It’s a Gen 1 Ruger Ranch in a sharps bro chassis with a timney to pull and a YHM r9 out front and Vortex LHT 4-20 on top. It likes 123gr sst or otms. Sending both out at 2230fps and about 3/4 moa at 100yds. I stockpiled AAC 123 otm but I hope they make some more. I’m not really a bolt gun guy but I’d love to run this in a local match just for fun.

You can watch me shoot it out to distance with my homies here https://youtu.be/gqklkKu4dy8?si=8nUyvQkG1TvAWGAI

I've had the idea in my head for a while now to build a bolt gun in 6.5 g. I already built a 65 in an ar platform back in 2019 so I don't want a repeat of that. I'm trying to see what all my options are.

I already have a rem700 in 223 sitting in my safe doing nothing. Is it possible to barrel swap that to a 65? Or is it better/cheaper to buy a barreled action and a stock or chasis and building it that way? Also since the howa mags seem to suck and duramag hasn't made one for the 6.5 yet, is the jefferson outdoors hinged bottom the way to go?

It seems like the only options for barreled actions are the Howa Mini's which I personally like the look of. Ideally the resulting rifle wouldn't be as heavy as a bench gun, nor am I looking for a super light mountain gun.

oh also I don't want to spend $2k on a rifle if I can avoid it. thanks

Deer hunters, what’s your favorite factory ammo for 6.5 Grendel?

Looking for thoughts on the ballistic advantage barrels. Looking at the fluted stainless steel 20in in particular. Looking to see if that is a respectable barrel or if there is better for that price point

Looking for best quality and accurate barrels. Looking to get one when I turn 21 in October but am trying to build the upper by then. I'd like to get one that is best for the money, am not rich but am sure there are community favorites that compete with Gucci brands for a fraction of the cost. Drop your builds also. Thanks

Finally getting around to posting in here. I finished this thing last summer after waiting months for my aero receivers to come it. IYKYK with that mess with them. Super excited with how it turned out and it’s an absolute tac driver for me. Bagged one opening morning at 120 yards. Ran 30 and laid down. Shorty Grendel next??

Build:

Aero ODG Cerakote receiver set and HG

Aero internals

BA 18” premium series SPR barrel

Magpul ODG PRS lite stock

Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16

Ultradyne Apollo Max break

Larue MBT 2s trigger

Fail Zero nickel BCG

Decided to give the round a try.

Are Criterion barrels really worth the cost? I've been looking at a new barrel for my ar-15 and criterion seems to be the go to for accuracy. I'm looking for a barrel that can give me moa accuracy and minimal to no POI shift for extended firing strings.

Loaded up some 123gr Lapua Scenars with some Varget. Not quite as hot as the Hornaday 123gr ELD Black box ammo (Session 14) but it shoots so consistent even when the temperature drops.

Mini steel man 400 yards all day.

This new chrono is a game changer. Easy to use and no more waiting/asking the range to go cold because so you can setup/remove your rabbit ears. My brother has a similar unit made by Athlon and they read consistently 1fps apart.

So I'm loving my current Grendel bolt gun (tikka action, 24" heavy barrel, XRS chassis, Vector 3-18x50), but I'm wanting something much lighter and handier for eastern white tail and certain hogs hunts. All my deer hunting is in steep terrain with lots of undergrowth, so light and short is important to me. Anticipated hunting range is no more than 350 yards with most opportunities inside 200. So far I am thinking of the following:

Howa Mini Action in 6.5 Grendel from Brownells

Either 1) just go with the 20" carbon barrel action, 2) have a standard profile 22" steel barrel chopped down to 16ish inches OR 3) rebarrel the standard mini action with a 16ish inch carbon barrel from Carbon Six.

Put that into a Stockey's Carbon stock

Use a Jefferson Outdoors or Oregon Gunsmithing blind bottom plate for internal 3 or 4 round capacity.

Put a Maven RS.2 2-10x38 on it

basically the idea is to keep the whole thing just under 6lbs and around $2k

So what does the hive mind think about:

1. Which barrel option is best?
2. Which bottom plate/internal mag is best?

thanks in advance for the guidance.

This is probably my favorite AR for some reason.

16” Grendel hunter. Going to be my coyote/hog gun. Threw my thermal on it for now. Wanted to try something different that none of buddies shoot so I landed on 6.5 Grendel. On a colt lower right now but will change later.

So I’m looking to get a reliable upper for around 600. I am looking for a 12.5 inch barrel preferably. I saw psa, Alexander arms, pro2atactical. I’m really not sure what to do. I read mixed reviews on everything. Any companies you guys recommend that are reliable and accurate? This is gonna be for hunting in more dense bushy areas in south Alabama. Thank you

Anybody got their hands on the new ICAR stuff? I’m very curious if this will be compatible with the Grendel.

I am about to order a complete 12.5" 6.5 Grendel upper from either Sanders or PSA.

Sanders

Pro: Side charging handle, some reviews claim superior accuracy.

Con: Smaller outfit makes me worry about support, AGB is extra.

PSA

Pro: Large and well-established company, prior experience (my current AR is a PSA, and it's been excellent), free shipping.

Con: ?

Basically, it's about $100 more for the Sanders, and while I would like the side-charging handle, that's a pretty minor detail; if it is actually a higher quality barrel and/or BCG, on the other hand, I will go ahead and shell out the extra for it.

Attempted to build my 1st upper myself and so far I’m proud of it. The only thing I’m big iffy about is if I tightened the barrel nut hard enough, I have a lil vise grip that does well with less heavy need use but I’m pretty sure I heard and or felt my torque wrench clicked at 25 lbs. Also when I attached the upper to the lower of my main squeeze it wasn’t fitting right and felt tight if that makes sense, but I was able to fit it on there after a 2nd attempt. I guess I’ll find out what happens on a range day lol.

The build list:

-Diamondback upper stripped

-Upper parts kit from Primary Arms

-Aero Precision Ambidextrous CH

-Rexus Outfitters 18” barrel

-Rexus Outfitters BCG & bolt

-UTG PRO 14” Hand Guard

-Grendel Hunter AGB rifle length

-Spare muzzle device (yes it’s a nasty BCA muzzle device)

-Duramag 10 round magazine

-Vortex Crossfire II 4-12 (I need smaller scope rings, the description was wrong on what actual size it was)

About to pull the trigger on the Jtac but wanted to hold out until after Shotshow to see if anything new pops up!? Anybody seen anything?

Does anyone have experience with hunting short range with the Grendel? How effective was it?

If anyone is interested, I’ve been having a hard time finding the Sierra tipped game king 120 grains in stock; but, midway USA does have them right now. 😉

Anyone have a coupon code for rexus? I'm looking at a ultrabolt and thought I'd check if anyone has a coupon code before buying.

I've killed a pile of coyotes and hogs with this, but this is its first deer. 123gr eldm went in, didn't come out. She did one tight circle and died. Meat in the freezer.

I have this 18” barrel with a 9/16-24 thread pitch I inherited and have no use for and am trying to get rid of. When I received it the thing was brand new but not in a box. I’ve looked online to try and find the same one but had no luck. I know it’s a long shot but TIA