that (expensive) calibre.

I too would like to see the results people are getting with match ammo or high quality handloads in their XCRs.
 
The XCR can actually be a very accurate rifle, I just had Ian make a 20 inch .223 krieger barrel for my XCR. The best i could get my XCR to group before i had this new barrel mad was about 3-4 inches at 50 yards, no matter what ammo I fed it I could not make it group. After the barrel I am shooting sub MOA, and even one .25 MOA so far. I have only been to the range with it twice now with factory ammo but so far the results are very good and I am very happy with it. I was going to get Ian to make me one in 6.5 Grendal but decided to get one done in .223 first to see if it was actually going to improve accuracy, Also because .223 is much more available. If you get one made i don't think you will be disappointed Ian does really good work and is very helpful. I would recommend getting a high quality barrel though if you do want to get the XCR as accuarate as possible. Ian also replaced the pin, that holds the upper and lower together, with a screw which got rid of all the wiggle between the two. I know people are not going to believe me when i say a .25 MOA at 100 yards with an XCR but here is a picture which I know people still will not believe.
photoggg_zps10a13b8a.jpg

And a picture of the gun.
photo9988_zps214c2b5d.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

It is encouraging to hear such positive reviews of Ians work on your .223 barrel, gunoholic. I am thinking that that Grendel would turn my .223 XCR into a pretty decent medium sized game hunting rig. I guess I will need to find a 7.62x39 bolt for my gun, as well as some x39 mags.

Any suggestions on what length to go for? I was thinking a 19-20" barrel, threaded so I can attach an AGW linear brake.
 
Last edited:
I've got an XCR and having been kinda kicking this idea around as well, and am curious, what was the cost to do the upgraded barrel?
Did you just send him in your stock barrel, and he sent this one back? Does it still attach with the stock retaining bolt?
 
Ianfoese just a heads up Ian needs a sacrificial barrel, I guess you would call it to do the work, and if you're planning on a 6.5 Grendal you need a 7.62 x 39 barrel. He has to use the gas block and the barrel lug nut,sorry I am not sure what the exact name for it is. The .223 barrel lug nut is too small for the 6.5 Grendal. I went 20" on mine with out a muzzle brake or threads and it is the same overall length as the standard 18.6" barrel with the flash hider.

Resam9 the price will be dependent on what kind of barrel you get and if you want it threaded and what not. You will have to send him the complete rifle with the sacrificial barrel. He does price quotes on his website.
 
DaveMachine said:
Click to expand...

You don't want to do that unless you are just using brass for plinking. The whole purpose of of the Grendel is to be a killer ( as in awesome ) long range precision round. Because of this you will want to load the most consistent ammo possible

The most common 7.62X39 case is the Winchester. The winchester brass is nowhere near as consistent as the Lapua grendel brass ( which has drilled flash holes, annealed necks etc ) . I guess you could start with Lapua brand 7.62X39 , but that would be a waste of time and effort

Lapua brass generally will last you suprisingly long, so its not as expensive as you might think

By the time you spend prepping WW cases, forming, then fireforming you might as well start off with Lapua brass. Scrap rate is about 3 -5 per 50 formed cases ( split at shoulder when fireformed ). The cost of 6.5 projectiles is typically a factor as well when you have to fireform

Lastly, the Lapua grendel cases are small rifle . The WW and Rem 7.62X39 are large rifle ( Rem use to use small ) . For me this does not make a difference, but for the benchrest crowd, the Lapua small primer 308 cases are supposedly the cats meow. Food for thought
 
Last edited:
Who did you get in contact with to get the parts? Did Rob Arms actually reply to an email? Or did you contact wolverine supplies? I know RA is notorious for having terrible customer service.
 
I Am A Gunoholic. said:
The XCR can actually be a very accurate rifle, I just had Ian make a 20 inch .223 krieger barrel for my XCR. The best i could get my XCR to group before i had this new barrel mad was about 3-4 inches at 50 yards, no matter what ammo I fed it I could not make it group. After the barrel I am shooting sub MOA, and even one .25 MOA so far. I have only been to the range with it twice now with factory ammo but so far the results are very good and I am very happy with it. I was going to get Ian to make me one in 6.5 Grendal but decided to get one done in .223 first to see if it was actually going to improve accuracy, Also because .223 is much more available. If you get one made i don't think you will be disappointed Ian does really good work and is very helpful. I would recommend getting a high quality barrel though if you do want to get the XCR as accuarate as possible. Ian also replaced the pin, that holds the upper and lower together, with a screw which got rid of all the wiggle between the two. I know people are not going to believe me when i say a .25 MOA at 100 yards with an XCR but here is a picture which I know people still will not believe.
photoggg_zps10a13b8a.jpg

And a picture of the gun.
photo9988_zps214c2b5d.jpg
Click to expand...

sounds like an awesome project. a 3.5- 4 inch spread at 50 yards sounds horrible.
 
I had Ian at Herron Arms modify my xcr-m as well and have to say he does nice work. 20" Krieger barrel and replaced the pin that holds the upper/lower together to eliminate slop. Definitely more accurate, but my 308 bolt gun and 7mm rem mag I also bought have been distracting me at the range...

I haven't been able to do multiple groups at a 100 yd range yet but I'm happy with the improvement. BTW, he also offers cerakote :) Will probably send my xcr-l for the upper/lower accurizing and a colour change. Think white will be nice for coyote season.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom