New to the Grendel...Help me out...

[Outsider]

First of all, i am new here , my name is Nick, I am from West Virginia, ex Air Force, Work in the natural gas industry, hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman...i think that covers all my bases...I have been researching for months now about an ar-15 "utility gun" and by utility gun i mean i want to do everything from shooting whistle pigs, coyotes, and other small critters, to deer/ feral hog hunting, and everything i read about the grendel makes me think its the gun for me....I was considering the .264 LBC ar from Les Baer but i have backed away from that just because i fear for the ability to get rounds readily. I would like to know from first hand experienced people that by me getting into the grendel, possibly buying one, it would suit my needs/expectations. I want to have say a 20" barrel, collapsible stock, carbon fiber for end, match grade trigger, and thats about it. Suggestions? Sorry if this is in the wrong message board section, if so please feel free to move it.

[bwaites]

Welcome!!!

There are great products available from Alexander Arms, Templar Custom, and others. For what you are considering, I would look at the Alexander Overwatch or similar rifles.

[Variable]

I second what Bill said, and welcome from another West Virginian (it seems like we are invading lately!) :D

[Whelenon]

You can't go wrong with the Grendel, I have no problem getting ammo, plus I started reloading it. I'm only familiar with the Grendel but from what I've read the 264 LBC is more along the lines of a custom bench rifle with accuracy it's number one priority. While the Grendel is meeting the needs of a wider range of shooting requirements. Ammo is interchangeable but the Grendel chamber is suppose to be more compatible with available ammo because of it's throat design. That said the 264 LBC is a very high quality rifle if it fits your needs go for it. It will shoot Grendel ammo just as well as LBC ammo.

Oh and by the way, welcome.

[Mutt]

All Grendel ammo (even 264 LBC ammo) works well in Grendel barrels. There have been many reports of people having trouble shooting some types of factory ammo in the Non-Grendel barrels. Just my own personal opinion, but I would stick with the grendel name. Grendel ammo has been designed to be used in the Grendel chamber. Shoot Grendel in a Grendel. Other Non-Grendel barrels may have a different shaped chamber/throat.

You'll deffinitely want to get into reloading. You can buy a good starter reloading kit for under 400 bucks. It will pay for itself within a year.

18 and 20 inch barrels perform very very well. But, you deffinitely want to free float your barrel to take advantage of the better accuracy. You don't even have to throw tons of money at it either. There are some freefloat handguards out there that perform very well at a decent price. Most importantly, if you are building your rifle, make sure you have M4 cuts in your upper reciever. The WCI muzzle brake works really well with the Grendel and looks decent on the end of the barrel. But, it already sounds like you have a good plan for what you want in your rifle.

Welcome to the forum, you'll be happy with your grendel when you get one.

[Outsider]

thanks for the replies...Question...do the alexander arms rifles have a free floated barrel with the current options they have....id go for the upgraded barrel, trigger, and stock if i would get one. i have been wanting to get into reloading....

[LRRPF52]

Welcome. The AA G10 carbon fiber handguard is probably one of the coolest ones I've seen, and handles great as well. They're not cheap, but under $200. I would suggest the Geissele triggers, and a nice barrel from AA or Templar. For a collapsible stock in conjunction with a 20" barrel, I would steer you towards the Magpul ACS, which is probably the best stock for the configuration you're describing. Here are some pics of a 20" with that stock:

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?1386-Templar-Customs-Digital-Desert-Cerakote

[Outsider]

I am pretty smitten over those Geissele triggers...and i will get a shilen barrel upgrade if available.