I wanted to share some initial observations about my inexpensive Rexus 6.5 Grendel barrel. Quick back story, I wanted a 6.5 Grendel for short/medium range hog and deer when I was living on the east coast. Still think it is almost the perfect caliber for that. Didnt need it to be sub MOA so I built it up with the goal of being light weight, versatile and accurate "enough". I had a Faxon Gunner 6.5 Grendel build. Very light weight, had some great groups then a lot of horrible groups. Spent forever trying to figure it out how it would shoot sub MOA one day then 3 MOA the next. I moved to Montana and my needs changed so my primary hunting rifle was a Tikka 6.5CM. But I still wanted the Grendel incase I went back to Tx for hogs or even in the timber out in Montana. Basicly anything up close and smaller than an elk. That being said, I was with my friend last season and he shot a nice cow elk in the timber at about 75 yards with his Grendel and it did a number on it. So the round is capable at least up close with the right bullet.
I was frustrated with the Faxon barrel and decided to move on. I was ready to buy a Proof or Craddock but was trying to be realistic about my needs. I didnt need this rifle to be a laser. I was more than likely going to use it under 300 yards on animals bigger than a hog or coyote but smaller than elk. My real goal was short, compact, lightweight and versatile. I realized honestly a 2 MOA rifle might kill just as many whitetail at 75 yards as well as a 0.5 MOA rifle.
But I was still tempted to go all out on a Proof because accurate rifles are fun. But I decided to try one more budget barre/bolt before going all out. If I could get it to CONSISTANTLY shoot 1.5 MOA with my hunting ammo I would call it good. I ordered a Rexus 16" 6.5 Grendel barrel and matching bolt. I think I was in about $250 for bolt and barrel, so pretty cheap. I also went ahead and used a thermal fit BCM upper and green loctite. Since this barrel was a few ounces heavier I found a lighter handguard to offset the weight. Went with a Darklite magnesium HG. rest of the build is pretty basic, cheap lower (does have a SBR stamp if needed), Geissele lower parts and SSA-E trigger, DD scope mount, VX5HD 2-10 Firedot and OCL titanium Hydrogen K 6.5.
Took it to the range yesterday to shoot some 5 shot groups. Plan was to keep using the Hornady Amax SST for hunting and the Black for practice. That isnt going to work out. For whatever reason, no idea why, it shoots the Hornady Black horribly. I shot 5 5 shot groups and they were all over 2 moa. I still think maybe I was rushing those groups or I messed them up because it just defys logic. Every other ammo I tried was less than 1 moa (mostly).
Not pictured is 120g PPU, suprisingly this cheap stuff shot about 1 MOA on a previous visit.
I shot 5 5shot groups of Hornady Black and they all looked like this.
I shot two 5 shot groups of cheap S+B FMJ
Two 5 shot groups of Hornady 123gr SST Amax
I cant explain the Black. But I am happy with all the other groups considering how inexpensive the barrel is. Literally everything I have shot through it other than the Black shoots very well. Also these groups are not cherry picking. This is every group I shot yesterday except for a few groups of Black which look the same as the ones posted. So even my worst group of Amax is still right under 1 MOA. Should be plenty good for a short range walking rifle.
EDIT: In conclusion i would say the Rexus is probably a very good option for 90% of people building a regular old hunting rifle. I think if you really need a sub MOA rifle then step all the way up to Proof or another top tier barrel. But with the way this one shoot (except Black) i see now reason to spend more or be in the 300-500 range. This one is also gassed beautifully. Unsuppressed it throws brass at 330-5:00. Suppressed it throws brass right at 2 or 3 oclock.
I was frustrated with the Faxon barrel and decided to move on. I was ready to buy a Proof or Craddock but was trying to be realistic about my needs. I didnt need this rifle to be a laser. I was more than likely going to use it under 300 yards on animals bigger than a hog or coyote but smaller than elk. My real goal was short, compact, lightweight and versatile. I realized honestly a 2 MOA rifle might kill just as many whitetail at 75 yards as well as a 0.5 MOA rifle.
But I was still tempted to go all out on a Proof because accurate rifles are fun. But I decided to try one more budget barre/bolt before going all out. If I could get it to CONSISTANTLY shoot 1.5 MOA with my hunting ammo I would call it good. I ordered a Rexus 16" 6.5 Grendel barrel and matching bolt. I think I was in about $250 for bolt and barrel, so pretty cheap. I also went ahead and used a thermal fit BCM upper and green loctite. Since this barrel was a few ounces heavier I found a lighter handguard to offset the weight. Went with a Darklite magnesium HG. rest of the build is pretty basic, cheap lower (does have a SBR stamp if needed), Geissele lower parts and SSA-E trigger, DD scope mount, VX5HD 2-10 Firedot and OCL titanium Hydrogen K 6.5.
Took it to the range yesterday to shoot some 5 shot groups. Plan was to keep using the Hornady Amax SST for hunting and the Black for practice. That isnt going to work out. For whatever reason, no idea why, it shoots the Hornady Black horribly. I shot 5 5 shot groups and they were all over 2 moa. I still think maybe I was rushing those groups or I messed them up because it just defys logic. Every other ammo I tried was less than 1 moa (mostly).
Not pictured is 120g PPU, suprisingly this cheap stuff shot about 1 MOA on a previous visit.
I shot 5 5shot groups of Hornady Black and they all looked like this.
I shot two 5 shot groups of cheap S+B FMJ
Two 5 shot groups of Hornady 123gr SST Amax
I cant explain the Black. But I am happy with all the other groups considering how inexpensive the barrel is. Literally everything I have shot through it other than the Black shoots very well. Also these groups are not cherry picking. This is every group I shot yesterday except for a few groups of Black which look the same as the ones posted. So even my worst group of Amax is still right under 1 MOA. Should be plenty good for a short range walking rifle.
EDIT: In conclusion i would say the Rexus is probably a very good option for 90% of people building a regular old hunting rifle. I think if you really need a sub MOA rifle then step all the way up to Proof or another top tier barrel. But with the way this one shoot (except Black) i see now reason to spend more or be in the 300-500 range. This one is also gassed beautifully. Unsuppressed it throws brass at 330-5:00. Suppressed it throws brass right at 2 or 3 oclock.
