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What is 6.5 Grendel Barrel? 💬
6.5 Grendel Barrel is a type of barrel designed for the 6.5 Grendel round, a cartridge designed by Alexander Arms in 2004 as an upgrade to the 6.5mm caliber family. It has been popular with shooters and hunters alike due to its increased range and accuracy compared to previous rounds.
Features 🔐
- ⚪️ achieves higher velocities with lighter bullets than traditional 5.56 NATO cartridges, providing greater energy downrange and improved accuracy even at extended ranges when used with the correct ammunition match;
- ⚪️ is also able to handle higher pressures;
- ⚪️ generally made of 416R stainless steel or 4150 chrome moly-vanadium;
- ⚪️ features a 1-in-8” twist rate with 5/8×24 threading to accept most 6.5 Grendel muzzle devices and suppressors;
- ⚪️ can also be found in different lengths, with 10” (pistol length) being the shortest available up to a 20” (rifle length).
Benefits 🔋
6.5 Grendel Barrels offer many advantages, including:
- ⚫️ increased accuracy and performance;
- ⚫️ improved ballistic coefficient of 6.5mm ammunition, allowing it to travel farther with more energy at a higher velocity than other cartridges;
- ⚫️ an ideal choice for long-range shooting or competition application where accuracy is paramount;
- ⚫️ weighting less than other popular barrel options, making them easier to carry and handle in the field or on the range;
- ⚫️ having large enough diameter and twist rate to stabilize a wider variety of bullet weights than many other rifle cartridges.
How to choose?👁🗨
When choosing the best 6.5 Grendel barrel, there are several key factors to consider:
🔵 The quality | can vary widely depending on the manufacturer; some have higher tolerances than others and are more consistent in performance over time. |
🔵 Length | barrels are often available in 12.5”, 16”, and 20” variants, and shorter barrels offer quicker handling while longer ones can extend reach slightly. |
🔵 Weight | range from light to heavy depending on their construction material, and the heavier the barrel, the more recoil it produces when firing. |
🔵 The material | typically made from stainless steel or chrome molybdenum vanadium (CMV) steel alloys for improved strength and durability although there are other materials like aluminum or carbon fiber that can be used for lighter weight but with less durability. |
🔵 Rifling twist rate | affects accuracy, where 1:7 and 1:8 rifling twist rates are the most popular for 6.5 Grendel barrels due to their compatibility with a wide range of bullet weights. |
🔵 Chambering options | SAMMI or SAAMI – each offering slightly different performance characteristics. |
🔵 Finish | can be coated with a variety of finishes including black nitride, Parkerizing, or Cerakote to help protect against wear and corrosion while at the same time enhancing its look. |
Best 🚀 6.5 Grendel Barrel Reviews
1# Faxon Firearms 6.5 Grendel QPQ Barrel
Searching for a top-quality barrel for your 6.5 Grendel rifle? Look at the Faxon Firearms 6.5 Grendel QPQ Barrel! This premium match-grade barrel is crafted from stainless steel and features 5R rifling for increased accuracy and velocity. The barrel is nitride treated inside and out for increased durability and features a nickel Teflon coating on the extension for enhanced corrosion resistance. Whether you’re a competitive shooter or simply looking to upgrade your rifle, the Faxon Firearms 6.5 Grendel QPQ Barrel is sure to deliver outstanding performance.
2# Faxon Firearms 6.5 Grendel 416-R. QPQ Barrel
Needed a top-quality barrel to incorporate into your firearm build? Please note the Faxon Firearms 16in Big Gunner QPQ Rifle Barrel. This barrel is crafted from 416R Stainless Steel and treated with Nitride inside and out for increased durability and longevity. The 5R rifling ensures accuracy and precision, while the salt bath nitride finish provides a blackened look. Don’t miss out on this top-quality barrel – grab one today!
3# JP Enterprises Supermatch Barrel 6.5 Grendel
If you want to buy a top-quality barrel for your 6.5 Grendel rifle, check out the JP Enterprises Supermatch Barrel. This barrel is made from stainless steel for superior durability, and it features a rifle-length gas system for optimal performance. It also includes a JP EnhancedBolt that is individually head-spaced to the barrel for flawless fit and function. Plus, the contour of this barrel provides a sleek, streamlined look that will set your rifle apart from the rest.
