2016: Lets talk barrels.

[Bravo Vector Tango]

Hello Gents, 1st post, been reading for quite some time.

Preface:

preparing to embark on my 1st Grendel build, I have a handful of self-built AR-15's in 5.56 and 300BLK, I also have 18" LR308 which i consider my overwatch gun, at approx. 11 pounds, it is OK in the field, but not pleasant. the mission of service of the grendel will be, to obtain, or aspire to the precision and effective range of the LR308 in the package of the AR15 for a truly effective and accurate field gun. will typically be shot from a bi-pod, from a truck hood, or prone, with some hunting/off-hand shooting as well, ideally in the 7-8 pound range. will not be a bench gun.

moving on....

So knowing that a barrels is truly the heart of an accuracy based platform, i've been reading and reading, of Kriegers, Bartleins, Lilja's, Saterns, Criterions and the rest of the gamut of options and opinions. lots of reading to be had out there, but much of it is several years old and I am wondering if the environment has changed.

i've settled on either 16" or 18", with a Grendel SAAMI chamber utilizing the true .136 bolt face, I would like it to be cut rifled, but may have to accept a 5R button rifled barrel if finances dictate, Budget for the barrel, realistically would be about 400$.

my current number 1 prospect, is a criterion barrel chambered by PF.

also considering:

Alexander Arms 16" fluted lightweight - reviews seem generally positive, not a ton of information out there.

16" Satern from brownells. - these barrels in particular along with the midway offerings seem to have been on a roller coaster ride, chamber issues, unknown MFG, but are now markedly satern barrels, wondering if anyone has one that is a more recent offering that can offer a review?

thanks for any input, this forum has been a learning experience and I appreciate everyone's contribution.

[LRRPF52]

Welcome aboard. All the 16"-18" Grendel's I have built over the past few months have weighed in at 6lbs or under, especially using that fluted lightweight AA barrel, or a wasp contoured Lilja barrel.

With optics and mount, I am still under 8lbs with an 18".

It's hard to go wrong with any of the barrel makers mentioned. The 16" AA fluted is a great deal because you know exactly what you are getting, and at a price that can't be beat.

For $400, that rules out Krieger, Lilja, Bartlein, or Shilen. Krieger, Bartlein, and Satern are your 3 main cut-rifled options. With the quality of button-rifled barrels from Criterion, Lilja, Shilen, etc. nowadays, you don't need cut-rifled for what you're looking for. Your harder stainless steels will run more money typically. Krieger, Bartlein, and Criterion have very hard stainless, but in Grendel, we aren't pushing higher pressures, so you won't see the difference unless you shoot 6k-10k rounds per year. The barrels on Brownell's and Midway are button-rifled, not cut.

I've been seeing .5" (4rd) to 1" (5rd) groups at 100yds with the little 16" AA fluted barrels shooting Hornady and PPU ammo.
Shilen upgrade will shrink that down into the .3-.75" region.
Lilja's will shoot 3rds into .3", 5rds into .5"-.75", and 10rds into 1" at 100yds.

The .25 MOA additional accuracy will usually cost you $200 more, so you have to ask how important that is to you.
I'll have a Criterion soon to be able to tell, but in other calibers, they have shot like any other high-end barrel.

[Bravo Vector Tango]

LRRPF52,

Thank you, and an additional thank you for the myriad of knowledge on the 6.5 and long range shooting in general that you have, and continue to share on this forum and others, I've always found your insight to be fair, unbiased and experienced and I have personally been reading about your workings with the Grendel for quite some time now before I even discovered this forum, or commited to a 6.5G my self.

I think I've come to a decision, and I believe the solution is 2 grendels you know what they say, 2 is 1 and such.

I believe I will build a 16" on the AA fluted barrel, and an 18" or 20" criterion with a target crown, with the option to upgrade to a 600$ barrel on the target build should i choose to.

Already got dies on the way, and so it begins...

[am4966]

@Bravo Vector Tango, your starting out on the right foot imo. Since most of us here build/buy a Grendel and down the rd we build another one. I've got a sbr and have plans to build a 18-22" AR then soon as the howas come out I'll have a bolt-action grendel too.

Welcome to the Horde

[SG4247]

Welcome BVT!

Sounds like you have done your research and are asking the right questions.

But if you think you can keep your Grendel stock down to one or two - you have some discipline! As I am looking at a dozen or so right here in my home office.

They have a habit of multiplying!

[Bravo Vector Tango]

Thanks all,

Somehow I doubt it will stop at two, haha - working on one build, planning a 2nd, in a year i'll probably have 3 or 4! SBR, ultralight...

The beauty of getting into a new (and in this case, so diverse and capable) caliber, much to my excitement, much to the dismay of my wife!

[jp3731]

I've just ordered one of the AA 16" fluted barrels. I was wondering if it is worth it to lap these barrels and melonite them? Realizing that the more cost added is getting away from the bargain aspect of this barrel. It is for a light weight general purpose rifle. I do want to take advantage of the accuracy of the cartridge and keep the cost down by shooting the Wolf steel ammo. Would any of these procedures worth the added cost?

[Drillboss]

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I've just ordered one of the AA 16" fluted barrels. I was wondering if it is worth it to lap these barrels and melonite them? Realizing that the more cost added is getting away from the bargain aspect of this barrel. It is for a light weight general purpose rifle. I do want to take advantage of the accuracy of the cartridge and keep the cost down by shooting the Wolf steel ammo. Would any of these procedures worth the added cost?

This was my first group with the WPA steel case and an AA 16" barrel. Seemed to work OK.

[LRRPF52]

I've just ordered one of the AA 16" fluted barrels. I was wondering if it is worth it to lap these barrels and melonite them? Realizing that the more cost added is getting away from the bargain aspect of this barrel. It is for a light weight general purpose rifle. I do want to take advantage of the accuracy of the cartridge and keep the cost down by shooting the Wolf steel ammo. Would any of these procedures worth the added cost?

Nope. Just shoot and enjoy.

[jp3731]

Great, thanks.