Ideal 6.5 Grendel AR Deer Rifle - what would you build? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ideal 6.5 Grendel AR Deer Rifle - what would you build?

Posted: 1/13/2020 1:32:34 PM EDT

Ok - Took the boys deer hunting this past weekend - let the boys use my standard deer caliber bolt gus and I carried my 20 inch heavy barrel Grendel w/ a 6 to 24 x 50 over kill scope.

We still hunt - so it is sitting in deer blinds - so not really carrying it all day - the gun is a beast and I have full confidence that it can/will do the job - am thinking that a lighter weight build would be in order.

The max shot that I would ever want to take is 250 with most being 100 to 200 yards.

So - I am thinking:

a lighter weight 16 or 18 inch barrel.

straight flutes would be nice.

An Aero slick side upper.

Handguard - something light weight - would want a flat bottom to it to rest it on a rail.

Butstock - Open - current jobber has a Magpul rifle stock.

Optics - ????

What are your thoughts/suggestions

Red

Posted: 1/13/2020 5:37:30 PM EDT

[#1]

12” pistol is more than enough for 250 yards.

The weight and size you save can justify a suppressor

A 1-6 or 3-9 would probably be a good optic for deer at those distances.

Posted: 1/14/2020 9:02:08 AM EDT

[#2]

What I did and would do it again, 14.5" pin&weld, octagonal shaped carbon fiber hand guard, swfa 2.5-10 scope and adjustable stock that locks up tight. Tips scale right at 7lbs

Posted: 1/14/2020 9:06:47 AM EDT

[#3]

16" and something 2-10, 3-9, maybe 1-6/8 as optic. Lightweight handguard of some sort.

go 12/12.5" if you are ok with SBR or pistol as that should still be plenty of velocity

Posted: 1/14/2020 9:07:36 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Ok - Took the boys deer hunting this past weekend - let the boys use my standard deer caliber bolt gus and I carried my 20 inch heavy barrel Grendel w/ a 6 to 24 x 50 over kill scope.

We still hunt - so it is sitting in deer blinds - so not really carrying it all day - the gun is a beast and I have full confidence that it can/will do the job - am thinking that a lighter weight build would be in order.

The max shot that I would ever want to take is 250 with most being 100 to 200 yards.

So - I am thinking:

a lighter weight 16 or 18 inch barrel.

straight flutes would be nice.

An Aero slick side upper.

Handguard - something light weight - would want a flat bottom to it to rest it on a rail.

Butstock - Open - current jobber has a Magpul rifle stock.

Optics - ????

What are your thoughts/suggestions

Red

View Quote

I already built it for you...

Attached File

Posted: 1/15/2020 12:51:50 AM EDT

[#5]

My 6.5G build..

Lancer stock , Lancer 13 octagonal hand guards, Wilson combat stainless Hunter barrel, Odin works bolt carrier group

Posted: 1/15/2020 2:16:36 AM EDT

[#6]

Ive got 2 18" spr ARs. One is what you expect with a LPVO. Its great to carry. The other has a heavy fluted barrel with a 2-10x weaver tac scope but its grendel. It is heavier than my 556 rifle. Wish i had gone lighter on the grendel.

Posted: 1/16/2020 10:21:16 PM EDT

[#7]

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-rifle-length-6-5-grendel-1-8-stainless-steel-15-m-lok-upper-with-bcg-ch.html

Posted: 1/16/2020 10:43:22 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Ok - Took the boys deer hunting this past weekend - let the boys use my standard deer caliber bolt gus and I carried my 20 inch heavy barrel Grendel w/ a 6 to 24 x 50 over kill scope.

We still hunt - so it is sitting in deer blinds - so not really carrying it all day - the gun is a beast and I have full confidence that it can/will do the job - am thinking that a lighter weight build would be in order.

The max shot that I would ever want to take is 250 with most being 100 to 200 yards.

So - I am thinking:

a lighter weight 16 or 18 inch barrel.

straight flutes would be nice.

An Aero slick side upper.

Handguard - something light weight - would want a flat bottom to it to rest it on a rail.

Butstock - Open - current jobber has a Magpul rifle stock.

Optics - ????

What are your thoughts/suggestions
Red

View Quote

sounds like a plan

mines basically the areo m4a1 lower/upper and a faxon 18" fluted barrel. i like it but may be too heavy for you i guess

it now has the magpul PRS stock on it but more or less the same.

