Looking for suggestions on 6.5 Grendel barrels. Budget is around 300 or less. This is mainly going to be a hunting rifle so I’m looking for a lightweight 16”. Preferably moa or sub moa. I’ve been exploring Faxon and Wilson combat as an option just seeing mixed reviews. Are there any better bang for your buck barrels that are around 1.5lb? Thanks in advance.
6.5 Grendel barrel suggestions
- Thread starter PewZ
- Start date
Bump your budget by 100-150 and you open yourself up to much better barrels.
Rainier Ultramatch
Lilja from Six Sigma
Criterion from PF
You can get a cut-rifled barrel from McGowen for $340 right now with their summer sale.
Rainier Ultramatch
Lilja from Six Sigma
Criterion from PF
You can get a cut-rifled barrel from McGowen for $340 right now with their summer sale.
I run 2 6.5Gs, both with Rainier ultramatch barrels, a 12.5 and an 18, absolute titties, very accurate, easy clean-up, highly recommend. I ran mine this weekend next to a proof that cost 2X, the proof was lighter, but not any more accurate.
Wilson is trading on name now, not quality, in my opinion. I have been a customeer for over 25 yeas, going back to their 1911 hayday, I don't buy their AR stuff any more, too many good alternatives for same or less money.
Faxon is a value brand with decent performance, but nowhere near Rainier's ultramatch - in my experience.
Wilson is trading on name now, not quality, in my opinion. I have been a customeer for over 25 yeas, going back to their 1911 hayday, I don't buy their AR stuff any more, too many good alternatives for same or less money.
Faxon is a value brand with decent performance, but nowhere near Rainier's ultramatch - in my experience.
Once you go below ~$350, you’re rolling the dice on whether or not you’ll get MOA/sub MOA.
I rolled the dice with one of the early Faxon group buy 12” Grendel pipes, which has a really heavy shank and overall heavy-for-length mass. It consistently puts 5rds of 123gr ELD-M into an inch at 100yds, and I regularly use it for shooting steel out to 800-900yds. 1st-round hits are pretty easy at 600-780yds on 2 MOA steel. I would not expect this performance from most $200-$250 pipes.
I have a 16” Lilja lightweight Wasp profile barrel that shoots bugholes, from the original Lilja group buy we did. It’s just one of those hummers.
For a 16” hunter, you’ll be fine with 1.5 MOA 5rd group performance anyway for a lightweight.
Either relax your requirement or up your budget a little as mentioned, but I would lean on scope budget more than biting it out of the barrel if it’s just for hunting medium game.
Now if you’re planning on extending the range a bit for coyotes, you really need a good shooter due to vital zone size and how skittish/fidgety they are.
Right now, there’s an excellent deal on Sons of Liberty Gun Works 13.9” MLGS Grendel barrels, but I have no experience with them firsthand to say how they shoot.
There’s also a good deal on some 13.9” Grendel pipes from Craddock.
My go-to sources for a while have been Precision Firearms and Lilja. I have at least 8 Grendels right now. I’ve been shooting it since 2009, starting with a 16” AA that I later gave to my brother. The main ones I take out are 18” LaRue, 17.6” Lilja, and my 12”. The 12” has been shot the most over the past 6 years.
Get a Rexus 6.5 Grendel Ultrabolt.
I rolled the dice with one of the early Faxon group buy 12” Grendel pipes, which has a really heavy shank and overall heavy-for-length mass. It consistently puts 5rds of 123gr ELD-M into an inch at 100yds, and I regularly use it for shooting steel out to 800-900yds. 1st-round hits are pretty easy at 600-780yds on 2 MOA steel. I would not expect this performance from most $200-$250 pipes.
I have a 16” Lilja lightweight Wasp profile barrel that shoots bugholes, from the original Lilja group buy we did. It’s just one of those hummers.
For a 16” hunter, you’ll be fine with 1.5 MOA 5rd group performance anyway for a lightweight.
Either relax your requirement or up your budget a little as mentioned, but I would lean on scope budget more than biting it out of the barrel if it’s just for hunting medium game.
Now if you’re planning on extending the range a bit for coyotes, you really need a good shooter due to vital zone size and how skittish/fidgety they are.
Right now, there’s an excellent deal on Sons of Liberty Gun Works 13.9” MLGS Grendel barrels, but I have no experience with them firsthand to say how they shoot.
There’s also a good deal on some 13.9” Grendel pipes from Craddock.
