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.