The 6.5 Grendel CRASHED my Enidine recoil buffer.

[Biggerhammer]

I just broke down a lower that had been used with a 6.5 Grendel upper and the Enidine carbine buffer is trashed, while still functional. The front of the main body that the contact plate recoils against is hammered so hard it is belled out a 1/8" all the way around and the lock ring for the main body front has been laying loose on the piston shaft and is mangled. That's a first for me, I'll contact Enidine in the AM and see if they will replace it. It's a 09 model but I have used it mostly with 5.56, I only ran a couple hundred rounds of factory Hornady Grendel ammo on it.

[JohnVH]

since I have a grendel coming, is this an issue with others? Or just that brand?

[Biggerhammer]

After doing some research, I have found many posts on forums of guys expiriencing the same crash/ self destruction of their carbine Enidines. Since then Spikes Tactical has come out with a non hydrologic buffer that functions the same or better than the Enidine for a third of the cost. The spikes " Heavy " buffer has great reviews, esspecialy when it comes to over gases carbine, larger calibers/ suppressed. I'm going to send mine back to Enidine and see if they will replace it. Here is a link to the Spikes buffer bellow, I'm going to order one and try it out with the 5.56 and the 6.5.

http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/lower-parts-spikes-stt3-heavy-buffer-p-708.html

[carpsniperg2]

  Dang! is it just more in the carbine buffers? Or have people been seeing it in the rife buffers as well?

[JohnVH]

Im hoping since my upper is an AA built for the 6.5G that it wont have any issues, Ill keep an eye on it.

[Biggerhammer]

Dang! is it just more in the carbine buffers? Or have people been seeing it in the rife buffers as well?

I have found it is mainly a issue with the carbine buffers.

[carpsniperg2]

Gotcha, I am going to be putting another one together soon. I have looked a little at 6.5 and 6.8 since I already have a 7mm-08 and then of course 223's. So I have been thinking about a different flavor. Do you have a good ballistic chart for the 6.5 and 6.8? My stuff and software is to old and does not have those cals listed.

[JohnVH]

dont know about the 6.8 now, I was looking at it but went for the 6.5 for the better everything

http://www.alexanderarms.com/images/pdfs/grendel_ballistics.pdf

[carpsniperg2]

thanks that one does not help me to much with a 600 yard zero and such a short barrel as well.

[JohnVH]

well true enough, google is your friends then 

here is a cool chart
http://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/rifles-rifle-cartridges/446d1076081272-6-5-grendel-vs-6-8-spc-7-62-nato-5-56-nato-g1ballistics.pdf

[carpsniperg2]

That's the one I needed. PS I hate google

[Biggerhammer]

Gotcha, I am going to be putting another one together soon. I have looked a little at 6.5 and 6.8 since I already have a 7mm-08 and then of course 223's. So I have been thinking about a different flavor. Do you have a good ballistic chart for the 6.5 and 6.8? My stuff and software is to old and does not have those cals listed.

I run the Ballistics Field Tactical Edition App by Jonathan Zdziarski on my IPhone. It's handy always with me, I can save my favorite cartridges/loads or work the shot while on the rifle in the field by entering everything I need. It will even give you the degree/ angle of the shot by laying the iPhone on a flat on your rifle for angle compensations. Very handy and well worth the 19.99, I've used it a bunch for awhile now.

[Biggerhammer]

well true enough, google is your friends then 

here is a cool chart
http://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/rifles-rifle-cartridges/446d1076081272-6-5-grendel-vs-6-8-spc-7-62-nato-5-56-nato-g1ballistics.pdf

That will get you the basics, real world speeds over the Chrony and a good ballistics program will seal the deal and put you on the money. The 6.8 SPC ans the 6.5 Grendel are completly different creatures and shouldn't even be campared. They were designed to serve completely different purposes, the Grendel shot side by side with the 6.8 will walk all over the 6.8 in cruise mode. The 6.8 was designed as a CQB system that's performed better than the 5.56 for close range critical one shot stops on two legged, usually bearded tango types that hang out in caves and other undesirable places. While the Grendel was designed for extended range soft target engagements/multiple target engagements to fill the nitch between the bolt rifles and the 5.56's. Unbeknown to many , the .300 Win mag is used more as a sniper platform for the long stuff than the .308 Win currently.For years the mass majority of Federal match .300 Win mag ammo was allocated to the military, for years I was hard to even get your hands on the stuff.

