10-26-2015, 07:04 PM
Well, I finally got the chance to fire off the new Grendel that I built. It all started with a sale on Stoner barrels that Midway ran back in April. I had done tons of reading and information gathering on what I wanted to add to my collection of long guns. The 6.5 G seemed like the perfect blend of the 5.56 and 308 ARs that I currently own. I really liked the idea that I could get the 6.5 size, BC, and long range accuracy in an AR15 platform.
The night before was like Christmas Eve, I couldnt sleep thinking of all the new tests that I needed to run on my first build. I was really hopeful that the gun functioned properly and didnt fall apart or blow up in my hands.
The first task was to get the adjustable gas block set. This is my first, and not last adjustable gas block and I went with the SLR Sentry 7. I opened it up three clicks and fired my shot. Gun went bang (THANK YOU GUN GODS), but no lock back on the bolt. Next, I opened it up three more clicks (total of 6). Gun went bang and bolt locked back. This time I inspected the brass and found a little ding on the sidewall, so I dialed it back one click (total of 5 open clicks). Gun went bang, BCG locked back, 3:30 ejection, and no brass dent! I was stoked to have a functioning weapon!
Next up on the list of experiments was getting the new Weaver Grand Slam 3-10X scope sighted in. I had bore sighted at 25 yards at home, so I was hopeful that hitting paper at 50 yards was not going to be an issue. First shot, hit about 4 inches low and right. This was not what I was wanting, as the scope was already adjusted up and now I am burning more upward adjustment. I really wanted the scope to have a lot more upward slack for longer distance zero adjustments At 100 yards my first three shots were high, so I brought the scope down to final zero. I only have 6.5 MILS of upward adjustments left. If I get my zero at 200, I hope to get a little back in upward movement, maybe ½ MIL. For now, I was hitting paper and grouping PPU 120Gr factory ammo to my standards.
Now was time to try chrono testing on the PPU and Hornady ammo. Fired the remaining PPU ammo from my initial 20 rounds and got an avg. of 2425fps from my 18 barrel. Not sure what to think of those numbers, as PPU states 2,675fsp from a 24 inch barrel. I will go with it, as this was the data that was from my gun. I was surprised at the groups, as they seemed to stay within an inch.
It was now time to try the Hornady 123Gr SST. I shot 10 of those and these averaged 2502fps. This is what I expected as advertised by Hornady. These also grouped well at about one inch or less at 100 yards. I did need to adjust for the velocity and ammo on my zero from the PPU.
Finally I wanted to run a box of the PPU and see if I could get back to zero quickly. I shot the entire 20 rounds, and made small adjustments along the way. I was satisfied with the results, as you can see in the picture. The velocity average for the 20 rounds was 2427fps.
All-in-all, it was a productive day at the range and I had a blast shooting a gun that I built with my own two hands. The recoil is a little more than the 5.56, but much less than the 308. My 10-year old will like that! Not one malfunction and the weapon and I made it home in one piece. I am confident that I have my zero set now, and future shooting will produce sub-MOA results!
Cheers for now!
TV
The night before was like Christmas Eve, I couldnt sleep thinking of all the new tests that I needed to run on my first build. I was really hopeful that the gun functioned properly and didnt fall apart or blow up in my hands.
The first task was to get the adjustable gas block set. This is my first, and not last adjustable gas block and I went with the SLR Sentry 7. I opened it up three clicks and fired my shot. Gun went bang (THANK YOU GUN GODS), but no lock back on the bolt. Next, I opened it up three more clicks (total of 6). Gun went bang and bolt locked back. This time I inspected the brass and found a little ding on the sidewall, so I dialed it back one click (total of 5 open clicks). Gun went bang, BCG locked back, 3:30 ejection, and no brass dent! I was stoked to have a functioning weapon!
Next up on the list of experiments was getting the new Weaver Grand Slam 3-10X scope sighted in. I had bore sighted at 25 yards at home, so I was hopeful that hitting paper at 50 yards was not going to be an issue. First shot, hit about 4 inches low and right. This was not what I was wanting, as the scope was already adjusted up and now I am burning more upward adjustment. I really wanted the scope to have a lot more upward slack for longer distance zero adjustments At 100 yards my first three shots were high, so I brought the scope down to final zero. I only have 6.5 MILS of upward adjustments left. If I get my zero at 200, I hope to get a little back in upward movement, maybe ½ MIL. For now, I was hitting paper and grouping PPU 120Gr factory ammo to my standards.
Now was time to try chrono testing on the PPU and Hornady ammo. Fired the remaining PPU ammo from my initial 20 rounds and got an avg. of 2425fps from my 18 barrel. Not sure what to think of those numbers, as PPU states 2,675fsp from a 24 inch barrel. I will go with it, as this was the data that was from my gun. I was surprised at the groups, as they seemed to stay within an inch.
It was now time to try the Hornady 123Gr SST. I shot 10 of those and these averaged 2502fps. This is what I expected as advertised by Hornady. These also grouped well at about one inch or less at 100 yards. I did need to adjust for the velocity and ammo on my zero from the PPU.
Finally I wanted to run a box of the PPU and see if I could get back to zero quickly. I shot the entire 20 rounds, and made small adjustments along the way. I was satisfied with the results, as you can see in the picture. The velocity average for the 20 rounds was 2427fps.
All-in-all, it was a productive day at the range and I had a blast shooting a gun that I built with my own two hands. The recoil is a little more than the 5.56, but much less than the 308. My 10-year old will like that! Not one malfunction and the weapon and I made it home in one piece. I am confident that I have my zero set now, and future shooting will produce sub-MOA results!
Cheers for now!
TV
