Going Grendel — Erik Cortina Converts AR15 to 6.5 Grendel
Here’s an interesting project — using a second-hand barrel to upgrade an AR15. Our friend Erik Cortina decided to make his AR15, originally chambered in 6.8 SPC, into a 6.5 Grendel. Erik acquired a “pre-owned” 6.5-06 match barrel through our Shooters’ Forum. Erik inspected the barrel with a bore-scope and confirmed it was in good shape after the first few inches (past the chamber).
The 6.5-06 barrel had more than enough length, so he trimmed off the chamber end, then contoured the barrel to fit his AR15. This is a smart way to upgrade a gun without spending $350 or more on a brand new barrel.
In the first video, Erik explains the process of converting his 6.8 SPC AR15 into a 6.5 Grendel: “I take the upper completely apart and pull barrel off which will be used to take dimensions for new barrel. The new barrel will be turned from an old competition heavy barrel. All the barrel reaming will be done using JGS reamers. I will also use JGS reamers to make a seating and F/L sizing die.”
In the second video, Erik contours the “pre-owned” barrel to fit his AR. He uses an old bolt-action 6.5-06 competition barrel and cuts it to 17″ long and contours it to fit his AR-15. The barrel is turned down on a manual lathe to .750″ outside diameter for the majority of its length in order to fit the gas system barrel block that is made for a .750″ barrel. After contouring, the barrel will be threaded and chambered.
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Tags: 6.5 Grendel, 6.5-06, AR-15, AR15, Erik Cortina, Re-barreling
The video is from 2 years ago. Would like to know how this project turned out.
Many AR shooters have never heard the term “set back”. Bolt gun guys know about it and it’s an economical way to get a few thousand more rounds of barrel life. One well known barrel maker I know used to take Krieger match barrels and recontour them when their throats were worn out, set them back 2″ and install them on AR uppers as mid-length gas system guns. They made great varmint rifles and would routinely out shoot every standard rifle ever made. This article is a great example of that concept.
Looking at his youtube account he is still working on it. Ten months ago he posted part five.
Eric,great video, wish you would make more as they are quite informative. Your shop is awesome,never saw it finished and the epoxy floor looks great.Is your daughter shooting in any competition yet? Anyways this is a great idea on the cheap so to speak as JGS doesnt give away reamers,LOL but they are quite nice.