I just like the extra punch the Grendel packs at distance for a hunting application. 5.56's set up right are just fine for the two legged varmints out to and beond 800 meters as can be seen in the video bellow.

[JohnVH]

Im pretty pumped, Im thinking when my grendel is done I wont be using my 22-250 or mini14 anymore, we will see!

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah that is kinda why I have went to the 7mm-08 for my calling gun. A lot more ke down range then the little 223. I was getting to many runners with the 223 at 300+. So that is why I made the switch. I like the ballistics of the 6.5 after look more into it. I just don't know if I want to put a extra 400+ into my build right now. Then I will need all the extras brass bullets, dies etc. So I might just throw another 223 together. I am not sure yet, I have been all over the place in hunting down Ideas and found 2 uppers in 223 that I really like. Then I will just build my lower to match what I like and want. Most the gredels are looking around 800-1200 from what I have seen online and gun broker.

[Biggerhammer]

Yeah that is kinda why I have went to the 7mm-08 for my calling gun. A lot more ke down range then the little 223. I was getting to many runners with the 223 at 300+. So that is why I made the switch. I like the ballistics of the 6.5 after look more into it. I just don't know if I want to put a extra 400+ into my build right now. Then I will need all the extras brass bullets, dies etc. So I might just throw another 223 together. I am not sure yet, I have been all over the place in hunting down Ideas and found 2 uppers in 223 that I really like. Then I will just build my lower to match what I like and want. Most the gredels are looking around 800-1200 from what I have seen online and gun broker.

I just was patient and waited to find a smoking deal on a Grendel barrel and then went from there. Rainier Arms had 20" 6.8 SPC II barrels in their " On sale " section forw awhile for 160.00. I just went and looked again and they must have sold them out. I should have picked one up.

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah that would be a great deal. There is some great deals when a guy can find them. There is a 20" 1:8 223 predator upper that sells for like 750.00 on bushmaster. I can buy it with shipping for 520.00. Its just a little more stock then I am wanting for this build. I have found 2 18" 1:8 twist uppers that I cant pick between. One is 680 and the other is 775 both tricked out the way I would build them for not much more money. I don't have all the tools to do the uppers so I am going to leave that to the pros

[carpsniperg2]

Who all makes dies for the 6.5. If the company name does not start with a R it wont touch my bench I think I am at 18 rcbs and 5 Redding die sets

[Biggerhammer]

Yeah that would be a great deal. There is some great deals when a guy can find them. There is a 20" 1:8 223 predator upper that sells for like 750.00 on bushmaster. I can buy it with shipping for 520.00. Its just a little more stock then I am wanting for this build. I have found 2 18" 1:8 twist uppers that I cant pick between. One is 680 and the other is 775 both tricked out the way I would build them for not much more money. I don't have all the tools to do the uppers so I am going to leave that to the pros

Spending the extra cash for a upper complete the way you want it is well worth the hassle of having to assemble it. I've had the same problem with coyotes and the 5.56 out past 300 yards. I call them SPINNERS! Just wasn't getting solid enough hits. Ditched all my 9 twists and the 50 gr ballistic tip loads for the distance stuff. A guy needs a faster twist and a heavier bullet for those ranges. Ive always felt a Grendel is a secondary to a well set up 5.56. I shoot the 5.56 much more than any of the Others, matter of fact I have a 26" AR varmint .204 Ruger barrel I haven't shot in years. If a guy thinks the lighter bullets in the 5.56 suck for yotes at distance they should try the puny .204. I just had to jump on the the new cartridge wagon and the .204 did nothing for me, super accurate barrel but that's all.

[carpsniperg2]

I agree I don't like and won't own a 204 myslef. I really like a 1:8 twist or 1:7 that way you can get into the heavy bullets and get more punch at the longer ranges.

