6.5 Grendel build

[Jburke]

So I have been toying around with the idea of building a bolt action 6.5 Grendel. I have an AR chambered for it already but was thinking that I might like a bolt gun.  As far as the action I am not set on anything, but I do like the Savage accutriggers and it would end up potentially saving me money by not paying to upgrade the trigger on something else later.  With that being said, I know the cost can vary wildly.  I know I will need an action to start with, but my biggest question is what do I need for the bolt?  Does someone make a 6.5 grendel bolt, other than for an AR?

[JDHasty]

I think that I have heard of 7.72x39 CZ527s being converted over pretty easily.  Do a little checking though, I may be mistaken.

[jackelope]

Yorketransport has one. I believe Grizz Precision did the smith work on it maybe? It's a converted CZ if I recall.

[bobcat]

I posted a couple weeks ago about the new Howa "Mini Action" that will be available in 6.5 Grendel sometime this year. Maybe they're already available. I don't know but I do know Howa is known for good quality rifles. 

http://www.ammoland.com/2015/09/new-howa-mini-action-short-action-rifles-from-legacy-sports-international/#axzz3yaRaX4xX

[Fl0und3rz]

Yorketransport has one. I believe Grizz Precision did the smith work on it maybe? It's a converted CZ if I recall.

I thought I remembered something like that here.

6th hit on google.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=174239.0

Looks like a pretty sweet setup.

There's also this.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/04/27/cz-usa-will-offer-7-62x39-527-receiver-assemblies-for-sale/

[Jburke]

I posted a couple weeks ago about the new Howa "Mini Action" that will be available in 6.5 Grendel sometime this year. Maybe they're already available. I don't know but I do know Howa is known for good quality rifles. 

http://www.ammoland.com/2015/09/new-howa-mini-action-short-action-rifles-from-legacy-sports-international/#axzz3yaRaX4xX

I saw that, but it looks like they are planning on late this year.

[Jburke]

So it looks like it can be done with the CZ's as was mentioned earlier, but does anyone know if it can be done using anything else?  For instance a Savage or Remington? I know I can get the barrel made for anything and can get just about any action, but the big question is will any action be compatible taking into consideration the bolt?

[bobcat]

Have you been to the 6.5 Grendel forum? Some good info here:

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?10886-Howa-mini-action-in-grendel-to-be-released-in-mid-2016

[Jburke]

I have been on there before, when I built my Grendel AR. I'll go and take a look and see what there is on there.  Thanks for the reminder. 

[yorketransport]

So it looks like it can be done with the CZ's as was mentioned earlier, but does anyone know if it can be done using anything else?  For instance a Savage or Remington? I know I can get the barrel made for anything and can get just about any action, but the big question is will any action be compatible taking into consideration the bolt?

There are a few Savages floating round with the proper bolt face to run a Grendel. I believe that the specific model got discontinued though. PTG does make the proper bolt head to convert any short action Savage to run a PPC/7.62x39 case though.

The CZ 527 is an excellent little package. My finished conversion cost right about $1000 including the donor rifle. The advantage of using the CZ 527 is that it comes with a very nice wood stock and an exceptional set trigger.

You could also start with a Zastava model 85 as a donor action. It would save a few hundred dollars but you'd end up with a rougher stock and trigger as well as a poorer external finish. Same goes for the Remington 799. Neither one of those actions offers a true controlled round feed bolt though. The 527 just ends up being a better donor in my mind.

[JDHasty]

The Sako PPC must be GTG too,  the Zastava/Remington 799 isn't even close to being in the same class as a CZ.  Rough bolt travel on most is only the beginning of its shortcomings, I have known a few people who owned them and didn't really care for them. 

[Jburke]

So it looks like it can be done with the CZ's as was mentioned earlier, but does anyone know if it can be done using anything else?  For instance a Savage or Remington? I know I can get the barrel made for anything and can get just about any action, but the big question is will any action be compatible taking into consideration the bolt?

There are a few Savages floating round with the proper bolt face to run a Grendel. I believe that the specific model got discontinued though. PTG does make the proper bolt head to convert any short action Savage to run a PPC/7.62x39 case though.

The CZ 527 is an excellent little package. My finished conversion cost right about $1000 including the donor rifle. The advantage of using the CZ 527 is that it comes with a very nice wood stock and an exceptional set trigger.

You could also start with a Zastava model 85 as a donor action. It would save a few hundred dollars but you'd end up with a rougher stock and trigger as well as a poorer external finish. Same goes for the Remington 799. Neither one of those actions offers a true controlled round feed bolt though. The 527 just ends up being a better donor in my mind.

Knowing that there are new bolt heads available helps a lot. If I went with a Savage, what else is there to consider to put it all together?  Obviously need the donor rifle, new barrel, bolt head.  Am I missing anything else?

[yorketransport]

Just a barrel and bolt head really. Pick up a used gun in any short action caliber and you're good to go. You could modify a 223 magazine to feed the Grendel case, but it may take a little trial and error.

[Jburke]

Sweet, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.  Has the potential to be a cheap(relatively) build. Is there a certain caliber to look for to accommodate the grendel case length the best?

