700 yd Precision AR15 thumper *Range Report*

Tim

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I’m going to build a precision rifle on an AR15 platform and am looking for recommendations in chambering.

Max 700 yds and I want no doubt about impacts on steel at that distance. Sometimes .223 doesn’t hit hard enough for a quick call so I’m looking for something with a bit more thump behind it.

I have an Aero build in the safe to repurpose. It has a good trigger, stock and optics so I’m looking for the barrel now.

This is strictly for games, not hunting or social work.
 
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Where do y’all shoot at those distances around here?

I will be following this thread as I would love to do the same and always in search of a next firearm.
 
I’m going to build a precision rifle on an AR15 platform and am looking for recommendations in chambering.

Max 700 yds and I want no doubt about impacts on steel at that distance. Sometimes .223 doesn’t hit hard enough for a quick call so I’m looking for something with a bit more thump behind it.

I have an Aero build in the safe to repurpose. It has a good trigger, stock and optics so I’m looking for the barrel now.

This is strictly for games, not hunting or social work.

Screenshot_20191208-120138_Chrome.jpg
 
Grendel is your only option, I concur. Built mine almost 8 years ago when sourcing parts was difficult. I highly recommend Columbia River Arms (formerly Black Hole Weaponry) for the barrel/bolt.
 
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I want no doubt about impacts on steel at that distance. Sometimes .223 doesn’t hit hard enough for a quick call so I’m looking for something with a bit more thump behind it.
^^^^
This is the main reason 556 can't hack it. If it were just paper it would be fine.
 
^^^^
This is the main reason 556 can't hack it. If it were just paper it would be fine.

A 20" SAMR would say otherwise. Of course, my targets weren't big game, paper, or steel, and only around 200 pounds or so, and around 6' tall.....

90% were engagements under 500 yards, but 750 happened with some regularity.

That said, there are other better options, but to say 5.56 can't hack it isn't accurate. But to your point regarding seeing the hit, paper and steel don't "drop" is true, especially without a good optic/spotting scope, and for play, a heavier and bigger round would be easier to see.
 
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Here’s the first 6 rounds from my Grendel. Bill Alexander says the best barrel length is 18”-19”.
The solitary hole was the aimpoint for the next five. The hand loads were straight from the loading manual, five in one hole at 100 yards.
5E9F5ED2-D538-42F6-A666-3AA62B458AD9.jpeg
 
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I don’t want a pissing match over what will put a man down. As I said in the OP, this is specifically for games where seeing steel move or getting solid audible feedback is required.
 
The heavier bullets in the Grendel will carry more energy downrange which should be more audible on steel. With what your trying to do I would go with the Grendel, .224 Valkyrie would probably be a second choice.
 
Have you considered a mic w/in 10yds of the target and an audio link to your ear pro?

:D
 
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Here’s the first 6 rounds from my Grendel. Bill Alexander says the best barrel length is 18”-19”.
The solitary hole was the aimpoint for the next five. The hand loads were straight from the loading manual, five in one hole at 100 yards.
View attachment 173255

Factory upper? Custom build? Details!
 
Factory upper? Custom build? Details!
Mega Ambi receiver set, WMD BCG, AA bolt, Geissele National Match trigger, Magpul PRS, Seekins guard, McGowen 18” modified HBAR fluted, bead blasted hand lapped barrel, Lapua brass, Berger 130g VLD and hybrids, BL-C(2) powder, Bushnell Elite glass, TBAC can.
5377CCD7-2174-46A8-8336-D08A75BDD963.jpeg
 
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I build my 6.5 Grendel as my first “long range” AR and I have managed to bang steel out to 600 yards fairly easily, and I am by no means a long range shooter, I think you’ll do very will with the Grendel.
 
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A 20" SAMR would say otherwise. Of course, my targets weren't big game, paper, or steel, and only around 200 pounds or so, and around 6' tall.....

90% were engagements under 500 yards, but 750 happened with some regularity.

That said, there are other better options, but to say 5.56 can't hack it isn't accurate. But to your point regarding seeing the hit, paper and steel don't "drop" is true, especially without a good optic/spotting scope, and for play, a heavier and bigger round would be easier to see.

