6.5 Grendel barrel Length?????

[GunsAreFun]

Does Missouri have any specific OAL requirements when it comes to hunting? I know a few states do (MN is somewhat ambiguous in this respect). If so, you may want to consider a 10.5” for a pistol build or go with a straight up rifle on a 16” (or greater) length barrel.

No, Missouri does not have any special regulations. Anything considered a pistol by federal law is considered a pistol by the state and department of conservation.

[Randy99CL]

What do your rifles weigh?

Higher velocity is always a good thing so I prefer 20" barrels.
If weight is the reason for going shorter there are some fairly light barrels out there. I bought the Faxon 20" Match Series that weighs just over two pounds (32.45oz) while the BCA I replaced was over a pound heavier at 49.40 ounces. Taking that pound off totally transformed the feel of the rifle; it's now 8.5 pounds with a 20oz scope and mount.

[ricsmall]

I think the guys who haven’t read all of LRRPF52’s posts on this over on the AR15 board should. I’ve been reading it for the last three days and put my name in for one of the next GM 12” pipes from BFT. Using the 129ABLR or the 110 controlled chaos I’ll be able to effectively take deer or hogs out to ~300 yds. Or I could use the 123 class pills and do the same. This short pistol with maxim brace (I may SBR)and my form 1 suppressor will be quite handy in truck, tractor, or deer stand. BTW, my eform 1 took 3wks and 3 days to get back.

[kmon]

A couple ways to think about it one very real advantage of a 12 inch barrel is maneuverability in tight spaces, a 12.5 inch barrel with a 7 inch suppressor is shorter by a half inch than a 20 inch barrel. Makes a big difference in a truck, UTV or blind. Stick that same suppressor on a 20 inch barrel and it is like you have a 27 inch barrel. Not very handy

With bullets like the LRAB that expands down to 1300fps and a BC that just doesn't like to slow down you have a lot more energy at 300 yards when it is shot from an unsuppressed 12 inch barrel than the 125gr 357 Mag load that is known as a one shot man stopper. i have killed enough deer with handguns and handgun calibers in rifles that have no where near the energy of what you get with a 12 inch Grendel to question its effectiveness.

If you think you need lots more energy and Velocity from a 6.5 get the 26 Nosler

[depletedyourcranium]

I bet you have a pair and could easily carry all the extra weight 4 more inches of barrel weighs! There just isn't a good reason to handy cap such a fine cartridge!

Barrel length isnt all about weight, it's about handiness and balance. I ditched .223 in all my rifles rebuilt them in 6.5 Grendel for a variety of reason, none of which were for shooting 1k yards.

I do own a 20 inch gun, but it's a total pain to hunt with in the woods. So I have a 16 inch lightweight rifle I built just for hunting. Considering the furthest ethical shot I would consider taking on a whitetail with any caliber is 300 yards, I'm not handicapped at all by losing 4 inches. And when I'm crossing a patch of green briars you bet your ass that 4 inches makes a difference... whether you've got a "pair" or not.

[HickLife]

I think the guys who haven’t read all of LRRPF52’s posts on this over on the AR15 board should.

Do you mind providing a link to that I would like to look at it

[Jakegsxr11]

Are the ballistics calculators I'm using way off? I figure a 123 grain SST traveling 2200 fps at the muzzle won't go under 1600 fps (recommended expansion velocity) until after 400 yards. This is well within my hunting scenarios. Please correct me if I'm missing something.

[lazyengineer]

From another thread (not my work; posted by someone named @Eagle_19er)
https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Suppre...16-728810/


From various (unreferenced) postings, minimum recommended velocity to reliably expand that particular bullet is 1800 FPS (which is not the same as ft-lb of energy by the way; 123 gr @ 1,800 fps is somewhere around about 900 ft-lbs). So to answer the question - a 12.5" BBL is a 300 yard performer all day, and a bit beyond. Maybe out to 400 even, but probably starting to get iffy past that. It is very much a solid hunting configuration out to 200 yards, which is the pragmatic distance I would imagine most shots are under for someone hunting with a 12.5" barrel; (but obviously everyone's situation can vary on that)

[ricsmall]

Do you mind providing a link to that I would like to look at it

There are several threads on it. Just google “Grendel SBR” and loads of material will come up. The threads I’ve read were mostly on AR15.com. Maybe a couple on snipers hide. And of course some here.

[HickLife]

There are several threads on it. Just google “Grendel SBR” and loads of material will come up. The threads I’ve read were mostly on AR15.com. Maybe a couple on snipers hide. And of course some here.

I found them, They are some great reads about the capability of a sbr grendel. I love it

[ricsmall]

I found them, They are some great reads about the capability of a sbr grendel. I love it

I love it as well!! I read some more and decided to get a psa upper to quench my thirst until the group buy barrels get here. I have a feeling by then I will have decided to build another for my son. That means another F1 can. Busy busy. Can’t wait to try it out.

[NugginFutz]

lazyengineer...only problem with 1000fpe at 300yds is you 800fpe below the threshold bullet manufacturer design their bullets.