Posted: 1/24/2020 12:48:29 AM EDT

[#9]

I like an 18" rifle...

16" fluted...

Posted: 8/20/2020 10:00:51 PM EDT

[#10]

I love my 16” Grendel for whitetail. I’ll enjoy it even more once my Nomad gets out of jail

Posted: 8/23/2020 6:09:42 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

I already built it for you...

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/2980/E920C42F-8CCF-4BEF-8E99-2E2DD23777D0_jpeg-1233840.JPG

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What brace is that?
@cms81586

Posted: 8/30/2020 9:33:29 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I love my 16” Grendel for whitetail. I’ll enjoy it even more once my Nomad gets out of jail

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My 18” Grendel is waiting for a Nomad too.

Posted: 8/30/2020 9:38:42 PM EDT

[#13]

12-14.5" is enough for deer. I suppress all mine so I like short barrels. And I can hunt with a suppressor here.

Posted: 8/30/2020 11:25:20 PM EDT

[#14]

Attached File

16" fluted Ballistic Advantage barrel makes this one very light. I have a 1-10 optic on the way to top it.

Posted: 8/31/2020 7:36:28 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/4019/20200630_221156_jpg-1570757.JPG

16" fluted Ballistic Advantage barrel makes this one very light. I have a 1-10 optic on the way to top it.

View Quote

@Cypher214

Sweet camo job - did you do it yourself or ??

Thinking that my Grendel Deer set up will be a 16 w/ a Faxon 16"gunner barrel - should be sweet. Going to put a PA 1-8 on top of it.

Red

Posted: 8/31/2020 10:10:46 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

@Cypher214

Sweet camo job - did you do it yourself or ??

Thinking that my Grendel Deer set up will be a 16 w/ a Faxon 16"gunner barrel - should be sweet. Going to put a PA 1-8 on top of it.

Red

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/4019/20200630_221156_jpg-1570757.JPG

16" fluted Ballistic Advantage barrel makes this one very light. I have a 1-10 optic on the way to top it.

@Cypher214

Sweet camo job - did you do it yourself or ??

Thinking that my Grendel Deer set up will be a 16 w/ a Faxon 16"gunner barrel - should be sweet. Going to put a PA 1-8 on top of it.

Red

It's an Aero Precision set that came hydrodipped in MultiCam from Aero.

Then I hunted down the rest of the multicam parts so it matches.

Posted: 8/31/2020 10:44:09 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

@Cypher214

Sweet camo job - did you do it yourself or ??

Thinking that my Grendel Deer set up will be a 16 w/ a Faxon 16"gunner barrel - should be sweet. Going to put a PA 1-8 on top of it.

Red

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/4019/20200630_221156_jpg-1570757.JPG

16" fluted Ballistic Advantage barrel makes this one very light. I have a 1-10 optic on the way to top it.

@Cypher214

Sweet camo job - did you do it yourself or ??

Thinking that my Grendel Deer set up will be a 16 w/ a Faxon 16"gunner barrel - should be sweet. Going to put a PA 1-8 on top of it.

Red

I’m surprised no one has suggested getting a LaRue UU Grendel kit, what’s the deal guys? I don’t have one yet, they were not a thing when I had mine built by precision firearms (20” heavy ass lilja barrel, shoulda stuck with a lighter profile).

Posted: 8/31/2020 11:09:44 AM EDT

[#18]

I will probably get flamed but I don't understand why you would choose a 6.5 and then cripple it by using a barrel length that doesn't come close to optimizing the ballistics of the cartridge.

If you want a short barrel, OK great, there are several other great rounds for deer that are not as heavily impacted by suboptimal barrel length. I have an 18" that I use for whitetail and that is as short as I could justify.

Posted: 8/31/2020 10:56:43 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
I will probably get flamed but I don't understand why you would choose a 6.5 and then cripple it by using a barrel length that doesn't come close to optimizing the ballistics of the cartridge.

If you want a short barrel, OK great, there are several other great rounds for deer that are not as heavily impacted by suboptimal barrel length. I have an 18" that I use for whitetail and that is as short as I could justify.

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@BFskinner

Not by me....

Do you think of the 30-30 as a good deer cartridge? 150 grains going at 2200 FPS - how does that compare to the Grendel out of a 16 inch barrell?

