07-02-2018, 02:50 PM
grayfox Wrote:The first Arp 6.5 (which was an "LBC" style not Saami, he's a bit of a newcomer to the Saami side of this caliber) I bought from him had a lot of sticking and feeding and ejecting problems... turns out to have been mostly due to parts in his proprietary bolt design, and it all smoothed out after about 100 or so rounds. From my experiences he is more or less run-of-the-mill, no more, and hey, more power to him if he can sell his wares, this is America after all.
The biggest issue with Arp products is any proprietary parts, after all he's probably getting ready to retire like many older guys (of which I am one, but already retired), so you worry whether those prop. pieces will be available for replacement purchases if and when the originals fail... just something to keep in mind when you go those routes.
But I would not expect much more than simply average out of his shop. If you have a few from him that are good, then this one is that average-maker for you... get in contact with him -- he usually answers his emails so maybe he has some ideas on what you're facing with his barrel.
If you feel burned by the purchase it could be the mfr not the caliber. Ammo makers don't make lots of ammo for calibers that don't work, and the Grendel works very well.
Have a few of his barrels and all have been great. I did get the HD750 bolt but if I have problems i can use any .136 bolt no problem. His barrels have shot well above the price I have payed for them in the past so no fear of that for me. Not saying they will shoot with my cut rifled barrels but darn close. I don’t put a lot of time in load work up now like I did in the past. I normally just shoot some groups till I find something under an inch then stick my thermal on it. Hell my 7.62 will do it with wolf and shoot knots with the steel case SST load. Killed 26 hogs this year with Tula 8M3, a few with Wolf sp and a few with the SST. Have built guns in 7.62x39 with ARP, KaK, ARD and a 7.5 inch that I can’t remember. All but the 7.5 shot the SST under an inch but some shot the other low dollar ammo very good too.