Anyone have a AR15 in 6.5 Grendel?

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Duner

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For the past few years I have been shooting rem 700 308 Win out to 700 yards. I recently upgraded to a RPAL so now I am looking at getting a long range AR15, but I want to buck the wind better than the 223 Rem. I don't really want an AR10 because of the added weight, recoil, cost.

I came across the 6.5 Grendel which seems to be what I am looking for... I want to build a quality AR from from a striped upper and lower with a match barrel (possibly from ATRS). Thinking of a 20"barrel with a .750" muzzle (not a true bench gun).

Has anyone here built one (or even shoot one)? Any difficulties finding brass? Do they feed well from a 6.8SPC magazine or possibly a 7.62x39 mags? What kind of accuracy can I expect from a true match barrel (such as Lilja, krieger etc)?
 
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We have built several 6.5 Grendels. The bolt is the same as those used by the 7.62x39 as is the mag. Brass is fairly common now as is ammo.
There have been reports of bolt failure due to the very little amount of material left from the bolts being opened up. Although we have not yet had this experience, you should be aware of that potential.
Accuracy has been good as in 1/2 MOA or better, personally I would still either go 223 and run heavy bullets or step up to the AR10 platform.
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
We have built several 6.5 Grendels. The bolt is the same as those used by the 7.62x39 as is the mag. Brass is fairly common now as is ammo.
There have been reports of bolt failure due to the very little amount of material left from the bolts being opened up. Although we have not yet had this experience, you should be aware of that potential.
Accuracy has been good as in 1/2 MOA or better, personally I would still either go 223 and run heavy bullets or step up to the AR10 platform.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I never knew that was a weakness. IF I do go with the grendel it is something I am going to have to keep in mind especially when handloading.

That is the accuracy I am looking for! Coming from a bolt gun I did not know what to expect from a semi-auto.
 
I believe it IS something to watch for. The incidence of bolt failure on the 7.62x39 is higher than that of .223, so all things being equal I would suggest that you will experience higher than normal bolt failure with the 6.5 Grendel.
That being said a bolt is not exactly a major expense, if you go ahead and find after 1000 rounds or so the bolt cracks, it is simple to replace it.
 
I had the privilege of working the target for Bill Alexander in Waco Texas in 03 when he was doing some T & E on the round. A low scope mount prevented him from getting on paper at 1000 yards with the carbine he was shooting but it was reaching out that far with authority.
Although an ar platform would be cool..I want a bolt gun in 6.5.
Gratuitous pic of Bill shooting at 200 yards.

grendel1.jpg
 
I am still not 100% convinced I am going to go with the grendel yet but, $100 for a new bolt isn't so bad every 1000 rds when you take into account ammo, barrel life, etc. This isn't going to be an extremely high volume round gun... no rapid firing especially after hand loading the ammo!

Do the bolts fail catastrophically (ie. possibility of gas escaping from the chamber)? Or is it more like a feed or ejection failure?

I really appreciate your advice Rick! It is good to hear advice from the guys who build and shoot these rifles! I will be sure to give you a call to order some of the parts and pieces, when I start to collect the parts and pieces over the next few months.

Striker:
That is awesome that you got to see Bill Alexander in action!

I was thinking of a bolt gun, but I have realized a few things after owning my 308. A long heavy barrel is hard for me to shoot without a decent rest so the idea of a dual purpose (hunting and target) rifle has gone out the window. I am now ok with a range only gun (ie restricted) and I do like the versatility of the AR platform, so I have decided to give it a shot!
 
Duner said:
I am still not 100% convinced I am going to go with the grendel yet... This isn't going to be an extremely high volume round gun... no rapid firing especially after hand loading the ammo!
I am now ok with a range only gun (ie restricted) and I do like the versatility of the AR platform, so I have decided to give it a shot!
Click to expand...

Go with .308. Better platform for long range with better options of cartridges if you want to branch out from the base .308.
The money you burn up on building up a decent AR in 6.5Grendel, dies, brass, etc. Is a long way down the road to a decent AR in .308 anyhow.
There are reports of poor performance (reliability wise) from guys that have been using this platform for some time, so be sure to do your research.
 
Duner said:
I am still not 100% convinced I am going to go with the grendel yet but, $100 for a new bolt isn't so bad every 1000 rds when you take into account ammo, barrel life, etc. This isn't going to be an extremely high volume round gun... no rapid firing especially after hand loading the ammo!

Do the bolts fail catastrophically (ie. possibility of gas escaping from the chamber)? Or is it more like a feed or ejection failure?

I really appreciate your advice Rick! It is good to hear advice from the guys who build and shoot these rifles! I will be sure to give you a call to order some of the parts and pieces, when I start to collect the parts and pieces over the next few months.

Striker:
That is awesome that you got to see Bill Alexander in action!

I was thinking of a bolt gun, but I have realized a few things after owning my 308. A long heavy barrel is hard for me to shoot without a decent rest so the idea of a dual purpose (hunting and target) rifle has gone out the window. I am now ok with a range only gun (ie restricted) and I do like the versatility of the AR platform, so I have decided to give it a shot!
Click to expand...

Seldom is catastrophic failure a result, however if 1 is not checking the bolt regularly for cracks ............
Anytime you know that a potential problem exists it is best to constantly monitor that part.

I agree with Beltfed on the 308, if it is a range gun an AR10 would be my choice.
 
The Grendel is a good and very accurate little round but is a marginal performer past 800 yds, despite the claims. If you're looking to run something more efficient in an AR15 consider the 6mm Turbo 40 or 6mm FAT Rat which are both Grendel wildcats. Both have the ability of pushing higher BC bullets faster than the Grendel. Alternatively, look at either the 6.5x47 Lapua or 6XC from an AR10/LR308 platform, both of these (unlike their longer cased 260 Rem and 243 counterparts) have the ability of running higher BC bullets that can be mag fed and as a result make better 1000 yds gas-guns than ones chambered in 260/243.

If you do go the Grendel route AR Stoner make Grendel specific mags, along with a bunch of other manufacturers, avoid 7.62x39 mags because the case bodies are different and avoid 7.62x39 bolts. Not only are the 7.62x39 bolts of poorer strength they also headspace differently compared to AA's and Les Baer's (for 264 LBC) spec'd bolts.
 
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