Bravo's 16" build thread

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  • Bravo Vector Tango
    Bloodstained
    • Mar 2016
    • 97

    Bravo's 16" build thread

    I decided to start a build thread, and document my plans and the actual execution of my build while documenting any difficulties along the way. I have several AR's in 5.56 and 300BLK, also an AR10 in .308, this 16" Grendel's mission of service will be to strive toward the ballistics of the .308 AR10, while maintaining the convenience, weight and ergonomics of the small frame rifles, for this i have chosen the 6.5G in 16" after a long hard look at many rounds and rifle configurations.

    the lightweight goal of the rifle will mostly be taken into consideration where steel components can be replaced with Ti pieces, without compromising strength and function, I will avoid using components that are made lightweight by having material removed, I want to maintain mil-spec durability, as this will be a field rifle, and the hood of my jeep is as close to a "bench" as this rig will ride, that'll be for a future rig..

    planning to document all components utilized as they are received, and as they come together on the gun, with pics, from blueprint to function test.

    Build plans, subject to change: UPDATE 4/29/2016 some build plans changed as they often do, but i have at this point, ordered 95% of the components for the rifle, sans a few small things left to collect. I will continue to update the thread as components arrive, and go together.

    Upper receiver:

    - = parts on hand, scavenged from another build
    * = still to be ordered

    Keyhole forged Upper
    Alexander Arms lightweight 16" barrel
    Alexander Arms 9/16-24 RH A2 Flash hider.
    Underground Tactical 9130AQ bolt --- excessive firing pin protrusion with multiple firing pins --- awiaing a AA Hard use replacement
    - Aim Surplus M16 cut NiB Carrier
    ALG 12" EMR Mlok
    Strike industries charging handle, and poly port door (ordered, shipped)
    - Gas block: Sentry 7 Stainless, clamp on.

    Lower receiver:

    - Anderson Keyhole forged Lower
    Magpul K2 Grip - to be replaced by MIAD.
    Magpul CTR + LaRue RISR
    Magpul Trigger guard
    - Battle Arms ambi selector
    - Battle Arms Ti Takedown Pins
    Geissele G2S
    K&S anti rotation pins
    Fortis QD endplate - aluminum
    V7 weapon systems Ti Castle nut
    Unbranded Ti magazine catch arm


    Optics:

    - Primary Arms 4-14x44 Mil-Mil FFP - this scope has been great on my .308 AR10, and is going to be at home on the little grendel until i can procure the scope i'd like this gun to wear permanently, a 2.5-10x variable, likely a vortex.

    Reloading setup:

    I utilize a lee turret press, and have picked up a new die plate and a set of hornady new dimension 6.5G dies, that is all at this time.
    Last edited by Bravo Vector Tango; 06-11-2016, 06:33 PM.
  • Bravo Vector Tango
    Bloodstained
    • Mar 2016
    • 97

    #2
    Grendel Mail call!

    Just a couple of mags, but hey, whole guns arrive a few parts at a time!



    And my Hornady new dimension dies, with micrometer seating adjustment.



    recommendations on additional dies for this caliber? i am relatively new to reloading, and always happy to learn something new.
    Last edited by Bravo Vector Tango; 04-21-2016, 10:41 PM.

    Comment

    • danm
      Warrior
      • Aug 2014
      • 498

      #3
      Nice, this is going to be a fun build.

      Comment

      • am4966
        Chieftain
        • Jul 2014
        • 1036

        #4
        Nice parts Bravo
        12.5" SBR Grendel - Need Barrel
        Surge - Rugged Suppressor
        Been a fan of the Grendel from the very beginning and haven't second guessed that choice one time.

        Aim small, miss small!

        Comment

        • Bravo Vector Tango
          Bloodstained
          • Mar 2016
          • 97

          #5


          A couple of small parts from yesterday's mail.

          Comment

          • Bravo Vector Tango
            Bloodstained
            • Mar 2016
            • 97

            #6
            I decided to tear down a 5.56 pistol that i shot very infrequently, and breathe new life into it by utilizing what I could toward the grendel build, so...

