OK first statement is I don't NEED any of these. I have rifles for anything I'll ever hunt. That said after 4 chest surgeries last fall I don't know if I'll ever get back to shooting larger than probably my 340. Since my Africa days are over the big stuff was hogs and water jugs anyway.

So to recoil down I'm playing smaller. 223, 22-250, 243, 6mm, 257R 25-06, 7x57,270, 280 280PDK all reside in my safe.

Was thinking about a smaller 6.5 range. Like the 6.5 Grendal 6.8 SPC something is similar case capacity.

Have several AR lowers so and upper would be an option. LOVE my Howa Mini 223 so it in a 6.5 would be an option.

Again don't need it but so what.

Inside 300 yds the 6.8 rules. Beyond 300 the Grendel takes the lead.

Doug any thoughts on bolt or AR platform?

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
Inside 300 yds the 6.8 rules. Beyond 300 the Grendel takes the lead.

Inside 300 yards the 6.5 Grendel still has bullet selection over the 6.8 IMO, although the difference is not as great as it once was.

I am a big fan of the Grendel, and in the Howa mini it is a really nice package. I have one here but haven't mounted a scope and shot it yet. I'd get a mini and play with it. Really impressed with Howa's latest offering although I am going to do something with the bottom 'plastic'.

The 6.8 only has a slight bullet diameter advantage, which ain't much of a consideration IMHO. The Grendel has virtually everything else going for it, and the factory load selection is catching up as well. I have no interest in AR's but my teenage son does, so I bought a cheap lower in the pre-election frenzy, and we are going to slowly acquire quality parts to build him a nice deer and coyote thumper. The little CZ 7.62x39 bolt gun should convert nicely to a Grendel.

The Grendel in an ar is nice but you have to be concerned oal. Not so in a bolt gun.

Thanks Doug. Hadn't thought of the OAL issue.

I love my Mini Howa 223 so much finding it in the Grendel seems like an excellent place to start.

Hey Matt were you the one that posted buying the 6.5 Mini a while back? If so where?

Anyone else have leads on the Howa Mini in 6.5?

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
Hey Matt were you the one that posted buying the 6.5 Mini a while back? If so where?

Wasn't me.

quote:

Wasn't me.

My bad. Meant to ask the Wisconsin Matt.

Can't comment on the Grendel, but I've used the 6.8 for a number of years. Very effective on deer and hogs. I use PRI magazines which allow a 2.3" oal.

Both the 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC are good choices for an upper. If I was getting a long barreled upper I would choose the 6.5. For a shorter barreled upper I think the 6.8 is a better choice. I went with the 6.8 in my 16" barreled upper.

I got a barreled action 6.5 Grendel Mini from Brownells a few weeks ago, and also two complete rifles from Whittaker's guns last week. Brownells does show the rifle in stock also, but for a few more $'s than Whittakers.

Thanks for the leads. Knew about Brownells. Whittaker I had forgotten about but it appears they are sold out. I see Boyds is listing the mini action on their inletting.

6.5 anything over the 6.8.

Nothing against the 6.8 meant with that statement either.

Look at 6.5 bullet selection.

NUFF SAID!

Thanks for all the input. I'm now in the market for a Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel. Would make a nice big brother to my Howa Mini 223

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
Thanks for all the input. I'm now in the market for a Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel. Would make a nice big brother to my Howa Mini 223

That sounds like a wonderful little combo.
I've lived a sheltered life and never fired the 6.5 Grendel but I have no doubts about it's lethality. It would rate high on the fun-factor in the little Howa mini.

Zeke

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/ss-5262

Shows this one in stock at Whittakers. They go fast.

Thanks Matt,
Either they just added it or more likely I missed it.

DONE!

Well there was at least one as I just got shipping confirmation on one I ordered last night...

I did get one ordered. After 3 attempts I did finally find the one you posted a link too.

So thanks to you I have a new project.

Have a good one.

I am a 6.5mm fan and not a neutered 270(6.8) fan

I think you mean you are a neutered 6.5mm fan and not a neutered 270(6.8) fan.

The neutered 6.5mm (Grendel) is a better choice for a bolt action or any other rifle that gives you ample room for the bullets to be seated where they should be. Why have extra case capacity if you're just going to fill it with the base of a bullet? I believe that in a true 2.3" action the neutered 270 (6.8) is a better cartridge, especially if the barrel is short.


If you put them both in an AR length magazine, load them with comparable bullets, and shoot them out of a short barrel here is what happens.

Bullet “A” is a 123gr bullet from the 6.5 Grendel. Bullet “B” is a 120gr from the 6.8 SPC. Barrel length is 16":



In order for the 6.5 Grendel to show a significant advantage over the 6.8 it has to use heavier bullets loaded beyond the standard 2.3" cartridge length and shoot them in longer barrels that will take advantage of the 6.5 case's additional powder capacity.

