New 6.5 build

MISportsman

New member
I want to build an ar in 6.5 grendel just for fun and to do a little hog and deer hunting. I've been looking very closely at the wolf performance upper. The reviews I can find on it are very good and so is the price. Does anyone have any experience with them? I am also looking for suggestions on a good lower, I am trying to stay around $600 for the build with the option of maybe upgrades in the future.
 
Wolf Performance offered this 16” 6.5 Grendel upper several years ago then seemed to only offer one batch. The Wolf has been out of stock for a long time but looks like the uppers are back in stock.

The Wolf Performance 6.5 Grendel upper got good reviews for a low price entry to the 6.5 Grendel. Wolf supposedly get their 6.5 Grendel upper from Anderson Manufacturing. Target Sports USA list this upper as in stock.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/wolf-65-grendel-upper-receiver-p-59034.aspx

For a low cost upper it will fill the role of a close range hunting 6.5 Grendel. Back in 2010 I bought a similar upper from J&T Distributing (a sister company to Double Star). The carbine gas system is not ideal and my 16 carbine gas barrel was over gassed. I just recently bought a Rubber City Armory adjustable gas key for my J&T. The adjustable gas key has really made this a great upper. The mid length gas is better suited for the 16” 6.5 Grendel but you won’t find a better upper for the price.

I’m not sure what size gas port the Wolf barrel has but for the price it’s not a deal breaker.

I’m really addicted to the 6.5 Grendel! The first picture is of a 18” mid length gas Faxon 6.5 Grendel next to my 16” 6.5 Grendel Faxon with mid length gas.



The picture below shows my 16” 5.56/223 with my 16” 6.5 Grendel and on the right my 16” CMMG 22 LR AR-15.


 
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Forged Lowers are pretty much the same except for the roll mark put on by the manufacturer. I have several PSA, RRA, Double Star, CMMG, Anderson and functionally they all the same. Lower receivers are very easy to assemble. The cheapest lowers I’ve seen since Covid hit is an Anderson lower from Primary Arms ($48). I really like the LaRue MBT 2S two stage triggers. Joe Bob Outfitters run sale on RRA National Match lower parks kits which I’ve used a few times. I like the six position collapsable stock but if your assembling your own pick what you like.


For an assemble complete lower Palmetto State Armory are gtg.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/complete-psa-ar-15-lower-classic-edition.html

https://www.primaryarms.com/anderson-manufacturing-ar-15-stripped-lower-receiver

LaRue Tactical MBT-2S $80.

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-mbt-2s-trigger/

Link to JBO who have RRA NM lower parts kits, $139.00. Probably a better deal to get the LaRue trigger and a lower parts kit minus the fire control group

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Rock-Ri...pletenm-kit.htm
 
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Also if on a budget, keep an eye out on Aero Precision's blemished parts. I have used numerous uppers on builds and I cant even find the blemishes.
 
I acutely changed it up a bit. I ended up ordering a bca upper tues. I will be using the rifle mainly for hunting so I decided that the 20" barrel will be a better bet. Still trying to figure out which lower to go with.
 
Trying to pick a lower but can't decide. The Anderson is a good price, but my local gun shop owner tells me they are crap and the holes aren't drilled properly. Is there any truth to this?
 
there's nothing wrong with poverty pony lowers. anderson makes a great product for the price. hes likely just upset you're trying to buy a $50 lower and not something more expensive.

several of my builds ride on anderson lowers. have 2 more in the safe waiting for LPK's to show up.


are they the quality of a matched billet upper and lower set? nope - but thats not even apples to oranges
do the get the job done? yup!
 
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