[Biggerhammer]

Who all makes dies for the 6.5. If the company name does not start with a R it wont touch my bench I think I am at 18 rcbs and 5 Redding die sets

I have a spare set of Grendel Hornady dies, I settled on the Hornady dies due to the fact Hornady brass was more accurate in my upper than the Lapua brass and at a 1.00 a piece for the Lapua brass I was always looking for every piece on the ground when shooting chucks or yotes, the Hornady brass cost way less, esspecialy if it was reloaded factory stuff I had already shot. Didn't mind loosing some, it wasn't worth the having to look for it.

[JohnVH]

I need to get some 6.5G dies also, I reload for everything own, thats part of the fun!

Also looking at brass catchers, dont want to loose them.

[Biggerhammer]

I don't know if you are already aware of the Nosler Seconds, they are blems but usually just on the rear or the base. You can pick them up for just about half the cost of the regular price. I'll put the link bellow, I have used them for years. I do ALLOT of shooting and it has saved me a bunch of money. The Inventory constantly changes due to whatever bullet they are running at the time. So I check it almost daily, I picked up a pile of 6.5 120gr ballistic tips for my grendel for half price. I also get my 5.56 ballistic tips there. Accuracy has been exellent with them. I have taken Mulies out to 560 yards with the seconds.They constantly have the heavy 22 cals on sale.

http://www.shootersproshop.com/Departments/Reloading/Components/Bullets/Nosler-Factory-2nds/In-Stock.aspx

[carpsniperg2]

I am in Noslers professional program so that makes a huge difference for me. Ammo cost doesnt bother me much. The 2nds are great deals for sure. YOU CAN NOT BEAT NOSLER! Best bullets and brass out there. I have shot them all and will always trust Nolser on my hunts here and around the world

[Biggerhammer]

I am in Noslers professional program so that makes a huge difference for me. Ammo cost doesnt bother me much. The 2nds are great deals for sure. YOU CAN NOT BEAT NOSLER! Best bullets and brass out there. I have shot them all and will always trust Nolser on my hunts here and around the world

I cant say enough good things about the Accubond, before it's arrival I shot either a Partition or Ballistic tip depending on the caliber, game and range. Now Accubonds get stuffed in everything, Give those guys a poke at Nosler and tell them Biggerhammer would like nothing more than to have a .458 Accubond of one sort or another by fall of 2012! I know my 450 Ultra Mag would cruise them out there like the Apollo moon shot.

For the time being I will have to settle for the CEB RAPTOR when they come out for the .458, which should be soon.

[carpsniperg2]

I agree. I have been running partitions in all of my guns since I started shooting! I cannot say enough good things about them. Run ballistic tips in a lot of riles and ct's in a lot of my others. I have just started running the accubond in a few of my long range cals and love them. Took 5 big game animals with them this year and they are true killers!!! My friend at nosler also turned me onto the etips and they are sick as well!!! I was amazed when I shot my bear this year with them. Then my cuzz used them on his moose trip and they killed a couple bulls with them.

[Biggerhammer]

I agree. I have been running partitions in all of my guns since I started shooting! I cannot say enough good things about them. Run ballistic tips in a lot of riles and ct's in a lot of my others. I have just started running the accubond in a few of my long range cals and love them. Took 5 big game animals with them this year and they are true killers!!! My friend at nosler also turned me onto the etips and they are sick as well!!! I was amazed when I shot my bear this year with them. Then my cuzz used them on his moose trip and they killed a couple bulls with them.

I wanted to give the E-Tip a try but it's hard to break the Accubond habit. How are they for accuracy as compared to the ballistic tips/ Accubonds? I may try them in a 6.5 Brooke I'm having built.

[carpsniperg2]

I have just been shooting them in my magnums and they are shooting sub moa. Most of my groups at 100 are in the 1/2-3/4" range. They are a lot like the barnes being a solid copper bullet. They shoot well and I have shot 2 animals with mine. One was my bear and the other a clients hog in cali. The boar was wounded and he was a disabled vet that could not follow the boar into the area we went into to finish him off. Both tuff animals and neither one went more the 1 yard after the bullet hit. Both exited so I have yet to get one back from a animal but they do for sure hold together and shoot very very well. I love the b.c on them as well. I would love to use them in a few long range guns but the problem is " as is with most the solid bullets" the fps drops below the minimum for proper expansion at the extended ranges. With the accubond I still get the great expansion even at the lower fps at 800+yards.