Why a 6.5 Grendel in a bolt action?

[stokesrj]

Here is one of the reasons I built a 6.5 Grendel bolt gun, gilt edge accuracy. Just try to do this with an AR.




The top pic is a five shot group fired at 100 yards from the bench with my 6.5 Grendel Kelbley Stolle Panda action prone gun. It is the Panda action, polished aluminum, right port with a Krieger barrel chambered by Bench Rest Hall of fame, Speedy Gonzalez with a PTG reamer by the way. The action and barrel are mounted in a McMillan, Anschutz prone stock, has a Timney 2 oz bench rest trigger, and is topped with a Night Force 15-55X Competition scope.
The load, in the top pic and the bottom group in the top target of the second pic, is an 81.5 grain Cauterucio bullet, 32.0 grains of H335, Wolf SRM primer, Alex Arms Brass set for .002" of neck tension, unturned, 2.157" COL and 1.646" base to ogive.
I was doing some load development this morning and tried a half dozen loads, the worst of which shot around 1/2 MOA and several were in the 1s and 2s.
I haven't shot this rifle in a couple of years and decided to dust it off for a match tomorrow.
Bob

[Nukes]

...and 1.646" base to ogive.

In your rifle how much jump to the lands is that?

[stokesrj]

In your rifle how much jump to the lands is that?

A lot of Jump, more than .080" but I can't really measure it because the bullet is pushed out of the case before contacting the lands.
Bob

[stokesrj]

The load worked, I won the match with room to spare.
Bob

[JASmith]

Congratulations!

Can you tell us more about the match?

[CrabbyMcNab]

Well, I think i'm ready to commit to a bolt gun project. Mainly for White-tails on the East Coast, with the exception of possibly going to Idaho/Colorado for Elk (but I have a 270 Win to cover that if i'm not comfortable with the Grendel on Elk). Most shots within 300 yards maximum, Most are within 100-150 yards. As lightweight as possible, but not willing to drop $600+ for a super light stock. Multiple rounds (not a single shot) in internal magazine or detachable doesn't matter. I haven't reloaded for the AR Grendel yet, but diving in this summer. So I haven't narrowed down a particular weight, but am looking at a 1:9 barrel preferably 22-24 in length?

I have seen CZ 527 which were converted form 7.62x39, but a gunsmith was required for the barrel swap. The rounds fed correctly from the magazine and the bolt face is the same.
The Remington 700s were converted from ? (short actions, but I don't know the previous caliber). The bolt face will need to be changed, rounds may not feed due to previous caliber. Gunsmith needed for barrel swap, bolt face swap and possible magazine fix.
Savage 10 was converted from 7.62x39 (other short action calibers?). Barrel swap is straight forward and I am confident I can accomplish this on my own with the necessary tools (anyone want to lend some tools?). Magazine and bolt face do not need to be swapped.

So I guess I have answered my own question, find a Savage Model 10 in 7.62x39 for the swap.
My initial funds are about $700 for the donor, and I'm not sure an action only is the way to go as the donor rifle would have everything but the swapped barrel and misc parts I would change in the process.

I'll have to start my own thread when I get a rifle, in the meantime, ignore my mindless rambling.

[BjornF16]

Savage is apparently no longer manufacturing a Savage Model 10 in 7.62x39....so you'll want to jump on it ASAP to find one out there:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/produ...s_id/70993

http://www.impactguns.com/savage-10fcm-s...91281.aspx

http://www.gunsamerica.com/946057035/SAV...62x39M.htm

[stokesrj]

Congratulations!

Can you tell us more about the match?

It was a 50 shot 100 yard reduced course sniper match, simulating ranges of up to one mile. Some were police type with hostage situations simulating up to 300 yards and requiring .25 MOA accuracy to avoid penalties. I cleaned the whole 50 shots, no penalties scoring 740 out of 760 possible points, second place score was 690. The only points I lost were body shots instead of head shots on two of the four simulated 1 mile shots. The match was shot prone with bipod or sand bag rest but no F-Class type bipods or rests. A new way of shooting for me as I'm more accustomed to shooting from a sling when prone.
Bob

[KentuckyBuddha]

Very well done sir!