My go-to sources for a while have been Precision Firearms and Lilja. I have at least 8 Grendels right now. I’ve been shooting it since 2009, starting with a 16” AA that I later gave to my brother. The main ones I take out are 18” LaRue, 17.6” Lilja, and my 12”. The 12” has been shot the most over the past 6 years.
Get a Rexus 6.5 Grendel Ultrabolt.
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I have an 18” Rainier “Match”. I don’t have but 40 rounds through it but it’s shot really good groups from the start. Well worth the $260 price tag so far. Next time I put it on paper I’ll post some groups.
I have a couple of the Craddock RTR barrels on the way. We’ll see how they do.
I have a couple of the Craddock RTR barrels on the way. We’ll see how they do.
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May be a barrel that you are interested in?
Wilson Combat 16 6.5 Grendel Recon Stainless Midlength Barrel - $249.95
Another....
16" 6.5 Grendel SPR Fluted Stainless Steel Midlength AR 15 Barrel, Premium Series - $255
Wilson Combat 16 6.5 Grendel Recon Stainless Midlength Barrel - $249.95
Another....
16" 6.5 Grendel SPR Fluted Stainless Steel Midlength AR 15 Barrel, Premium Series - $255
What you're looking for is actually no longer available unless @Constructor has a line on one. The AR Performance 16 inch 6.5 Grendel Barrel is excellent.
Outside of that, save your pennies and have Precision Firearms spin up what you want.
Outside of that, save your pennies and have Precision Firearms spin up what you want.
I know they’re “budget barrels” but I have 2 Ballistic Advantage barrels(16”&20”) that are sub moa with multiple types of ammunition. Really surprised how well they shoot
A couple of other sources:
I've had good luck with Satern / Liberty barrels for the Grendel
https://shop.saternbarrels.net/t/65-grendel
I have a couple of bolt guns with X-Caliber Barrels that shoot pretty well.
https://www.x-caliber.net/custom-ar-barrel
You'll have to wait for a 20% off sale, but X-Cal has them for every holiday.
They're generally spun up to order, so there might be lead time for one of their barrels.
I've had good luck with Satern / Liberty barrels for the Grendel
https://shop.saternbarrels.net/t/65-grendel
I have a couple of bolt guns with X-Caliber Barrels that shoot pretty well.
https://www.x-caliber.net/custom-ar-barrel
You'll have to wait for a 20% off sale, but X-Cal has them for every holiday.
They're generally spun up to order, so there might be lead time for one of their barrels.
I have been hesitant on SOLGW barrels, because a lot of them were Ballistic Advantage barrels... But, some now "appear" to be Black Hole Weaponry barrels.
The problem is... I would be willing to try BHW barrels.. but not BA barrels. And, I can't always Identify which one is made by who ?
Given the description of the linked barrel... I would tend to think it is a Ballistic Advantage barrel made to SOLGW specs, and is being "cleared out".
And while the allure of a bargain priced accurate barrel is tempting.... I feel like someone could easily spend the difference in $ in ammo ( between a more expensive "proven" barrel ) , trying to make that inexpensive barrel shoot to their expectations.
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Last I knew all BHW, or Columbia River Arms or whatever they're called now, barrels were polygonal. Obviously you won't know that till you look down it though.
I have two Rexus barrels. One 14.5 and one 16. Both shoot very well for a budget barrel (1moa). I’m not sure who makes them, but from my experience they’ve been great along with their bolts.
I have two WC 6.5 Grendel barrels. I'm not going to say that either one looks amazing under a borescope... but I don't really care about that.
My first one shoots in the 3/4 MOA range (5 shot groups) with target handloads consistently. The second one I've only ever put factory 123gr Hornady SST through, and it is consistently MOA. Both of them are lighter-weight profiles. For what I paid, I find it hard to put down.
If solely a target rifle, I'd probably look at other options.
My first one shoots in the 3/4 MOA range (5 shot groups) with target handloads consistently. The second one I've only ever put factory 123gr Hornady SST through, and it is consistently MOA. Both of them are lighter-weight profiles. For what I paid, I find it hard to put down.
If solely a target rifle, I'd probably look at other options.
Got to the range with my rainier ultra match 6.5 Grendel barrel a couple of days ago. No groups to show, but it is night and day better than the Odin works barrel it replaced. Hornady match shooting sub 1.5moa- and that’s as good as I need/expect for a SBR.
I found a load that the Odin barrel shot well, but it is/was super picky. The UM barrel shot everything I put through it acceptably. (I have an 18” Odin works barrel that shoots really well, so no shade thrown at them.)