CC - lazyengineer was talking Foot Pounds of Energy at those distances. The manufacturers are talking Feet Per Second when setting their minimum expansion criteria, not energy. The Grendel doesn't make 1800 FPE at the Muzzle, let alone at 300 yards.

Your not going to get that by burning the bulk of your powder charge in the air outside the muzzle. If your velocity is all over the map you will string your shots vertically and the BC of your bullet changes as the slows down. So some shots will drift more than other with the exact same hold!

I'm also curious where you get the idea that the 12" barrels are burning most of the powder beyond the muzzle. Would you mind please citing your source for this claim?

[CaptnC]

NugginFutz,

Let me ask you a question...would you use a slow powder in a short barrel? Most of the common powders are middle toward the slow end of powder burn rate charts.

Pistols use fast burning powders...WHY? Because they have short barrels and to get the most out of your powder charge, you want the last few grains at or near the muzzle.

I hunt out of trucks, blind and stalking through the woods all the time with 26" barrels. It's never cost me a shot nor given any reason to break out a saw to cut it in half.

As a mater of fact, UPS is delivering me a new 26" 6.5x284 varmint contour barrel tomorrow!

[ricsmall]

CaptC

Think about all those savage stryker and rem XP100 Pistol’s that have been built and shot over the years. They’ve been chambered in .223,.308,30-30, 30 herrett to name a few. They work. They work with equal or greater powder charges than the Grendel. No one is claiming a 12” barrel Grendel is the ideal choice for 1200yd shooting. It is however a good choice for medium game up to ~300 yds or so. The powder isn’t burning all the way to the end of barrel in most cases. The burning rate determines the rate of detonation which determines the pressure curve which determines the velocity and peak pressure. Short barrels work in rifle cartridges, they have for years. Ideal for every situation? No. Is there any gun ideal for every situation? No. I’m not carrying my 26” 260AI to shoot a deer at 80-300 yds. I’ve killed a truckload of deer with .223 from 30-340 yds. Ideal? No. Look up on you tube, or on the LRH forum. Guy shooting an.375 cheytac pistol at 1500 yds IIRC. I’m works. No need for all the arguing. Different strokes for different folks. I will report back on my 12” build after completed.

[HickLife]

Why does every forum have to have someone that thinks their way is the only way and if you do or think differently then you are an idiot and in this case have no balls?

CaptC,

I'm not an expert, and have seen arguments both ways about powder being burnt in the first 6" of the barrel or the full length (or outside if too short), but if wasting unburnt powder and potential was a concern then why not use a faster burn rate powder and a smaller charge so you use it up? There are things to do to make up for that, and for some it just isn't a concern. If I know I won't take a shot outside of 300yrds, and I know that my 12" rifle will be able to take that shot and take down whatever animal, I am hunting I'm going to take that and not my 24". If you want to lug around a long rifle go ahead but i'm not getting any added benefit from it if I'm taking a relatively short shot. The bullet will still expand, if I have a good barrel it will be just as (if not more) accurate, and the animal will be just as dead. But if you want to lug around a 26" rifle go ahead, I'm not going to stop you.

I also noticed that the link was to a long range hunting forum. In the thread you were saying we are all idiots and you don't understand our logic. With long range hunting I understand the need to get everything out of the round, but if you are that concerned with the ballistics and potentially wounding and not killing an animal at those long ranges wouldn't you go with a different larger caliber? Maybe a 308, creedmore, or even a win mag. Better stick with a bolt gun also, because you are leaving accuracy on the table if you don't. Nothing less than a 26" bull barrel either.

[CaptnC]

ricsmall...FINIALLY! I've been won drink why no one remembered that group. We have a bunch of guys on LRH Forum who shoot those platforms...so I have been waiting...just don't have the time for the full reply. But it's comung!

[bj139]

I remember years ago shooting magnum pistols. Win 296 powder produced the highest velocity at safe pressure but unburnt powder could be almost dumped out of the pistol after each shot. It is what it is.

[CaptnC]

HickLife,

Why?
Because the OP is normally ask what is the best barrel length.

Why would I tell someone the best barrel length is 12.5 when it's not true.

18 to 20 is best, but if you want to reat maximum benifit from a Grendel go to 24".

I assume you have not read all my posts on the subject

I agree...if you use a shorter barrel, the most commonly used powders in a Grendel are not the best choices.

I still don't have time to fully reply, but I was just thinking last night when I posted..."I can't believe no one has called me on the bolt action pistols"....

I will find the time...

[Bigs28]

I don't see where he asked "best" barrel length. He asked for barrel length for hunting small to medium sized game with no shots over 300 yards. Your "opinion" that an 18"-20" barrel is best is relative to what your looking for. It is not the "best" for me and my wants/needs.

I personally don't see how a 20" is best at anything. It's in the middle. Kinda average of everything.

[Mad Charlie]

I remember years ago shooting magnum pistols. Win 296 powder produced the highest velocity at safe pressure but unburnt powder could be almost dumped out of the pistol after each shot. It is what it is.

And regardless of barrel length! I still do that. Powder that gives the highest velocity in a 6" bbl gives the highest velocity in a 2 1/2 bbl.