Not sure what any of this means? Pardon my ignorance.

Have you ever called hits (with good binos) on longe range steel at a precision match?

We're talking about making a long range flasher move enough to see it flash, for example, so it can be scored a hit. This discussion has nothing to do with killing anything or anyone.
 
Not sure what any of this means? Pardon my ignorance.

Have you ever called hits (with good binos) on longe range steel at a precision match?

We're talking about making a long range flasher move enough to see it flash, for example, so it can be scored a hit. This discussion has nothing to do with killing anything or anyone.

No worries, I think in my original read into the post I was reading it way too fast and I misunderstood that the initial question. I thought he was talking terminal ballistics not seeing the hit. My bad if I misunderstood.
 
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No worries, I think in my original read into the post I was reading it way too fast and I misunderstood that the initial question. I thought he was talking terminal ballistics not seeing the hit. My bad if I misunderstood.

All good man.

You likely know more about this than I do. I just know that 556 doesn't move steel much when you get out there a ways.
 
All good man.

You likely know more about this than I do. I just know that 556 doesn't move steel much when you get out there a ways.

I promise you it wasn't the first mistake I made lol.

You are right; you can hear the ping, but it is hard to see.
 
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I promise you it wasn't the first mistake I made lol.

You are right; you can hear the ping, but it is hard to see.
You’re right on ballistics, 556 will get it done on men out at the ranges that tim spoke about, but on some big targets we had, the 223 just doesn’t move them at all, and if you’re not one of the groups shooting early on, by the time we got to plates, there was no paint left, so even hard to call an impact
 
@Tim the 123 in the Grendel should have close to double the energy as 556 loads, I’ve hit plates at 300 with my 62-75 gr then sling some 123 grendel at it and it looks like an earthquake compared to the 555 hitting it

Hornady 123gr factory ammo has 500 more lb ft of energy over the hornady 75gr match at 100 yards
 
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Thanks all.

I'm not the quickest to pick up on things, but what I think I'm seeing is that this 6.5 Grendel might be worth checking out.

Whose barrel and bolt should I get? Or, complete upper?
 
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Blackwater tests in 2003 showed that the Grendel stayed supersonic out past 1100-1200 yards so in that regard, it's even superior to 7.62 Nato. Don't even compare it to 5.56, it's not even close.

The only thing they have in common is that they both fit into a standard AR magwell.

Being that it is a SAAMI cartridge, you'll not go wrong with the many existing companies parts. I like toolcraft bolts and Faxon or BA for barrels. I have shot a 12.5" stainless PSA upper that shoots MOA easily with wolf steel cased ammo. I think it was $259 complete.
 
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Thanks all.

I'm not the quickest to pick up on things, but what I think I'm seeing is that this 6.5 Grendel might be worth checking out.

Whose barrel and bolt should I get? Or, complete upper?

6.5 Creed and 6.5 Grendal are the bee's knees. Faxon, Criterion, and the fellows over at Sniper Country really like Brownells: https://www.snipercountry.com/65-grendel-barrels/
 
6.5 Creed and 6.5 Grendal are the bee's knees. Faxon, Criterion, and the fellows over at Sniper Country really like Brownells: https://www.snipercountry.com/65-grendel-barrels/


My bolt gun is 6.5 Creedmoor. I probably ought to rebuild my AR10 to be 6.5CM. But, I'm gonna go with the Grendel on the AR15 platform because I'm not very smart.

My AR10 is the only .308 I have, and it seems to me that everyone needs to own a .308, 'cause, 'Merica.
 
My bolt gun is 6.5 Creedmoor. I probably ought to rebuild my AR10 to be 6.5CM. But, I'm gonna go with the Grendel on the AR15 platform because I'm not very smart.

My AR10 is the only .308 I have, and it seems to me that everyone needs to own a .308, 'cause, 'Merica.

Same. My PSA PA10 is the only .308 I only as well, Plus, .308 was a deal when you could get XM80 for $9.00 a box shipped free from PSA, about the only reason I got mine.
 
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