yannie49 Wrote:I am very interested in doing a bolt-action 6.5 Grendel. Done a lot of research on the Howa and CZ both seem to be decent options with the Howa being the better of the two. During my research I came across the Uintah precision bolt action and that seems like the best option out of all three. I say that because by the time I buy the Howe action, chassis and upgraded trigger I don't see any cost savings. This is a gun that I would use for 1000 + yards.
Would love to hear any opinions and suggestions on this subject.
Unintah (Upper only: you have to have lower to mate it to) is $1088.00 with any lower. If you have to buy a lower with a good trigger and good stock add another $500 to $700.
Howa Mini Action: $379.99 @ Brownell's currently on sale.
MDT Onyx Chassis $399.00 complete
The Howa doesn't require an upgrade trigger just a Gunbloke trigger spring. About $20.00 shipped from Australia
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Howa-1500-Rifle...Sw899bkw05
Now we come to the crux of the matter. Whatever the cost differences are, and they favor the Howa not an AR like platform, if your really looking for a 1k yd+ cartridge the 6.5 Grendel is not it. Yes, it will reach 1k yds and a little more if the wind isn't blowing too hard. It's much easier to accomplish 1k yds and then some with any of the following: 6.5x47, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington.
I could launch a 130 gr Berger AR Hybrid (G1 BC 0.56 G7 BC 0.287) in my 6.5x47 Lapua custom to 2852 FPS (26" barrel), and 2905 FPS from my .260 Remington 20" barrel Tikka. On a good day you might eek out 2450-2500 FPS for the same Berger bullet from a 6.5 Grendel. The Grendel is a great little round, with emphases on the "little". And it makes a good marginal 1k + yd cartridge with emphasis on the "marginal".
Buy what you want, but if a steady 1k yds plus is really your goal, looking beyond the Grendel is the smart move.