Are you tired of using the same old cartridges for your rifle? If so, here’s is the good news.
In this article, we shall share with you our top picks for the best 6.5 Grendel uppers on the market.
But Let’s Start by Getting To Know The 6.5 Grendel
The 6.5 Grendel is a low-recoil, high-accuracy round designed for AR-15 rifles. And it can outdo both the .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO cartridges in mid and long-range shooting.
Growing Popularity…
The 6.5 Grendel continues to become ever more popular as ammo manufacturers are making the round readily available to shooters who want to push it to the limit. The cartridge combines the ballistics coefficient of the 5.56 NATO and the power of the 7.62 cartridges. The 6.5 Grendel will reduce recoil, increase the range of your AR-15 rifle, and offer flat trajectories over long ranges.
The most interesting thing about the AR-15 is that you do not need to purchase a new rifle to use your 6.5 Grendel. You will only be required to change the upper to fit your cartridge- and it’s quite easy to switch it out. The 6.5 Grendel is lightweight and more affordable than rounds such as the .308 cartridge.
So, if you are yearning for a smoother shooting experience, it’s well worth considering the 6.5 Grendel.
But Why Is This Information Useful?
If you have used either the .223 Remington or the 5.56 NATO cartridges before, then you know how much effort is needed to constantly change the upper to support the larger cartridge. But, the 6.5 Grendel upper is tailored to ensure your hunting sessions are smooth and effective.
Top Features of The Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers
Forged
An upper receiver can be cast, machined, or forged. A forged upper receiver is the best because it is stronger and more durable than machined and cast receivers.
Customizable
A good upper receiver is customizable. It should be easy to replace the receiver, and should also offer enough space to mount your optics. An upper receiver with a handguard and a barrel is desirable. It is also affordable and saves you the hustle of finding and purchasing compatible aftermarket accessories.
Good Handguard
An upper with a decent handguard makes sure that you can use any accessory and adjust it as you desire. The free-floating keymod type handguard is the most popular choice because you can mount it directly on your upper receiver without it touching the barrel.
Forward Assist
Even though it may seem trivial to have one, however, a forward assist is a vital feature to have on your upper receiver. It helps to ensure that the bolt is locked in place, especially when your rifle is excessively dirty. Nonetheless, using it is completely at your discretion.
Top 3 Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers On The Market 2022 Reviews
In this section, we will explain in detail the features of the best 6.5 Grendel uppers currently on the market.
1. American Spirit Arms – Side Charging Upper Receiver
The 6.5 Grendel side charging upper receiver by American Spirit Arms is manufactured from anodized aluminum to prevent corrosion and rust. Being anodized also ensures that the aluminum underneath remains protected and maintains its appearance for longer.
The 1.05-pound Grendel upper also comes with a charging handle that is located on the side instead of the back: this creative design enables you to charge your rifle without changing your shooting position.
In addition to that, the side charging handle does not respond with the action of the bolt. This, in turn, ensures a much safer operation.
Here’s the answer…
The ASA Grendel upper gives you more room for customization. There is sufficient space because it comes with neither a handguard nor a barrel. There is also a Picatinny rail that enables you to mount your adapters for scopes.
Highly compatible…
Notably, the upper assembly works well with the lower receiver, and it is compatible with most rifles. For instance, it is compatible with all the calibers that use the AR-15 platform, including 7.62×39, 6.8SPC, and the 300blk. It is also compatible with most Billet Lowers and Mil-Spec Lowers. The upper receiver is also compatible with hand/rail guard systems, gas piston systems, and various bolt carriers.
Easily customizable…
- M4 feed ramps.
- Mil-std 1913 rail.
- Designed with the highest quality mil-spec components.
- 7075-aerospace aluminum flat top side charger receiver.
- Includes a bolt (.223/5.56), a modified carrier with gas key, and cam pin.
Pros
- Keeps sight picture.
- Non-reciprocating.
- Easy to install and adjust.
- Side-charging handle.
- Offers room for customization.
