6.5 Grendel, Satern barrel, questions.

[Strykervet]

I just ordered a barrel from Satern Custom Machining. 20" non-fluted, .750 gas block, 1-8.750 twist, 6.5mm Grendel chamber, 9/16-24 threads. Got it for $450, bolt included. No 12-18 month wait either, as this is exactly what I wanted and AA didn't carry this one.

To highlight the setup, it will be your basic AR from the delta ring back. Standard buttstock assy. w/metal trapdoor, Aero Prec. flattop upper and lower that I hand matched, worked RRA two stage trigger, quality, but standard carrier, basic other parts; all milspec parts are used. The front end will be free floated, possibly a JP Ent. V-Tac or if it will work, a DCM free float tube with a KAC military M5 rail system I have laying around attached. A2 flash hider, pinned NM front sight assy. Bipod, shooting sling, NM sights on a mil carry handle, and scope will round it out. On the outside, it will look like an M16A4. On the inside, it will be a long range tack driver.

My questions are to folks who have owned a barrel like this. A Satern Grendel barrel, 16"-24" to be specific (I don't care about the diameter, fluting, etc.) or other cut-rifled barrel if they exist. Did you do the standard 100 round break in or something different? Which bullet performed the best in your barrel? If you used SS C-Products magazines with the blue followers, how did those work out? What scope worked best for you using this cartridge, and which ones were problematic, mainly regarding the drop on calibrated scopes? Is the 7.62 ACOG doable? Any other suggestions regarding this barrel, like bullet/brass/load info?

For loaders: Anybody use Varget? I plan on loading all my own ammo, I may buy some AA ammo just to compare and run through the chrono, but most will be handloads. Any difference between the Hornady brass and the Lapua brass that would make it worth the extra $30 per 100? Which bullets grouped best for you at distance?

Sorry so long winded, but I'm just trying to get ahead on this project. I know a good deal about this already, but I want to hear it from others that have a barrel like this and have done it.

BTW, if you are remotely interested in getting a GREAT Grendel barrel, time is running out. Satern and Liberty are discontinuing Grendel and Beowulf barrels --probably due to the ridiculous contracts the owners of AA are pushing. Anyway, they have a few good ones left, and you probably can't get a better barrel for long range accuracy with this round. There are some floating around for sale, but some of the ones Satern has left are different and you can choose the threading or crown.

 

[FlyinBryan]

cant really add to the thread as far as load data because i dont have a 6.5.

my cousin does have a 6.5 grendel barrel.

it is a satern.

it is to this day the most accurate 300yd rifle ive ever seen. i wanted one badly afterward but money got tight (extinct) and i didnt get one.

i dont have exact measurments but we were hiding every single 5 shot group @300yds under a dime. completely with a little room to spare.

it was the most accurate AR ive ever,,,,,,, no scratch that.
it was the most accurate RIFLE ive ever seen.

i didnt know such accuracy existed, and now my 3/4moa rifle and i feel guilty and look away when we see each other.

 

[Strykervet]

Yeah, that's what I've heard about Satern... That's why I wanted this barrel so bad, and that they're discontinuing them forced the decision.

 

[Strykervet]

Really? No information at all anyone can give me? Nobody own Satern barrels? 6.5 Grendel?

 

[FlyinBryan]

well, i dont load for 6.5, but for the bump i will just say:

i would start out with 100g nosler custom comp or ballistic tip bullets and h322 or varget.

i think with the varget you will end up working up to compressed loads,,,,,, probably not with the h322. the 322 will probably cost you a little velocity vs the varget, but you prolly already know that.

i would also probably opt for magnum small rifle cci primers and work up from starting loads keeping tabs on signs of overpressure.

from what ive seen from satern barrels it will probably take considerable effort to make it shoot poorly .

BUMP.

ps you maybe should start a 6.5 grendel thread in the reloading section. i would be interested in it.

bryan.

 

[Strykervet]

Will do, thanks. I got some info about bullet lengths, etc., and I made my own table yesterday and ran average optimum twist rates per bullet as well as the average optimum twist rate for all bullets suitable for the Grendel... I'll post it in reloading.

I wanted to use the Varget because I have had good results in autoloaders, and I use it in 5.56 and 7.62 already. But I'll end up dabbling with other powders I'm sure. Thanks for the H322 recommendation, I'll check it out.