Gman757
Well-known member
I have been running two 6.8 SPC rigs for hogs and have been curious about the 6.5 Grendel so I put one together. It took several weeks to get the parts in and some were hard to find but it's finally done.
I have built several uppers but this is my first complete rifle build. I used quality parts and everything went together real nice.
Parts list:
Mega Arms Ambi Billet Upper/Lower Set
Mega Ams Wedge Lock M-Lok Handguard - Extended Length
AR Performance 18 inch 6.5G SS Melonite Barrel with 750 HD Bolt and Barrel Extension
Primary Weapons Enhanced Buffer Tube
JP H2 Silent Spring
Magpul ACS-L Stock
Magpul M-Lok Polymer Rail and Angled Fore Grip
Limb Saver Butt Stock Pad
CAA Adjustable Grip
AR Vent
Battle Arms Development Enhanced Pin Set
Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety
CMMG Lower Spring Kit
Forward Controls Augmented Bolt Release
Forward Controls EMI Mag Release Button
Norgon Ambi Mag Release
Geiselle SSA-E Two Stage Trigger
SLR Sentry 7 Adjustable Gas Block
Voodoo Innovations Lifecoat Rifle Length Gas Tube
AXTS Raptor-SD Ported Ambi Charging Handle
Nightops LLC Anti Tilt NB Bolt Carrier
YHM QD Flash Hider
I mounted a Nikon scope for the range and then it will get an IRD 35mm Mark III thermal for hog hunting.
EDIT UPDATE:
Made it to the range for a short break in and ammo test. I had some tweaking to do to get the adjustable gas block set so it would feed and eject properly. For now it is set ejecting brass about 5 to 6 ft. at 4:30. I am not sure about buffer spring tension on the bolt carrier. It will lock up but I am used to a little more force on my other ARs. I will run it for awhile and if I have any issues I will install the next heavier spring in the JP H2 Silent Spring. If I do I may have to open up the gas block another notch, but it sure is nice shooting like it is. The recoil is less than the 6.8 and feels smoother. I am going to switch my 6.8 to the JP Silent spring and see if I can tame it down a little more for follow up running shots on the hogs.
I only go the range for scope or ammo checks so my shooting is probably lacking. It was pretty breezy but I managed a decent 5 shot group with factory Hornady 123 grain SST ammo and it should be GTG for hog hunting. I am hoping it will shoot a little better as I get some more rounds thru the barrel.
I shot with a 4-16 Nikon in a rest. The repair patches are a little smaller than a nickel. 5@100 and the one to the left was the first shot.
Switched it to the Mark III thermal and time to see if it will kill a hog.
EDIT UPDATE 2
I got up to one of my feeder plots for a quickie hog hunt with the Grendel and all did not go as planned. I had some equipment issues which always cause problems in the woods at night and it cost me some hogs but I still managed to put down a small sow. The shot placement was not what I would have preferred but I had to stalk her and kneel down to slip a shot thru some thick weeds.
All I can say is this is a sweet shooting rig and I suspect part of it is the rifle length gas system. Hornady 123 grain SST
I have built several uppers but this is my first complete rifle build. I used quality parts and everything went together real nice.
Parts list:
Mega Arms Ambi Billet Upper/Lower Set
Mega Ams Wedge Lock M-Lok Handguard - Extended Length
AR Performance 18 inch 6.5G SS Melonite Barrel with 750 HD Bolt and Barrel Extension
Primary Weapons Enhanced Buffer Tube
JP H2 Silent Spring
Magpul ACS-L Stock
Magpul M-Lok Polymer Rail and Angled Fore Grip
Limb Saver Butt Stock Pad
CAA Adjustable Grip
AR Vent
Battle Arms Development Enhanced Pin Set
Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety
CMMG Lower Spring Kit
Forward Controls Augmented Bolt Release
Forward Controls EMI Mag Release Button
Norgon Ambi Mag Release
Geiselle SSA-E Two Stage Trigger
SLR Sentry 7 Adjustable Gas Block
Voodoo Innovations Lifecoat Rifle Length Gas Tube
AXTS Raptor-SD Ported Ambi Charging Handle
Nightops LLC Anti Tilt NB Bolt Carrier
YHM QD Flash Hider
I mounted a Nikon scope for the range and then it will get an IRD 35mm Mark III thermal for hog hunting.
EDIT UPDATE:
Made it to the range for a short break in and ammo test. I had some tweaking to do to get the adjustable gas block set so it would feed and eject properly. For now it is set ejecting brass about 5 to 6 ft. at 4:30. I am not sure about buffer spring tension on the bolt carrier. It will lock up but I am used to a little more force on my other ARs. I will run it for awhile and if I have any issues I will install the next heavier spring in the JP H2 Silent Spring. If I do I may have to open up the gas block another notch, but it sure is nice shooting like it is. The recoil is less than the 6.8 and feels smoother. I am going to switch my 6.8 to the JP Silent spring and see if I can tame it down a little more for follow up running shots on the hogs.
I only go the range for scope or ammo checks so my shooting is probably lacking. It was pretty breezy but I managed a decent 5 shot group with factory Hornady 123 grain SST ammo and it should be GTG for hog hunting. I am hoping it will shoot a little better as I get some more rounds thru the barrel.
I shot with a 4-16 Nikon in a rest. The repair patches are a little smaller than a nickel. 5@100 and the one to the left was the first shot.
Switched it to the Mark III thermal and time to see if it will kill a hog.
EDIT UPDATE 2
I got up to one of my feeder plots for a quickie hog hunt with the Grendel and all did not go as planned. I had some equipment issues which always cause problems in the woods at night and it cost me some hogs but I still managed to put down a small sow. The shot placement was not what I would have preferred but I had to stalk her and kneel down to slip a shot thru some thick weeds.
All I can say is this is a sweet shooting rig and I suspect part of it is the rifle length gas system. Hornady 123 grain SST
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