02-14-2014, 06:59 PM
SHORT-N-SASSY Wrote:I today E-mailed the following to Brownells Customer Service, Attn: Technical Support (Gun Tech):
"RE: 080-001-026WB,18" 6.5 Grendel Med Mid Gas Barrel Stainless Steel 1-8" Twist, @ $289.99.
"I just returned to a competitor, for a Refund, an AR-Stoner Barrel and Bolt AR-15 6.5 Grendel Medium M4 Contour 1 in 8" Twist 16" Stainless Steel.
"The problem: though the Bolt had the proper (for the 6.5 Grendel) 0.135" Bolt face depth, and the spring-loaded Bolt Carrier Group chambered Hornady factory-loaded 123-grain A-MAX ammunition (COL, 2.245"), unloading unfired cartridges from the chamber was not without some resistance, and the bullets exhibited pronounced abrasions approx. 0.075" - 0.080" forward of the case neck, at five points around the circumference (5R rifling), and fired cases exhibited primer cratering --- an indicator of excessive pressure. Unfortunately, mine is not an isolated case, the topic warranting extensive discussion on the 6.5 Grendel Forum.
"Clicking the "Q&A" following the "Details" of your offering clarifies that your Barrel comes with matching Bolt and that the chamber meets SAAMI Specifications. Question: Has the barrel supplier, or Brownells checked to confirm that chambering a factory-loaded cartridge will not jam the bullet into the rifling lands (with telltale abrasions) of the 6.5 Grendel Barrels presently offered? If so, I may consider ordering the above-referenced item. A definitive response is appreciated. Thank you.
"CC: The 6.5 Grendel Forum"
I today received the following E-mail response from Brownells Customer Service, Technical Support:
"Our barrels are machined with SAAMI spec reamers and checked with SAAMI spec gauges, not live ammunition.
"Eric Kiesler, Gun Technician, Brownells, Inc."
I've since E-mailed the following request:
"Dear Eric,
"Thank you for your response. In view of the fact that your barrels are not checked with factory-loaded cartridges, if I were to purchase a 6.5 Grendel Barrel with matching Bolt from Brownells, then, when chambering a factory-loaded Hornady 6.5 Grendel 123-grain A-MAX cartridge (a popular choice among 6.5 Grendel Enthusiasts) in said Brownells 6.5 Grendel Barrel, with Brownells matching Bolt, noted clear indications that the bullet was being jammed into the throat/lands, as was the case with your competitor's 6.5 Grendel Barrel & Bolt, would I be able to return the Brownells 6.5 Grendel Barrel and Bolt, for a complete Refund, including all shipping charges incurred, as I recently did with your competitor?
"CC: The 6.5 Grendel Forum"