Thread: 6.5 Grendel Bolt action

Originally Posted by Seventenths

@Mathias, you need to update where your at with the rifle.

Very, very cool

Ok, here we go then as per request.

The original MAB barrel didn't go so well as it had fault with a slightly tapered bore, so it got redone with a Hardy barrel, which has been excellent. As mentioned in another thread, making these buggers feed is really tricky, especially when the mag and action were designed for a 222. After a lot of fiddling with dummy rounds and various parts I now have it cycling 4 rounds out of the mag well enough to be reliable.
Key points I found were having the correct mag follower and the mag spring in right location on bottom metal to apply correct pressure. Running the wider follower means it won't pass through the opening in the bottom metal when plate is released, so all I do to unload the mag is release the mag floor plate to take the pressure off and turn the rifle upside down and the rounds come out of action opening into my hand, or I can simply cycle them through the action.

Mag spring to rear of floor plate.


Top is the Sako S491 model PPC follower compared to standard L461 222-223


The measured seating length for this baby and 123gr SST was 58.3mm but to be able to eject a loaded round I had to go back to 57mm OAL, which is the SAAMI loaded length. This made zero difference to how it shot.

At 57mm, it just makes it out.


There's plenty of ejector blade length once bolt is on its stop and shorting it will alter the timing and allow me a little more loaded OAL but it shoots well now and feeds well at this length.


Accuracy it great for a hunting rifle. These are 2 groups of 3 shot by my son, one is the hand loaded 123gr SST (2450 fps) and the other is Hornady factory 123 Amax (2505 fps).


Hornady factory 123gr Amax I shot when setting scope up.


This rifle is fun to carry & shoot and has plenty of power for filling the freezer.