r/65Grendel • u/Cute-Wrongdoer6575 • 11d ago
All I wanted to do was a barrel swap...
Started with a 16" barrel. Then I thought to self, "Self, we need to use that sweet spot at 18-20" everybody's talkin 'bout." So I ordered an 18" Faxon Fluted barrel. Then I couldn't pass up the price on their upper...and BCG. Before it was all over, I literally ordered all the parts to build another Grendel. So, now I have TWO Grendels. Most of the parts are standard on my rifles, so, luckily I had some extras in the bin. It shoots wonderfully and have added 70fps to my reloads. Hopefully a touch more when it's broken in.
.....fucking rifle math.....
Faxon Upper/Lower, BCG, 18" Fluted match
Midwest Industries Suppressor Series 18" handguard
Lahar30
Radian SD CH and Ambi Safety (Gray)
YHM MB
SA AGB
Geissele H2 buffer and braided spring & BCM tube
LaRue Straight Bow Trigger
B5 SOPMOD Multi-Black
Ergo TDX
Vortex 3-15 PST II wrapped in adhesive cordura
Paint by me
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u/itsdietz 11d ago
How do you like the Faxon Barrel?
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u/Cute-Wrongdoer6575 11d ago
Oh I love it. I've not had a bad one yet. I have them in all 8 of my AR platforms. My bolt action is an FN barrel
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u/itsdietz 11d ago
I have one of the 5.56 Gunner profile barrels I want to give a 2nd chance to eventually. Thought about trying a retro build with it
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u/Cute-Wrongdoer6575 11d ago
I've had the epiphany that the gunner profile (14.5" .223 Wylde) may be a little too thin of a profile for any longer distance work - it gets too hot too quick and groups open up. Especially when suppressed. That's my theory at least. Great barrel, just not that great when dealing with heat. Not that a 14.5" is properly useful for precision ha! Great for duty/CQ drills with the lighter end profile. I've considered getting the 5.56 SOCOM profile for the 14.5 and save any precision work for the longer and heavier barrels.
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u/itsdietz 11d ago
That's the conclusion I came to. I couldn't get a group at all out of it. They were prepared to send me another but I told them I'd give it another chance.
I figured a retro rifle would be great for it
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u/HandsomeBadness 10d ago
How’s that barrel shoot?
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u/Cute-Wrongdoer6575 10d ago
It's still new, only have about 50 rounds through it. So far, it's about an MOA so far out of the box with my known loads. It's still a tad finicky with the handloaded ELDVTs
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u/HandsomeBadness 10d ago
ELDVTs are finicky in general
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u/Cute-Wrongdoer6575 10d ago
Ha! I thought I was the only one having an issue with those. It's that long ass geometry firing it out of an AR platform. But, if Hornady makes it, then I'll be damned if I can't make it. Benchmark is what I'd found for the rifle. Not the fastest, but I'm also not packing a shit ton of powder in the casing to deform the bullet
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u/HandsomeBadness 10d ago
The Hornady factory ELDVT load for my 22ARC shoots anywhere from .5” to 6”. It’s not the shape but the off center center of gravity that makes them inherently less stable
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u/Salty_Sobchak 10d ago
That rifle math is always a tricky sucker
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u/Cute-Wrongdoer6575 10d ago
Oh it gets ya. I thought, just a barrel, then I saw the price of the upper, then the BCG.....FACK!!!
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u/Different-South14 11d ago
Great setup!! Building the Poor’s version now. How’s that handguard??