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Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - Printable Version

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Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - 3404speed - 02-13-2022

Hello everyone i decided to join the forum to get some more guidance on building a 6.5 grendel ar. I have a psa lower already which i plan to use. I mainly want to set this build up for the range but like the hunting capabilities of the 6.5 grendel at longer distances then the 5.56 cartridge. Now money is not super tight but im not looking to go crazy, i would like to keep the build somewhat budget friendly. Really im just needing a upper. Im not wanting to spend much more than $550 on a complete upper which i know isnt the most to work with but for a entry level getting into long range shooting i figured its a decent budget. There are some options out there but not sure which way to go. I just have a couple questions in general. Also does anyone have experience with radical arms and psa uppers?

1. Is a adjustable gas block a necessity?

2. What magazines are the most reliable?

3. 18” vs 20” vs 24” barrel?

Thanks everyone for the guidance! Ever since i took my .308 ruger gunsite scout 16” barrel with fixed 2.5x leupold scout scope out on the 1000 yard range ive really enjoyed shooting it at 100-200 yards and really enjoy the more relaxing pace of precision shooting. I love my .308 but i am really interested in the 6.5 grendel which is supposed to be better on recoil and a little easier on the wallet all while being in a semi auto platform

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - Bigs28 - 02-13-2022

Adjustable gas isn't necessary unless you want to suppress but honestly an adjustable gas block isn't that much so getting one won't hurt the budget. Spend as much as you can on the barrel. If you plan on carrying it through the woods i would go with your shorter barrel options.

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - 3404speed - 02-13-2022

I was looking at some uppers from grendel hunter but they are going to run close to $700


I found these on optics planet available in a 20” and 24”. With a 10% off code i can get either for $490 shipped with $50 in optics planet bucks


https://www.opticsplanet.com/radical-firearms-rf-complete-upper-cfu20-6-5-ss-med-15fhr-6-5-grendel-20-ss.html

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - jasper2408 - 02-13-2022

3404speed Wrote:I was looking at some uppers from grendel hunter but they are going to run close to $700


I found these on optics planet available in a 20” and 24”. With a 10% off code i can get either for $490 shipped with $50 in optics planet bucks


https://www.opticsplanet.com/radical-firearms-rf-complete-upper-cfu20-6-5-ss-med-15fhr-6-5-grendel-20-ss.html

One thing I noticed is that the top upper on that page has a keymod handguard so keep that in mind. The bottom two uppers are both M-Lok handguards.

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - VASCAR2 - 02-13-2022

Two Companies that have reoccurring quality control issues with the 6.5 Grendel are Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) and Radical Firearms. There are forum members who have gotten good uppers but numerous other members who had QC issues. With the price of ammo and lost range time it ends up being cheaper to buy a quality barrel.

LaRue Tactical has the ultimate uppers in 6.5 Grendel that get good reviews. Wilson Combat, Odin Works and Faxon also get good reviews. Ballistic Advantage had discontinued their 6.5 Grendel products after the last firearms buying frenzy. The Palmetto State Armory Stainless Steel 6.5 Grendel uppers get good reviews.

I have a 20” Shilen I bought several years ago from Midway USA. It has been a good shooter but has an unthreaded muzzle but the overall length is about the same as a 18” with a A-2 Flash Hider. Depending on the elevation you shoot my optics run out of elevation around 800 yards shooting at around 450’ ASL. I use 20 MOA cantilever mounts on my 6.5 Grendel rifles so I’m sure to have enough elevation to shoot long range.

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-complete-18-6-5-grendel-match-grade-upper/

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - VASCAR2 - 02-13-2022

A Friend and I used his Magnettospeed chronograph a few years ago to get velocities of our 6.5 Grendel AR-15’s. I have 12”, 16”, 18” and 20” AR-15’s in 6.5 Grendel. I think the 18” hits the sweet spot for a do everything 6.5 Grendel unless your always running a suppressor where you might want to go shorter.

Here is the chronograph results I’ve got from my test and extra data I got online.

