6.5 Grendel build (Barrel twist rate)

[Princess_Jamie]

By the end of this week, I will be purchasing the parts to assemble a 24 inch heavy barrel 6.5 Grendel upper receiver. This build will be for varmint/target shooting (<1000 Yards). I keep running into a big debate vs twist rate on 24 inch heavy barrels. 1/8 vs 1/9. My bolt 260 Remington 26in is a 1/8 but I realize they are 2 different animals but as far as selection for ammo, I only plan to shoot <130gr projectiles, (in fact, I'm really hearing good reviews on the 123gr eld). I have some left over 123gr A-max in a box from when I was load developing on my 260 but realize they are discontinued. Any thoughts on barrel twist selection for this 6.5 Grendel?

 

[4dds]

I have a Black Hole Weaponry 18” 1:9 twist. Haven’t had any problems stabilizing 130 Berger’s. Only drawback so far is only being able to get 2375fps out of them.


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[AZgeek]

I've got a 20" 1-9 (circa 2007) that I intend to replace this year. According to Berger, their 130's are best stabilized with a 1-8 twist. Going that route to be sure stabilization the 129 and greater weights is not a problem.

 

[Princess_Jamie]

I'm not planning on hot rodding it like I tried to with my 260 but maybe keep it around 2650 fps.

 

[AZgeek]

That might not be attainable with a 129/130 in a Grendel. I only shoot 123 AMAX & SST's out of the 1-9. Best I can do is 2620 with 32.0 gr of CFE223 - and that's pushing it.

 

[bobke]

Pretty sure largest percentage of either current factory or custom barrels we hear about here and over on Grendel forum run 1:8. Have JP, Lilja and Bartlein barrels that are all 1:8. Satern 24” is 1:8.75. Faster twist assures stability of heavier bullets, but perhaps 1:9 not a deal breaker. The Satern is quite accurate with proper handloads in 123gr range, and is not a ‘slow’ barrel, getting 2650 easily with 31.7 CFE and 123 Nosler CC’s.

 

[J.Boyette]

I would rethink the 24" OAL.

No real gain over a 20"
On twist rates I like the T-Box barrels, they offer a 1 / 7.5 I have found to be the best option.

 

[bobke]

.3 Mils and 1.0 Mils at 500/1000, using 2550 in 20” Bartlein and 2650 in 24” Satern. Whether that is a meaningful difference is up to shooter. For most purposes, Grendel at 1k, while viable, isn’t necessarily the best tool for the job.

 

[Princess_Jamie]

Speaking of Satern, that's who I'm leaning towards for my barrel for this build.

 

[JS624]

Satern
tbox
bartelin
proof
lilja
jp

 

[bigjake83]

Speaking of Satern, that's who I'm leaning towards for my barrel for this build.

Satern Barrels have an extremely long and unpredictable wait times, and if you're thinking of the ones Brownells sells, they are not the same as others are taking about.

Get a Bartlein or Krieger barrel and have someone like Lee Wells Spin it up for you.

 

[Princess_Jamie]

My 260 had a mcgowen precision and I was very pleased with it.

 

[FCS]

I'd go 8 twist at minimum, 7.5 twist wouldn't hurt you any.
24" barrel, I'd be going at least +2" gas system to maximize performance while minimizing abuse cases take.
If you are going to run 123 Amax / 123 ELD or similar bullet with longer ogive profile, you'll want the Grendel II / 264 LBC chamber, not an original Grendel dimension chamber.
Ring Craddock Precision, have them chamber up a barrel for you with port in proper place and size.
You will get more velocity with ball powders but I've never gotten the consistency with ball powders across larger temp swings, accuracy at distance, etc. that I can get with single base extruded powders. Single base extruded powders are slower though, roughly 100-125 fps slower then you can get with double base powders.

 

[Danco411]

I took my 12.5" Ballistic Advantage barreled SBR out to 1000 using the 123 ELD-M at only 2350. It took some work but I did it. I have assembled many 6.5 Grendels with a bunch of barrels. IMHO the Odin Works 20" with the matching BCG, adjustable gas block/tube in intermediate length is the best bang for the buck. It is a sub MOA shooter and I am getting 2650 out of the 123 ELD with 32g of CFE. You can get the whole shebang for the same prices as the Lilja barrel alone. Odin Works is the new king of Grendel.

 

[Birddog6424]

I took my 12.5" Ballistic Advantage barreled SBR out to 1000 using the 123 ELD-M at only 2350. It took some work but I did it. I have assembled many 6.5 Grendels with a bunch of barrels. IMHO the Odin Works 20" with the matching BCG, adjustable gas block/tube in intermediate length is the best bang for the buck. It is a sub MOA shooter and I am getting 2650 out of the 123 ELD with 32g of CFE. You can get the whole shebang for the same prices as the Lilja barrel alone. Odin Works is the new king of Grendel.

^^ I second this. I have the Odin Works upper in 20", 1/8" twist, with the 02 Lite handguard. I get 2570fps using the 123gr SST from Hornady, and it's been crazy accurate. I went with Odin on this because my two 18" AR15 barrels on my 3 Gun rifles have been very accurate. And I'm glad I did. I've shot some great half inch groups at 100 yards, and more importantly, I've shot some damn tight groups from 500 to 700 yards.

Odin is making a great Grendel upper fellas. Great AR components all the way around. My Grendel has quickly become one of my favorite rifles.

 

[308pirate]

1 in 8. Stop overthinking this