6,5mm grendel would you buy it?

TheBear · April 30, 2013, 04:10 PM

Hi,

i have an offer to buy a custom made bolt action rifle. it has a 100g match trigger, a 20" shilen barrel and its chambered for the 6,5mm grendel round. only problem for me, its 8pounds heavy and its fitted with a benchrest shaft...i would want to use it as a hunting rifle though...
Price is 2000bucks...
do you think this is a good deal?

Achilles11B · April 30, 2013, 05:21 PM

$2K seems steep for something that's not absolutely perfect for you. Just one guy's opinion.

mehavey · April 30, 2013, 05:34 PM

I have a Grendel, built by Bill Alexander.
Have had it for just under a year and a half.
It is a tack driver.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that the whole concept behind the Grendel was to design a cartridge that absolutely maximized a balance of internal ballistics (max speed/weight), external ballistics (max ballistic coefficient for retaining that speed), terminal ballistics (enough energy at distance to kill at ~800 yards) and match-grade accuracy...

*** within the constrictions of an ordinary AR15 action ***

Were you looking at a gas gun, it would be a no-brainer (price would be another subject). But the Grendel in a bolt action is a specialized/less-than-full-potential 6.5mm bullet thrower. A Swedish 6.5x55 would be a better-if-not-ideal bet.

For what you've said you want it for, I'd recommend you take a pass on that particular Grendel

Smokey Joe · April 30, 2013, 08:20 PM

Using a benchrest rifle for hunting is like wearing a 40# pack to go for a walk around the block. And paying extra $$ for each pound.

Sounds like it's a jeezly nice rifle, IF you were thinking of competing benchrest with it.

Since what you want is a hunting rifle, I agree heartily with Mehavey--Go to gun shows until you find a nice Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55--Even better, you may find one that is already fitted with a "hunting style" stock and a 'scope base, which destroys its collectibility, thereby reducing its price. Ignore which factory it was made in--That's a question for collectors--The Swedes insisted on the same high quality in all the Swede Mausers.

If the bolt and the safety haven't been modified you can't use a 'scope. Any good gunsmith can do those chores for you.

NICE, light, accurate rifle (hunting-accurate, mind you--The Swede is a fine military rifle but it never was meant for serious competition) built like a brick pizzeria--make that built like a Mauser, mild recoil, easy availability of ammo, easy to reload for if you do that, and best of all, you will pay LESS THAN HALF of what that benchrester would cost, even including the mods mentioned above, plus a nice 'scope for the Swede. I'd reccommend a Timney trigger, but that's about all the tweaking the Swede needs to be a fine hunting rifle, easily capable of taking everything in North America except the big bears. The Swedes use 'em to routinely hunt what we call moose, which they call "elk."

Yes, I've got one. Yes it has a 'scope. Yes it has a Timney. Yes it takes down deer like the Grim Reaper. Yes I like mine very much.

GeauxTide · April 30, 2013, 09:19 PM

If I wanted a gas 26, it would be a DPMS in 260. My preference is my Savage 16 LH in 260. Half inch, all the live long day.

mehavey · April 30, 2013, 11:45 PM

But the 260 Rem requires an AR10 platform and about a 25% increase in weight
(I think) for a 12% increase in speed (I'm guestimating here)

Good cartridge, though. Actually better than 6.5x55_Swede ballistics in a 308Win-sized case.

JerryM · May 1, 2013, 08:09 AM

NO!
Jerry

mehavey · May 1, 2013, 10:26 AM

No?

PVL · May 1, 2013, 01:35 PM

No.

mehavey · May 1, 2013, 03:01 PM

If I go to Lyman, it has the Swede/120gr going out at 2700-2800fps, while the 260 goes out at 2900

If I go to the Wiki reference (just for grins), it has the Swede/120gr at 2,820 and the 260 at 2,890

Am I missing something here?

Boomer58cal · May 1, 2013, 04:32 PM

No. Ammo is to uncommon in my opinion. I know several people that haven't found a single round or case in months.

Boomer

globemaster3 · May 1, 2013, 04:48 PM

In an AR-15, yes I would.

In a bolt action, no I would not, for the reasons mentioned. There are many better calibers to choose from for a bolt.

tahunua001 · May 1, 2013, 07:54 PM

6.5 grendel is a great option for AR15s but in bolt actions 6.5 swede and 260 rem are better options. I'm partial to the 6.5 japanese though it isn't the best out there and until you've had to shop around for 6.5x50 brass you have no idea what ammo scarcity really is.