            + Stripped lower
            + Battle Arms Ambi safety
            + Battle Arms Ti Takedown pins
            + SLR Sentry 7 Stainless

            Then, just this morning, i placed a couple of large orders that encompassed 95% of the build - due to a couple factors, a few things changed but overall, the grand scheme is still the same.

            On order:

            AA 16" Lightweight + A2 hider, my order was originally placed on backorder, i called AA and determiend it was the hard use bolt that was out of stock, I had them process the order and ship the barrel and the flash hider.

            Underground tactical - 9310AQ bolt.

            V7 weapon systems - castle nut and other small parts in Ti

            Primary Arms - everything else: Geissele GS2, Magpul furniture in OD green, ALG rail K&S Pins, etc. - yay for fast shipping, and shipping as much from one source as possible - pay for 2 day shipping, and still save in the long run.

            Will toss up a couple photos of the components salvaged from the 5.56 Pistol this afternoon, and shipments as they arrive.

            Comment

            • leopard6.5
              Bloodstained
              • Feb 2016
              • 89

              #7
              Bravo Vector Tango: It's really sounding nice so far. AA did that to me once many years ago so I learned to call them back if there was any delay.

              Good luck as you continue.

              Lee

              Comment

              • Bravo Vector Tango
                Bloodstained
                • Mar 2016
                • 97

                #8
                Originally posted by leopard6.5 View Post
                Bravo Vector Tango: It's really sounding nice so far. AA did that to me once many years ago so I learned to call them back if there was any delay.

                Good luck as you continue.

                Lee
                Thank you sir, I do think she'll come together right nicely.

                They did tell me on the phone that barrels were in stock if anyone is wanting to grab one. Now is the time.

                Moving on, the sweet smell of salvage:



                These parts have no more than 100 to 150 rounds on them, and show miniscule to no wear.

                Comment

                • Bravo Vector Tango
                  Bloodstained
                  • Mar 2016
                  • 97

                  #9
                  Picked these up today.



                  Edit: per Hodgdon, for the 123gr class of projectile, 25.5gr of XBR is the place to start, with 28.5C being the max load, H4895 is so close on the burn rate chart, I figure I'll start at 25gr with both, and run some ladders from there.

                  I also ordered 100ct. of 123gr AMAX, a L.E. Wilson 6.5 Grendel Case gauge, and a Hornady #6 shell holder. - I'm going to be near a Cabela's on Thursday, and I'm planning to grab some 123gr Hornady factory ammo, if there's any to be had.
                  Last edited by Bravo Vector Tango; 05-02-2016, 03:16 AM.

                  Comment

                  • LRRPF52
                    Super Moderator
                    • Sep 2014
                    • 8569

                    #10
                    Do you have the reloading handbooks yet?



                    NRA Basic, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO

                    CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor

                    6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:

                    www.AR15buildbox.com

                    Comment

                    • Bravo Vector Tango
                      Bloodstained
                      • Mar 2016
                      • 97

                      #11
                      Originally posted by LRRPF52 View Post
                      Do you have the reloading handbooks yet?



                      http://ar15buildbox.mybnbwebsite.com/shop.htm
                      Not yet at this time, but I do want to pick up both. - I'm gonna pull the trigger on at least volume one, on or before next payday.
                      Last edited by Bravo Vector Tango; 05-02-2016, 05:20 PM.

                      Comment

                      • Bravo Vector Tango
                        Bloodstained
                        • Mar 2016
                        • 97

                        #12
                        Well, primary arms delivered quickly as usual, so did underground tactical.


                        Comment

                        • LRRPF52
                          Super Moderator
                          • Sep 2014
                          • 8569

                          #13
                          Looks familiar...

                          NRA Basic, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO

                          CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor

                          6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:

                          www.AR15buildbox.com

                          Comment

                          • jkla2016
                            Bloodstained
                            • Apr 2016
                            • 28

                            #14
                            Looks like you are off to a great start. Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

                            Comment

                            • Bravo Vector Tango
                              Bloodstained
                              • Mar 2016
                              • 97

                              #15
                              Originally posted by LRRPF52 View Post
                              Looks familiar...
                              Ha! Very close. I bet they will pass as sisters when done.

                              Edit to add: sweet dr. Who paint job.
                              Last edited by Bravo Vector Tango; 05-03-2016, 10:10 PM.

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