Cons
- Comes with a forward assist.
- Requires a special bolt carrier-notch cut.
Bottom Line
The 6.5 Grendel upper receiver by American Spirit Arms boasts a new construction with a side-charging handle that allows you to maintain the sight image and enhances fast failure clearing. It is straightforward to adjust and accurate, making it ideal for self-defense and hunting.
2. PSA 20″ Rifle-Length 6.5 Grendel 1/8 Stainless Steel 15″ Lightweight M-Lok Upper
This 20-inch Grendel hunter receiver comprises a 416R stainless steel finish, a material that is highly resistant to dry air, freshwater, alkalis, and acids. It is also tolerant of heat. The receiver also has a 1/8 twist rate that offers flexibility and effectively stabilizes bullets as they spin.
There is a standard A2 birdcage style muzzle at the top part of the unit that not only reduces recoil but also increases muzzle control, making it easier to use. However, you can replace the A2 birdcage style muzzle with different accessories that are compatible with the 5/8-24 thread.
Goes the distance…
The body of the receiver is made of aircraft-grade 7075 T6 aluminum to maintain its longevity and sturdiness. The standard charging handle, on the other hand, has several uses: it sets your rifle so that it is ready to shoot, it can eject unfired rounds or user shells, as well as clear out stoppages and malfunctions.
The upper receiver also comes with a rifle-length low profile gas system that features a standard rifle length gas tube, a low-profile gas block, and a rolling pin. With low gas pressure, the fully automatic bolt carrier can move slowly, lowering felt recoil. It also exerts less pressure on internal parts of the rifle, which in turn, increases the life of many of its smaller components.
It’s getting hot in here…
The PSA 20-inch upper receiver features a 15” mil-spec, lightweight, M-Lok free-float handguard that grips the weapon from the front. The handguard is also made of aircraft-grade aluminum with a hard-coat anodized finish.
The benefit of free-floating rails is that they prevent the temperature from getting too high, which in turn, may cause discomfort while firing. Eight screws hold the unit in place. The nitride treatment also ensures the durability of the receiver.
Pros
- Anodized finish.
- Light-weight M-Lok rail.
- Adjustable gas-block.
- Free-float handguard.
- Affordable.
- Full-auto bolt.
Cons
- It is only available in black.
- The charging handle is not ambidextrous.
3. PSA 18″ Rifle-Length 6.5 Grendel 1/8 Stainless Steel 15″ Lightweight M-Lok Upper
This upper receiver offers an 18-inch barrel made of 416R steel with a stainless-steel finish. It also includes an A2 birdcage muzzle and a 1:8 twist rate. The receiver itself is designed from aircraft-grade 7075 T6 aluminum.
Other notable features of the PSA 18-inch upper include A3 standard rails that provide a platform to fit different accessories such as optical sights, bipods, angled foregrips, laser lights, tactical lights, and so on. The forward assist is also present to make sure the bolt is properly locked.
Safety comes first…
The receiver includes a 10.5- inch light-weight M-Lok free-float rail that is also made of 7075 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. The bolt steel is hard coated with an anodized finish to prevent the barrel from heating up when in use.
The bolt also features a full-auto profile and is made with 9310 steel, which has exceptionally tough and ductile to ensure your upper functions efficiently for years to come. The receiver is also a gas key hardened and has passed all the USGI standard requirements.
Pros
- Anodized finish.
- Light-weight M-Lok rail.
- Adjustable gas-block.
- Free-float handguard.
- Affordable.
- Full-auto bolt.
Cons
- The charging handle is not ambidextrous.
- It only comes in black.
Are There Any Benefits Of Upgrading To a 6.5 Grendel Upper?
Before you start using 6.5 Grendel upper, it is important that you know its benefits. Otherwise, there will be no reason to spend your hard-earned money on an item that offers no value to you. We all know that upper receivers don’t come cheap.
