6.5 grendel issue

[Jburke]

After reading your old AR help post, these appear to be the same issue.  I'll tear in to the bolt tomorrow and see if I can confirm anything.

[Jim the Plumber]

Try putting a round in the bolt face, out of the rifle. Make sure the bolt is the correct one for that chambering. Try installing n empty new brass in the chamber by hand, then close the bolt on it.
Check the lug race ways for debris.

[Biggerhammer]

After trouble shooting the bolt. You might want to contact Black Hole. You may have a short chamber. I was asked to send my last barrel back due to a short chamber. I have heard of several others with short/ incorrect chambers.

[Jburke]

Try putting a round in the bolt face, out of the rifle. Make sure the bolt is the correct one for that chambering. Try installing n empty new brass in the chamber by hand, then close the bolt on it.
Check the lug race ways for debris.

I actually did try this yesterday when I had taken it out shooting.  When I realized there was an issue, I pulled out the BCG and the casings fit in the bolt face.

[JohnVH]

my Grendel upper I bought complete, supposedly fired, but mine wouldn't close either with a round in it, come to find out they used a 7.62x39 bolt, instead of a proper 6.5 bolt.. that cured mine.   

[luvmystang67]

I haven't had success yet (at least not verified) but I got an AR Stoner 18" barrel from Midway, made by Satern.  They all had short throats.  Satern said that it made them per spec and that the factory ammo was out of spec, which I tend to believe, but I dont think I have enough influence to affect factory loadings.  As a result Satern told me to send it back to them directly and they'd extend the chamber and provide me a new bolt that should fix my problem and enable me to use factory ammo.  I have it back now, but it seems like the problem might be factory ammo versus SAAMI spec.  Regardless, there is a common issue with this and you might need to get your throat scraped out, a new bolt, or handload and seat  your rounds deeper.

I have yet to verify that mine is "fixed" because I haven't assembled things yet, but I'm feeling fairly confident now.  I'll let you know how it works.

[Rob]

I had the exact same issue with a BHW barrel in 6.5G.  Have you tried a go/nogo gauge to verify headspace?  In my case a dummy round chambered, but neither the go, nor the nogo gauge would chamber.

I contacted BHW and they verified the chamber was cut too short.  I had melonited the barrel so they were unable to touchup the barrel.  They instead recessed the bolt face a little and it now shoots fine.  They also sent me a replacement barrel at no charge.

[Heredoggydoggy]

One time while shooting my .223 AR, I had a primer blow out, and the primer cup got scrunched into the bolt groove, just forward of the bolt fingers, and my gun would not chamber a round until I got the primer cup out with a dental pik.

Your bolt locks up on an empty chamber, so that's not your problem.    ARs are a simple design, but in order for them to work, every link in the chain has to be right!   

[Jburke]

Quick update.  I have determined it is not the chamber and is bolt related.  I got a round to chamber, using the forward assist, although it took a lot more effort than it should.  After cycle a few rounds by hand I have came to the following conclusions.  The rounds are chambering, but the bolt is not locking up as it should.  The rims of the cases are definitely being scratched and damaged.  It also takes a little bit more effort to pull the charging handle back to unload the round after loaded.

[Longshot_34]

I had a similar issue with a model1 6.5sporter (Grendel clone). I discovered my ejector was a little bit long. I shaved it down a touch and all was fine afterwards.

[jay.sharkbait]

Quick update.  I have determined it is not the chamber and is bolt related.  I got a round to chamber, using the forward assist, although it took a lot more effort than it should.  After cycle a few rounds by hand I have came to the following conclusions.  The rounds are chambering, but the bolt is not locking up as it should.  The rims of the cases are definitely being scratched and damaged.  It also takes a little bit more effort to pull the charging handle back to unload the round after loaded.

I would check the headspace before shooting the rifle

[Jburke]

I definitely don't plan to shoot anything out of it until the issue is resolved.  Can someone tell me the difference in the Type 1 and Type 2 bolts?

[Jburke]

New update.  After reading suggestions on this and another forum I decided to try to load an empty case.  Same problems, and just as difficult to extract.  Well decided to give BHW a call and see what they had to say.  Going to ship the barrel and bolt back and they will check it out to make sure it matches up and that there aren't any other issues that could be causing the issues.  Better to have the experts do it than risk blowing it up.

[mountainman]

Quick update.  I have determined it is not the chamber and is bolt related.  I got a round to chamber, using the forward assist, although it took a lot more effort than it should.  After cycle a few rounds by hand I have came to the following conclusions.  The rounds are chambering, but the bolt is not locking up as it should.  The rims of the cases are definitely being scratched and damaged.  It also takes a little bit more effort to pull the charging handle back to unload the round after loaded.

I would check the headspace before shooting the rifle

[mountainman]

I definitely don't plan to shoot anything out of it until the issue is resolved.  Can someone tell me the difference in the Type 1 and Type 2 bolts?

It is in the depth of the bolt face recess, typically .124 versus .136"