Caliber Conundrum

[Srikaleak]

So I've built an SBR in 6.5 Grendel. My initial thoughts were that the caliber offered a great do all platform. Great ballistics for "long range", great energy for hunting.

The only downside comes from the price per round. I do want to run common carbine drills and classes with the rifle and that's where the value of .223 comes into play. I'm coming to the harsh realization that I cannot afford to run my current SBR for that kind of training.

Options I'm contemplating
1. Build a dedicated .223 upper
2. Buy a dedicated .223 upper
3. Swap out barrel to .223 and dump my 6.5 Grendel barrel and bolt

I'm heavily considering option 3 because if I build it'll be with all JP parts, if I buy it'll probably be a Daniel defense upper. Both of these are expensive options.

So my questions to you are:
1. Are there other options out there?
2. Do you have recommendations for the options mentioned?
3. What are the ballistic capabilities of .223 out of 12.5in barrel? I want the SBR to be amazing out to 500yds and in.

Note: I've got an AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor that I can use for hunting so I'll still have the option, just with a more cumbersome rifle. I will not consider buying another rifle because I'm trying to keep my collection of firearms as small as possible.

 

[The DFC]

I would do option 1 or 2. Seems like you have a good use for the Grendel round-lightweight small hunting rifle to complement your bigger heavier 6.5cm. Just my 2cents.

BTW I used to have all kinds of pistol and to a lesser extent rifle calibers-now down to a few. Much easier to acquire ammo thataway.

 

[Centuriator]

What do you intend to shoot at 500 yards and what kind of optic are you going to use to do that effectively? I'm having a hard time seeing how you are going to much enjoy a SBR if you have to slap a lot of weight on to it to reach 500 accurately.

 

[Srikaleak]

My SBR is mostly a JP build. The scope mounted onto it is a NF NX8. I intend to shoot steel, paper, and varmints (hogs, coyotes, prairie dogs) with it. I'd like to err on the side of ethical kills so it may end up as a non-hunting gun if I go option 3.

 

[aslrookie]

You said you want to run common carbine drills and classes, can you explain what type of drills and classes? Unless it’s an intermediate distance carbine course, you won’t be shooting out to 500yds. It will be sub 200 and probably even sub 100 for most carbine courses.

Will you be swapping the NF between uppers or using a separate optic if you kept the grendel?

I think if you’re going to spend more time shooting drills/classes than hunting with the grendel, sell it and use the 6.5cm for everything else.

5.56 12.5” upper with the NF on it would be a solid option.

 

[Srikaleak]

Positional drills, shot timer drills and the like. There are a lot of resources I've been picking through online on how to run/train with a carbine rifle.

I'm leaning towards just using the 6.5CM for hunting duties and moving the carbine to the .223 wylde chamber. And yes, I did plan on moving the NF between two uppers had I gone option 1 or 2.

 

[308pirate]

My SBR is mostly a JP build. The scope mounted onto it is a NF NX8. I intend to shoot steel, paper, and varmints (hogs, coyotes, prairie dogs) with it. I'd like to err on the side of ethical kills so it may end up as a non-hunting gun if I go option 3.
View attachment 7007684

Is that photo severely distorted or WTF is that stock and why is it so small.

Lose the bipod and learn how to shoot prone without one.

 

[308pirate]

" I want the SBR to be amazing out to 500yds and in. "

Dude. Seriously?

That's neither an unreasonable nor new expectation of a carbine with a barrel less than 16". Just depends how much less.

 

[Baron85]

I would build a cheapish 223 upper and keep the Grendel upper. If your running shorter distance drills, most likely precision will be or less concern. No need to drop big money on jp parts. Buy a decent barrel but don’t drop JP money on it. Then keep the Grendel for the precision work.

 

[Srikaleak]

Is that photo severely distorted or WTF is that stock and why is it so small.

Lose the bipod and learn how to shoot prone without one.

LMT PDW stock. It's the midget version of the Sopmod stock. Bipod is on there because it's a spare one I had lying around.

 

[308pirate]

LMT PDW stock. It's the midget version of the Sopmod stock.

Never seen anything like it......

