SHOT Show 2023 Notes

[BluntForceTrauma]

Just a couple SHOT Show 2023 notes relevant to 6.5 Grendel and 6mmARC.

1. Howa continues to offer 6.5 Grendel and 6mmARC in their Mini Bolt-Action, now offering those cartridges with carbon-fiber barrels. See attached photos.

2. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) will be offering an AK that accepts 6.5 Grendel magazines. See photos. (Does this mean they'll eventually do 6.5 Grendel in their upcoming steel-case ammo factory?)

3. Dasan of South Korea is offering AR15s in 6mmARC with 16" and 14.5" barrels. Kinda obscure, but there it is. See photos.

4. Chatted with the design engineer who worked with Bill Alexander on the original 6.5 Grendel mags from C-Products. Later, he was hired by Ammunition Storage Components (ASC) to do their 65G and 6mmARC magazines. Now, he's been hired by E-Lander (and was stationed at the E-Lander booth) to help iron out any kinks in their 6.5 Grendel and 6mmARC magazines. I asked what, exactly, were the issues. He said one issue was the geometry was slightly off, such that the base of the magazine was wider than the middle, so that rounds could get "wedged" as they moved up to feed. From C-Products to ASC to E-Lander, guy knows his stuff — the future of 6.5 Grendel/6mmARC magazines is bright. Good for E-Lander for bringing him on to help get it right.

5. Listened in to a discussion between Brian Litz and Gavin Gear (handed me his phone to take the pictures) about the statistical approach to load accuracy that Hornady promoted a few weeks ago in their YouTube podcast, and then was able to make a good pitch to Brian Litz for a hybrid ogive 6.5mm in 115 grains for 6.5 Grendel. Seemed very receptive, with the caveat that Berger production is maxed out for the foreseeable future.

6. Aero Precision's new bolt-action rifle, called Solus, has finally dropped. Pitched to their marketing guy, Kirk, a mini-action version (like Howa's) to handle all the AR15 magazine-length cartridges. To my surprise, he was already firmly on board and had already been lobbying his higher-ups for such a weapon. Really hope it comes to fruition; Aero seems to be doing almost everything right with their new Solus bolt-action. Gotta see how it does now that it's available to the market, but here's hoping we get another Grendel-sized mini-action before too long!

[biodsl]

Thanks for the info. Those are great looking Howas.

2. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) will be offering an AK that accepts 6.5 Grendel magazines. See photos. (Does this mean they'll eventually do 6.5 Grendel in their upcoming steel-case ammo factory?)

This would really tip the scales back in the Grendel's favor as the go-to, do anything AR chambering.

[lazyengineer]

Were ammunition companies there? Any tidbits on production catchup up to capacity, and where Grendel stands in the priority rankings for production?

Any hint of Grendel bullpups from anyone?

[BluntForceTrauma]

Guess I could have checked with Kel-tec to see if they were still making their 65G bullpup, but didn't. I'm assuming that info would be on their website.

Plenty of ammo companies were there. Didn't really check with companies already making Grendel. Was interested in getting others on board.

Confirmed with Wolf that steel-case 6.5 Grendel from Russia is, indeed, outlawed, and what's already in the U.S. is the last of it. Interesting tidbit: Apparently, Putin — out of spite for sanctions against him — made a cargo ship bound for the U.S. loaded with Russian ammo turn around. Importers who had paid for their shipments thus got no product and simply lost their money. Ouch!

Checked with Norma, but they have no plans to begin producing Grendel.

Mead is a previously OEM-only bullet manufacturer who is starting to make 5.56 ammo under their own brand. Production manager says they're doing a 1.5 million round 140gr 6.5mm bullet order that'll take about two weeks, and after that the machine will have slots open until its schedule fills up again. Made me think maybe we could get a group buy together for a 115gr 6.5mm hybrid ogive HPBT.

Asked a guy in the True Velocity booth about making niche cartridges once their .308 and 5.56 are up and running. They still want to charge $80 for a 20-round box of .308 — that's $4/round for the privilege of a non-reloadable polymer case! I think their technology is super cool, but still.... They do NOT get it.

Polymer needs to be the non-reloadable cheapo ammo that steel-case is. THAT'S it's place in the world and its future. I don't think their claims of custom-shaping the case interiors for exceptional accuracy from expensive rounds is going to pan out. Just take the cheapness and ease of plastic to crank out 25¢ per round ammo and NOW we're talkin'....

[biodsl]

Guess I could have checked with Kel-tec to see if they were still making their 65G bullpup, but didn't. I'm assuming that info would be on their website.

I would buy that rifle yesterday.

[Les]

I wasn't aware Keltec ever made a grendel bullpup, that's the reason I went with a 308 RFB, although never been thrilled with the ballistics.

[biodsl]

I wasn't aware Keltec ever made a grendel bullpup, that's the reason I went with a 308 RFB, although never been thrilled with the ballistics.

Oh, they made one. One. On the Military Arms Channel years back. Never made it to production.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3R7ck9UPfs&t=946s