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+--- Thread: Custom Lightweight Grendel Barrel (/showthread.php?tid=6969)
Custom Lightweight Grendel Barrel - Schwag173 - 12-29-2013
I'm looking for some expert metallurgical and barrel-making advice. Here is some background:
I've built two successful MLGS Grendels and while both function flawlessly, my biggest gripe is the barrel weight. I’m envious of the ultra-lightweight CLGS 5.56 ARs I built for my boys using Daniel Defense LW (pencil-contour) barrels (https://danieldefense.com/16-5-56mm-1-7-lw-profile.html). The 5.56 weighs 1.5 lbs lighter than my Grendel.
Since nobody makes a pencil-contour Grendel barrel, my gunsmith has offered to trim down a Grendel AR barrel for me. He’s competent and started his own business after working at Lilja, but I don’t want to get myself into trouble by trimming too much strength off a barrel. If memory serves, Grendel SAAMI pressures are equal to or slightly lower than 5.56.
I’ve had my eye on the Black Hole Weaponry polygonal-rifled barrels for a while and thought I might give them a try for this project. Using the cold hammer forged chrome moly vanadium Daniel Defense LW barrel as a guide, am I safe to trim a 416R stainless steel barrel to the same dimensions (adding .040” for the difference between .224” and .264” bores)?
Custom Lightweight Grendel Barrel - LRRPF52 - 12-29-2013
This is why I ordered the WASP profiles from Lilja. I love lightweight, accurate carbines.
There is an extreme lightweight profile Satern does on a 14.5", with the flash suppressor machined into the barrel to bring it to 16". They cut a lot of weight with fluting.
Custom Lightweight Grendel Barrel - Schwag173 - 12-29-2013
LRRPF52 Wrote:This is why I ordered the WASP profiles from Lilja. I love lightweight, accurate carbines.
There is an extreme lightweight profile Satern does on a 14.5", with the flash suppressor machined into the barrel to bring it to 16". They cut a lot of weight with fluting.
I had looked at the Lilja AR barrels (I just received a Lilja bolt barrel) but the weight is still more than I want. I'm not seeing what I want on the Satern page either. Thanks, though.
Custom Lightweight Grendel Barrel - biodsl - 12-29-2013
Schwag173 Wrote:I had looked at the Lilja AR barrels (I just received a Lilja bolt barrel) but the weight is still more than I want. I'm not seeing what I want on the Satern page either. Thanks, though.
Here's a link to the 16" WASP profile offered during the Lilja group buy. Estimated weight is 1.94 pounds but I think fluting of the barrel forward of the gas block was an option.
http://www.riflebarrels.com/products/pdf_barrel_drawings/ar_profiles/O00304.PDF
Post #4 in this thread has some pictures of the Satern barrel. Perhaps others will chime in regarding the weight.
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?6658-Bjorn-s-Ultra-Light-build
Custom Lightweight Grendel Barrel - XcountryRider - 12-29-2013
I've chronied two BHW barrels both had lower velocities. They are accurate but slower. I chronied my buddies 16in BHW barrel yesterday with factory amax and it was at 2385fps. usually with a 5R rifled barrel its at around 2420fps.
Custom Lightweight Grendel Barrel - Schwag173 - 12-30-2013
I already have an 18" button-rifled medium-contour stainless barrel and have now decided to have that one turned down rather than buy a new one.