So, what exactly are the benefits…
A Better Rifle
As mentioned, the 6.5 Grendel round combines the flat trajectory of the 5.56 and the power of the 7.62 cartridges to reduce recoil and to offer flat trajectory over long ranges. This, in turn, improves the range of a rifle.
Saving Money
You do not need to spend money on a new rifle to use your 6.5 Grendel round. The only thing you will need to do is to replace the upper receiver and you are done – easy as that! So there is no need to spend several hundred dollars on a completely new rifle.
No hassle
Purchasing a new rifle requires you to spend a lot of time shopping for the right unit, and that’s not all, there is a lot of paperwork involved. Upgrading your upper receiver will ease all these hassles.
Customization
Maybe you have recently changed your grip or stock and do not want to replace them with new ones. You will be able to use your existing lower receiver with your new 6.5 Grendel upper receiver, again making life just that much simpler.
Weight & Economics
The Grendel cartridge is lighter than the .308 round, and it is also cheaper. Therefore, if you want to burn through a lot of ammunition, it is well worth considering the 6.5 Grendel.
Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers Buyer’s Guide
In this part of our review, we’ll discuss key factors to consider when shopping for the best 6.5 Grendel Barrels on the market.
So let’s get straight to it…
Material & Coating
The material of an upper receiver is important when it comes to its durability, accuracy, and appearance. But many shooters have different opinions regarding the best material for an upper receiver.
The material used affects how the rifle fires because of how the barrel responds to vibrations. There is no perfect definitive material. Based on our review, however, we have seen that stainless steel is a common and dependable material. There are some other popular options as well, these include:
- Titanium.
- Blued steel.
- Carbon fiber.
- Stainless steel.
- Nickel.
Additionally, the upper can be coated with chemicals to shield it from corrosion and harsh weather. Chrome is the most often used coating because it is proven to increase durability.
Twist
The twist is also an important feature to consider when shopping for an upper receiver or a new rifle.
But, What Is A Twist Rate?
A twist rate is the rate of spin of a bullet in the rifle barrel as it comes out from the muzzle. Twist or quick spin allows for more range. On the other hand, a slow twist is unpredictable and does not push bullets as far. And since the 6.5 Grendel is a long-range cartridge, a twist rate of 1:8 (1 spin per 8 inches) is ideal. Above all, look for the best balance of twist.
Barrel Life
Always shop for durable products, therefore, when looking for a barrel, consider one with a long lifespan.
Rifling Configuration
Rifling configuration is the method through which a barrel is grooved. Grooving is responsible for the bullet’s twist. However, there is an ongoing debate on the impact of the configuration in a barrel.
Some people claim that the grooves are shallow to make a significant difference, while others argue that it makes the barrel superior. There are numerous options from which to choose. So, it all depends on your needs and preference. Here are the three most common rifling configurations:
- Cut.
- Broach.
- Button.
Length
The length of the barrel is equally vital. Generally, long-range shooting requires a longer barrel. This produces a lot of energy when the firing pin hits the primer; thus, it increases bullet velocity and energy.
Even though the 6.5 Grendel is designed to fire at 300-400 yards, you will want to go for a longer barrel. However, if it is too long, then you won’t be able to carry it easily. Neither will you be able to achieve shorter-range accuracy.
The typical AR-15-barrel measures between 14.5 inches and 16 inches. So, consider a longer barrel if longer range shooting is important.
Price
Because barrels are one of the key components of a rifle, and they can be extremely expensive. However, you will get a lot of benefits from buying a quality one, so it’s best to look at them as investments more than simply extras.
What Are The Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers?
All the Grendel uppers reviewed in this guide get the job done. And they all have their advantages and disadvantages. So, it’s important to put your needs first when choosing the best upper receiver for your rifle.
For us, the winner of this review would have to be the…
The PSA 6.5 Grendel Upper Receivers
This is because they come with different types of handguards and barrel lengths. Furthermore, these receivers meet the requirement for long-range shooting, and they are durable and versatile. Also, the charging handle, gas block, a 1:8 rifled twist rate, and bolt carrier group, are all included in these receivers.