The LR Accubonds are rated down to 1300 fps expansion...I think that they will work if you do your part.

Right bullets expanding down to

Red

Posted: 9/1/2020 5:40:13 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

@BFskinner

Not by me....

Do you think of the 30-30 as a good deer cartridge? 150 grains going at 2200 FPS - how does that compare to the Grendel out of a 16 inch barrell?

The LR Accubonds are rated down to 1300 fps expansion...I think that they will work if you do your part.

Right bullets expanding down to

Red

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I will probably get flamed but I don't understand why you would choose a 6.5 and then cripple it by using a barrel length that doesn't come close to optimizing the ballistics of the cartridge.

If you want a short barrel, OK great, there are several other great rounds for deer that are not as heavily impacted by suboptimal barrel length. I have an 18" that I use for whitetail and that is as short as I could justify.

@BFskinner

Not by me....

Do you think of the 30-30 as a good deer cartridge? 150 grains going at 2200 FPS - how does that compare to the Grendel out of a 16 inch barrell?

The LR Accubonds are rated down to 1300 fps expansion...I think that they will work if you do your part.

Right bullets expanding down to

Red

The optimal barrel length to get the most out of a 6.5 Grendel is about 22-24 inches which is pretty impractical in an AR. Progressively shortening the barrel produces a predictable effect on performance.

Attached File

My .264 LBC barrel is 18 inches as I considered that a reasonable tradeoff between decent long-range performance and handling but a 20" would have probably been a better choice since I could have left off the compensator and had about the same size package.

If you are just looking for a gun that provides you with a desired level of performance at a given distance then I guess it doesn't matter much if you are not letting the cartridge live up to it's potential. However, the whole reason I wanted a 6.5 in the first place was to be able to stretch things out a little while still staying with the AR platform.

For 200 yards or less I think a supersonic 300 BO load would probably be a more practical choice.

Posted: 9/2/2020 3:14:42 AM EDT

[#21]

I went a little different direction for my grendel hunting rifle build.

I started with a 20” Howa mini-action and cut it down to 12.5”.
I got an MDT Chassis, CTR stock with small cheek riser, Hogue grip, Leopold scope, Talley rings, and an AAC suppressor.
It weighs in at just a hair over 8 pounds as pictured (including suppressor).

I wanted to build a gun for me and my kids to hunt with that had an adjustable length of pull and I tried to pick parts to keep the weight and overall length down. I knew I wanted to run a suppressor which is why I went with a 12.5” barrel so the overall length wouldn’t be terribly long.

Posted: 9/2/2020 3:23:00 AM EDT

[#22]

I use a 16in Grendel. It is always a good compromise length.

For a scope you can't beat a 3/9. It is perfect for hunting and always has been. One weight saving tip. Don't fill your mag. For deer hunting I rarely load more than 7 rounds even though my state has no limit.

If I have the opportunity for a sounder of pigs I will carry more ammo.

Posted: 12/6/2020 11:16:48 AM EDT

[#23]

I’ve got a 16” AA upper slapped onto a generic lower + collapsible stock.

I use an ACOG TA 31 for a scope.

I’ve killed deer and caribou with that set up....extremely light/handy/packable on ATVs + snow machines.

Posted: 12/18/2020 9:16:24 AM EDT

[#24]

I threw a BCA side charger upper w/20" SS barrel on a RR lower w/collapsible stock and a cheap 3x9 Bushnell scope. Let just say it isn't light, comes in just under 10lbs.

Posted: 12/18/2020 9:28:30 AM EDT

[#25]

You mentioned a slick side upper, I like having a fwd assist in the Grendel. I can’t seat the bolt by pushing it fwd with my thumb like a 556 if I’m trying to load it quietly. Or maybe I’m just weak.

Larue UU Grendel shoots great but is heavy. I like a lighter option for hunting deer.

Posted: 12/22/2020 4:13:09 PM EDT

[#26]

I got a complete upper from Sanders Armory a while back. It’s a Faxon Gunner 16”. Killed five with it so far, and its had a Resonator for the last two. I dig it.

Posted: 12/26/2020 7:15:34 PM EDT

[#27]

Not an AR, but similar (XCR)... I use a 12” pistol. If I was building an AR I’d do the same. With a can, and sitting in an elevated blind, the compactness of the short barrel really helps when I have to grab the gun and get it out the window without bumping the walls and making noise.

