08-01-2011, 03:18 AM
LR1955 Wrote:Will / Guys:
In 2008 we could not get Grendel ammunition anywhere. Period. Not from AA, not from Midway -- no where.
Right now when the MPT runs out it may be months to a year before you see any more due to production runs and importation.
And stalking up on Hornady or AA ammo is OK providing you are wealthy. But that leaves the real question.
You would actually trust your life to a Grendel with its CP magazines? How fast are you at replacing a bolt when you shear a lug? Many years around the issued 5.56 and I have seen one bolt lug shear. I have owned Grendels for six years and have six or eight bolts sitting on a shelf with sheared lugs. Both 7.62 and Grendel bolts. And no CP magazine I have owned have I been able to trust that it will function. Not the 10 round, 17 round, or 28 round.
OTOH, with every 5.56 I also own, I just don't seem to have function problems and so far I haven't sheared any bolt lugs. I have used magazines dating back to the 1960's, magazines that Army claimed to be bad, magazines made by the lowest bidder, no name magazines, Wolf ammo, issued ammo, hand loaded ammo, mixed lots of ammo, bullets of different lengths and designs. All fired through chambers ranging from (real) match chambers on Match rifles through blasting chambers on mid range quality blasting carbines. Can't remember the last time I had a problem with function.
No big deal.
LR55
LR55,
Point very well taken. Allow me to further clarify. I fully do not expect to find anything useful in a retail establishment in an "emergency" situation unless I'm the first in line. That's why I recommend stocking up as one is able. So it depends on a person's personal financial situation whether they want a common military round (cheap) or a less common, more expensive round, such as .30-30, .270, .260, whatever.
The bolt and mag situation with the Grendel has concerned me. I've hoped for better mags, but those haven't surfaced yet. I can change a bolt pretty fast when not under stress, but I really don't want to have to do that. Someday, I hope to upgrade to the AR Performance bolts and extensions when I can afford it. But I'm not there yet, either.
So, being a belt and suspenders sort of person (figuratively), I recommend having barrels or rifles in each of the common rounds, with enough ammo and replacement parts for each.
I also am looking at the 6.5 PCC (still a wildcat, but barrels are available from Black Hole Weaponry) as a potential alternative to the Grendel. It solves the mag and bolt problem. I already have plenty of cases and bullets. The downside is less velocity than the Grendel, but still better ballistics than the 5.56. I just really, really like the 6.5 bullet diameter, so I can't completely give up on it.
Steel89, I also agree with you about OPSEC. However, I'm banking on being a very low-priority target to the JBTs. As far as the common street punks? Well...
Stay safe,
Will