Optimum 6.5 Grendel barrel length?

[Lennyjoe]

So while I'm waiting for my SBR stamp I think I'm gonna build a 6.5 Grendel upper for deer hunting here in Arizona and would like to know which length barrel would be best? I'm seriously thinking about a 24" barrel and since I reload, I will be working up loads for this set up.

I've built AR's in .223, 300 Blackout, 6.8 SPC and 7.62x39 and want to break into the 6.5 arena for the long range shooter and deer hunter.

I'm assuming for weight purposes the 18" would be the suitable candidate but I like the thought of a longer barrel.

Suggestions?

 

[Darkbob]

It really depends on what you want. The 18" barrel may be a bit more handy, but if you're looking for best performance at long range then the 24" barrel should get you over 100 real world fps (according to some posts on 65grendel.com forums).

Also, this PDF from AlexanderArms website which shows some differing velocities using four different bullet weights and four barrel lengths from 14.5" to 24".

100 fps doesn't seem like much to me, but I've never shot at 1000 yards either

 

[TIMC]

I have the 18" Hunter which I think is a fine rifle. So far my farthest shot on a song dog was about 450 yards so I think 18" is plenty good enough.

 

[jmr40]

I find 20-22" is plenty for that class of cartridges. You'd have to go up to 28-30" to see any significant gains over 20-22". There is a lot more difference between individual barrels than 2" of barrel will make. There is no guarantee that a particular 24" barrel will shoot as fast as another 22" barrel, or 20" for that matter.

 

[browningguy]

I got mine with a 24", my primary interest was long range target shooting. If it is just for hunting I would strongly consider an 18", I think that would still work well for normal hunting distances and be that much easier to carry. Personally I wouldn't think about the middle lengths, they aren't handier enough to give up the almost certain loss in velocity.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I went with the 24". Heck I carried around a Savage 110 in 30-06 which was heavy enough. I'm sure the 6.5 with a 24" won't be much heavier.

 

[SavageShooter2k]

What barrel did you end up choosing? As in who makes it, what contour, etc?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Brownells barrel. http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/ar-15-m16-6-5-grendel-barrels-prod69785.aspx?avs|Cartridge_1=BBH_6xzzx5 Grendel

Kind of on a budget (saving for a wedding) so I thought I'd start there and upgrade (bolt and barrel) if the rifle doesn't perform well (after the wedding). Being a reloader, I figured I give this a chance with load development rather than factory ammo.

 

[TIMC]

Brownells barrel. http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...6xzzx5 Grendel

Kind of on a budget (saving for a wedding) so I thought I'd start there and upgrade (bolt and barrel) if the rifle doesn't perform well (after the wedding). Being a reloader, I figured I give this a chance with load development rather than factory ammo.

Nice choice, You'll be happy with it. The 6.5 Grendel is a fairly forgiving round and will easily yield good accuracy, especially for a hand loader.