6.5 Grendel Upper Recommendations - Build or Buy?

[PhOnEpHrEaK]

it sits just over 7 pounds, I'll get an exact weight tomorrow on a digital scale.

 

[SMTGWKD]

it sits just over 7 pounds, I'll get an exact weight tomorrow on a digital scale.

Thanks again! If you can, let us know how much just the upper weighs and what specific components you have installed.

 

[PhOnEpHrEaK]

Thanks again! If you can, let us know how much just the upper weighs and what specific components you have installed.

Aero Precision Gen 2 lower
Aero Precision Gen 2 ehanced upper
Aero Precision Gen 2 ehanced hand guard mlok
Faxon 20" Heavy fluted match barrel
Odin Works Grendel II BCG
BCM charging handle
BCM buffer tube
Area 419 Hellfire muzzle brake
JBO adjustable gas block
Spikes Tactical rifle length gas tube
Spikes Tactical enhanced lower parts kit
Velocity 3 lb trigger
Magpul PRS gen 3

I think that's everything.

 

[SMTGWKD]

Aero Precision Gen 2 lower
Aero Precision Gen 2 ehanced upper
Aero Precision Gen 2 ehanced hand guard mlok
Faxon 20" Heavy fluted match barrel
Odin Works Grendel II BCG
BCM charging handle
BCM buffer tube
Area 419 Hellfire muzzle brake
JBO adjustable gas block
Spikes Tactical rifle length gas tube
Spikes Tactical enhanced lower parts kit
Velocity 3 lb trigger
Magpul PRS gen 3

I think that's everything.

Thanks again! Did you happen to weigh just the upper?

 

[PhOnEpHrEaK]

8.1 for full rifle. 4.6 for the upper.

 

[PhOnEpHrEaK]

I was running low on light by the time I got to shoot and got the gas block adjusted, these were the only groups I could get before I couldn't see the cross hair. The POI shift is me adjusting elevation.

 

[SMTGWKD]

I was running low on light by the time I got to shoot and got the gas block adjusted, these were the only groups I could get before I couldn't see the cross hair. The POI shift is me adjusting elevation.

Thanks again - is that two, 3-shot groups?

Also, is the 4.6 lbs of the upper without optics?

 

[PhOnEpHrEaK]

Thanks again - is that two, 3-shot groups?

Also, is the 4.6 lbs of the upper without optics?

Yes that is two three shot groups, in lighting where I could barely see the crosshairs. The high round was my initial shot at 100, when zeroing, over-adjusted, fired three, then came up and fired 3 more.

Yes 4.6 without optics. If you go with the 18", and a lighter brake you could probably get it down closer to 4 lbs.

I'm certain it will shoot better than I represented it. But sub moa isn't a bad place to start.

 

[SMTGWKD]

Yes that is two three shot groups, in lighting where I could barely see the crosshairs. The high round was my initial shot at 100, when zeroing, over-adjusted, fired three, then came up and fired 3 more.

Yes 4.6 without optics. If you go with the 18", and a lighter brake you could probably get it down closer to 4 lbs.

I'm certain it will shoot better than I represented it. But sub moa isn't a bad place to start.

Love it! Thank you again. I assume this was with 123 Hornady Match

 

[PhOnEpHrEaK]

Yes. 123 eld black

 

[longshot2000]

Take a look at LaRue. He is running a special right now. I just ordered a complete upper for under $1,000 in 6.5 Grendel. Never had a Grendel before.

 

[SMTGWKD]

Take a look at LaRue. He is running a special right now. I just ordered a complete upper for under $1,000 in 6.5 Grendel. Never had a Grendel before.

You'll notice above that we've bantered a bit on this. My biggest drawback is the weight of the upper itself...would need to find just how much weight can be saved by switching the handguard, etc.

 

[PhOnEpHrEaK]

Love it! Thank you again. I assume this was with 123 Hornady Match

Got a chance to run this thing with a labradar. 123 ELD Hornady Black runs at 2,545 fps average over 15 shots. Also took it out to 700 yards on MOA sized steel targets. a little more elevation, and wind drift than I expected, but once I learned the how it shot it was not too difficult. Unfortunately I have a problem of wanting to shoot fast with a gas gun.

 

[SMTGWKD]

Anyone has experience with the complete uppers from www.grendelhunter.com? They are using Satern barrels and what appear to be quality components at a great value, but the only real accuracy review I could find wad on YouTube and wasn't good at all - even after they replaced the barrel...

 

[Rockfish Dave]

Built a similar gun. Hammers. I chose to put the weight where it counts, the barrel.

