5 of the Best 6.5 Grendel Barrel: Choosing the Right Rifle Barrels
If you have an AR15 or other mid-range rifles, there is a good chance that you want to use the 6.5mm Grendel cartridges. After all, these cartridges are known for their extreme accuracy and top-tier ballistic performance. They are observed to have low-recoil, too, which is perfect for competitive shooting and hunting.
The 200 to 800 yards of the cartridge is formerly for the AR15. But currently, we can see a lot of expansion of the 6.5mm Grendel. I have seen them on bolt-action firearms and those rifles from Kalashnikov platform, But of course, you can further maximize the power of this cartridge if you have the best 6.5 Grendel barrel in your setup.
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Choosing the right barrel is important. Any shooter knows that fact. Specifically, the barrel is the one that contains the expansion of gas generated by propellants when you are firing your rifle. In a sense, a good barrel improves the accuracy and power of the projectile by maintaining the proper muzzle velocity.
Since we are talking about 6.5mm Grendel here, it should be a given that the barrel you choose for your rig is compatible with it. Take note that this cartridge from Alexander Arms is relatively big. If the barrel can't accommodate its size, then things would end up in a catastrophe. If you want to avoid such predicament, then you need to trust the following barrels instead.
One of the top manufacturers in the rifle industry today is the JP Enterprises. They are an excellent source for guns and different gun parts. If you have one of their rifles, getting this barrel is highly advisable. The latter has been constructed to follow the right specifications and use of their firearms. But of course, the barrel is still compatible with other setups, too.
Specifically, the JP Supermatch comes from the rugged 416R stainless steel. It has also been treated with cryogenics to ensure the predictability of cold bore shots while keeping the thermal drift at a minimum. The barrel is also air-gauged and lead-lapped, too, for maximum durability and ruggedness. With all of these features present, you can guarantee that the JP Supermatch has a superior lifespan and accuracy.
The Supermatch also features a patented JP Enhanced Bolt system. This particular bolt is spaced correctly to the device so that it has an improved functionality and fit. In the field, the JP Supermatch Barrel is a beast. It can handle 6.5 Grendel cartridges like they are nothing. It just optimizes the power of this particular round.
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Another excellent brand that you should try is Brownells. Although they are known as retailers of various firearm amenities, it is not an open secret anymore that they produce their tools, too. In fact, they have their barrel to sport for 6.5mm Grendel cartridges. The Brownells AR-15/M16 barrel is specially designed to cater 6.5mm Grendel rounds. It is a barrel made by Satern Barrels for Brownells and comes with 416R barrel-type steel. Therefore, you can ensure that its performance is stable and accurate.
The quality of these barrels is not just for show. They have stainless steel finish and features a 1:8 twist rate for extreme versatility. These barrels are also available in 18-inch and 24-inch models. The 18-inch barrel has a medium-length gas system. On the other hand, the gas system of the 24-inch barrel sports a rifle-length.
Take note that the muzzle of the Brownells AR-15/M16 barrel threads at 5/8 inch. Its gas shoulder is compatible with gas blocks of 0.750-inch dimension. On the opposite portion of the gas port, there is a depression that can cater a set screw for gas block. Meanwhile, its bolt comes from 9310 steel, which makes it extremely rugged.
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The Howa 1500 Barreled Action is an excellent platform if you are planning to make a customized rifle build. It has a great build and design, but its price remains to be at a reasonable level. This particular barreled action includes a forged barrel and a two-stage trigger. Both of its bolt and receiver come with forged steel. Specifically, the pin features an innovative bolt handle.
Meanwhile, the bolt faces of the Howa 1500 Barreled Action are very responsive. That is because the receiver recesses and bolt faces have a fluid interaction. Meanwhile, the M16 type of extractor guarantees active function and extraction. Going back, it is notable as well that the factory forged barrel have headspace that follows in the industry's standards. As a result, the latter became a very well-suited choice for 6.5 Grendel cartridges.