12” 6.5 Grendel chronograph results

Buffman Range video 12” PSA 6.5 Grendel Federal Berger 130 grain HOTM GMM 2073 FPS (Pro Chrony)

18” PSA Nitride 6.5 Grendel Federal 130 grain Hybrid-OTM Berger GMM 2322 FPS (Pro Chrony)

12” PSA SS with LabRadar.


123gr Hornady American Gunner bulk HPBT = 2201 FPS ave with SD of 14.7 (2" to 2.55" groups)
123gr Hornady ELD-M Black = 2265 FPS ave with SD of 13.2 (1.4 to 1.7" groups)
123gr Hornady Custom SST Factory= 2277 ave with SD of 11.8 (2.9 to 3.2" groups)


12” Faxon

Wolf steel case at 2364 Avg. SD was 9.7.



Here is a list of the tested ammo by average velocity for each barrel length.

120 Grain HP BT PPU

16" 2392

18" 2455

20" 2480

24" 2559

110 grain FMJ PPU

16" 2510

18" 2570

20" 2614

24" 2683

123 grain A-Max Hornady

12” 2265 (123 grain ELD-M)

16" 2419

18" 2464

20" 2505

24" 2568

123 Grain SST Hornady

12” 2277

16" 2430

18" 2493

20" 2511

24" 2583

Hand Load 123 Grain Nosler CC, 31.0 grains CFE223, CCI 450

16" 2449

18" 2471

20" 2526

24" 2619

100 Grain FMJ Wolf

12” 2364

16" 2507

18" 2571

20" 2615

24" 2695

Hand Load 107 Grain SMK 28.5 IMR8208XBR, CCI 41 Hornady cases.

20" 2658

24" 2729

Hornady 123 grain American Gunner

12” 2201

Here is the difference between the 18” barrel compared to the shorter 16” barrel which was slower with every load.

120 grain PPU HP BT

63 FPS difference

110 grain PPU FMJ

60 FPS difference

123 grain A-Max

45 FPS difference

123 grain SST

63 FPS difference

Hand load 123 grain Nosler CC

27 FPS difference

Wolf 100 grain FMJ Steel cased

64 FPS difference


Difference between 20” and 18” barrel 6.5 Grendel

120 grain PPU HP BT

25 FPS difference

110 grain PPU FMJ

44 FPS

123 grain A-Max

41 FPS difference

123 grain SST

18 FPS

Hand load 123 grain Nosler CC

55 FPS difference

Wolf 100 grain FMJ Steel Cased

44 FPS difference

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - VASCAR2 - 02-13-2022

Here is a picture of my Stainless Steel Shilen 20” barrel 6.5 Grendel next to my 18” Faxon Group buy 18” 6.5 Grendel with an A-2 Flash hider. The overall length is pretty close and from the chrono data I posted you can compare the velocity difference between 18” & 20” barrels.


[Image: 38741564155_57f8a483ed_c.jpg]

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - BowChamp - 02-14-2022

3404speed Wrote:Hello everyone i decided to join the forum to get some more guidance on building a 6.5 grendel ar. I have a psa lower already which i plan to use. I mainly want to set this build up for the range but like the hunting capabilities of the 6.5 grendel at longer distances then the 5.56 cartridge. Now money is not super tight but im not looking to go crazy, i would like to keep the build somewhat budget friendly. Really im just needing a upper. Im not wanting to spend much more than $550 on a complete upper which i know isnt the most to work with but for a entry level getting into long range shooting i figured its a decent budget. There are some options out there but not sure which way to go. I just have a couple questions in general. Also does anyone have experience with radical arms and psa uppers?

1. Is a adjustable gas block a necessity?

2. What magazines are the most reliable?

3. 18” vs 20” vs 24” barrel?

Thanks everyone for the guidance! Ever since i took my .308 ruger gunsite scout 16” barrel with fixed 2.5x leupold scout scope out on the 1000 yard range ive really enjoyed shooting it at 100-200 yards and really enjoy the more relaxing pace of precision shooting. I love my .308 but i am really interested in the 6.5 grendel which is supposed to be better on recoil and a little easier on the wallet all while being in a semi auto platform

Take a look at Ballistic Advantage Barrels...I've had very good results from them with 556 and 6.5 grendel.

