SHOT Show Fail

[Mutt]

I keep seeing more and more people shooting the Grendel and just a few years ago no one and any of the local ranges had ever heard of them. I don't think the Grendel is at any risk of dying.

[blackfoot]

I wasn't suggesting it was dying, just that the timing seemed as though this year's SHOT Show was the chance for it to somewhat "leap into" the mainstream and more manufacturers pick up on it, and it seems almost as though that is what is happening with the 6.8 for some reason.

[longdayjake]

Just so you know, usually people start working on new products a year or two before they first present it in SHOT.

[stanc]

So I stopped by CZ's booth today as planned, and told them the level of interest that I have seen not only in speech, but in deed with those who buy the 527 and rebarrel in Grendel, including my friend. I talked with guys who drive those types of decisions, and what I was told was like a slap in the face.

"We'll probably do a 6.8 before we do a Grendel." Probably the stupidest thing I heard in the whole show so far, considering they already have the bolt face, and the superiority of the Grendel, especially in that action since you no longer are limited by AR15 .223 bolt geometry and lower pressures. A 6.8 in the CZ makes about zero sense.

Proving once again that gun manufacturers don't listen to the market...They run a survey, the survey is dominated by people wanting the Grendel, they don't do it. Then people talk to them that are in the know and they still do something ridiculous!

I don't know about any surveys, but I imagine CZ execs are looking at the relative popularity of the two cartridges. The number of companies making 6.8 rifles and accessories is greater than for 6.5; the selection in factory ammo is greater than 6.5; there are more bullets designed specifically for 6.8 than for 6.5; and the number of members on 68forums is 10 times that on 65grendel forum.

Sorry, guys. CZ is in business to make $$$, not to please a few Grendel fans. It's only good business practice to opt for the caliber that appears to offer the larger market.

[Whelenon]

I don't know about any surveys, but I imagine CZ execs are looking at the relative popularity of the two cartridges. The number of companies making 6.8 rifles and accessories is greater than for 6.5; the selection in factory ammo is greater than 6.5; there are more bullets designed specifically for 6.8 than for 6.5; and the number of members on 68forums is 10 times that on 65grendel forum.

Sorry, guys. CZ is in business to make $$$, not to please a few Grendel fans. It's only good business practice to opt for the caliber that appears to offer the larger market.

That's the problem the marketing guys are tell the gun guys what's better. To bad, I always liked CZ, guess I put them on the bottom of the list.

[JASmith]

Whether one is interested in a CZ, Savage, TC or other quality rifle, requests for information about their plans to market Grendel-chambered rifles can't hurt.

Along that line, I wonder how many folks have purchased a Grendel bolt action from one of their custom shops? Considering that the cartridge now has SAAMI specifications, the cost to the manufacturer should be comparatively small. It surely can't be more than what a competent gunsmith would charge for rebarreling the same rifle from 7.62X39 to the Grendel.

[longdayjake]

I want to point out that in SHOT 2009 I asked berger if they would consider making a 100 grain 6.5 bullet and I was told that I was crazy for even thinking it was possible. When I tried to explain to them how it could be done and it's application all I got in response was a big roll of the eyes. Last I checked, they have since come out with a 100 grain bullet.

[hm2 clark]

Now thats an idea I never thought of . Calling CZ and asking them to make me a Grendel on a 527 action. I wonder if they do that kind of work?

[rhyno_071]

I wasn't suggesting it was dying, just that the timing seemed as though this year's SHOT Show was the chance for it to somewhat "leap into" the mainstream and more manufacturers pick up on it, and it seems almost as though that is what is happening with the 6.8 for some reason.

I know what you mean. To me it seems like the Grendel is still looked at like this complicated round that's hard to buy and is not proven yet. At my local gun range hardly anybodys heard of it. I always feel like I'm on defense when it's discussed. Of the 7 or 8 local gun stores I go to, not a one of them stocks or sales 6.5 Grendel. But they all have 6.8.

[JASmith]

Keep in mind that Remington adopted the 6.8 early on. That, coupled with the efforts of a few over-enthusiastic gun hacks, gave it an early push.

While the Gremdel has also enjoyed support from the writing community, it got going a little later.

Think of the story of the tortoise and the hare. The Grendel makes steady progress...

[JASmith]

Now thats an idea I never thought of . Calling CZ and asking them to make me a Grendel on a 527 action. I wonder if they do that kind of work?

Let us know what you find out!

[65man]

Now thats an idea I never thought of . Calling CZ and asking them to make me a Grendel on a 527 action. I wonder if they do that kind of work?

and maybe we can do group order to start up the cz 527 grendel or any other brand like savage or the new t/c dimension

[leopard6.5]

hm2 clark: CZ does have a custom gun order dept.

If each of the people who have expressed an interest would email them for a price quote on a CZ 527 with the 6.5 Grendel chamber, I would think they would be more likely to take notice and it doesn't cost you a thing.
Especially since all their people are at Shot Show and would be getting the emails forwarded to them.

Just a thought.

Lee

[JASmith]

Lee,

That looks like a good way to stir the pot -- especially if they come back with a price low enough that 1 in 5 or 10 of the queries results in a purchase.

Cheers!
Joe

[Variable]

Message sent...

[WillD]

Here's the address gunsmith@cz-usa.com . I sent an inquiry for a 527 Varmint Target. Maybe if enough of us do we'll get noticed?

[hm2 clark]

Message sent to both the main CZ site and the gunsmith site. Every litte bits gotta help.

[WillD]

CZ-USA replied to my inquiry from yesterday asking about price and ETA of a 527 Varmint Target. I also asked about the possibility of them doing a limited run. Here's the reply I received!!

" ETA is currently approx 4 months $1341 + $25 shipping. This is assuming that the trademark on the Grendel cartridge name will have been released by the time we are ready to deliver.

We don't have the ability to do a short run at this point. It's either a full production run of 1000+ pieces or through the custom shop. I hope to see a production run in this caliber, but if I had to guess, I would guess that we are still about 3 years away from that."

I'm really pleased to hear this. I was about to purchase a Remington 799 but this will save me time and money. This is not an inexpensive rifle but it is less than I spent building my other Grendels. Just knowing that there is a source for factory built bolt action Grendels is bound to increase demand and hopefully shorten the time before it's a catalog item.

Cheers, Will

[LRRPF52]

Just sent them an inquiry as well. With .223 527's going for under $700, this is a very affordable platform, albeit higher than a lot of bolt guns on the shelves right now. It would be nice to see at Savage and Weatherby prices. They can't seem to give away the traditional bolt guns at many of the stores around here, and I see them with optics mounted for under $300 often.

[hm2 clark]

No respose to my qurries from CZ yet. $1400 is about what I expected to pay . But, I would rather spend my American money paying an American custom gunsmith, rather then paying that same money for the same custom work to a large foreign company that has a outlet here.