Parts list:

Carbine Buffer tube
JP Silent Capture Buffer Spring - JPSCS2-15H2
JP LMOS™ Carrier Group with 6.5G JP EnhancedBolt™
VTLOR stock
Raptor Charging handle
SLR HELIX 15" MLOK Handguard
SLR Sentry 7 Clamp On Adjustable Gas Block - Titanium
SLR Black Nitrite Mid Length Gas Tube
Satern 18" Medium Profile Cut 5R 1:8.75 twist
Rugged Suppressors 5/8x24tpi flash hider
Battle Arms Dev. (BAD) BAD556-LW Lightweight 7075-T6 Billet Receiver Set
BAD Titanium take down pins
BAD BAD-CASS-SA Combat Ambi Safety Selector
BAD BAD-EMR Enhanced Magazine Release - Anodized BLACK
BAD Titanium grip screw
Norgon Ambi Catch
Gissele SSA-E Trigger
SWFA 1-6x24
ADM QD 0 MOA mount
(To be replaced with a SWFA SS 5-20x50MM scope and AADMOUNT 20 MOA mount)

Weight: 5.96 pounds without stock. (Now wears a minimalist stock).

Shooting it was ranging around 1/2 MOA. I was using a SWFA 1-6 scope but now it wears a thermal full time .

Those that were there were surprsed at the amount of energy transferred to the steel for such a small cartridge, as well as the lack of felt recoil (I attribute that to the SLR adjustable gas block and heavy buffer).

Special consideration(s):
1) Bedded with Loctite 234772 Green 620 High Temperature Retaining Compound, 10 mL Bottle, with release agent applied to extension
2) Upper face trued using Brownells truing tool and valve lapping compound.

 

[blbennett1288]

I am really considering the Ballistic Advantage 16” BA Hanson since it is 27.1oz. I have also been looking at the Christensen Arms CA-15 in 18” since it is 30oz. Will I really be giving up anything significant in velocity and accuracy if I go the 16” route? Figure the 16 would be about 20fps slower and both offer 1moa guarantees

Long story short I need a light rifle and my match gun is too heavy, 15lbs, and my .223 doesn’t meet the requirements. I have looked at going with carbon fiber stock and barrel but that only shaves 4lbs, I really want to be in the 8-9 range. Hence why I am looking at 6.5 Grendel’s.

 

[SMTGWKD]

I am really considering the Ballistic Advantage 16” BA Hanson since it is 27.1oz. I have also been looking at the Christensen Arms CA-15 in 18” since it is 30oz. Will I really be giving up anything significant in velocity and accuracy if I go the 16” route? Figure the 16 would be about 20fps slower and both offer 1moa guarantees

Long story short I need a light rifle and my match gun is too heavy, 15lbs, and my .223 doesn’t meet the requirements. I have looked at going with carbon fiber stock and barrel but that only shaves 4lbs, I really want to be in the 8-9 range. Hence why I am looking at 6.5 Grendel’s.

Exactly why I'm building one - here's my budget list:

Aero Builder Kit - Northern Lights Cerakote (with CTR and MOE)
16" Faxon Big Gunner Match 6.5 Grendel Barrel
Odin Works complete BCG
SLR Sentry 7 Gas Block
PWS Enhanced Buffer and ratchet system
Silencerco Muzzle Brake
Geissele SSA Trigger

Haven't decided on a lower parts kit - probably CMMG or Strike Enhanced

What 17 round magazine does everyone recommend?

 

[blbennett1288]

Exactly why I'm building one - here's my budget list:

Haven't decided on a lower parts kit - probably CMMG or Strike Enhanced

What 17 round magazine does everyone recommend?

I built a 300BLK SBR and used a BCM lower parts kit and I was really impressed. Since you already have a trigger and grip picked out it might not be the best fit but I attached the link anyway.

From my reading it it looks like E-Lander 17rd mags

 

[.30kal]

Just took delivery (finally) of the Faxon 20" heavy fluted barrel. I put it in an Aero Precision enhanced upper and it was a very tight barrel/receiver fit (needed a mallet to fully seat the barrel). The upper came out to 4lbs, 10 ozs. without scope or bipod. Very nice looking, hopefully it shoots as good as it looks (and better than my Larue 6.5). Here is my upper build list:

Aero Precision Gen 2 enhanced upper and 15" mlok handguard
Faxon 20" Heavy fluted match barrel
BCM Ion Bonded Bolt Carrier
Maxim Type-2 6.5 G Bolt
Geissele charging handle
Precision Armament Severe-Duty .30cal muzzle brake
Superlative Arms adjustable gas block
Spikes Tactical melonite rifle length gas tube

 

[K_4c]

I got a Factory JP 6.5 Grendel upper (no BCG or charging handle) for sale.