4# Proof Research PR15 Carbon Fiber 6.5 Grendel Rifle Barrel
Introducing the Proof Research PR15 Carbon Fiber 6.5 Grendel Rifle Barrel. This barrel is crafted from match-grade carbon fiber for unparalleled durability and performance and features a 20″ length with an 8″ twist rate. It’s also perfect for use with a wide variety of muzzle devices and accessories. Whether you’re looking to create a lightweight build or want unbeatable performance, the Proof Research PR15 Carbon Fiber 6.5 Grendel Rifle Barrel is a perfect choice.
5# Shaw 6.5 Grendel II Hbar Straight Flute
The Shaw 6.5 Grendel II Hbar Straight Flute barrel is the best choice for anyone looking to upgrade their firearm. The 416R stainless steel construction is durable and precise, while the polished finish adds a touch of style. The 6.5 Grendel II cartridge is a powerful round that is perfect for hunting or target shooting, and the 11-degree target crown ensures accuracy. This barrel is sure to give your gun the edge it needs to perform at its best.
6# Airborne Arms Hyperion Series 6.5mm Grendel AR-15 Barrel
Do you want to upgrade to your AR-15 rifle? Notice the Airborne Arms Hyperion Series 6.5mm Grendel AR-15 Barrel. This high-quality barrel is made from steel and features button rifling and a medium-light contour for enhanced accuracy and shot performance. Plus, the extended-length design cools down faster between shots. Whether you’re shooting at the range or out in the field, this barrel will help you hit your target every time.
7# BSF Barrels AR-15 6.5 Grendel Rifle Barrel
The BSF Barrels AR-15 6.5 Grendel Rifle Barrel w/1:8 Twist is an excellent way to make sure you have a lightweight and accurate addition to your weapon build. This carbon fiber barrel features a 5R rifling profile with an 11-degree target crown that creates an ideal shooting platform for a variety of ammunition. For a great way to make sure you are shooting some of the best gear the shooting industry has to offer, choose the BSF Barrels AR15 6.5 Grendel Rifle Barrel.
8# Faxon Firearms 18in 6.5 Grendel QPQ Barrel
Searching for a top-quality barrel for your rifle? Look at the Faxon Firearms 18in 6.5 Grendel QPQ Barrel! This premium barrel is made from steel and is treated with a black Nitride finish for maximum durability. It features a heavily fluted profile for improved accuracy and a mid-length gas system for superior performance. Plus, the Nickel Teflon coating on this barrel resists corrosion and tightens the fit between your receiver and the barrel extension, making for a much more accurate shooting experience.
9# Airborne Arms Hyperion Series AR-15 Barrel
If you need a high-quality AR-15 barrel that will deliver outstanding accuracy, reliability, and extended barrel life, then you need to check out the Airborne Arms Hyperion Series barrels. These barrels are made from button-rifled stainless steel and they’re hand polished for a smooth finish and final inspected for quality before being shipped. So whether you’re a competitive shooter or just looking to up your game at the range, the Airborne Arms Hyperion Series barrels are the way to go.
10# Brownells AR-15 6.5 Grendel Barrel
The Brownells 6.5 Grendel AR-15 barrel features 5R rifling and a 1:8 twist rate, making it accurate with different bullet weights. It also has a threaded muzzle with a 5/8×24 TPI thread pitch and an 11-degree target crown. Plus, it comes with a matched Type II bolt. Every Brownells 6.5 Grendel AR-15 barrel undergoes magnetic particle inspection to ensure quality, and it’s made in the USA.
11# Faxon Firearms AR-15 Barrel 6.5 Grendel
The Faxon Firearms AR-15 Barrel 6.5 Grendel is a high-quality barrel that is excellent for anyone looking to upgrade their AR-15. The fluted exterior of the barrel helps to keep the weight down and maximizes airflow for cooling, while the 5R button rifling inside provides superior accuracy. The barrel is also nitride coated inside and out for added durability.
12# Criterion Barrels AR-15 Barrel 6.5 Grendel Hbar
The Criterion Barrels AR-15 6.5 Grendel HBAR barrel helps dissipate heat quickly, making it a great option for those planning to run a lot of rounds through their AR-15. Chambered in 6.5 Grendel, the barrel features a threaded muzzle so it can be easily outfitted with many different aftermarket muzzle devices. The heavy contour of the barrel also provides extra weight, which can help bed the rifle down for a more solid bench rest position during long-range shooting.
How to install? 🤔
Installing a 6.5 Grendel barrel is not a difficult process and can be done with the right tools and parts.
- 1️⃣ The first step is to remove the existing barrel from the receiver of the firearm. You will need an appropriate wrench as this can be a tight fit. Once you have loosened the nut on the muzzle end of the barrel and removed it, you will then need to carefully separate the old barrel from its chamber.
