+- 6.5 Grendel Forum (https://65grendel.com)
+-- Forum: 6.5 GRENDEL DISCUSSION FORUMS (https://65grendel.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: 6.5 Grendel ARs and Other Semi-Autos (https://65grendel.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Thread: Barrel Contour (/showthread.php?tid=930)
Barrel Contour - Jaywalker - 08-19-2011
Ten years or so ago I bought a Bushmaster 16" HBAR. I suspect at the time they were less interested in "heavy barrel accuracy" than in "not having to put any barrel profiling in the production schedule." It was a muzzle heavy beast and I soon sold it.
I understand many of AA barrels are of "target" profile, and in my preferred length of 19.5", does that mean I'd end up with another rifle that needs a couple of broomsticks to support offhand? Do I have any reasonable choices?
Barrel Contour - bwaites - 08-19-2011
AA offers barrels in just about any profile you want. They even offer a super light upper.
Here's my most recent:
![[Image: 20inchgrendel2.jpg]](http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/2484/20inchgrendel2.jpg)
![[Image: 20inchgrendel.jpg]](http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5343/20inchgrendel.jpg)
These are just quick IPhone pics because a friend wanted to see it.
AA lists the weights of all their rifles/uppers here:
https://www.alexanderarms.com/gtech.htm
The GDMR and the GSR have heavier profile barrels, but even my 28" GSR is NOT terrible. They don't sell a lot of 28" barreled rifles, so my guess is that they didn't have one made up when they did the weights that are posted.
I can weigh mine if you wish!
Barrel Contour - Jaywalker - 08-19-2011
Thanks, but no thanks. BTW, does that 28" come with trunnions?
I'll call AA and ask about balance on some of the mid-weight uppers.
Barrel Contour - warped - 08-19-2011
I use a 19.5" bbl and I definitely have no problem carrying it in the field or using it offhand, it is balanced at the front receiver pin.
It has an A2 stock (nothing in the compartment) and it also have a Leupold Vari X III 6.5-20x on it plus a Ti WCI brake.
Barrel Contour - bwaites - 08-19-2011
Jaywalker Wrote:Thanks, but no thanks. BTW, does that 28" come with trunnions?
I'll call AA and ask about balance on some of the mid-weight uppers.
My bad, just noticed that I had posted that my 28" was terrible. It is most definitely NOT terrible weight wise.
Everyone thinks that a 28" AR must be really unbalanced and difficult to handle, but I really don't mind it at all.
LRRPF52 has seen and shot it, and even though his Grendel is a 16", he talks about how its really not overwhelming.
The rifle above is a 20" with Satern Barrel. Its fairly light, but could be made even lighter with AA's forend.
Barrel Contour - LR1955 - 08-19-2011
Jaywalker Wrote:Ten years or so ago I bought a Bushmaster 16" HBAR. I suspect at the time they were less interested in "heavy barrel accuracy" than in "not having to put any barrel profiling in the production schedule." It was a muzzle heavy beast and I soon sold it.
I understand many of AA barrels are of "target" profile, and in my preferred length of 19.5", does that mean I'd end up with another rifle that needs a couple of broomsticks to support offhand? Do I have any reasonable choices?
JW:
FWIW the term 'Target Profile' is useful only as a descriptor of a heavy barrel. My match rifles, including a 6 AR and 6.5 Grendel, both have 26" barrels. However, they are both stepped and fluted to take off weight. Both shoot just fine for High Power applications. Many guys, me included, opt for 26" match grade barrels with a Palma taper in order to reduce weight. And it isn't just for off hand. Prone suffers from excessive barrel weight as it is painful and fatiguing to hold up a barrel that is too heavy.
You ought to be able to get a very light 20" Grendel barrel providing someone will make it for you.
LR1955
Barrel Contour - Jaywalker - 08-19-2011
I don't want "light" so much as "balance," so a hinge-pin balance would likely be fine. I once commissioned an UltraLight Arms custom because of the balance, but sold it after a couple of years when it turned out that a five-pound 30-06 kicked a lot. (Who'd have thought?) Now I just want reasonable weight and good balance.
Barrel Contour - warped - 08-19-2011
LR1955 Wrote:JW:
You ought to be able to get a very light 20" Grendel barrel providing someone will make it for you.
LR1955
Yep, call Bob at Templar if your bbl is not something offered off the shelf by AA.
To avoid any unpleasant or unsafe situations always use a licensed Grendel manufacturer.
Buy once cry once and stay happy and safe!
Barrel Contour - WillD - 08-20-2011
My 18" Satern Spartan double fluted weighs 2# and my Satern 28" unfluted weighs 7#.
There are still some Spartan barrels left!
Cheers, Will
Barrel Contour - Jaywalker - 08-20-2011
WillD, How much do they weigh? One's a barrel and one's an upper?
Barrel Contour - WillD - 08-20-2011
18" .750" double fluted barrel is 2#
28" .875" bull barrel is 7#
Cheers, Will
Barrel Contour - Jaywalker - 08-20-2011
Thanks - I missed the reference to 28".
Barrel Contour - WillD - 08-21-2011
jaywalker,
FYI the 18" is very nice and will be my carry/truck hunter for hogs, deer, and turkey on the Guadalupe. Satern makes very good barrels and are easy to deal with.
Cheers, Will
Barrel Contour - Jaywalker - 08-21-2011
Will,
With too many years too close to jet engines and gunfire, I find myself wishing I had some of my hearing back. Within reason, the farther away from the muzzle blast I can get, the better. I don't think I'm up to a 28" barrel, but a 20" sounds pretty good - I don't hunt anymore, so carrying through woods isn't an issue anymore. It's a shame, though - I do like the looks of the 18" barrels...
Barrel Contour - LR1955 - 08-21-2011
Jaywalker Wrote:Will,
With too many years too close to jet engines and gunfire, I find myself wishing I had some of my hearing back. Within reason, the farther away from the muzzle blast I can get, the better. I don't think I'm up to a 28" barrel, but a 20" sounds pretty good - I don't hunt anymore, so carrying through woods isn't an issue anymore. It's a shame, though - I do like the looks of the 18" barrels...
JW:
I have shot 28" barrels on Match Rifles and it is no treat. You won't be able to get one light enough for a decent sustainable hold when shooting off hand. A 26" barrel is better all around but that is for High Power. And yes, the balance is right where you say it is best. However, match rifle stocks are pretty heavy.
Look towards the IPSC / Three Gun stuff if you want light weight and excellent balance. I have a JP Grendel upper and it balances and handles better than any other I have used for standing. A major difference between that and my other Grendel uppers. Way better balance and handling for positions other than prone.
The JP is the one I would recommend for your specific purpose so look up JP Enterprises and see how he gets a light weight upper to shoot very well.
LR1955
Barrel Contour - Jaywalker - 08-21-2011
Thanks, LR1955. What's this "proprietary JP Thermo-fit™ barrel installation method"? Does this mean the upper has to go back to JP to change a barrel?