Hoping to learn about the 6.5 G

[Rprecision]

Hello,

I am in the learning stage of the 6.5G. I am considering a 6.5 build but am not sure yet if its a good match for me.

Nice forum, lots to read and learn

[JASmith]

Welcome to the forum! Can't find a better place to get answers to your question!

To help the folks who will probably give more informed answers than me, can you describe what style of shooting you want to use your Grendel for?

[bwaites]

Welcome!

[Whelenon]

Welcome, this is the place to find out about the Grendel, Define your intended use and you'll get good of advice on set-up.

[Rprecision]

Wow, thanks for such the warm welcome

I am looking for an 18-20” Precision DMR/SPR type upper/build for Suppressed shooting out to 800 yards. If it will carry a bit further that’s a bonus. Use will be weighted on intermediate ranges and will run double duty on putting some fur on the wall.

I have a couple 5.56’s ranging from 12” to 24.” The 5.56 is in my opinion pretty much done by 600. The ballistics of the heavy stuff at range is pretty lame. I have a few bolt guns in .308 which are just great, but heavy. I have found a large gap between a 5.56 and a .308, which is troubling to fill.

I started off really looking toward a lightweight AR-10 .308 type rifles (Oxymoron). Through this search I started hearing about the Grendel. I had all but discounted many of the AR-15 variants until it just kept coming up. Looking at the ballistics really tempted me more and more. The more I read the more I like. I have considered the 6.8 SPC II as well. I found the SPC to be lacking the extended range and ammo/bullet choices. No doubt the SPC is far above the 5.56, it just didn’t do it for me.

This newfound lust doesn’t come without reservations.

· The added cost of ammo (Although I reload) being one of them.
· Apparent lack of High Quality Magazines
· Feeding Issues
· Suppressed issues, Gas system mods? Can 5.56 Suppressors be used? Etc.

I am being torn back and forth between building a MK12 Mod 0 Clone (5.56) and settle with my limitations or going for the Grendel build/upper.

So there it is in a nutshell

[bwaites]

Depending on your budget:

Alexander Arms AWS with 19.5 inch Shilen barrel.

or

AA 20" GSR or GDMR's, which come with cut rifled barrels.

5.56 cans won't work, 6.5 is too big, but .308 or 6.8 cans work just fine if you don't want to buy a designated 6.5 can. Most guys run .308 cans. No significant issues running suppressed, in fact one of the members here, Variable, runs his rifles ONLY suppressed, I think. As is typical for suppressed rifles, they run dirtier.

NO problems with mags at this point, apart from lips needing a bit of tweaking if they get dinged, which is the same as any and all metal AR mags. Ammo isn't bad, Hornady's 123 AMAX is a match load and available for less than 20 bucks, and Wolf MPT is cheaper, with steel case on the way.

It's an AR, sometimes feeding issues happen, but those are few and far between if you purchase for AA or JP or others of the reputable builders.

For what you are talking about, the Grendel is the choice.

[BluntForceTrauma]

Welcome, RP, good to have ya! I note that Denver beat my Vikings today. I think we all know it was Pure Luck.

John

[RangerRick]

Sounds like the Grendel is tailor made for your use.

As to your concerns:

· The added cost of ammo (Although I reload) being one of them.
I's going to be hard to beat an adopted military cartridge for price, but then again the 5.56 won't do the job for you.

Evidently, steel case, cheap Grendel ammo is coming "real soon now" (been hearing that for awhile).

· Apparent lack of High Quality Magazines

Mags are adequate, but not a lot of choice right now. Supposedly a couple of new manufacturers are considering jumping in. The Grendel is really picking up steam, so new stuff for the few parts that are Grendel specific should become more plentiful.

· Feeding Issues
I haven't really heard of this except in self built guns, or poorly made ones. There is a little confusion about the 264 LBC, the brass used is the same as Grendel (even though the head stamp is 64 LBC) but the chamber throat is cut a little different. The true Grendel cartridge is now SAAMI certified, so stick with that and you'll be OK.

· Suppressed issues, Gas system mods? Can 5.56 Suppressors be used? Etc.

There are several Grendel specific suppressors. A guy on this list makes the Grendel suppressor from Templar/WCI. Talk to Warped on here, he can tell you all about it. He also makes a great muzzle break.

A lot of guys also use 30 caliber suppressors. Don't try a 5.56 suppressor though!

Just be sure you get your barrel threaded correctly for the suppressor you want to use.

I've seen the Templar/WCI suppressor used on a standard gas block Grendel with no issues. Many Grendels tend to be a little over gassed, usually for tactical applications. Any of the AR-15 adjustable gas blocks can be used on the Grendel, though. Some guys that shoot suppressed like the 3 position gas blocks (full, half, off) so that they can even eliminate the sound of the action if they want.

A heavier buffer works well, too, if you think you are over gassed, which is even more of an issue with suppressed guns.

RR

[LRRPF52]

Welcome. Your requirements are what led me to the Grendel, since I have owned at least 5 different AR10's, and currently own one in .260 Rem, which is a great rifle for distance work, but is too heavy to carry around for much of anything.

A lot of guys have had good results with 18" guns out to 800yds. David Fortier reports good results at that distance with his 16" Grendel even, but I think of my 16" Grendel as a 600yd gun. We'll see as I play with it more at distance. There are guys on here with the basic SPR/suppressed configuration you describe, and love them.

The 5, 10, and 25rd mags work fine, but the 17rd mags seem to have issues if you load more than 5 rounds in them. I can't think of another cartridge in the AR15 platform that fits the bill more for you really, which is why the Grendel is steaming ahead with more and more popularity. Is it a competitive cartridge against faster 6.5's at 1000yds like the .260 Rem? Not really, but it weighs and recoils much less, and will still closely match most .308 trajectories unless you break out a custom 30" F-class .308. My 16" Grendel with optics is 7.4lbs.