Like many, first 6.5 Grendel

[DirtyF9]

Well, I was in the process of ordering my first 6.5 Grendel upper, but after poking through some posts I thought I should consult the horde first. I've been planning on doing this for several months now. I had a serious debate with myself between a nice 2011, or a quality lower and two uppers. I already got one of my uppers, a BCM 14.5" 5.56 with a pinned and welded break. The second upper I want a decent 6.5 Grendel. Originally I was looking at Grendel Hunter uppers, but opted to see what you guys thought first. Ideally I'd like kind of a do all. I know it's best to have the tool for the job. Ideally I'd like something fit for both long range precision and hunting. I dont mind having a second lower for the precision rifle and one for a hunting rifle. I also have a busy work schedule and my family consumes a large bit of my time, so I want a out of the box upper. What are your suggestions for a company that makes a complete upper. My max budget is $1200 for this upper. That's really kind of stretching it. Also looking for suggestions on barrel length. I was thinking 20" to 22" for the barrel to squeeze out that velocity for the long range and that punch. I don't do much hunting, but when I do, it's the rifle I intend to bring, so primarily it's a precision rifle, and learning long range shooting.

Edit: I should note I've been primarily a pistol shooter for years. I do have a couple rifles that I take out regularly, but not as much as I'd like. I'd like to learn how to reach out and touch something with something

[FLshooter]

Call Paul at Craddock precision. He can build you a very accurate and reliable upper for $1200. You just have to be willing to wait at least three months before you get it. You can also try Mark at Precision Firearms. I recommend both.Had good results with both.I have been dealing with Craddock longer.

[VASCAR2]

If you don’t follow FLshooter’s advise I’d recommend a Wilson Combat 22 inch 6.5 Grendel barrel or a Criterion 22 inch barrel from Brownell’s. Either barrel is right at $300 and it is not difficult to find someone to assemble an upper. The heart of any AR-15 is the barrel, trigger and optic. The Criterion and Wilson Combat both have top notch reputation. If you still want an assembled upper I suggest you check out Lilja. rebby on this forum can build you an upper using a Lilja barrel. rebby is running a group buy on Lilja barrels on this forum. rebby can order a barrel directly from Lilja and assemble you an upper.

https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Match-Grade...HTRG20FC8/


http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...r-round-2)

[DL42]

If you arent looking to spend a lot, I can attest to the value of those Criterion barrels Brownells sells. I built an upper with the 22” HBAR and a Fortis upper, and was hitting steel at 1000 yards with factory ammo, fighting both a heavy head and cross wind. You could easily build an upper with that barrel and other quality components for under $600.

[OneHitWonder]

On another thread there was a good build list. Starting with a BCM blem stripped upper and getting a Bartlein, Lijia or even a Monster group buy barrel.

Then there was the idea to get a BCA complete upper and rebarrel it with something quality.

I opted for a PSA 20” SS upper, with the hopes it would shoot good groups and don’t mind shooting Wolf steel case out of. With plans to rebarrel and bolt later if it didn’t shoot or I burned it up with the Wolf.
The PSA is decent with Wolf. Hitting 6” steel at 200 yards prone 8 to 9 of 10 shots. Probably 3 moa. It likes Hornady black 123gn and shoots that 1.75 moa at 100. Reloads with the 123 eld are moa or less. Worth the $350 IMHO. Very light weight hand guard and adjustable gas block.

[rabiddawg]

I have two Precision Firearms uppers and love them. They are the high end models.

I see they offer one Grendel upper at $850

https://www.precisionfirearms.com/m8/6.5...l-v-i.html


I would look into LaRue if Precision ends up out of your budget.

[ike838]

Check out the Larue Ultimate Upper. They will build the "kit" for you for free. Comes with everything but the stripped lower for $ 792 at the moment. Heck of a deal when you add it up. You will later be given the option of buying a LaRue stripped lower to finish it off for around $ 250. HTH

[FLshooter]

If you don’t follow FLshooter’s advise I’d recommend a Wilson Combat 22 inch 6.5 Grendel barrel or a Criterion 22 inch barrel from Brownell’s. Either barrel is right at $300 and it is not difficult to find someone to assemble an upper. The heart of any AR-15 is the barrel, trigger and optic. The Criterion and Wilson Combat both have top notch reputation. If you still want an assembled upper I suggest you check out Lilja. rebby on this forum can build you an upper using a Lilja barrel. rebby is running a group buy on Lilja barrels on this forum. rebby can order a barrel directly from Lilja and assemble you an upper.

https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Match-Grade...HTRG20FC8/


http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...r-round-2)

Spot on with the Wilson combat and criterion!I own both of those barrels. Several criterian. If you don’t want to wait 20+weeks with Mark and no replies,,one of those pre-fit barrels will work well. Every one of my Wilson and criterion are sub moa shooters.

[65Whelen]

Larue's a good choice. I was lucky enough to win one of their upper kits when they had a trigger sales promotion. Quality product.

I've got a couple deer with it, one at 165yds and one at 60yds.
Also, banging steel at 400 yards no problem.

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-ult...upper-kit/

[DirtyF9]

I think I'll give it a try building my own, using a Wilson Combat barrel. Just going to order things a little at a time to spare my wallet some distress about the cost ??

Also going to need to invest in some tooling, but never bad to have more tools around the house. I appreciate everyone's advice. I'm going to go with a 20" barrel.