Advice on buying a grendel upper for a Noob!!

[Xiphoid Process]

Hey everyone, Loving the forum and learning a lot about the Grendel. I have been wanting to get a new upper for my DPMS Panther Bull 20. It is way to heavy and I want something with a little more pop than the 223. I was originally thinking big bore like the Beowulf but with the SAAMI news on the grendel and wolf making both brass and steel ammo the Grendel has caught my eye. Not ready to build one from scratch.

There is a dealer at my local gun show that is selling uppers for a very reasonable price(compared to what the classified are asking for used uppers on here).
they are building the uppers themselves and have multiple calibers, 300 blkout, grendel, and a few others.

My question is what should I be looking for outside of an AA stamp.

It sounds like Stoner barrels are highly regarded on here. Any barrel manufaturers that I should stay away from??
Anything specific in the bolt or carrier group? or gas system?

You know what they say sometimes good deals are too good... Just trying to prepare myself for the Gun Show next weekend.

Any Help or opinions are appreciated!!

[dvrod18]

What is the name of the company that is making them? What components are they using...barrel / bolt , uppper? What is the price?

Hopefully somone with knowledge will help you out.

[VASCAR2]

One thing to be aware of is which bolt is used with the barrel. Some manufactures are using 7.62 X 39 bolts (model 1 sales 6.5 CS, Kies 264 LBC) while others are using AA bolts which are recessed. The AA bolt is supposed to be stronger than the 7.62 X 39 and usually not interchangeable. Ive also read where AR precision is going to use a super bolt with a different barrel extension. I personally wouldn't buy a barrel for 6.5 G/264LBC without a bolt matched to the barrel. My personal choice was a barrel with AA 6.5 Grendel bolt. The AA 6.5 Grendel bolt is also the same bolt used in the 50 Beowulf and both use a standard AR 15 bolt carrier.

[Xiphoid Process]

Thanks Vascar2... Anyone else got any more good info?

[vfrdrvr]

I have a first generation KIES upper in .264 LBC. It uses a 7.62 bolt and a standard AR15/16 carrier. Kies doesn't divulge their barrel source, but I can attest that it's a shooter. 1/2 to 3/4 MOA @ 100. I replaced the original carrier with a Young Man. hard chromemodel. I've heard that KIES is or will be offering a new line of uppers with ground Ni-Bor carriers and (perhaps) bolts.

AR Performance makes a Super Bolt for the 7.62. I've heard .264 folks discuss using them, but haven't heard any actual range reports. Regardless, I'd have someone check the headspacing first.