Greetings from NC

[Tvaughn]

I have been lurking on here since Christmas 2020 but only recently joined. I chose to build after my FIL spoke highly of the 6.5 Grendel (he has many many years behind many rifles/calibers and has been reloading since 79, so I attempt to listen). There is a ton of info on this site which I have read during the process of building my own Grendel over the last year. A lot of great info to read, peruse, try to absorb from some very experienced individuals. Much appreciated by a novice.

Started the build around January of 2021 and was ready to take to the range in late October of 2021. Have only made 4 trips with this particular platform.
Only utilizing factory ammo until I get back to FIL. Those that are performing with my abilities as well as the barrels capabilities are:
Federal American Eagle 90 gr JHP TNT
Federal American Eagle 120 gr OTM
Federal Premium Gold Medal Berger 130 gr Hybrid OTM.

Hornady Black 123 gr ELD® Match hasn't performed as well as hoped (could be me),Hornady Custom 123 gr SST was poor, 2 or 3 others poor as well.

Components Include
PSA Lower
Anderson Upper
LaRue Tactical MBT-2S Trigger
Radians Charge Handle
MFT BMSMIL Stock
PF Criterion 20" SS 1-8 twist
PF Phalanx Carrier Group with bolt
Odin Works 15.5" Ragna Forend
For right now CT 3-12x42 scope (these seem to be built by the same company as the discontinued Nikons)
A number of other odds and ends

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18624[/ATTACH]

Looking forward to continuing to learn from this group as well as, I am sure, additional future builds.

TV

[Old Bob]

Welcome to the horde Tvaughn. Nice rifle you got there. With the barrel you have, your FIL's help & some diligent range work, you oughta be able find a laser load for it. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[peak98]

Welcome to the Horde from just down da bayou Tvaughn! That’s a fine, fine looking rifle that should shoot lights out. Keep us in the loop regarding barrel break in and load development. How many rounds have you shot through it so far? I’d be interested to see how it’s shooting after 100 then 200 rounds.
peak98

[VASCAR2]

Welcome to the forum Tvaughn!

[Tvaughn]

Thank you for the warm welcome. I am at 210 rounds through the gun. Last night I shot at an underlit indoor range, 100M, with 1.2" -1.3" groupings for the 3 loads I spoke about earlier.
I have to admit that I probably have less than 800 rifle rounds total outside of a Ruger 10/22. So, the rifle is doing a lot of the work, I am attempting to build consistency to improve accuracy. In March, I will be traveling back to FIL for load development and farm range time.

tv

[sundowner]

Welcome to the horde from Wisconsin .

[just_john]

Welcome to the clan, Tv, from the great nation of Texas! Nice looking build, good grocery list. Should be a shooter. Some Anderson uppers are at near max inside diameter where the barrel mounts to it. When you assembled, how much play ( wobble ) did you have before snugging up the barrel nut? Did you have access to the "tool" to true that mating surface and did you use lock-tite or something similar to secure the barrel? Can make an incredible difference!

[Tvaughn]

I didn't think there was a lot of play but its not like I have a ton of experience. I didn't have to force it in but it also wasn't wobbling. I did not have access to a tool for truing the mating surface and I did use a small bit of the blue loctite. This has me thinking a bit though.

Thanks

tv

[just_john]

When ever possible, I've gone to BCM and their "scratch and dent sale" for uppers. THey are a good, tight fit. On some, I've had to freeze the barrel and heat the receiver ( carefully !!! ) to get them together. BUT, when everything returns to room temp, it is a SOLID lockup. Some, I could just get started and then used the barrelt nut to pull 'em on in. Still, a very tight fit. Also, I have not yet seen a BCM upper receiver that needed to be trued, but i"ve not seen any other supplier that wasn't a little off. If you can find it, there was an article in G&A by Patrick Sweeney about accurizing AR's and he states that he was amazed at the difference truing up a receiver made. Note, this only applies to forged receivers, billet will start off good ( just not as strong ).

[Tvaughn]

Thanks for the info. People seem to really like BCM as they are out of stock. I'll look for the article to learn a bit more.

tv

[XaqFixx]

Howdy from another new member in NC.