1. No

2. Elander is what I use and I've had no problems at all.

3. This would be your choice. My experience has been with 16" and 18" barrels.

This is a pic of my target using my 16" Ballistic Advantage Barrel. It is in a PSA Upper receiver, on top of a PSA Lower. Very good average of what it does for me.

[Image: z3FCeIL.jpg]

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - VASCAR2 - 02-14-2022

I decided to check and it looks like Ballistic Advantage has resumed production of 6.5 Grendel barrels and there is one in stock. Ballistic Advantage is a sister company to Aero Precision and AP has a 20” 6.5 Grendel upper in stock with a 15” M-Lok hand guard.



https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/18-6-5-grendel-spr-rifle-length-ar-15-barrel-premium-black.html


https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/m4e1-enhanced-complete-upper-20-6-5-grendel-ss-barrel

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - Jake TN - 02-14-2022

You could get a Zev tech redacted upper for 50.00, BA/fax on barrel for 180.00-240.00, gas tube 15.00, 80.00 Grendel bolt, and that would leave approx 245 for hand guards, gas block, and charging handle. If you already have a carrier and charging handle from another AR build, you can swap them out.

If you are only shooting at 100-200 yards an 18 inch is hard to beat-especially if you are going to hunt with it as well.

Just advice here- I would wait and save a little more. Six sigma should be doing another group buy for Lilja barrels in April (someone correct me if I am wrong). Having a quality barrel will save you money in the long run with ammo prices and decrease frustration. Gives you more time to research components and find deals on them.

I have built 3 ARs (2x5.56 & 1x 6.5 Grendel) with BA barrels for friends and family. All shoot well.

1. Unless you plan to suppress the no. Also go short if suppressing. The balance on even an 18 inch barrel with suppressor will make unsupported shooting difficult.

2. Have only used e-lander- no issues

3. See above. If you hunt from a supported position and don’t have to lug it around, you could go longer. Typically I have found shorter thicker barrels tend to be more accurate (broadly speaking), however, you trade velocity.

Good luck and welcome

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - outbreaker - 02-14-2022

1. IMHO the Grendel has been over-gassed in every gun I have shot, it has been my experience that most AR-15 shooters cannot identify over-gassing issues. Even before I suppressed it. I will not have one without an adjustable gas block. Period.

2. I have not used Elander but have had no issues with C-Products magazines, except in one rifle I have. All my rifles like the Amendment 2 polymer magazines.

3. 18' bbl gives plenty of velocity and if you are going to suppress will aid in handling.

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - 3404speed - 02-14-2022

Thanks everyone for the advice, i only plan to shoot maybe 200 rds a year, closest long range facility 200+ yards is about a 2 hour drive. I guess im just not wanting to be that invested into it. Its just hard to spend more than $500-600 on a upper when i can get a ruger 6.5 bolt gun for $500-600. Especially knowing i will have to spend $300 for a decent scope

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - LRRPF52 - 02-14-2022

3404speed Wrote:Hello everyone i decided to join the forum to get some more guidance on building a 6.5 grendel ar. I have a psa lower already which i plan to use. I mainly want to set this build up for the range but like the hunting capabilities of the 6.5 grendel at longer distances then the 5.56 cartridge. Now money is not super tight but im not looking to go crazy, i would like to keep the build somewhat budget friendly. Really im just needing a upper. Im not wanting to spend much more than $550 on a complete upper which i know isnt the most to work with but for a entry level getting into long range shooting i figured its a decent budget. There are some options out there but not sure which way to go. I just have a couple questions in general. Also does anyone have experience with radical arms and psa uppers?

1. Is a adjustable gas block a necessity?

2. What magazines are the most reliable?

3. 18” vs 20” vs 24” barrel?

