Newbie

[VaHunter00]

I'm new to the Grendel, and ARs in general.

Been shooting bolt actions all my life and just was in the mood for something different. I ordered a bunch of lower stuff..stripped PSA lowers, LPKs, tools, etc.

Going to build a few for sure, but I know I want one good accurate 6.5.

Looking hard at the Larue UU kit, price isn't bad compared to other uppers I've priced, and I've read a lot more good than bad about Larue.

Going to be a truck/spring rifle. By that I mean it'll get carried quite a bit and primary targets will be turkey, coyote, and groundhogs. Might even tote it a bit in deer season if I like the platform.

Would I be going wrong with the Larue??

Any other suggestions? I'll definitely consider any other options. $1000 absolute top dollar I'm going to be putting into it.(already have scope)

Been reading and searching these forums for about 3 days, and will continue to do so. Figured it wouldn't hurt to post and see what comes of it.

Thanks!

[Kswhitetails]

Welcome, Va!

Can't think of a reason not to go Larue. Maybe weight? Pretty hard to find other more accurate upper assemblies. And for what you get, if you already have the lower on hand, the entire rifle comes as a kit. For that, I don't think it can be beat by anyone.

I bought an UU kit, traded it for an optic, then bought the complete rifle. There, declarations made.

The kit pieces are extraordinarily finished, the design thought and engineering are obvious. The chrome silicone spring and Larue buffer tube are as quiet as an SCS (JP's Silent Captured Spring), and just as smooth. I've got both. I now have one or the other in all my AR's.

The gas block comes already fitted to the barrel, and I can't reason a purpose to take it off. I guess if you want to change to an adjustable, though there is no real reason to.

The upper and hand guard become almost monolithic when mounted together. There is absolutely no contact between hand guard and barrel to create zero changing tension. This is a really well thought out and implemented unique part of the Larue design that leads one to realize the quality of the overall build. If you buy Larue's 5.56 barrel cartridge, you can take the 4 torx screws out, wiggle the handguard off, loosen the barrel nut, change the cartridges, re-torque the barrel nut, and install the 4 screws, and swap the bolt. Now, you have a Stealth 2.0 5.56 Larue. Adjust your optic for POI change between calibers, and good to go. (if you remember the setting on your turrets, swap the barrels back, and yes - it does return to zero...)

The system really is strong, durable, and accurate. Larue guarantees MOA or better performance or they will correct it free.

The barrel is coated. With what? Don't know, Mark keeps that "close to his chest". They are made from Rearden steel, so that too is part of the mistique. I can't say enough about his barrels, I think they rank up with the best out there in similar profile and weight classes. My rifle is boring at 3/4 MOA. I need somewhere to go out to stretch it's legs to get a real feel for things.

I have been to the range a few times with 80 rounds of factory ammunition each time. Every time I bring back 30 rounds, because I've met every goal I set out with each time in the first 10 rounds, so it just becomes shooting for the sake of shooting. I've got 5.56s and 9mms for that.

I can fire, adjust scope, and print touching holes. I get different groups by moving my point of aim an inch or two, and magically the groups move over an inch or two. I find Hornady BLACK to be harder to group in my Larue, but my worst outings have always held 1.5 moa with it.

120 AE by ., on Flickr

There's by far more good than negative. Jump.

There are a couple threads here that have lots of good info and reviews. Search Larue Grendel up, top right for them.

[VaHunter00]

Thanks for the detailed response!

I think I'll order one tonight. Hopefully they're not too far out on shipping times.

Not too concerned with weight on this one. I went through the ultra light thing with my bolt guns, as we all do/did. Don't worry about it much anymore, still have one ultralight, but I can carry my 8.5lb rifles just as easy as my 6lbers...and tend to shoot them better unless I'm really paying attention to what I'm doing. I've found compactness, so to speak, makes a rifle easier for me than strictly weight.

Would love to find a good factory ammo that shoots to my liking and not even think of reloading for this one, but that never pans out for me. Always get too curious. I'm realistic with accuracy goals as well. I like to find a good load/ammo and then work more on distance shooting from field positions than just banging out group after group from a bench. If mine proves to be a consistent MOA shooter, I'll be more than pleased.

The grendel makes too much sense not to have one. I've always leaned toward the smaller calibers, just because they always worked as well or better for me than the magnums. I just hope I'm not going to go AR crazy like some I've seen. Had a few issues with some custom bolt guns I've built and it would have been so nice to be able to tear everything apart and replace/repair what needs it here at home. If I can get comfortable with them, I can see quite a few bolt actions going down the road.

[grayfox]

Welcome Va! I too live in Va, Northern parts...
There are lots of factory ammo types that you can try and one or more of them should pan out for you.
For coyotes/ predators try the Federal AE 90 TNT's,
then there are the Hornady offerings, of 123 grs - custom (sst), black (eldm) and gunner (123 BTHP?).
Federal has a 123 gr MSR, of course other mfrs and other ones too, these are ones I've tried and several work for me.
18" barrel should be plenty to walk around with...

[VaHunter00]

I'm in the southwest corner...

Ordered the Larue UU, will see how it shakes out. I'll give a report when i get it together.

Need to do a little digging and find out what mount to order.

[StoneHendge]

They are made from Rearden steel, so that too is part of the mistique.

Lol - that's a good one

[diddlyv]

Looking forward to the report, also gun porn is not true gun porn without pics