I have to emphasize as well that the Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger (HACT) two-stage trigger of this barrel action is light and stable. Its mechanism is very crisp and consistent. Furthermore, the system also includes a three-position safety so that the bolt can be locked in place.
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For those that can spend a little bit, the BSF 6.5 Grendel Carbon Fiber AR-15 Barrel is an excellent choice. It is a high-quality barrel that features a durable 416R stainless steel inner core. Furthermore, the latter has been wrapped with carbon fiber so that its rigidity will be improved further. Aside from that, this particular construction allows the barrel to gain quick-cooling and weight-saving capabilities.
The carbon fiber sleeve used in the BSF 6.5 Grendel Carbon Fiber AR-15 Barrel is way stronger than commercial grade steels. It is a good point to consider, especially that we are dealing with a powerful cartridge here. The stability and consistency of this barrel are all on point, too. Even in continuous shots, the barrel remains calm and responsive.
You can also notice the vent holes that are present on the carbon fiber surface of this barrel. They allow the heat inside the pipe to escape quickly, which further enhances the cooling mechanism of this device. As a result, you can even touch the barrel even after successive shots!
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Barrel Basics: What to Consider
If you are wondering what constitutes a great barrel, then you should check this short but comprehensive guide I made. I am pretty sure that you can learn a thing or two here.
Material
Most of the barrels today came from different materials. Some of them are carbon fiber, blued steel, and stainless steel. These are just the options that you can find on the surface. If you dig deep, you can find other models made from sleeved titanium or nickel-based alloys.
Each of these materials can produce different interaction. The combination of each of these materials affects the vibration and weight of the barrel. Of course, the lifespan and heat control that they have are all on different pages, too. You can never have a combination to be "standard" of the industry because will reprimand you for that.
There are also these things called coatings, in which is applied to the material to lengthen the barrel life further. But of course, simple people like me avoid them because they are costly. Other competitive and military shooters do opt for them. However, I can say that these barrel coatings are not entirely necessary.
For starters, I can suggest that you pick stainless steel barrels. Well, the reasons are pretty simple. First, they are very accessible. Second, they are immune to rust and corrosion. Lastly, they have are slightly better than blued steel when it comes to lifespan.
Rifling
Rifling is about configuration. The sky's the limit, as they would say on the field. You can opt for button rifling, hammer-forged rifling, or cut rifling. There is also those unique polygon type of rifling that is common on many Heckler and Koch barrels. But do all these things matter?
Well, the answer is quite difficult to put in everyone's agreement. I have read some statements that rifling is just an external factor for it to affect the ballistics of your ammo. But on the flip side, some suggest that rifling with slow twists and few grooves can impact the outcome of your shot.
Twist
The twist is an important factor in choosing a barrel. In fact, I always check the twist of the barrel before anything else. If your barrel has a slow twist, the bullet will never achieve this thing called stability. If the twist is fast, the accuracy will be at risk. For cartridges like 6.5mm Grendel, the 1:8 twist is a reasonable choice already.
Barrel Length
The dimension of the barrel is also a crucial consideration. Obviously, barrels with longer length have better accuracy than their short counterparts. Since we are talking about the 6.5mm Grendel here, you should opt for long barrels. After all, the particular cartridge is ideal for long-range applications. But of course, there are still some repercussions when choosing a long barrel. Such of these are its weight and its portability.
Final Verdict
Considering all the barrels that I have featured, the JP Supermatch Barrel should come first on your checklist. This particular barrel is suitable for 6.5 Grendel. It is durable and has a decent cooling capability. It is stable due to its length and has a long barrel life due to its stainless steel construction. In my opinion, it is the best 6.5 Grendel barrel that you can get for a fair and reasonable price.
But what do you think? Did I miss any 6.5 Grendel barrels that are worth mentioning? Then tell me your answers in the comment section below!
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