Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel

[ukerduker]

Sure looks nice. Hat to hear about the rail, but shouldn't the smith have caught that or was it something he wouldn't know?

I won't blame this on anyone but myself. I made the error in selecting my free-float rail. The armorer did comment on the short travel of the rod, but from what I gathered, he was unfamiliar with this kit.

I'm down, but not out! I will try to get it fixed shortly.

[Guest ls2tiger]

Very nice weapon and a superior build project. IMO Dont let the mistake bother you that much,we all make mistakes.

[Tooreal]

I am wanting to build or buy an upper in 6.5mm Grendel. I really like the looks of the Alexander Arms GSR Upper, but its just too expensive. I am thinking about getting the exact same upper that you purchased, but I'm wondering if in hindsight it would have been better if you had got the 6.5 Grendel � Piston Upper to begin with? I'm really wanting to build one or at least the Lower and I actually want the same stock that you put on your Tack Driver, but that $240.00 price tag has me shell shocked. I want a 20" barrel on mine, do you have any recommendations for me on the best & cheapest way to find the parts for my build? Any advice would be Greatly appreciated.. :-) Thanks

[Tooreal]

I forgot to mention that your rifle is absolutely gorgeous and you did a great job putting it together. I hope to have the same results as you, so I'll keep my fingers crossed..

[ukerduker]

I am wanting to build or buy an upper in 6.5mm Grendel. I really like the looks of the Alexander Arms GSR Upper, but its just too expensive. I am thinking about getting the exact same upper that you purchased, but I'm wondering if in hindsight it would have been better if you had got the 6.5 Grendel � Piston Upper to begin with? I'm really wanting to build one or at least the Lower and I actually want the same stock that you put on your Tack Driver, but that $240.00 price tag has me shell shocked. I want a 20" barrel on mine, do you have any recommendations for me on the best & cheapest way to find the parts for my build? Any advice would be Greatly appreciated.. :-) Thanks

Let be start by saying you get what you pay for...

My project started with a reasonably priced used AA upper. I found this on www.65grendel.com. (You can also find good deals on gunbroker.com.) I then added additional upgrades over time as I could afford them. I looked at the GSR upper, but like you, the price was beyond my budget. AA only offers a gas piston upper in 18", and I wanted a 24" barrel. When considering a piston upper, the price is significantly higher up front. BUT, if you choose a standard configuration and install a piston conversion kit at a later date, you pay approx the same price after purchasing the kit, a new rail, and installing it. When I purchased my Adams Arms kit, I failed to realize that my gas block was too large. This forced me to purchase a new, smaller gas block barrel. It became an expensive mistake. Whatever configuration you choose, make it easy on yourself and buy a complete upper to start.

Also keep in mind the rifling twist when looking at purchasing your upper. Mine is a 1-9. You might want to do some research on the bullets and their weights before deciding on a twist. I'm shooting 120 SMKs and 130 Berger VLD with amazing accuracy. The downside to a grendel is the fluctuating availability of ammunition. There can be shortages and extended backorders from time to time, but reloading can eliminate this issue.

Additional upgrades- This is where it becomes subjective and your wallet may assume the leadership role. My rule of thumb- purchase items that allow you the most flexibility. My PRS stock is very nice, but it does come at higher a cost. I like the adjustments and the bottom rail for my mono-pod. Other items like a scope, a larger charging handle, bipod, muzzle break, suppressor, Magpul MIAD grip with storage area, etc,....add until your heart's content or your wallet is empty.

I am reloading 6.5 grendel. So if you are a reloader and need future assistance in working up your loads. Let me know.

[herr.baer]

Thanks for the continuing write up and information. The Grendel is my next project. I am in the process of saving up the $$ now. I hope mine turns out as nice as yours.

[Tooreal]

ukerduker,

Thanks for the advice, its really come in handy so far in many ways:cool: . I just happened to get a message from another member that had been reading your post, and he wanted to sell his 6.5 Grendel upper. So I went and looked it over this morning and it has a 20" 410 stainless steel fluted barrel with a 1:9 twist, Free-float aluminum tubular hand-guard, Front and rear flip-up sights and a muzzle brake just like yours.. Its a Sabre Defense and it looks just like the Competition Deluxe upper with the tubular hand guard (instead of the Free-float quadrail hand-guard) thats shown on this model on the www.sabredefence.com website.

Ok, so I had to buy it:D now I need a lower to go with it, preferably one that has 6.5 Grendel stamped on it, or multi caliber..

I do reload "its been a few years" but I still have my Dillon 550B so I just need the dyes and I'll be set...

Thanks again for the advice, it really did help me a lot!!!

[ukerduker]

One thing I will stress about the dies, going cheap ruins your brass. I initially purchased a set of Lee 6.5 Grendel dies and the results were very inconsistent. At time during the resizing, the brass was "crushed". At nearly a buck each, I didn't want to risk losing additional cases. I opted for the Redding competition dies and its been smooth sailing ever since. I'll give you my old Lee dies if you like.

You can't go wrong with Sabre! As for your lower, just pick a reasonably priced one. It does not need to be stamped with anything grendel specific. Mine is a Spikes Tactical lower and has CAL MULTI stamped into it.

Welcome to the Grendel family!

[dlm37015]

i built my own using a j &t kit with a 24 inch barrel . i bought redding dies but at the time couldnt find brass so i bought wolf gold ammo great brass have been told they get it from lapua.with 120 grain noslers it will scare you it shoots so good

[Guest tnpanscraper]

I have a Double star lower and a 24" extra heavy stainless barrel with free float tube from Model 1 Sales.... Really made my AR come alive!!!!! I do not reload....yet...

Been using the wolf 120gr MPT's and for more accuracy, I have Hornady 123gr A-Max Ballistic tip.... The 123's are awesome but the 6.5 is freakin loud! It's a tac driver!!!!

I just need to paint the rifle and decise which scope I want to keep on it.... Has a Leupold Vari x II 3-9x40 at the moment....

[Guest Keinengel]

A 6.5 Upper is on my short list currently. I had intended to buy one recently but I ended up going a different route and purchasing an L1A1 FAL variant. Ammo availability is something I'm not too pleased about however since I don't reload.

[dlm37015]

well start reloading if you dont have reloading equ. yet come over to my house most any night during the week

[Guest tnpanscraper]

Ammo selection is pretty slim but it's an awesome round. The Wolf MPT's are not too bad.... I can always switch back to 5.56 pretty quick too...