Thanks everyone for the guidance! Ever since i took my .308 ruger gunsite scout 16” barrel with fixed 2.5x leupold scout scope out on the 1000 yard range ive really enjoyed shooting it at 100-200 yards and really enjoy the more relaxing pace of precision shooting. I love my .308 but i am really interested in the 6.5 grendel which is supposed to be better on recoil and a little easier on the wallet all while being in a semi auto platform

If most of your time will be spent at the range, with some seasonal hunting, and you have access to a 1000yd range, I would look at 20”-24” barrels for your elevation/air density (Tennessee).

I don’t have adjustable gas on any of my Grendels except for the 12” suppressed and 18” MLGS. I use the Bootleg Adjustable Gas Carrier instead of an adjustable gas block. They are so much easier to work with as you dial the gas regulator through the ejection port with a small flat head, not a tiny Allen wrench up at the gas block.

Magazines have all mostly worked for me. I saw some defective ASC mags back in 2013 on a few rifles I worked on, but all mine have been reliable.

I have CProducts Defense, Elander, and Polymer Amend 2A 10rd mags.

Since I reload, I like the CPD mags the best because they allow much longer COL, whereas the Elanders only allow 2.260” COL.

You will want as tight of a twist as possible for shooting at the range in denser air, as this will maximize BC and maintain better gyroscopic stability if shooting to 1000yds.

Here’s a photo with numeric data alongside each barrel length showing some numbers for 123gr ELD-M (Target) and 123gr SST (Hunting) loads:

[Image: (edited)_fullsizeoutput_105_zpsgituaykh.jpeg]

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - 3404speed - 02-14-2022

Thank you and everyone for all the info, im still having a hard time going over $600 at max for a upper lol. I understand that what you guys have recommended are among the best but i just cant justify it really for a casual range day, i could deff understand for strictly hunting and competition that the higher quality uppers make a difference and can appreciate the quality of them

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - VASCAR2 - 02-14-2022

Palmetto State Armory has 6.5 Grendel uppers in stock. I’d buy one of these before I’d buy a BCA or RF.


https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/barreled-upper-assemblies.html?caliber_multi=6.5+Grendel

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - MISportsman - 02-14-2022

As mentioned before an adjustable block is not needed unless you're going suppressed. I went with a 20" barrel on my build which I use for hunting and would recommend it! I would use a Wilson combat barrel if I was to do it again, very accurate and good quality! I like to use aero precision for the rest of my parts and that should keep you in budget. Have fun, it's addicting lol

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - peak98 - 02-15-2022

Most everyone understands, and respects being budget minded. They also want to see and hear back from a happy shooter getting positive results. I’d seriously consider Vascar2’s recommendation for a complete PSA upper. I think you’d have a much better chance getting a shooter than from a BCA barrel. I pissed away a couple hundred rounds and countless range trips trying to get consistent adequate performance to no avail. I have zero first hand experience with Radical barrels but, from what I’ve read, wouldn’t spend my $$ on one. Let us know what you decide on, hope you get a good one!
peak98

3404speed Wrote:Thank you and everyone for all the info, im still having a hard time going over $600 at max for a upper lol. I understand that what you guys have recommended are among the best but i just cant justify it really for a casual range day, i could deff understand for strictly hunting and competition that the higher quality uppers make a difference and can appreciate the quality of them


Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - treed - 02-15-2022

Psa is putting out some really good stuff as of late. I wouldn't hesitate buying from them.

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - outbreaker - 02-15-2022

If you are going with a bolt gun the Grendel is a waste of money. It is only good when you are confined to the case limitations of an AR platform.

In a bolt you will be better off with 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC.

Looking to build my first 6.5 grendel ar - BowChamp - 02-16-2022

3404speed Wrote:Thank you and everyone for all the info, im still having a hard time going over $600 at max for a upper lol. I understand that what you guys have recommended are among the best but i just cant justify it really for a casual range day, i could deff understand for strictly hunting and competition that the higher quality uppers make a difference and can appreciate the quality of them

If you are looking for a complete upper...this is what I recommend.

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-complete-18-6-5-grendel-match-grade-upper/

This is how the LaRue 6.5 Grendel has worked out for me.

https://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?23659-LaRue-6-5-Grendel-UU-Kit