- 2️⃣ Next, install your new barrel into the receiver. If you are using an upper, you will need to insert the barrel into the chamber and then tighten it down with the provided wrench. Make sure that all fasteners are tight before proceeding.
- 3️⃣ After your barrel is securely fitted in place, you can begin to install any additional components needed for proper operation such as gas tubes, flash hiders, etc.
📣 We hope this video can help you:
🔴 It’s important to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when doing so as different manufacturers may require different installation procedures.🔴
Finally, after your 6.5 Grendel barrel has been properly installed and tested, it’s time for range testing!
FAQ 🤔
Conclusion ⏰
When it comes to 6.5 Grendel barrels, there are a lot of them on the market. In this buyer’s guide, we give you a lot of the key factors that are necessary for you to consider when making your purchase decision. We’ve also included reviews of some of the best barrels on the market to help make your decision easier, we hope this information was useful for you. Thanks for reading! 😉❤️
As I am transitioning to the 6.5G space, I have an Aero M4E1 upper, Odin Works 6.5G BCG and AGB with a SJC Titan MB – except for one essential element – the 20-24” barrel.
I recently purchased a Criterion .223 Wylde AR-15 barrel which came with a coupon code discount of up to 20%, but unfortunately can’t remember what it was.
Are there any other comparable or superior quality barrels? BCA fluted barrels often come at dirt cheap prices; are they reliable or outright junk? Krieger, Bartlein, Criterion Ballistic Advantage and Davidson Defense are some brands that come top of my list – how would you rate them in comparison? Any alternatives worth considering as well?
If you own the Odin BCG, then an Odin barrel is the perfect choice. But I’m not sure they have bigger than 20″ in length! I have their 16″ Ultralight which has proven to be reliable after shooting several hundred rounds on paper targets. It should work excellently for taking down hogs this spring season!
I also have a Criterion .223 Wylde Barrel for my AR-15. I don’t have any experience with their Grendel barrels, but you definitely can’t go wrong with them or Krieger, Krieger being higher-end. I would stay away from BCA, there have been a lot of reports of poor QC.
Mentioning BCA, people are quick to assume the worse. I got my first 6.5g complete upper by them and it’s been working great! Shoots steel and brass without fail every time, plus I was able to take down a deer with confidence using this firearm. All in all, I’d say that overall BCA works pretty well for me!
For my deer hunting needs, I’m in the process of selecting a 6.5 Grendel rifle with either an 18″ or 20″ barrel to suit my requirements perfectly.What would be a great option for a barrel?
Faxon heavy fluted.
⭕️ 6.5 Grendel Barrels are commonly used for deer hunting, and it is recommended to use a barrel length of 18” or 20” for this purpose. A longer barrel will have more velocity, however, the extra 6-8 inches can be cumbersome when navigating dense foliage during the hunt.
Faxon does a good job, picked up an 18″ Gunner myself from the list.
I recently purchased an 18-inch Odin Works barrel with a 6.5 Grendel gas system and I couldn’t be more satisfied! It shoots Hornady factory rounds with accuracy and consistency, even at great distances of 425 yards or further – not to mention the animal being taken down didn’t take a single step after my shot was fired!
That guide is really helpful and informative. I’m wondering if it is worth upgrading from an 18″ to a 22″ barrel in order to obtain higher velocity. If so, then at what distance should you make the switch?
When considering 6.5 Grendel barrels, the longer the barrel length, the more energy can be stored in it.
📣 If you’re looking for superior accuracy and performance at any range, a longer barrel will do the trick.
➜ At 22 inches, it’s guaranteed to keep your bullet supersonic up until 1000 yards;
➜ however with an 18-inch barrel, though still able to send out rounds of that distance, they may not be as accurate or travel faster than sound.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide on the best 6.5 Grendel barrel for your intended purpose, depending on whether you prioritize portability or velocity.
I’m an enthusiast of JP 6.5 Grendel barrels and Krieger on my dear gun, with the former being more precise than the latter. My 22″ JP barrel propels Hornady black 123 gr ammo at 2450 fps, achieving 100fps faster speeds compared to its 18″ Krieger counterpart – while still delivering a powerful hit for deer hunting! Plus, Krieger is lighter and quicker in maneuverability too.
I just read the article and your comments, it was really interesting! I ordered one from the list and I’m looking forward to putting this barrel on my rifle and seeing the difference it will make. I’ll write a testimonial about how it works later.