Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Reaction rod for 6.5 Grendel

Want to swap my upper receiver RH to LH on my 6.5 Grendel will a standard AR 15 223 Reaction rod work on a 6.5 Grendel barrel?

Or just use a upper receiver action block?

Link shows a reaction rod or tool that fits into barrel to prevent torque on upper receiver.

https://botach.com/kz-barrel-spline-socket-steel-rod-ar15-m4-upper-receivers/

Mine works for 6mm arc. I would assume it would work for 6.5 grendel as well.

don t know anything about botach, the known geissele is $30 more.

Should be fine. I use the regular Bev Block on 7.62x39. The barrel extension is the same I believe, and that's what the Bev Block, or Reaction Rod marries up with.

With a reaction rod or anything that immobilizes the barrel extention while applying force to the barrel nut runs the risk of shearing the barrel index pin off. Doesn't happen often, but will mostly happen with an extra tight barrel nut on removal (not so much during tightening).

The Grendel/762x39 bolt exterior dimensions match the 223, so your reaction rod will probably work. But if you haven't purchased one yet, consider one with a "sail" that bears against the receiver in addition to the extention or a Bev-Block which bears against the mag well in addition to the barrel extension. Or look at the White Oak Barreling rod which doesn't bear against the barrel extension at all. The idea is that you don't want the receiver rotating with the nut while you're applying torque to the barrel nut against an immobilized barrel index pin.

I have a single action Rod (W/Sail). I have used the same Action Rod on 204 Ruger, 5.56/223 Rem, 22 ARC, 6.5 Grendel, as well as 300 HAM'R. As far as I know the Locking Lugs are the same on almost all AR15's that are chambered for Centerfire Rifle ammunition.

An Exception: Someone makes a Delayed Roller Blowback AR15 upper that does not have conventional locking lugs.

Also 22 Rf and Pistol Caliber Carbine uppers do not have locking lugs as far as I know.

Bob R

Chris, Are you referring to this kit

Service Rifle Kit

Darryle,
Yes, that's the one in a kit form. You can also get the rod alone for a bit less;
https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/white-oak-armament-upper-receiver-fixture.html

That's a good point. If you have any intention of doing work on an upper not using an extention with conventional lugs, some of the options mentioned won't work (Bev Block, Reaction Rod (with or without sail). You could use a clamshell type fixture, but some upper types like certain billets might not fit. I don't have a White Oak, but I should be selling my other fixtures and buying one!

Odd how we've gone from slots on the barrel and barrel clamps to holding the receiver (clam shell or the first one I used, one that had a rod through the receiver and a flat plate that bolted to the rod) to the reaction rod and now back to putting the stress back on the receiver.

Glad I kept my clam shell.

Only ever had the clam. And the rod that goes in place of the bcg. Had to Dremel it out in a few places for a couple of uppers but its stood the test of time.

Might buy a kit from John one day just because..... never know when you change your mind.

Bought a Bevblock from Midway around $45 swapped RH receiver to LH Receiver and LH BCG on my 6.5 Grendel about a 30 minute job. Bevblock worked perfect.

Good to hear!

Turned it into a single shot wont eject have to troubleshoot, looking at gas tube alignment first. Its all new to me.

Make sure the gas tube isn’t upside down, seen that once.

Bolt was stiff and dry took apart and relubed much smoother. Gas tube was just moved forward and taped barrel removed new receiver installed
Barrel retorqued gas tube reinstalled had dimple on barrel for alignment. Was sister marked with paint for reinstall. Bolt was stiff so will retest.

Curious (since it wasn't mentioned) whether you replaced the bolt with a left handed version?

Yes LH bolt and LH Receiver still not functioning correctly need to retest bolt gas rings were not spaced correctly all were in line?

Its working with heavier loads going to change to an adjustable gas block, and use the Gas Block Genie to align it.

https://gasblockgenie.com/

That Gas Block Genie is a cool tool!...and priced low enough that I might just buy one instead of DIY with Milk Jug plastic!