Starting the Build

[Buster]

Pretty standard,,, Black Rain Ordinance Upper, Lower and charging handle, Magpul PRS...picking up Geissele fire control group tomorrow,,,still looking for a barrel..

[LRRPF52]

Looks like you're getting ready to drop a nice target barrel in there. What length are you looking at? A 20" or longer would make a lot of sense. That billet upper should support a nice medium-heavy contour pipe.

[Buster]

Indeed, I'm contemplating a 22"+ bull barrel

[LRRPF52]

I honestly don't think you need more than 22" for a target gun, but if you were to go longer than 24", I would look into an extended-length gas system to balance out your dwell time. Either way, make absolutely sure you get an adjustable gas block so you can tune your system. If you can get the Berger 130gr VLD's going 2500fps, you'll have an 800yd gun easy, with 1000yd+ on mild or no-wind days. 600yds isn't much of a challenge with the 123gr Lapua and AMAX, unless the wind gets crazy.

What optics and mount are you looking at?

[Buster]

This is exactly the reason I joined this forum!
I'm looking to shoot no more than 500 yrds down here in Dixie,,,but I may end up out in West TX (wind) where my 2 boys live (when I retire) so I can show them what a long range (1000+ yds) gun is all about.
I'm wide open as a butch knife about optics (since I'm getting old and can't see shit like I use to).....and mounts, I have a one piece, EX0027, on my Armalite AR-10 that does well for me with a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40mm out to 200-250 yds.

$$$ not really an object in this build, but obviously want the most bang for my buck (no pun intended)

I appreciate your dialog on this topic :)

[ricsmall]

finally a fellow alabamian! I live in georgia for my job but am originally from selma area. anyway, templar custom is the quickest turnaround ive found on barrels.LRRPF52 recommended him to me. Bob at templar will answer all your questions and do the barrel how u want it. He will also suggest something better if he sees fit. he told me about 6 weeks on a bartlein barrel, but has or had a rock creek in stock that he could start on pretty quick. give him a call 877-878-2334. My barrel was around $600.

[Buster]

Thanks for the barrel tip ric and ....Roll Tide!!

[LRRPF52]

Grizzly.com has several 6.5mm Bartlein blanks ready to go right now.

[ricsmall]

Thanks for the barrel tip ric and ....Roll Tide!!
youre welcome. RTR

[usmc1371]

+1 on the adjustable gas block.

[Buster]

Well, I couldn't stand it any long. Ordered a 24" upper from JSE (http://www.jsesurplus.com/alexanderarms2465grendeluppercompletewfh.aspx) on Friday (4/20) and got it yesterday (4/25).
Still need struggling with what optics to go with......coupled with shakey contract negotiations at work will make me sit tight in that department for the next few days, but will start to season it tomorrow.....

1250

[Bwild97]

Have you looked at the Horus Vision Scopes? http://www.horusvision.com/

I Have the predator model, and I absolutely love it! No dialing of turrets to adjust for hold overs and windage! Just dial it in for 100yds and use the reticle to adjust for come up and windage, very fast and easy to use with superb repeatability. The glass is very high quality too!

[ricsmall]

Nice build buster, hope to see range reports soon, and hope even more to be posting my build soon!

[Buster]

Have you looked at the Horus Vision Scopes? http://www.horusvision.com/

I Have the predator model, and I absolutely love it! No dialing of turrets to adjust for hold overs and windage! Just dial it in for 100yds and use the reticle to adjust for come up and windage, very fast and easy to use with superb repeatability. The glass is very high quality too!

Have not seen the Horus' but will certainly do more investigating...looks interesting! Thanks!


Nice build buster, hope to see range reports soon, and hope even more to be posting my build soon!

Thanks, ric, I hoping for you too buddy...and all the rest of the "waiting horde"!

[Buster]

First time out with the new build (100 yds):

1290

Yeah, I know, "I can do better than that with a 10/22"

That was with no optics,,,iron sights that looked like this:

1291

Yes, I know that looks redneck looking as hell.
But the results from a new gun, cold barrel, redneck sights, made me almost shit down both legs with excitement at the possibilities with some good optics and some practice...this Grendel ROCKS!!

[ricsmall]

thats not too bad buster for such a short sight radius. should tighten up alot with longer sight radius or a good optic. BTW that does look redneck as hell! LOL!
I have done worse, got a heavy barrel .308 in and was still waiting on scope, had it in truck at my place so i shot it with nothing on it. Im glad i dont have pictures of those groups. that was before camera phones or digital cams !