I found a load that the Odin barrel shot well, but it is/was super picky. The UM barrel shot everything I put through it acceptably. (I have an 18” Odin works barrel that shoots really well, so no shade thrown at them.)
FWIW... The only reason I think some of the SOLGW barrels are BHW, is because of the specs on the webpages being very similar.
SOLGW specs... specifically, "3 groove polygonal rifling, 1: 9.73″ twist rates" ( Odd twist rate ? )
And frankly the odd, twist is what made me poke around and look a little further
.
https://sonsoflibertygw.com/product/308-precision-barrels/
"Our Precision .308 barrels are 416R Stainless Steel with 3 groove polygonal rifling, 1: 9.73″ twist rates, and dimpled as always for secure gas block installation.
Choose from 14.5″, 16″ and 18″ lengths for your Mk10/Large frame precision needs.
5/8×24 muzzle threads"
( 6.5CM barrels from SOLGW are also "Our Precision 6.5 Creedmoor barrels are 416R Stainless Steel with 3 groove polygonal rifling" )
And ....
BHW, offers a .308 LFAR barrel in 416R with a 1n 9.73" twist. And "We use our Polygonal Caudle in P3 or P5 rifling known for its accuracy."
https://www.blackholeweaponry.com/bhw-barrels/about-us/
https://www.blackholeweaponry.com/store/18-0-INCH---30-CALIBER---PLATFORM-AR-308-p581525010
Conjecture on my part... yes. And heck, I sure could be wrong.... But, I don't know any other 308 LFAR barrel maker using a 1n9.73 twist.
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Yeah, when you see near identical copy paste jobs in a product description there's usually a reason for it.
I am considering the JP 18in 6.5 Grendel as my first Grendel.
Anyone have a comparison to other barrels?
Anyone have a comparison to other barrels?
My JP is an absolute hammer. I shoot it in PRS matches, and it’s not the gun holding my score down.
My RTR 18" was delivered today. I probably will get around to installing it tomorrow or Saturday. I typically will use a cratex cone on a few places in the barrel extension so the rifle is nicer to the brass and I also shim the barrel into the upper. I will bore scope the RTR for the hell of it (just to irritate myself I suppose).
I've been playing with the Grendel since 2009-2010 so I understand it's general likes and dislikes. I've found it to not be picky assuming a good barrel and not trying to turn it into a 6.5×47. Good components and a warm load usually give good results.
The RTR is replacing a Rainier Arms Ultra Match 16" that I gave to my son to hunt with. I'm rolling the dice on the Rock Creek barrel but I'm not really concerned either way. The UM barrel is a solid 1" barrel @ 100 yards for 5 shots with Hornady 123SST factory ammo. More than good for his needs. I was a little surprised by how well the Hornady ammo shot. With the exception of some AA factory ammo in 2009-2010 I've never shot any factory ammo in Grendels
I've been playing with the Grendel since 2009-2010 so I understand it's general likes and dislikes. I've found it to not be picky assuming a good barrel and not trying to turn it into a 6.5×47. Good components and a warm load usually give good results.
The RTR is replacing a Rainier Arms Ultra Match 16" that I gave to my son to hunt with. I'm rolling the dice on the Rock Creek barrel but I'm not really concerned either way. The UM barrel is a solid 1" barrel @ 100 yards for 5 shots with Hornady 123SST factory ammo. More than good for his needs. I was a little surprised by how well the Hornady ammo shot. With the exception of some AA factory ammo in 2009-2010 I've never shot any factory ammo in Grendels
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I've had pretty good luck with Hornady Black and the 123 ELDM Bullets. I've had a ammo lots that held 5 FPS SD and like 15 ES on my 20" barrel.
For hunting deer and hogs, I like the Barnes 115 TAC TX ammo. It makes two holes with a meat tunnel connecting them...
I didn't pack the Xero the day I had my son zero his new upper with the Rainier UM barrel so I don't know the numbers. The target seemed to enjoy the Hornady 123SST ammo though. I have many hundreds of Lapua and AA 6.5 Grendel brass but my son won't get any of that because he never police's his brass. When he pulls the trigger, and I'm not there, that brass is gone forever.
I did buy 3 boxes of the Hornady 108 6mm ARC ammo when I started with the ARC (for the brass). The sd numbers were in the 15 fps range but it too shot very well. FWIW, I have never even used the brass as my order of Starline 6mm ARC came in around the same time. I'm not a huge fan of Hornady brass when I can get either Starline or can convert Lapua.