Attached File

Posted: 12/31/2020 12:05:29 AM EDT

[#28]

This is mine. 20-inch barrel government profile barrel. Scope is a Burris RT6 1-6x.

Posted: 1/21/2021 4:58:53 PM EDT

[#29]

I have now switched to 6.5 Grendel in the woods this year for my short range hunts (<200 yds). I loaded 8208 XBR with 100 gr Barnes TTSX and was getting 2,600 fps out of a 16" barrel. That puts me out to just over 250 yards with the velocity over 2,000 fps for expansion. But if I have a shot over 200 yards, I'm not in the woods at that time and I'd have my 7mm Rem Mag because I have shots out much farther than 200 yards in that instance. I think it will work fine for you. I liked mine using it to tag a decent buck this year (less than 100 yards).

From another site:
Impact...Penetration...Expansion...Weight Retention
2744fps.......30".........(.530")......99%
2176fps.......25".........(.416")......99%
2021fps.......29".........(.410")......99%
1847fps.......34".........(.264")......99%

ETA: LPVO would be my suggestion. I have a Burris XTR II 1-5x24. My Grendel is not my long range hunter and I'm not using this for long range target practice. 5x or 6x magnification is plenty for me. The shorter barrel is faster for me as well as the LPVO on 1x.

Posted: 4/13/2021 10:50:31 AM EDT

[#30]

Ignore the optics. I am waiting on a Leupold Mark 3HD 4-12. maybe a little too much scope but I might be hunting out west as well. Just finished it and just test fired it but love it. Super light weight, Faxon 16" Gunner barrel, Faxon bolt, Odin works O2 handguard and CMC trigger. Have a Nomad Ti in jail for it as well.

Honestly if i was not traveling around the country with it and I had the Nomad i would probably go 12". But i also want to use it a little at the range i go to in Montana. that one has steel out to 1100. So 16" might be better than 12"

Posted: 4/13/2021 2:26:39 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

I’m surprised no one has suggested getting a LaRue UU Grendel kit, what’s the deal guys? I don’t have one yet, they were not a thing when I had mine built by precision firearms (20” heavy ass lilja barrel, shoulda stuck with a lighter profile).

View Quote

Are you familiar with their Grendel bbl options?

I built mine because I wanted a 12.5" bbl.

Posted: 4/13/2021 2:31:47 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you want a short barrel, OK great, there are several other great rounds for deer that are not as heavily impacted by suboptimal barrel length. I have an 18" that I use for whitetail and that is as short as I could justify.

View Quote

What cartridge would you recommend for a 30 cal suppressor and a barrel shorter than 18"?

Posted: 4/13/2021 3:23:20 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:

What cartridge would you recommend for a 30 cal suppressor and a barrel shorter than 18"?

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.300 Blackout is the obvious answer and I would hunt with a bbl as short as 8" with one.

Posted: 4/24/2021 12:29:39 AM EDT

[#34]

Terrain and range is varied where we hunt deer and elk, I've had everything from 70yd shots to just over 650yds. I carry the 22" Grendel in the pack, and have the little 11" suppressed Grendel slung and ready. Anything over 250 or so and I have the time to get out the longer one and set up

Posted: 4/24/2021 12:45:54 AM EDT

[#35]

My always woods/quad ar, wish I could hunt deer with it

Posted: 6/5/2021 12:40:16 AM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

I’m surprised no one has suggested getting a LaRue UU Grendel kit, what’s the deal guys? I don’t have one yet, they were not a thing when I had mine built by precision firearms (20” heavy ass lilja barrel, shoulda stuck with a lighter profile).

View Quote

I had one and it was a great rifle. A good choice for someone exploring the Grendel. But I like my 12” Grendel better so the UU went to a new home.

A 12” Grendel is an amazing gun.

Posted: 8/19/2021 6:34:16 PM EDT

[#37]

Currently building a 12” Grendel that will be my first SBR. Lower should be here Monday, will start the Form 1 then and send it off to be engraved. Using a mixture of lightish parts I should be right on 7 lbs with my SilencerCo Omega on it and my new favorite “budget” scope, a 2-12x42 Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2. Will post pics when I’m done with it. Was able to finally find a Carbine length Superlative piston kit for it today.