[Buster]

Well, I ended up going with a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50:

1652

First time out produced this 10 round result w/ 123gr Hornady AMax on a $20 bipod sitting on a bench:

1651

Yeah, a couple of fliers but this old man that's half blind, w/ borderline Parkinson's disease, is extremely satisfied

[ricsmall]

pretty great buster! I really like the looks of that setup. What kind of magazines are you running, and are thay pretty reliable?. . Im really liking that scope too. I will probably get one for my next build, proly a bolt gun .260 or creedmore. Anyway, great shooting and Roll Tide!

[Buster]

Dammit ric you had to ask about the magazines....during that outing I left my only 10 rd Grendel mag in the safe...I cursed myself for about 5 minutes and then loaded 10 rounds in the poly mag that came with my M&P AR15 (5.56 (pictured)) and it cycled flawlessly!

Roll Tide Baby! #14 on its way!

[ricsmall]

good to hear about the pmag working. I have two ten rounders(AR stoner 6.5G) and have loaded them to look at cartridge orientation, and the carts. seem to be kind of flat rather than slightly nose up, may have to modify feed lips. And, Buster, any crimson blooded tide fan knows our next one will be #15! LOL

[Buster]

And, Buster, any crimson blooded tide fan knows our next one will be #15! LOL

13, 14, 15, 16...it doesn't matter....it's hard to keep track...us boys down in Dixie (SEC) know how to play football...!

[ricsmall]

affirmative on that buster! nice talking with you and keep shooting straight!

[Buster]

Thanks,,,,Looking forward to your report on that build up with that Templar barrel!

[Buster]

The more I shoot it the better it gets...

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2127&d=1343417010

5 shots @ 100 yds

[ricsmall]

Nice work! Which ammo? I'm still waiting on my barrel, I sure hope its good! Keep up the good shooting.

[LRRPF52]

Looks like it worked out for you. What Viper PST did you get? MRAD or MOA? Using the 123gr AMAX, you'll be about 1.2 Mils low at 300yds, or 4.25 MOA, assuming a 2600fps mv at sea level.

[Buster]

Using Hornady 123gr AMAX. Went with the Viper PST MOA model.
Thanks for the drop info!

I'm well pleased with how this unit turned out. It's a pleasure to shoot....I could shoot it all day long..

[Buster]

After about 500 rds through this unit I finally walked my lazy ass out 200yds, set my target up, played with the Vortex for a few shots and produced this 5-shot, nickel sized group last week with some 123g Hornady AMAX:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/td25x/img047a_zps0447cbce.jpg

This factory ammo in this unit shoots like a freakin' laser

[ricsmall]

Nice to see its doing well buster. Im at about 160 rounds through mine and it seems to get better every outing. Keep up the good work.

[XcountryRider]

Grizzly.com has several 6.5mm Bartlein blanks ready to go right now.

Whats the deal with those 6.5mm barrels on grizzly.com. Are they for grendels? Do you need to get them finished at a gunsmith?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-5mm-5R-x-26-Finished-256-264-Bore-Groove-x-1-8-Twist-3-Sporter-Barrel/T10563

[Buster]

Nice to see its doing well buster. Im at about 160 rounds through mine and it seems to get better every outing. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Ric...maybe one of these days we can hook up and send some down range

[ricsmall]

Whats the deal with those 6.5mm barrels on grizzly.com. Are they for grendels? Do you need to get them finished at a gunsmith?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-5mm-5R-x-26-Finished-256-264-Bore-Groove-x-1-8-Twist-3-Sporter-Barrel/T10563



Yes, they have to be finished by gunsmith. Profiling,chambered,extension installed,gas port drilled, and crowned.


Buster, I'd like to try and get up with you one day and burn some powder. I'll stay in touch, as I should get a little freed up in about a month or so.

[Tedward]

Yes, they have to be finished by gunsmith. Profiling,chambered,extension installed,gas port drilled, and crowned.


Buster, I'd like to try and get up with you one day and burn some powder. I'll stay in touch, as I should get a little freed up in about a month or so.

I got an AR-Stoner which is a Saturn Barrel sold by Liberty to Midway. They use a Stainless Steel Button Barrel in 5R with 1:8 twist. I got the 24" barrel-bolt set finished and ready to go for $319. Just have to get on notification and hit it at the right time. I got mine a few months back and wasn't even planning on getting it but saw it pop up and scooped it up. Been buying part after part for 2 months and almost ready to go. Next is optics....

Ready to assemble it now so just keep reading up on all of the tips you guys are putting out there. Keep the great posts going and really like your "Reach out and touch someone" set up! SCOPE IS AWSOME...