Stevens 200 bolt head mods for Grendel

[AFRO408]

G'day,

I've just modified the bolt head, on a Stevens 200, .223 size bolt head, to take the Grendel.
It was easy to open up for the case head ( I made it .446" ) but the extractor sat too far in to work. I couldn't just grind some from the claw, because the countersink underneath, that the 1/8" ball sits in, would have been cut into. I had to shift the hole slightly outwards. Hmmm.
This is where the extractor used to sit.

and this is where it sits now.

I simply cut a larger hole, to take a 3/16" ball and kept the inner edge of the hole in the same place, cutting metal from the outer side, thus shifting the centre of the hole outwards. You can see the bottom of the old spring hole here.

[AFRO408]

The bolt head now takes the Grendel case nicely.

[LRRPF52]

".223? We don't need no stinking .223!"

For bolt action rifles using a small action, the Grendel makes chambering in .223 almost obsolete. Your work and problem-solving skills are admirable, sir.

[ricsmall]

very nice! wish you were closer, I have a perfect candidate for that treatment!

[AFRO408]

very nice! wish you were closer, I have a perfect candidate for that treatment!

Hehe Just post it over mate.

[AFRO408]

Hi again,
I was out at out range, for the monthly Field Rifle shoot and took the newly barrelled 200 Stevens 6.5 Grendel along to try.
Lapua cases, Sierra 120g HPBT's, ICI BR4 primers and 28g of ADI 2208. 6x42 Meopta scope in Tally mounts.
Barrel is a CrMo from TSE and is 25 3/4" (654mm) long #3 profile.
Wind gusting from left. Three sighters and five for the group. These were the first 8 shots fired from this barrel.

[adamjp]

Looking good Tony. Did you get TSE to lap the barrel before shipping?

Will be great to see how that rifle goes once it is run in and you have some loads worked up for it.

Is that with new reamer, or the loaner?

[AFRO408]

Thanks Adam,
I didn't get it lapped beforehand, but when I ran a patch through it, prior to fitting, it felt really smooth and even. I'm happy with that load, considering my age and my bench technique sux.
It was chambered with the loaner, mine hasn't arrived yet.

[ricsmall]

very nice tony. good to see ya on here again. thats pretty great for the 1st 8 shots out of that tube!

[BjornF16]

Nice looking gun Tony...what max COAL can you run with the Stevens?

[Von Gruff]

Thanks Adam,
I didn't get it lapped beforehand, but when I ran a patch through it, prior to fitting, it felt really smooth and even. I'm happy with that load, considering my age and my bench technique sux.
It was chambered with the loaner, mine hasn't arrived yet.

I just heard yesterday that Mansons have a big order to get done and it will be another 6-8 weeks before ETA of our reamer for the GM. I say our because a friend is rechambering his 6.5x39 for my GM as well. Had hoped to be burning powder by end of Aug but it seems the bugbear of riflemen (llack of paitence when waiting on project completion) has bitten again.
That TSE barrel is showing good promise Tony.

[AFRO408]

Nice looking gun Tony...what max COAL can you run with the Stevens?

Thanks, Bjorn. COL is 2.27" and that's with the bullet .010" off the lands.

[AFRO408]

very nice tony. good to see ya on here again. thats pretty great for the 1st 8 shots out of that tube!

Yes, I was really pleased to see that group forming. I even tried to hold off for the wind gusts, but fluffed one and put it out of the 10 ring.

That Meopta scope, has some of the clearest glass, that I've ever looked through.

[AFRO408]

I just heard yesterday that Mansons have a big order to get done and it will be another 6-8 weeks before ETA of our reamer for the GM. I say our because a friend is rechambering his 6.5x39 for my GM as well. Had hoped to be burning powder by end of Aug but it seems the bugbear of riflemen (llack of paitence when waiting on project completion) has bitten again.
That TSE barrel is showing good promise Tony.

I got word from them, that my last order for a 6-47 Lapua, will be a couple of months. I think that as soon as their export hiccup was sorted, every one sent orders in.

The barrel certainly is showing promise. I've got to get some good hunting pills for it now.

[JASmith]

That's a beautiful rifle and an excellent first group!

[eljefe]

The barrel certainly is showing promise. I've got to get some good hunting pills for it now.

Looking good, Tony.
what about these?
< http://www.meplat.com.au/index.php/onlin...pathway-17>
Cheers

[Von Gruff]

Looking good, Tony.
what about these?
< http://www.meplat.com.au/index.php/onlin...pathway-17>
Cheers

That link does not work for me eljefe. It will not link through the _pathway-17 part. This will get you there though.

http://www.meplat.com.au/index.php/onlin...r/category

IMO they are probably a bit much for the Grendel. Anything hunted with the Grendel would be easily taken with something less these specialty bullets that seem to be designed for much larger game than the Grendel should be used for as in the 6.5x55 - x57 - x284 etc after camel, donky and other heavy thin skinned game especially with the removable tip so they can be turned and used as a solid.

[AFRO408]

Interesting looking bullet and a novel concept, but I'll be using something cheaper than those suckers.
I'm going to try the Speer Hot core 120g SP. Should be just right for the local goats and pigs, I reckon.