6.5 grendel is not that hard to find it's just not made in the numbers to keep up with high demand like what has been seen the last quarter.

doofus47 · May 2, 2013, 09:44 AM

No.
6.5 Grendel is a solution for an AR15 specific problem. Once you start talking bolt, you're going to find many other solutions to better fit your specfic needs (no matter what your needs are).

tobnpr · May 2, 2013, 04:11 PM

I'm with the others above.

If it were a steal, and if you were shooting at about 600 and inside, I'd go for it...

But it doesn't sound like steal of a deal to me.

The 6.5 G is outstanding- remarkable, really- out of the AR-15 platform. My son bangs 5" gongs at 565 yards with his (123 Amax, 8208) with regularity...

But if I were gonna drop two grand on a precision rifle for long range- and by long range, I mean 1000 or thereabouts, there are better choices as already mentioned, in either the 6.5 or 7mm chamberings.

steveNChunter · May 2, 2013, 04:47 PM

If you want to throw 6.5mm lead out of a bolt gun with match-grade accuracy, I recommend a 6.5 creedmoor. A .260 rem, 6.5x55, 6.5-06 or .264 win mag are all good choices as well. As others have said, it might not be wise to spend that kind of money on a less than ideal chambering. Unless you just really, really want a Grendel. If that be the case, get it in an AR. Just my .02 for what its worth

hornetguy · May 2, 2013, 05:16 PM

I agree with Smokey Joe... 6.5 Swede.

Kimber sells a sporterized Swede... probably for less than a fourth of what the Grendel was going to cost you.

Fine, fine caliber. Kills like a thunderbolt. Something about that long-for-caliber 140gr bullet, penetrates like crazy. I've never recovered one from a game animal. My experience has been that deer drop pretty much within spitting distance of where they were hit.

HOGSHOOTER · May 6, 2013, 12:47 PM

And you better look at the cost of ammo for it ,to get the most out of it you have to use the best ammo for it.kinda pricey . There is steel case ammo but hard to find.HOGSHOOTER

April 30, 2013, 04:10 PM	#1
TheBear Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2011 Posts: 303	6,5mm grendel would you buy it? Hi, i have an offer to buy a custom made bolt action rifle. it has a 100g match trigger, a 20" shilen barrel and its chambered for the 6,5mm grendel round. only problem for me, its 8pounds heavy and its fitted with a benchrest shaft...i would want to use it as a hunting rifle though... Price is 2000bucks... do you think this is a good deal?

April 30, 2013, 05:21 PM	#2
Achilles11B Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Posts: 595	$2K seems steep for something that's not absolutely perfect for you. Just one guy's opinion. __________________ Good equipment will never be a substitute for good training.

April 30, 2013, 08:20 PM	#4
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	Too much $$$, too much specialization... Using a benchrest rifle for hunting is like wearing a 40# pack to go for a walk around the block. And paying extra $$ for each pound. Sounds like it's a jeezly nice rifle, IF you were thinking of competing benchrest with it. Since what you want is a hunting rifle, I agree heartily with Mehavey--Go to gun shows until you find a nice Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55--Even better, you may find one that is already fitted with a "hunting style" stock and a 'scope base, which destroys its collectibility, thereby reducing its price. Ignore which factory it was made in--That's a question for collectors--The Swedes insisted on the same high quality in all the Swede Mausers. If the bolt and the safety haven't been modified you can't use a 'scope. Any good gunsmith can do those chores for you. NICE, light, accurate rifle (hunting-accurate, mind you--The Swede is a fine military rifle but it never was meant for serious competition) built like a brick pizzeria--make that built like a Mauser, mild recoil, easy availability of ammo, easy to reload for if you do that, and best of all, you will pay LESS THAN HALF of what that benchrester would cost, even including the mods mentioned above, plus a nice 'scope for the Swede. I'd reccommend a Timney trigger, but that's about all the tweaking the Swede needs to be a fine hunting rifle, easily capable of taking everything in North America except the big bears. The Swedes use 'em to routinely hunt what we call moose, which they call "elk." Yes, I've got one. Yes it has a 'scope. Yes it has a Timney. Yes it takes down deer like the Grim Reaper. Yes I like mine very much. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe Last edited by Smokey Joe; April 30, 2013 at 08:31 PM.

April 30, 2013, 11:45 PM	#6
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	But the 260 Rem requires an AR10 platform and about a 25% increase in weight (I think) for a 12% increase in speed (I'm guestimating here) Good cartridge, though. Actually better than 6.5x55_Swede ballistics in a 308Win-sized case. Last edited by mehavey; April 30, 2013 at 11:52 PM.

