Experiences with 6.5 Grendel AR-15s?

[Kirk Freeman]

Love the Grendel. I reload for mine the Hornady black groups like buckshot for some reason. My rifle doesn't like the 120 gr bullets. 130 it shoots and 95-108 shoot good.

My next rifle is going to be a bolt gun in 6.5 grendel.

Yes, the 6.5 Grendel is a great cartridge, she has a Howa 1500 in the 6.5 Grendel, but I am talking AR platforms.

Do you have an AR in the caliber? If so, what is it and what is your experience.

 

[randyb]

I have a grendel and shot it a bit. Not enough to be completely happy with it and would hunt deer in a heartbeat with the platform. Having said that , I have become very fond of the .350 legend and its easier to find around here and the deer I shot last year fell immediately. I have never dropped a deer that quick before. Sorry got off topic. The nice thing about the AR platform 5.56, 6mm, 6.5, 6.8, 300. 350, 458. are all options to put into use.

 

[roscott]

Please tell me about your firearm there, ros.

BTW, gorgeous animal.

Thanks! That little gun has put down a bunch of animals over the years.

Aero Precision upper/lower
12.5” Ballistic Advantage barrel/bolt
Larue MBTS2 trigger
MI rail
Sig titanium can
Gearhead 2.0 brace
Leupold VXR 2-7 (now in a MI QD mount)
Also wears a Bering Optics 35mm Hogster-R for nighttime hunts.

Almost 8.5 lbs all decked out, but it carries easily at the low ready with that magpul sling.

ETA: it groups under MOA with SST, and just over with Hornady Black. Fortunately both shoot the same POI, so I can run the cheaper stuff when precision isn’t absolutely necessary.

I’ve posted most of these pics before, but here’s a few more adventures it has accompanied:

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Ros, thanks for the info.

Am I correct in saying that the way to go is to assemble it? I mean I prefer to buy off the shelf because of time (I am fan of "semi-custom", no muss, no fuss, friction and Clausewitz and all that).

Do you (INGO, second person plural) have an off the shelf, ready to go recommendation for an AR-15 in 6.5 Grendel?

 

[edwea]

I have built one in 6.5 myself, but for the second build used a factory upper from grendel hunter. I would recommend them. They offer a high quality upper (and complete rifles) and are made to order with a ton of options. My son took his first deer with it last year.

https://www.grendelhunter.com/

 

[DadSmith]

Ros, thanks for the info.

Am I correct in saying that the way to go is to assemble it? I mean I prefer to buy off the shelf because of time (I am fan of "semi-custom", no muss, no fuss, friction and Clausewitz and all that).

Do you (INGO, second person plural) have an off the shelf, ready to go recommendation for an AR-15 in 6.5 Grendel?

Aero Precision 18" 6.5 Grendel M4E1 Complete Upper Assembly

Founded by a veteran, Wing Tactical finds the best tactical gun parts and accessories for AR-15s, Glocks, and other firearms so that you don’t have to.

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A Decent price on an 18" Aero upper. Get a BCG of your choice and a charging handle that will work with a scope and you're gtg.

AR15 Bolt Carrier Group (6.5 Grendel), Mil-Spec, Polished

Wilson Combat 6.5 Grendel bolt carrier assembly we use in our custom ARs. Polished nickle boron, Mil-Spec, high-quality, and manufactured domestically.

shopwilsoncombat.com

BCM® Charging Handle (5.56mm/.223) w/ Mod 3B (LARGE) Latch

The BCM® Mod 3B charging handle (5.56/.223) large latch extends past the main body of the charging handle by approximately 1.14in.

bravocompanyusa.com

M4E1 Complete Lower Receiver w/ MOE Grip & SL-S Carbine Stock

Shop M4E1 Complete Lower Receiver w/ MOE Grip & SL-S Carbine Stock and more on AeroPrecisionUSA.com!

www.aeroprecisionusa.com

Complete Aero Lower.


Or just buy a complete rifle.

6.5 Grendel AR Rifles | Wilson Combat

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Oh, yeah, that Super Sniper may be her jam.

 

[DadSmith]

Oh, yeah, that Super Sniper may be her jam.

20" barrel IMO is the sweet spot for maximum velocity and energy for the 6.5 Grendel. 22" will squeeze out about 50 more fps.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

20" barrel IMO is the sweet spot for maximum velocity and energy for the 6.5 Grendel. 22" will squeeze out about 50 more fps.

Will call Matt tonight.

 

[yetti462]

Yes, the 6.5 Grendel is a great cartridge, she has a Howa 1500 in the 6.5 Grendel, but I am talking AR platforms.