I did buy 3 boxes of the Hornady 108 6mm ARC ammo when I started with the ARC (for the brass). The sd numbers were in the 15 fps range but it too shot very well. FWIW, I have never even used the brass as my order of Starline 6mm ARC came in around the same time. I'm not a huge fan of Hornady brass when I can get either Starline or can convert Lapua.
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I would like to say that might work, but he would just forget it. Youngish adult male with other things on his mind and living on his own. He mainly hunts so a piece or two at a time is lost. That is why I load his ammo with Hornady brass...
I bought the Lilja 6.5 Grendel from Six Sigma. So far not too happy. Nothing against Six Sigma. Posted about it here: https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...ith-lilja-barrel-wont-shoot-straight.7235500/
I've tried calling Six Sigma multiple times, left multiple messages, tried emailing and I've gotten zero response from them. I will absolutely never do business with a place that can't return a phone call or email.
I installed an 18” RTR barrel last weekend in an Aero enhanced upper for my daughter’s hunting rifle. I didn’t have to heat the upper but it was as tight as could be before requiring heat. I tried 3 different factory loads. Aac 123 gr tipped, Hornady 100gr vmatch, and Hornady Black 123 eldm. Both the aac and vmatch shot 1-1.5 moa 5 round groups. It liked the 123 elds and over 4, 5 round groups averaged .8 moa. The barrel was gassed to run perfectly with an H buffer unsuppressed. No malfunctions over the first 60 rounds. Finish quality and accuracy/precision was on par with the Rainier Match barrel I have. So far, I haven’t gotten another barrel that shoots as many factory loads as well as my old ARP barrel.
I’ve never had feeding issues with any of my Grendels, I didn’t see a benefit in the larger feed ramps in the RTR.
While I’m sure there’s more precision to be found in a tuned hand load, I call it a win when I get a barrel that’ll shoot easily sourced factory ammo at or under moa.
I’ve never had feeding issues with any of my Grendels, I didn’t see a benefit in the larger feed ramps in the RTR.
While I’m sure there’s more precision to be found in a tuned hand load, I call it a win when I get a barrel that’ll shoot easily sourced factory ammo at or under moa.
I know it's not on the top of anyone's list but I built my 6.5 Grendel with an 18 fluted Odin Works barrel and consistently shoots moa or better at 100 yards and didn't break the bank either.
What is the shortest barrel length and bullet weight that will get me out to 1000yds with the Grendel?
Well there’s more variables than just that. Need to know your bullet weight and BC and speed and plug it into a calculator. Then start chopping barrel length off, which will lose about 25-30fps/ inch. See when it goes transonic. If you shoot a 123 grain and get around 2450fps at the muzzle you should stay super sonic to around 1000 fps and I can get that speed out of my 14.5” barrel
Well lets start off by saying 1100 fps is generally used as the supersonic reference for bullets.
I am very familiar with ballistic calculators (as I do own a couple) and according to a quick calulation your 123g from a 14.5 will stay super till around 850 yds.
I am not trying to build a dope table but trying to get a general idea of what length barrel and bullet weight will get me reliably to 1000 yds.
Are you fucking kidding me about chopping a barrel. So, yeah. I am gonna buy a Bartlien barrel and have someone chop it before I get down to the minimum velocity I am looking for.
I am doing this thing called research and asking around from other Grendel users what kind of velocities they are getting from their (various lengths) barrels. I have seen some various data elsewhere but believe it to be fraudulent, cause nobody ever lies on the interwebz.
lol I didn’t literally mean to chop the barrel. Figuratively in a calculator cut some inches off until you get the number your looking for.
Your first post didn’t have much to it so I assumed you didn’t quite know what you were looking for. But since you seem to know, I’ll just give you some of my data and you can use it as you see fit. 14.5” barrel, 5R, gas gun, 2461fps avg muzzle velocity, 123grain hornady SST.
You obviously didn’t realize he was very familiar with ballistic calculators and that he’s doing a thing called research!!!
Of course, by “research” he means asking a question that could have easily been looked up by using the search function both here and the 65grendel forums.
Hopefully he forgives you.
I'm recommending Rexus Outfitter's (aka SixFive Outfitters) 6.5 Grendel barrel and bolt. That combo is $300ish, shoots very well, especially for hunting. They're non heavy variants are slightly heavier than you wanted at 29 oz. Unfortunately with the weird Nitride shortage in the industry, they dont have many Grendel barrels in stock.
For Utah, you won’t find any places to shoot much below 4400ft elevation, so you can go shorter than you might think. Supersonic speed is slower up here as well.
