6.5 grendel question

[Blacklab]

Just built this about a month ago an love it  If your going to go grendel the wait time on barrels is long. It took 5 months an a day to get my barrel, bolt, an upper from AA. There's pics somewher on here.

[jackelope]

Keep the thread on track out of respect for the OP.

Bunch of teeny-boppers sometimes...geesh...

[Biggerhammer]

If I go with a longer barrel than I currently have will I need to replace my current handguard as well?  Currently set up with the factory handguard and have the 16 barrel.  I can stay with the same length but was thinking of at least to 18 to take advantage of the full potential.

If you go with a 18" most of them have a mid length gas system, I would assume your 16" barrel has a carbine length gas system and hand guard. The gas tube would protrude from the front of the hand guard while the issue would be cosmetic and the rifle would still be fully functional. My brother delt with the issue of a mid length gas system on his AA 16" Grendel M4 barrel and a carbine length hand guard before he replaced it. The gas tube was exposed for a couple inches but the deer died just the same.

[Jim the Plumber]

If I go with a longer barrel than I currently have will I need to replace my current handguard as well?  Currently set up with the factory handguard and have the 16 barrel.  I can stay with the same length but was thinking of at least to 18 to take advantage of the full potential.

You don't have to, but you should. Ideally you want the gas tube covered completely. The gas tube gets hot quick and one less thing for brush etc to catch on.

[Jburke]

Ok, kind of what I thought after thinking about it more.  What kind of performance increase am I looking at by moving up to the longer barrel?  I rarely shoot anything 300+ but would like the option.  How well will the 16 do at longer ranges?  300+

[runamuk]

tons and tons of information on this site
http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

its one of the resources I go to so I can read lots of opinions when considering a caliber, it is very much steered toward the benchrest shooter but tons of great information to be gleaned.

[Biggerhammer]

Ok, kind of what I thought after thinking about it more.  What kind of performance increase am I looking at by moving up to the longer barrel?  I rarely shoot anything 300+ but would like the option.  How well will the 16 do at longer ranges?  300+

There would be no real notable performance difference  between the 16" & 18" barrel at 300 yards, a big game animal isn't going to be able to tell the difference. Go with the length you prefer.

[Jburke]

Ok, well seeing as I want to hunt with this gun I think that anything longer than 18 would start to get bulky and harder to manuver while hunting.  Just personal preference I guess. 

[Biggerhammer]

Ok, well seeing as I want to hunt with this gun I think that anything longer than 18 would start to get bulky and harder to manuver while hunting.  Just personal preference I guess.

One of mine started with a 18" stainless AA barrel that was cut down to 17" and threaded 5/8-24. It was also turned down to lighten it up. I would opt for  a 18" myself, I like the feel of a 18" barrel with a mid-length or rifle length hand guard. I'm sure with all the after market parts you will find a combo that is pleasing.

[Jburke]

Is there an advantage to having the flash suppresor over the target crown?

[Jim the Plumber]

It can still have the target crown with the barrel threaded.

[Biggerhammer]

Is there an advantage to having the flash suppresor over the target crown?

It was threaded for a GemTech suppressor and yes the crown is fine even after threading.

[Jburke]

So is there any performance benefit to a flash suppresor then?

[Biggerhammer]

So is there any performance benefit to a flash suppresor then?

With a standard A2 hider, no. Now there are others out there that act as muzzle brakes also. Recoil is minimal with a 6.5 Grendel and no muzzle device would make it more pleasant to shoot in hunting situations where one may not be wearing hearing protection. 

[dontgetcrabs]

So is there any performance benefit to a flash suppresor then?

Only at night.