04-26-2011, 04:20 AM
It may be a different bolt, but remember the one in the picture is cut out for a WSSM case. The rim diameter of a WSSM is (.535). The Grendel rim diameter is (.44). If you cut that bolt for a Grendel, there would be more metal between the cartridge and outside of the bolt's radius.
noone Wrote:Nope, it is definitely a different bolt setup than the one Stonetower's dtechsuperstore link shows. The "big bolt" lugs have a longer bearing length, rounded lugs, much more metal between the cartridge and outside of the bolt's radius. Obviously, such a bolt also requires a matching barrel extension, but they are designed for use in an AR15 size rifle.
The maker claims to be able to get safe working pressures of around 60,000 (CUP I presume) rather than 52,00-54,000. I'm just not sure that the higher pressures would get me that much. Brass life would be dramatically shortened. And the Grendel works just fine for me as it is.
The big bolt concept seems like a neat idea if it works. Although I'm not interested in the super high pressures, it would be nice to be able to load a little hotter and have a wide margin of safety to do it with.
Using a 140 grain bullet with it's super high BC looks very attractive. Even if the 140 is only going 2200-2400 FPS, that would be a huge increase in downrange energy. I'm just not sure if the dramatically shortened brass life would be worth it.
Plus, all my Grendels work great now. Why fix them if they work? I'm just looking for more information on this idea.