6.5 Grendel

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Anyone here a fan?

I have a good friend who did everything but beg and plead to get me to try it.
I have had a Swede for decades and enjoyed it enough to build a 6.5/06 on a Mauser. I didnt need it. But didnt really pay much attention to what it was.
About 5 years ago I shot a few deer with the 300 BO and was seeing its limitations past 125/150 yards. Inside that, the way and places I hunt. Its been fabulous. Nothing has walked 75' and many deer have just dropped or took few steps and dropped. But pushing things north if 150 yards. Its not what Ill use at these yardages again. I wanted something that killed better to 200/250 yards yet still had light weight and light recoil. I went 25/45 and was rewarded with a better hunting caliber. But it was a AR and some places thats frowned upon. I saw Howa offered its mini action in Grendel and ordered a 22" gun.
Out of the box this thing was a shooter even thru break in it flat shot with just starter loads!
As I searched loads, 2230.2200.H335, AR Comp, Benchmark & 2520 ALL produced sub MOA groups with an array of light 6.5 bullets. I decided upon the Sierra 120 Pro Hunters the Hornady 123 SST & Speer 120 Gold Dots.

I have taken a few deer with this Grendel and only issue I had was a quirk using Gold Dot bullets at top velocity. About a month of back and forth with the excellent guys @ Speer we decided it was just a anomaly but spawned by too much velocity. These Gold Dots are not really "hunting" bullets and designed for a strict velocity range that I surpassed by over 150 fps. 2500 was tip top, with 2400 range recommended. I was 2675 fps. (All muzzle numbers) I attained this with the 6" longer bbl. a Magazine and bullet that allowed 2.7+ OAL and load work up stopping with accuracy no pressure signs. (Remember this is a AR caliber limited to 55k not a issue in a modern bolt rifle.) So I have focused on a "better" bullet. The Pro Hunter that has served so many for so long in the Swede. I was a lil worried as the swede moved this bullet more the. The Grendel was able. This bullet profile didnt allow same load as the GD. So low 2600's have been top I was OK with. (Knowing its too hot for a AR) I dont "need" to push this but also dont feel I am really in dangerous territory at all. (Almost zero case head expansion.)

This rifle got a new scope this month and Im gonna sight & shoot Wednesday. My buddy we t me some 100g Part bullets I have loaded with 2520.

Im happy I bought a few hundred cases as they are hens teeth now. I bought and then sold a AR in 6.5 and I have thus far.... Resisted the urge for a CZ 527 Varmint in Grendel.
This is quite pleasant to shoot many loads dont even blackout the scope. Last deer I shot I watched the mule kick thru the optic out at 155/160 yards. Then watched as he had difficulties with gravity...

I have t seen any topics and wondered if anyone else was enjoying this one.


3EBEEE19-453C-4C49-8ABC-80D5E7525E0E.jpeg10877390-1F1E-4C5A-A446-CCFE1436003A.jpeg81645D6F-232D-44C7-B4EF-F995A3AE06D5.jpeg
 

JonB

Halcyon member
Several months ago, I did a swap for a garbage bag of range brass for some of my precious vintage LRP.
As I sorted the brass, there happened to be a good batch of what looked like 1x Grendel brass.
That stuff is rare as hens teeth, all I can say is when I listed it, it sold quick and for lots more than I can imagine paying for boltgun brass...maybe I'm just getting old?
...with that said, I do like the 6.5 and the Type 38 Jap Mauser I have, that's rechambered for the Roberts case is one I like to shoot.
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
I’ve never shot the Grendel, but I’m sorely tempted by that Howa mini- action. The one thing holding me back, is actually the plastic floor plate. It doesn’t look too rugged; I suspect they easily split by the action screws? Only specultation on my part.
I might have to try one, after all. I have a good selection of 6,5 moulds, including the NOE 266-126 «grendel», in fact
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
About a year ago we acquired our first AR-15 platform. I chose the 6.5 Grendel chambering. An AR-10 had been considered, but would have been too heavy for Mrs. smokeywolf and the recoil from 308 or 6.5 Creedmore (the cartridges under consideration) might have been a bit robust for her.

Our first and only AR is great fun to shoot and in 6.5 Grendel, the potential for fun and bringing home meat is limited only by your stock of ammo and the room you have. Put a Sightron 2-10 x 32 thinking that would offer the best versatility and stay well within budget.

Haven't reloaded Grendel yet, but understand it lends itself to that part of our hobby very nicely.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I’ve never shot the Grendel, but I’m sorely tempted by that Howa mini- action. The one thing holding me back, is actually the plastic floor plate. It doesn’t look too rugged; I suspect they easily split by the action screws? Only specultation on my part.
I might have to try one, after all. I have a good selection of 6,5 moulds, including the NOE 266-126 «grendel», in fact
You are spot on.

My second season with this gun I decided I liked it so much. I Actually found myself thinking about it regularly in idle times like when driving. Between customers. Yea I liked it allot! I bought a Boyds stock to change out the Hogue over molded stocker. Now this Hoge is actually pretty nice a d pretty solid. Its factory pillar bedded too. But its plastic... As is the trigger guard. It also got a pretty poorly designed mag release. So much so that carrying the gun hunting causes ya to drop out the magazine. They are my only real complaints. Yes re torquing the action screws cracked the bottom plastic.
DIP manufacturing to the rescue!! I bought there bottom metal and there magazine release. Both or ine of thenother makers offering the same are a requirement. Shame on any manufacturer with plastic anywhere in the action screw attachment setup. San maybe stocks them selves.