I’m working with an 8.5” Grendel now that will be tested out to 1k with 123gr Fort Scott TUI. My main focus is with some custom projectiles I had made though that will be eye-openers.
G7 data is showing the 123gr TUI at well over supersonic past 1000yds from the 8.5”, as long as it does 2100fps.
Precision Firearms 123gr SMK factory ammo did 2100fps from their 8.5” test.
12” has no problem getting there right now with 123gr ELD-M and 100gr ELD-VT at 6300ft elevation.
I have my name in the hat for a criterion 18' but that has been months and who knows when it will become available again. Have been eyeing a 20' SAM-R profile but it is a Bartlien and not sure if I want to drop that coin on my first Grendel barrel.
Some are saying a 24' is what I want but I am seeing info all over the map as far as length go.
If more off the shelf ammo was available for the 6 ARC, I would consider that.
Need to stay super at 1000yds at 1000' pressure altitude.
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20”+ will be plenty good for 1000ft elevation at 59˚ with the right bullets, namely 100gr ELD-VT, 107gr SMK, 123gr SMK, 123gr Scenar, 123gr TUI, 130gr VLD.
My 8yr-old went 5/6 with 100gr ELD-VT from my 17.6” Lilja at 1000yds his first time ever shooting 1k. I had it dialed-in and told him where to hold for windage. That was at 6300ft in pretty cold conditions.
My 8yr-old went 5/6 with 100gr ELD-VT from my 17.6” Lilja at 1000yds his first time ever shooting 1k. I had it dialed-in and told him where to hold for windage. That was at 6300ft in pretty cold conditions.
Since you were talking about length figured I’d throw some recent data I collected. Put a 20” Aero barrel I had in an upper and shot the same hand loads through it as I shot through my 14.5” barrel. I only gained 80fps. Only 80fps for 5.5” longer barrel. Either the load is more developed for a shorter barrel, this Aero barrel is slow(different manufacturer/twist/rifling), or the cartridge just inherently doesn’t need a very long barrel. Also my hand loads are fairly spicy, well above max load data.
Needless to say I was very disappointed. I been really wanting to get a custom 6mm ARC and jump on that bandwagon and this might be my excuse to do it now. Also I wasn’t impressed with the accuracy of the Aero barrel across three different loads.
Now the question is what length barrel on a 6mm arc???
Needless to say I was very disappointed. I been really wanting to get a custom 6mm ARC and jump on that bandwagon and this might be my excuse to do it now. Also I wasn’t impressed with the accuracy of the Aero barrel across three different loads.
Now the question is what length barrel on a 6mm arc???
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I would say a combination of those three factors in bold. The 6.5G definitely is not only one of the more efficient cartridges around (a reason why we see variant calibers catching on so much), but it also does much better in shorter barrels than most of the cartridges that need a large frame AR.
I've had two Aero/BA barrels. One had to go back due to poor consistency (accuracy), while the replacement has done just fine.
Best of luck to you should you decide on a 6 ARC.
Tell us more about what handload, speed, bullet, powder, etc. you were using.
The thing for me is being able to hear and see when I hit steel.
I want 175gr SMK impact effects, without coming off-target.
So 123gr in 6.5mm have done the best in that regard so far.
123gr TUI shows the most promise in the BC department, at .587 G1. The projectile shape on 123gr TUI seems to support a much higher BC than even the 123gr SMK and 123gr Scenar (.522 & .527). I’m looking more at Litz BCs than manufacturer-supplied BC values, which are all over the place up or down.
For affordable flat TGT ammo that also doubles as a varmint-slayer, I like the Hornady 100gr ELD-VT 6.5 Grendel. It’s very flat, fast, and easy to connect with from 700-1000yds from my 17.6” Lilja Grendel.
Hornady brass, 123 grain hornady SST, 29.5 grain TAC. 2540fps out the 20” and 2460fps out the 14.5. Short barrel is 1-7.5t, 5R rifle, aero is 1-8t, with standard 6 groove I think.
I have some 100 grain ELD-VTs I’m gonna load and try out of the 20” just to see how it does.
I have some 100 grain ELD-VTs I’m gonna load and try out of the 20” just to see how it does.
That’s right about where you should be with the upper end of TAC.
You can be into 6mm BC territory with the 123gr SMK, 123gr Scenar, and 123gr Fort Scott TUI.
So sounds like I need to try working up a load with some different powders then. I should do my due diligence and give this barrel a shot by doing so serious load development on it before I call it quits. I’ll post back later with what I can figure out.