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

I'd just get an upper vice and swap barrels and bolt if it were me. Downside is having to rezero optics every single time you do it, but upside is you save on buying the rest of the upper. I don't know much about 6.5G to 556 uppers on the same lower, sometimes if you're running a bunch of shit like an adjustable block, suppressor, and UL/adjustable BCG then you might have to screw around with the buffer system anyways.

 

[MK20]

Go on PSA and get a 223 upper and a holosun red dot for about 4-5 hundred bucks.

 

[mkollman74]

Just buy 5.56 upper and have fun...

 

[BANG...ping]

What are you paying per round for the Grendel? And what 223 ammo do you plan to use for 500 yards? Good 223 ammo is expensive too.

Bang

 

[Velocity Chad]

You can get wolf 6.5 grendel for under $.25 a round and it shoots every bit as good as m193, and more than sufficient for carbine courses. I would have a hard time dumping a bunch of steel through a JP barrel myself though. I bought 1000rds for a rainy day, but only shot a couple boxes myself because I cant bring myself to dump a bunch down my good barrels.

 

[MtnCreek]

Buy or build a decent 223 upper and put a t2 or h2 rds on it.

If you want really cheap trigger time, sw 15-22 can be had for around $300.

 

[Srikaleak]

Good points and good suggestions. I never considered the quality of ammo required for precision at 500 yards out of an SBR.
A plinking upper might be the way to go for the trigger time. Maybe get some iron sights and practice with that.

 

[aslrookie]

I just don’t see the point in having a 6.5g as an SBR when you have a 6.5cm. Just sell the 6.5 barrel and get a 223 barrel and call it good.

 

[BANG...ping]

Buy as much ammo as you can possibly afford. Then buy a gun.

Bang

 

[308pirate]

@308pirate How did I guess?

Yeah it seems every noob wants to be super sniper and shit right off the gate.

I know this will never happen but sometimes I wish there was a way to force shooters to spend 2 - 3 seasons shooting NRA/CMP service rifle before buying all the snipery shit. Knowledge from that transfer to this a lot more than many think, particularly now that you can use LPVOs on service rifles. I had to use irons.

 

[Srikaleak]

Well just got back from the range. Major update on decision making based on what I saw. Update will come after Chiefs vs Patriots game.

 

[aslrookie]

Yeah it seems every noob wants to be super sniper and shit right off the gate.

I know this will never happen but sometimes I wish there was a way to force shooters to spend 2 - 3 seasons shooting NRA/CMP service rifle before buying all the snipery shit. Knowledge from that transfer to this a lot more than many think, particularly now that you can use LPVOs on service rifles. I had to use irons.

Some people don’t care to build a solid foundation. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone wants to compete.

 

[308pirate]

Some people don’t care to build a solid foundation. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone wants to compete.

First, it was a hypothetical in case you missed the obvious disclaimer

Second, it's not about competition it's about skill and knowledge

Third, I realize some people don't care that they are incompetent. That's a big reason why I don't bother helping people learn how to shoot any more. I've had my time wasted enough.

 

[Srikaleak]

@308pirate well I hope you'll have the patience to bestow your knowledge upon me. I'm new and know I'm incompetent (for now) but I'm eager to learn.

 

[308pirate]

@308pirate well I hope you'll have the patience to bestow your knowledge upon me. I'm new and know I'm incompetent (for now) but I'm eager to learn.

At your service......

 

[Srikaleak]

All right well the range trip was a lot of fun. But there was one huge hiccup when trying to run the 6.5 Grendel AR. Using 24rd Elander mags, I had FTFs until I had roughly ten rounds in the magazine. Then the magazine ran great. This was frustrating. I don't know if there is a break-in period for magazines but I doubt it. I could tinker with it but honestly, I just need something that works. Also the recoil is stout when standing and kneeling and I could train through it but again, ammo is expensive.
Taking @308pirate, @aslrookie, and @reubenski advice to heart I'll probably transition the SBR to the .223 Wylde chamber. I was trying to do too many things with the platform so I need to be more honest and realistic with what I intend to do with it. I do still intend to take it to distance but minute of 66% IPSC is all I will ask.
But boy howdy, the 6.5 Grendel report when hitting steel was so satisfying.

@Velocity Chad The reason I won't use 6.5 Grendel steel cased wolf ammo is my smith will not warranty the barrel with that ammo.

 

[aslrookie]

Good choice. Have fun with your training.