May 1, 2013, 08:09 AM	#7
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	NO! Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

April 30, 2013, 05:34 PM	#3
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	I have a Grendel, built by Bill Alexander. Have had it for just under a year and a half. It is a tack driver. That's the good news. The bad news is that the whole concept behind the Grendel was to design a cartridge that absolutely maximized a balance of internal ballistics (max speed/weight), external ballistics (max ballistic coefficient for retaining that speed), terminal ballistics (enough energy at distance to kill at ~800 yards) and match-grade accuracy... * within the constrictions of an ordinary AR15 action * Were you looking at a gas gun, it would be a no-brainer (price would be another subject). But the Grendel in a bolt action is a specialized/less-than-full-potential 6.5mm bullet thrower. A Swedish 6.5x55 would be a better-if-not-ideal bet. For what you've said you want it for, I'd recommend you take a pass on that particular Grendel

April 30, 2013, 09:19 PM	#5
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	If I wanted a gas 26, it would be a DPMS in 260. My preference is my Savage 16 LH in 260. Half inch, all the live long day.

May 1, 2013, 10:26 AM	#8
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	No?

May 1, 2013, 01:35 PM	#9
PVL Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 169	No.

May 1, 2013, 03:01 PM	#10
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	If I go to Lyman, it has the Swede/120gr going out at 2700-2800fps, while the 260 goes out at 2900 If I go to the Wiki reference (just for grins), it has the Swede/120gr at 2,820 and the 260 at 2,890 Am I missing something here?

May 1, 2013, 04:32 PM	#11
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	don't do it! No. Ammo is to uncommon in my opinion. I know several people that haven't found a single round or case in months. Boomer __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

May 1, 2013, 04:48 PM	#12
globemaster3 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2006 Posts: 1,482	In an AR-15, yes I would. In a bolt action, no I would not, for the reasons mentioned. There are many better calibers to choose from for a bolt. __________________ NRA Life Member "We have enough gun control. What we need is idiot control." Last edited by globemaster3; May 2, 2013 at 01:18 AM.

May 1, 2013, 07:54 PM	#13
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	6.5 grendel is a great option for AR15s but in bolt actions 6.5 swede and 260 rem are better options. I'm partial to the 6.5 japanese though it isn't the best out there and until you've had to shop around for 6.5x50 brass you have no idea what ammo scarcity really is. 6.5 grendel is not that hard to find it's just not made in the numbers to keep up with high demand like what has been seen the last quarter. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

May 2, 2013, 09:44 AM	#14
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	No. 6.5 Grendel is a solution for an AR15 specific problem. Once you start talking bolt, you're going to find many other solutions to better fit your specfic needs (no matter what your needs are). __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

May 2, 2013, 04:11 PM	#15
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	I'm with the others above. If it were a steal, and if you were shooting at about 600 and inside, I'd go for it... But it doesn't sound like steal of a deal to me. The 6.5 G is outstanding- remarkable, really- out of the AR-15 platform. My son bangs 5" gongs at 565 yards with his (123 Amax, 8208) with regularity... But if I were gonna drop two grand on a precision rifle for long range- and by long range, I mean 1000 or thereabouts, there are better choices as already mentioned, in either the 6.5 or 7mm chamberings. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

May 2, 2013, 04:47 PM	#16
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	If you want to throw 6.5mm lead out of a bolt gun with match-grade accuracy, I recommend a 6.5 creedmoor. A .260 rem, 6.5x55, 6.5-06 or .264 win mag are all good choices as well. As others have said, it might not be wise to spend that kind of money on a less than ideal chambering. Unless you just really, really want a Grendel. If that be the case, get it in an AR. Just my .02 for what its worth __________________ DEO VINDICE

May 2, 2013, 05:16 PM	#17
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 970	I agree with Smokey Joe... 6.5 Swede. Kimber sells a sporterized Swede... probably for less than a fourth of what the Grendel was going to cost you. Fine, fine caliber. Kills like a thunderbolt. Something about that long-for-caliber 140gr bullet, penetrates like crazy. I've never recovered one from a game animal. My experience has been that deer drop pretty much within spitting distance of where they were hit. __________________ I always felt that if I got to the point where I thought it was time to bury my firearms, it was actually time to pick them up..

May 6, 2013, 12:47 PM	#18
HOGSHOOTER Member Join Date: February 7, 2012 Posts: 44	And you better look at the cost of ammo for it ,to get the most out of it you have to use the best ammo for it.kinda pricey . There is steel case ammo but hard to find.HOGSHOOTER