New 19.25" Grendel rifle

[m796rider]

I just finished assembling my new 6.5 Grendel rifle. I used an AA 20" button rifled stainless barrel with matching bolt. The barrel was cut down to 19.25" and rethreaded to 5/8x24. The handguard is a Centurion Arms C4 12" unit, which is rock solid, lightweight, and easy to install. The scope is a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 F1 FFP zero stop mil/mil mounted in a Nightforce 20MOA Unimount.

Everything functions perfectly with Hornady 123gr Amax factory loads. The rifle spits out empties in a little pile at 4 o'clock. I'm looking forward to stretching this rifle out!

[JohnOD]

Very nice!

[LRRPF52]

Welcome. Nice stinking build! Cool pic too.

[davidj]

Great looking Grendel. Got a range report yet?

[m796rider]

No real range report yet - all I've done to date is zero the scope and function test the rifle. I can say I fired several sub-MOA three round groups during the zeroing process, so I'm eager to see how well the rifle really shoots.

[StoneTower]

Nice rifle. It looks like your brass is making marks on the brass deflector. If you reload and your brass is getting dented, put a piece of the fuzzy side of Velcro on the brass deflector to fix the problem. If you do not reload put the Velcro on the upper and I will give you an address where you can send any unwanted orphaned brass

[Drifter]

First class setup. Nicely done.

[JohnOD]

m796rider how do you like your NF Unimount? Yours looks like the 1 3/8" model. Here's a pic of pic Grendel with the lower (1 1/8") UM. Since I don't run BUIS I went with the shorter version. Never have handled a rifle with the tall NF mount.

[warped]

Nice mount and setup, if everything was made to be ideal it would have probably included having the mount about 0.50" longer between the rings (forward ring moved further)

[m796rider]

m796rider how do you like your NF Unimount? Yours looks like the 1 3/8" model. Here's a pic of pic Grendel with the lower (1 1/8") UM. Since I don't run BUIS I went with the shorter version. Never have handled a rifle with the tall NF mount.

The 1.375" Unimount mimics the cheekweld I get with irons, so the height is perfect based on what I'm used to. I really like the Unimounts; I've been using them for awhile now on all sorts of precision ARs. I've also thought about removing my backup sights, or just using an Aimpoint Micro on an offset mount.

[ss355]

What rest/setup did you use to shoot your zeroing rounds, and what will you use to shoot for groups? I'm curious if you use a bench, shoot prone, use a bipod or sandbags, that kind of info. If your zeroing rounds are any indication, it sounds like you have an accurate tube on that gun. Good-looking stick.

[Rhino-1]

Nice set up !... That unimount just made it to the top of my list. Now if only I could settle on a scope... LOL!

[m796rider]

What rest/setup did you use to shoot your zeroing rounds, and what will you use to shoot for groups? I'm curious if you use a bench, shoot prone, use a bipod or sandbags, that kind of info. If your zeroing rounds are any indication, it sounds like you have an accurate tube on that gun. Good-looking stick.

I used a front bag on a bench to zero, but will usually shoot prone with an Atlas bipod up front and a beanbag at the rear. I do want to try this rifle with my DCLW tripod system as well, but that won't be my usual setup.

ETA: I've put another 40 rounds through the rifle, this time using a C-Products stainless 25-round mag with a 6.8 marked grey follower. Everything worked fine, empties still landing in a nice pile at 4 o'clock, about 6 feet away.

[stmcelroy]

Love that gun...need to build one for myself.

[m796rider]

I had Adco Firearms cut the barrel to 18.25" and I mounted up my Surefire brake and suppressor.

I shot a few rounds with the can attached. Shift in zero is half a mil straight down, which is easy to dial or hold over for.

Really loud with the brake, really fun with the can...

[louieprkr]

Looks amazing! I started my build a couple weeks ago and I am still on the fence as to which barrel to get. I believe I will stick with Alexander Arms, but I'm torn between the 18" and the 20". I will use the gun for plinking and hunting so weight is relatively important. Could you tell a difference in weight after you cut the barrel? I would assume the diamater of the 18 and the 20 is the same.

[LRRPF52]

That's basically a Grendel SPR the way you have it-very practical. How do you like the ATLAS? What's your overall system weight with bipod, optics, empty mag?

[m796rider]

I haven't weighed everything out, but I do know the rifle with optics, iron sights, and brake comes in at 10lb 14oz. With a full 25-round magazine (usually download to 24) and the Atlas bipod I'd say you'd be in the 12.5lb range. The AA barrel is quite heavy, as is the NF F1 scope. That having been said, it has not been terrible to shoot this rifle offhand...

I am building a 14.5" 6.5G carbine with a 4x ACOG for more general shooting - that should be quite a bit lighter.