Do you have an AR in the caliber? If so, what is it and what is your experience.

I do have a ar in the 6.5. acme machine is the company I got it from. It is a company out of ft. Wayne.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

ACME Machine

www.acmemachine.com

 

[1nderbeard]

I have two. One is a 10.5 inch SBR and one is a nicer 20 inch rifle. To be honest ammo is so expensive I haven't shot either for a year or so. The SBR was really gassy, so I got an adjustable block. I was using a silencerco hybrid.

I used the round on an alligator hunt and hog hunt last year in Florida. Performed excellently. I like the round a lot as kind of a DMR round also. My avatar pic is me using the SBR for hunting a few years ago.

 

[Purdue1991]

Anyone have any experience with 6.5 Grendel in the AR platform?

Niece is graduating high school this year and for her 13th I got her a Howa Mini-Action in 6.5 Grendel. She loves it, calling it the "Goldilocks round".

Since I usually get the kids an AR for graduation (well, #2 got a G3, but #1 got a Colt 6920, #3 Centurion CM4 Mid, #4 LWRCI) I thought an AR in this caliber would be a good fit.

I have ZERO experience with 6.5 Grendel in any platform. How about you? What do you have? What do you wish you had?

Magazines? Optic?

I've had a 6.5 Grendel AR for several years. It's my go-to deer rifle. Shot 1 doe last year at 200 yards. Dropped like a rock. Any deer I've shot (obviously good shot placement), it's never run more than 10 to 20 yards. I use Sierra Game King 120 grain soft point bullets. They are fantastic...

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I've had a 6.5 Grendel AR for several years. It's my go-to deer rifle. Shot 1 doe last year at 200 yards. Dropped like a rock. Any deer I've shot (obviously good shot placement), it's never run more than 10 to 20 yards. I use Sierra Game King 120 grain soft point bullets. They are fantastic...

Purdue, what make and model is it?

Looking at CMMG now.

 

[O Kelps]

I just finished building mine a couple months ago. I love the versatility of the cartridge. I built mine to hunt deer but I can coyote just as easily too. As someone stated previously finding good magazines for the AR can be tricky. Some manufacturers advertise a certain capacity but in reality the mag will fit a few less cartridges than advertised. I like the ASC stainless mags (I bought 10 round mags and they hold 10 rounds). A longer barrel will maximize the potential of the cartridge but I opted for a 16" to cut down on weight and I could live with the velocity reduction. Decent ammo has been tricky to find at times. Just have to keep an eye open for deals.

 

[Purdue1991]

Purdue, what make and model is it?

Looking at CMMG now.

I actually built it. I think it's a Palmetto Arms lower with a Rise Armament drop in trigger and Magpul MOE stock. I used an Omega handguard. Has a slick side upper (I believe AR Stoner). Topped it off with a Vortex Diamondback scope. Don't remember the barrel make. But it's a great shooter and perfect for hunting (I wasn't after a high end build as it was going to get scratched up in the field). All in all, I personally believe it's the best deer hunting platform for anything less than a 500 yard shot. It's light, compact, and reliable.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I actually built it. I think it's a Palmetto Arms lower with a Rise Armament drop in trigger and Magpul MOE stock. I used an Omega handguard. Has a slick side upper (I believe AR Stoner). Topped it off with a Vortex Diamondback scope. Don't remember the barrel make. But it's a great shooter and perfect for hunting (I wasn't after a high end build as it was going to get scratched up in the field). All in all, I personally believe it's the best deer hunting platform for anything less than a 500 yard shot. It's light, compact, and reliable.

Yes, looks great, but she cannot use it for deer.

Good thing I have until May of 2023. You guys have given me plenty to chew on.

 

[DadSmith]

Yes, looks great, but she cannot use it for deer.

Good thing I have until May of 2023. You guys have given me plenty to chew on.

6.5 Grendel has the same ballistics as the 308 Winchester except kinetic energy of course.
That itself out of an AR-15 platform is awesome.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

6.5 Grendel has the same ballistics as the 308 Winchester except kinetic energy of course.
That itself out of an AR-15 platform is awesome.

It sure is, but she lives in Pennsylvania where one cannot use a self-loading weapon to hunt.

She likes math, science, physics and the BC and SD of the 6.5 interest her.

 

[DadSmith]

It sure is, but she lives in Pennsylvania where one cannot use a self-loading weapon to hunt.

She likes math, science, physics and the BC and SD of the 6.5 interest her.

Get her a bolt action in 6.5 Grendel.