That nee Boyd's was hogged out pillar bedded and glass bedded. I decided I did not like the lamination pattern and some of the shapes. So I took a big rasp a plane and sand paper and almost completely reshaped and re contoured the stock!! Now its much better and even lighter as I took ALLOT OFF!! The DIP allows for very solid 60 inch pounds torque and the glass bed and pillars provide the foundation for very repeatable accurate shooting.

CW
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
The 6,5- caliber seems to have attracted a general reputation for cast bullet unsuitability, probably due to the peculiarities of the swedish mauser rifles. In my experience (which includes zero swedish mausers), the 6,5 is not particularily «difficult». While the selection of moulds is less than .30- cal, there are some pretty nifty designs at NOE. Particularily if flight capability/BC is of interest.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
After my son got out of grad school, married and had a child, he decided he needed a better rifle around his house the Yugo SKS I gave him 20 years ago. As a Desert Storm Paratrooper, he was familiar with and wanted an AR Platform rifle. This is strictly a defensive weapon for suburban and mountain cabin use, which means 300 yard range. After three months of study, he decided the 6.5 Grendel was the best option and has been happy with it ever since.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
The 6.5 Grendel seems to be the confluence of the short/fat casing trend and the "will it fit in an AR platform" trend.
It appears to be a good collection of positive traits.

The 6mm PPC is renowned for its accuracy and has long been the favorite of the bench rest crowd. The 6.5 Grendel builds upon that linage.
The fact that the 6.5 Grendel fits and works in an AR platform is absolutely key to its acceptance. However, its accuracy potential my take it beyond the AR actions and into the world of bolt actions and single shot rifles. I don't believe the Grendel will kill off the 243 Winchester but it may become a serious competitor.
 
Last edited:

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I took my Grendel out today! Shot four different loads after siting the new scope. One bullet that ALWAYS shot great for me no matter the caliber just refuses to shoot for me in the Grendel. The Ballistic tip. Here is a solid charge of Benchmark. A powder that usually shoots very well in this gun. :oops: :rofl:

8FCCF8ED-E258-4B9B-A5F9-0DF39FB6F7CF.jpeg

Next load was my generalmpurpose load. Not the best or most a curate. Just a good solid preforming load. AR Comp and a 123 SST.
C3AE3917-01D6-4ED9-8017-62D2DD4D10F3.jpeg
Then another bullet that dosent shoot great but is a nice Coyote bullet the Hornady 95g V Max.

A4FCC697-CD4C-4210-AC22-BF9F141A6744.jpeg

This last one is a new one for me. My buddy loves the bullet and I have always liked Sierra. We bought some seconds direct from Sierra. (He ordered we split cost) This is his load with 2520 powder.

7989510C-C428-4FB0-8297-5FFB798A0B17.jpeg
Not nearly what this gun can shoot... But useable For the range this caliber has.

Overall a good shoot with this cartridge. I left my 120g Gold Dot and Pro Hunter loads at home as time and time again the shoot sub MOA.

The scope was great. Clear brite and a quick box test was spot on!!

F13E7208-FB97-4936-9232-EDBBE2F5FC97.jpeg
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the range report!
The 6,5mm 100grs ballistic tip has shot very well for me in the x55, but it is obviously not to your rifle’s liking. Another interesting, lightweight fragmenting bullet is the 100grs A-max. Maybe they don’t make them anymore? I don’t know.

I recently bought a bunch of 93grs fmj, blunt tipped bullets. These were made in a norwegian factory maybe 30 years ago? You don’t see many blunt-tipped fmj bullets in 6,5mm. It shoots 5 shots sub-MOA average in my S&L 6,5x55. Shot be a good bullet for edible small game!

0A89D660-238B-4B4E-A421-197F07004DC5.jpeg
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I have shot a number of loads with the 100 @ 120 Ballistic tips in the Grendel and they simply dont shoot well. AA 2230, 2200, 2460, 2520, AR Comp, H335, Benchmark & 748 where tried.
I prefer to hunt the Sierra Pro Hunters. They are a "nothing special" bullet. Meaning no petagree as the BT/A max/V max. But Sierra has been good to me. Then the Speer Gold Dots. New on the sceen but the few "flavors I have tried, have all shot well for me. These all shoot from good to excellent.
But I didnt shoot them today.
I have not seen these FMJ bullets. Strange blunt tips. I wonder there original application?

CW
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
The dominating shooting sport in Scandinavia, is target shooting with 6,5x55 bolt guns and peep sights. There is a separate class for both juniors and seniors, where rules concerning bullet weight and velocity apply (light bullets, moderate velocity). I believe this bullet was made for «junior» loads.
 

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
I think those GD bullets are plated. At least the 224 bullets i have are. That would be why they failed. Federal calls them Fusion.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
In speaking with them cause I asked as well, They are adamant that NO FUSIONS are different entirely.
They are billed as a bonded jacket and core with a uniform jacket. I cannot find where the material or its coating was described. Its a long thin nose bullet allowing long OALs if mag/action allows.
 

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
It's a play of words. They are bonded yes. But plating the jacket to the core. Lots of people having jacket failures like you since they came out with these.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
I bought a radical firearms upper in 6.5 grendel and it shot surprisingly well for me. I sold that and bought two new grendel barrels, a sabre defense chrome lined and a Bartlein hb. Both were put in bravo company uppers. The sabre shoots sub moa and the bartlein, well, it's a bartlein. It's pretty easy to get .3 on a good day with it.
I used to consider accuracy and semi auto to be mutually exclusive, but the ar15 has enlightened me.