[mickey]

adamjp, I'm looking at the m85 in left side action for my Granddaughter Belle. 48 " tall 78 lb, 10.5 inch pull. what are the measurements of the barrel that fits the m85/ Where did you purchase the 6.5 BBL.?
I E-mail Zastava marketing, custom shop ask about actions & barreled actions for sale in Europe, they referred me to the USA rep, who only markets complete rifle's.
When you speak of the .220 Russian , is it the 5.45 x 39 mm?
Regards Mickey

[JASmith]

The 5.45 x 39 mm and the .220 Russian are quite different animals.

• 5.45x39 base dia = 0.394" (http://ammoguide.com/?catid=146)
  
• .220 Russian base dia = .443 (like Grendel) (http://ammoguide.com/?catid=569)
  

I recently converted my Savage Model 16 to .20 Grendel. The only two things one would do beyond starting with a 7.6239 is to install a PPC bolt head and use a 7.62x39 magazine. To date, I have stayed with the single shot option using the Sharp Shooter Supply "Fred Sled" insert. (http://ammoguide.com/?catid=569).

Going from .20 Grendel to 6.5 Grendel in that rifle for me is now simply a barrel swap!

[maverick5582]

[IMG][/IMG]

If CZ USA will make this in 6.5 Grendel I will take one today.

[mickey]

clark, i did check in to the mod 97. Seems to be half and half as to likes and dis likes. For Belle my lefties I like the action better than a bolt. some Question as to her small hand griping the action with the metal on the stock. I like the design.
Regards Mickey

[mickey]

JA, Thanks for the info. The reason I ask for measurements I would like to put a set on Belle's O/ U 410 with steel action. The M85 has a small diameter as to savage and other actions. Years ago my sons first rifle was a 24V Savage 222/20ga. the out side diameter of the 222 was not large.
Regards mickey

[JASmith]

Have you looked at the ballistics of the 5.45x39 and ammunition availability?

Nonetheless, the .223 uses the same base diameter as the .222 Remington, meaning that rechambering should be straightforward.

[Klem]

Plenty of countries other than the US heavily restrict AR's so a bolt gun in a venerable calibre is as close as you might ever get.

Same for the 300Blackout.

[adamjp]

adamjp, I'm looking at the m85 in left side action for my Granddaughter Belle. 48 " tall 78 lb, 10.5 inch pull. what are the measurements of the barrel that fits the m85/ Where did you purchase the 6.5 BBL.?
I E-mail Zastava marketing, custom shop ask about actions & barreled actions for sale in Europe, they referred me to the USA rep, who only markets complete rifle's.
When you speak of the .220 Russian , is it the 5.45 x 39 mm?
Regards Mickey

The little m85 action uses a 22x1.5mm thread on the action.

Mine is fitted with a Lilja #2 profile barrel.

Here in Australia the actions are readily available for sale, unfortunately the CZ 527 actions are not - although I prefer the little Zastava action.

[mickey]

ADAMJP, Thanks for the Update. I was told of a BSA shoty action 3-lugs as inturpted screw for left hand.
How hard is it to have custom work for rifles in Australia?
Regards Mickey

[mickey]

JA, i have a AK 74, I was told of a BSA small short action 3 lug bolt left hand from years back, also some M 1 carbine were converted 6.5-.223 , i would like to find one. Has any onr converted a Ruger min 30 to 6.5 grendel?
Regards mickey

[JASmith]

JA, i have a AK 74, I was told of a BSA small short action 3 lug bolt left hand from years back, also some M 1 carbine were converted 6.5-.223 , i would like to find one. Has any onr converted a Ruger min 30 to 6.5 grendel?
Regards mickey

Try these threads:

• http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...ht=Mini+30
  
• http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...ht=Mini+30
  
• http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...ht=Mini+30
  

There are likely more that one can find by a search of the forum threads.