[JDHasty]

If there is enough demand CZ is responsive to requests.   They are importing 100 ea 221 Fireball and 17 Rem 527 rifles this year.  If this were a calibur choice I would probably buy another 527.

[yorketransport]

Sweet, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.  Has the potential to be a cheap(relatively) build. Is there a certain caliber to look for to accommodate the grendel case length the best?

I'd start with a 223 or 204 just because they're already using the proper length magazine.

[lamrith]

Just a barrel and bolt head really. Pick up a used gun in any short action caliber and you're good to go. You could modify a 223 magazine to feed the Grendel case, but it may take a little trial and error.

Good point and idea.  In the AR you can use std ar15 mags to feed Grendel, though it is definitely not optimal, and you lose a few rounds capacity.  The grendel has a different follower to account for the fatter case and different shape as well.  I do not see why the same could not be done with a bolt gun, though you will likely lose a round or two capacity due to the bigger diameter case of the grendel.

[Special T]

For the ar mags cant you just use the 762x39 mags that are out there?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[lamrith]

For the ar mags cant you just use the 762x39 mags that are out there?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

Those "banana" mags tend to not feed well from what I have read.  The ASC and other mfg Grendel mags are nice and cheap too, $13-16 usually for a metal mag..  Not sure why a *39 AR though could not use a grendel mag now that you mention it..?

[Special T]

I heard it was best to use the 10 rounders

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[Jburke]

Sweet, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.  Has the potential to be a cheap(relatively) build. Is there a certain caliber to look for to accommodate the grendel case length the best?

I'd start with a 223 or 204 just because they're already using the proper length magazine.

Sounds good.  It should be pretty easy to find a donor rifle for a good price.

[Jburke]

I decided to go with a Remington 700 instead of a Savage.  Got a Pac-Nor barrel ordered this morning. Now just debating on whether to buy a new bolt and have it fitted to the action or just have someone open up the bolt face to what I need.

[CAMPMEAT]

AICS mags, MDT LSS chassis with a 6 position Rock River Arms Operator Buttstock. Then use a Savage action with a Black Hole Weaponry barrel.

Right jay and yorketransport ?

[yorketransport]

I'd just have the bolt face opened up on the bolt you have. That should only cost a couple bucks instead of a few hundred for a new bolt.

AICS mags, MDT LSS chassis with a 6 position Rock River Arms Operator Buttstock. Then use a Savage action with a Black Hole Weaponry barrel.

Right jay and yorketransport ?

I guess that would work alright, at least until somebody comes up with something better. 

[CAMPMEAT]

I'd just have the bolt face opened up on the bolt you have. That should only cost a couple bucks instead of a few hundred for a new bolt.

AICS mags, MDT LSS chassis with a 6 position Rock River Arms Operator Buttstock. Then use a Savage action with a Black Hole Weaponry barrel.

Right jay and yorketransport ?

I guess that would work alright, at least until somebody comes up with something better. 

Hmmmmm, I wonder who that might be....

[Jburke]

As long as I haven't forgotten anything all of the parts are ordered now.   

[Blacklab]

Nice! 

[Jburke]

I'm looking forward to getting it all put together.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jburke]

Last piece is on the way and should be here by the end of the week. My barrel shipped today.   

[pianoman9701]

Let's get some pictures of the parts and the assembly along the way please! I know how you feel. It's pretty cool.

[Jburke]

I'll get some pictures of the parts this weekend and get them posted up. 

[Special T]

How many different barrel mfg did you find in this caliber? Who were they? Any uber high end ones?

[Blacklab]

Here's 3 off the top. I'm sure there's a few more 

Lilja
AA
Preicision Fire Arms

[Jburke]

How many different barrel mfg did you find in this caliber? Who were they? Any uber high end ones?

Blacklab mentioned a few but I checked all the major manufacturers and they pretty much all made them.  I went with Pac-Nor but looked into Lilja and Shilen also.  I wanted quality with this gun and have heard nothing but good about Pac-Nor.  I'll let you know how it shoots once I get it all put together.

[Jburke]

How many different barrel mfg did you find in this caliber? Who were they? Any uber high end ones?

Also forgot to mention regarding parts, depending on the action one chooses the bolt is actually much less commonly produced and harder to find.  PTG makes them and there was another company making them as well depending on the make of your action.

[Blacklab]

How many different barrel mfg did you find in this caliber? Who were they? Any uber high end ones?

Blacklab mentioned a few but I checked all the major manufacturers and they pretty much all made them.  I went with Pac-Nor but looked into Lilja and Shilen also.  I wanted quality with this gun and have heard nothing but good about Pac-Nor.  I'll let you know how it shoots once I get it all put together.

I see vapor trails in your future  Pac-Nor Is also a great one  Have fun 

[NWShooter]

Looking forward to the finished rifle. It's only money and we all make it ever day.

[yorketransport]

Looking forward to the finished rifle. It's only money and we all make it ever day.

Well said!

[Jburke]

Looking forward to the finished rifle. It's only money and we all make it ever day.

Absolutely! And I sold another gun to finance this build so I'm really only going to be in to it for 3-400 out of pocket anyways.

[Jburke]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NWShooter]

Like Christmas early!