But if you try to load those wonderful long 6.5mm bullets in the
Grendel and seat them to 2.3" this is what happens.

Thanks for the info. I will bet the Howa Mini will be limited to AR length because of the magazine.

I still prefer the 6.5. 270 just never did it for me.

Been doing some pricing to purchase components and found that Hornady ammo is selling cheaper than components. So time to buy and test fire if accurate great if not pull them apart.

Apparently the ammo is very accurate. Here is a first impression of the Howa mini action Grendel

http://www.65grendel.com/forum...on-first-impressions

quote:

Here is a first impression of the Howa mini action Grendel

Thanks,
I love my Mini 223. Look forward to playing with the 6.5

The howa mini is a tempting platform to play with a few different things. For example, I've read a lot about the 22ppc, but I've never owned one. Something like this would be fun to tinker with:

http://www.realguns.com/articles/263.htm

http://www.realguns.com/articles/234.htm

But as you found, the grendel has good support from the manufacturers so it makes sense to just buy stuff off the shelf and go shoot. Did you get the heavy barrel version? That would be easier to thread for a brake/can. I noticed that the Australian version of the mini comes in stainless and with a threaded muzzle.

I'm looking forward to seeing some impressions/reviews of the howa mini in a boyds laminate stock. The OEM plastic one is a weak point.

quote:

Did you get the heavy barrel version?

I "THINK" it is the std weight barrel.

Since you have already purchased the Grendel I won't go into which is better or which is worse.

I purchased a 6.5 Grendel many years ago when they first hit the market. Great caliber but it was hell to find brass and when you did it cost a small fortune. Lapua was the only one out there that made it (even made it for Alexander Arms) and it was always out of stock. Now that has changed and it's getting easier and cheaper to find, thank god.

I am interested in the mini action. It might make a good rifle for the wife to start hunting deer with. Nothing I currently own fits her and most of what I own has more recoil than she is willing to deal with.

Picked up my Grendel today. Ordered 200rds of Hornady ammo. Scope is in the box need bases. Should have it ready to tag along to MO for Christmas. Then to TX afterwards.

Just ordered the one with a 5 round magazine and the so called Heavy barrel so I am ready to hear about your 6.5 exploits!

So I purchased the Grendel Mini mine came with the STD (light) barrel. Trigger broke just under 3# with just a touch of creep. The barrel was floated from the action forwars. Installed a Burris FFII 3x9. Cleaned it and used about 5 rds to walk the zero to 1" high at 100yd. Cleaned again.

I didn't have my normal rest and that 10 shot clip could get in the way hitting the bench if I didn't take care.

Loaded 10 and started shooting for group. First 3 about 1.25" (simply looking through the scope I was lazy) by 5 the group had opened to closer to 2". The full clip stayed in about a 2" group. The barrel was HOT I could hold it but not for long. The barrel was then making contact at the front edge of the stock. So the barrel did move. So rapid fire and the light barrel might not be best. . But still accurate for what I would be using it for.

That was Hornady SST factory ammo.

My plans changed and didn't get to TX spent it looking through the woods and my mom's farm.

I think the 5rd mag would be better. Be interesting to see how the heavier barrel work out. I feel the Std barrel will work but the heavier MIGHT be better.

As to the rifle for the $$ it is an excellent little accurate rifle.

I also have one of these in 223. It took a while, some stock work and 75 rounds to get this one to settle down. Biggest gain was tightening the stock bolts to 30 inch pounds. Instant improvement and it puts everything into no more than .75. The rifle being light takes a bit of practice to shoot little groups with and this one came with a 20 inch lightweight barrel. All in all every bit as good a truck gun as my old Rem 788 and much lighter/handier. When the 6.5 gets here I am doing the bedding, torquing the bolts and barrel break in like HOWA reccomends. It seems that it is possible to get better ballistics from this 6.5 than they got with the old Carcano and similar rounds. Haven't fooled with the 6.5 bore since I was in my 30's.

quote:

torquing the bolts and barrel break in like HOWA reccomends

Where did I miss reading this??

Also have on my to/do list to alter this Mauser Mini pattern to fit the Howa Mini

Looks like a lot of work for ya.

quote:

Looks like a lot of work for ya.

Not really cut the pattern. Remove the wood required to let the Howa fit then Glass the action in.

Never stocked a rifle myself so I don't know how much work there is to it, it sounds easy...

New for 2017 is a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel.
The 24" barrel seems a bit long, but now I can purchase a factory twin for my CZ 6mm AR.