Shoots like a JP Just want to build a .224AR and don't want to tear this apart.

 

[SMTGWKD]

Just took delivery (finally) of the Faxon 20" heavy fluted barrel. I put it in an Aero Precision enhanced upper and it was a very tight barrel/receiver fit (needed a mallet to fully seat the barrel). The upper came out to 4lbs, 10 ozs. without scope or bipod. Very nice looking, hopefully it shoots as good as it looks (and better than my Larue 6.5). Here is my upper build list:

Aero Precision Gen 2 enhanced upper and 15" mlok handguard
Faxon 20" Heavy fluted match barrel
BCM Ion Bonded Bolt Carrier
Maxim Type-2 6.5 G Bolt
Geissele charging handle
Precision Armament Severe-Duty .30cal muzzle brake
Superlative Arms adjustable gas block
Spikes Tactical melonite rifle length gas tube

Let me know how it shoots as that barrel is the other one I kept looking at for distance.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Faxon and BA seem to be getting more and more popular... curious how they group and how they handle heat..

 

[blbennett1288]

I got a Factory JP 6.5 Grendel upper (no BCG or charging handle) for sale.

Shoots like a JP Just want to build a .224AR and don't want to tear this apart.

Link to PX listing?

 

[blbennett1288]

Faxon and BA seem to be getting more and more popular... curious how they group and how they handle heat..

Yeah, after some more reading on here and some of the 6.5 Forums I have decided to eliminate the Christensen Arms. I am now only considering the following 3 barrels. I’d like to get an 18” for the extra velocity but was wondering if anyone had good results with the BA 16” at distance? I have heard good things about Odin Works but they are much heavier than the Faxon or Ba

-Satern 18” Medium Deep Flute (any idea on weight or lead times?)
-Ballistic Advantage 16” BA Hanson
-Faxon 18” Match Series Heavy Flute

 

[SMTGWKD]

Yeah, after some more reading on here and some of the 6.5 Forums I have decided to eliminate the Christensen Arms. I am now only considering the following 3 barrels. I’d like to get an 18” for the extra velocity but was wondering if anyone had good results with the BA 16” at distance? I have heard good things about Odin Works but they are much heavier than the Faxon or Ba

-Satern 18” Medium Deep Flute (any idea on weight or lead times?)
-Ballistic Advantage 16” BA Hanson
-Faxon 18” Match Series Heavy Flute

You came to the exact conclusion I did. Except I ended up with the 16" Faxon Gunner mid-length. I've found the difference in velocity to be about 50 fps between a 16 and 18 and I run suppressed 100% (which will give me back a smidge of lost velocity) so the extra 2" and 8 oz less weigh made the difference for me.

We'll see how it shoots in a week or so.

 

[blbennett1288]

You came to the exact conclusion I did. Except I ended up with the 16" Faxon Gunner mid-length. I've found the difference in velocity to be about 50 fps between a 16 and 18 and I run suppressed 100% (which will give me back a smidge of lost velocity) so the extra 2" and 8 oz less weigh made the difference for me.

We'll see how it shoots in a week or so.

After much deliberation and reading I have decided to go with the JP 18" Supermatch barrel. If yall have any suggestions or feedback on the below list I am all ears. I finally had time to spec out the build this morning and I am pretty please with the results:

Item	Weight (lbs)	Weight (oz)
BCM Upper Reciever	0.60	9.60
Ballistic Advantage Nickle Boron BCG	0.70	11.20
Axts Raptor Charging Handle	0.08	1.30
JP EnhancedBolt 6.5G Assembly	-	-
BCM MCMR-15	0.72	11.50
18" 6.5 Grendel JP Supermatch	1.90	30.40
Superlative Arms Adjustable Gas Block Bleed Off -.750 Black	0.11	1.68
Gas Tube - Rifle Length	-	-
Lantac Dragon Zero Recoil Muzzle Brake - 5/8x24	0.18	2.80
BCM 3' Picatinny Rail Section, Nylon	0.10	1.60
BCMGUNFIGHTER™ MCMR-SM Quick Detachable Sling Mount	0.10	1.60
Larue Harris Bipod BRM-S and LT706 QD Swivel Mount Combo	0.84	13.40
Leupold MK6 3-18x44, TMR, M5C2	1.50	24.00
JP Standard Flat-Top 34mm Mount	0.50	8.00
MK Machining MK6 Throw Lever	-	-
Lower Reciever	2.20	35.20
Larue MBT	-	-
C-Products 6.5 Grendel 10-Round Steel Magazine	0.20	3.20
Total Weight	9.72	155.48
Total Weight w/o bipod	8.12	129.88