First Grendel....

[mdewitt71]

I have built or owned several dozens of ARs in about every barrel length imaginable but, never a 6.5 Grendel


Till now-






Can not wait to get it out to the range.

[Kswhitetails]

Nicely assembled. I liked my Argos 6-24 BTR. I thought that for the money it was worthy. My box tests showed good tracking, and the glass clarity was great. The turrets didn’t click with the authority of others but those others were all a thousand dollars more.

Good luck with your build, and we need a range report!

[Bevo]

That looks great.

[Sticks]

Build list?

[ToeheadAR]

Looks like the Grendel Hunter upper and lower. What length handguard and barrel?

[mdewitt71]

18" Satern Fluted Barrel
Grendel Hunter Upper/ 15" Handguard
ToolCraft NiB BCG
Stag Arms Lower Receiver & LPK
Limbsaver Tac-10 stock
Mako grip
Tactical Link Enhanced Extended Lever
BAD Ambi Selectors
Athlon Argo BTR 24x scope on Aero SPR mount

[mdewitt71]

Color filled the handguard tonight and added a Angle foregrip to try out on it.

[LRRPF52]

That looks great.

What gas block did you use?

Did you measure your port?

The Satern 18" fluted cut rifled barrel I had was drilled with a .094" port, which needed a PRI adjustable gas block to choke it so it would run reliably.

With the adjustment screw almost completely closing the port off and with a rifle buffer and spring in a rifle RET, it still ran pretty hard.

[mdewitt71]

.093 gas port with adj low pro .750 gas block.
I have 2 cases of Hornady Black on order from 2 different places, hoping one at least shows up tomorrow so I can shoot it.

[mdewitt71]

YES, one of my case shipments of Black ammo showed up.
I finally got out to shoot a lil with it (and a few others).



Due to the weather and the fact I was TDY all week and had chores at home to do, I didnt get much shooting with it.
My first 3 shots outta it with the Hornady Black was .59 MOA and the largest of the day was 1.19 so I am happy so far.

[VASCAR2]

Wow, Labradar, what kind of velocity did you get out of your Hornady black out the 18” Satern/Liberty?

[mdewitt71]

Wow, Labradar, what kind of velocity did you get out of your Hornady black out the 18” Satern/Liberty?

Hornady Black 123 ELD-M - 10 shots
Stats - Average 2383.18 fps
Stats - Highest 2413.74 fps
Stats - Lowest 2353.13 fps
Stats - Ext. Spread 60.6 fps
Stats - Std. Dev 17.83 fps

This is the only 6.5G ammo I have right now.
I plan to load some 90gr TNT with X-Terminator and Shooters World Rifle Match powders soon.

[VASCAR2]

Thanks mdewitt71, looks like 123 grain ELD-M velocity is lower than the A-Max I chronographed in a 18” Satern/Liberty barrel. I’ve gotten good results with Xterminator with 85 and 90 grain bullets in the 6.5 Grendel.

[mdewitt71]

Thanks mdewitt71, looks like 123 grain ELD-M velocity is lower than the A-Max I chronographed in a 18” Satern/Liberty barrel. I’ve gotten good results with Xterminator with 85 and 90 grain bullets in the 6.5 Grendel.

Good to hear.... thanks for info.
I got 8 pounds of X-terminator by mistake thinking I ordered TAC so, I have been panicking to find a use a for it.
I love TAC in 308.

Right now I have 90gr TNT and 123 gr. Nosler Custom Comp projectiles and X-Terminator, XB8208, CFE 223, and Shooters World Rifle Match powders to try out.
Next trip to Sierra I will bring home some 107 GameKings and 120 Pro Hunters.

[Sticks]

You will pick up speed as the barrel breaks in and fouls.

[VASCAR2]

Don’t buy all the 6.5/.264 bullets at Sierra mdewitt71! Buddy and I try to make a trip to Sierra at least once a year. Plan on going by Starline this trip. We usually stop at Graf’s in Mexico Mo on the way home. We were planning on going in the next couple of weeks after the weather improves.


I used Xterminator to load 5.56/223 55 grain FMJ and has proved to be pretty accurate load with PPU bullets. Buddy bought a bunch of 55 grain FMJ PPU bullets at a good price and sold me 1000.

[mdewitt71]

Thanks mdewitt71, looks like 123 grain ELD-M velocity is lower than the A-Max I chronographed in a 18” Satern/Liberty barrel. I’ve gotten good results with Xterminator with 85 and 90 grain bullets in the 6.5 Grendel.

OK, 2nd Range trip with the 18" Grendel and my speeds picked up and my SD lowered a bit for the Black ELD-M factory ammo.
I got 2405.6 FPS with a 13.2 SD in a 20 shot sequence.
I also shot the American Gunner factory 123 HPBT at 2380 FPS with a 15.1 SD.

[Londerko]

How did the American Gunner group compared to the Black???

[mdewitt71]

How did the American Gunner group compared to the Black???

Not as good as the Black.... but, better than Wolf for sure.
My groups this range trip was nothing impressive, hope to do better next time.

American Gunner velocity averaged 2380 FPS with a 15.1 SD
There was about a 10-12 MPH crosswind and it wasn't shooting spectacular at 100 but, OK for only the 2nd trip with this build.
I was blasting 6 inch gongs great at 300 with it.



Hornady Black gave me a 2,405 FPS average velocity with a standard Dev of 13.1 out of 40 shots fired.
The velocity went up and the SD down from my First range trip on this same barrel, good break in sign.
I shot three or four groups but, most were not that great, with the best being below.



It's not a match grade barrel nor a $1000 build so I don't have any complaints right now....except my next day off is not for awhile. :mad: