Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles 6.5 Grendel upper

I'm looking to get a 6.5 Grendel upper. What are your thoughts on a AR Stoner upper. Midway has them for a good price.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1026185039?pid=759580

The price is certainly attractive. I don't have any first hand experience with it, so I'd say, "It depends on what you are after!"

If uber-cheap beer can punching is your thing, it'll probably do the job. If you prefer paper targets at the local range (hundred yards or less), it'll probably hit that target. If you intend to shoot 1/2 minute groups with it, I might pass. Barrels that cost so little typically do not produce little clover leafs and such. If you are wondering if it'll stay together and leave your lips on your face...probably.


Here's an interesting point: Per the AR-Stoner description on the website, the only thing they technically refer to as 'MIL-SPEC' is the finish. Speaking for myself here, that would bother the hell out of me.

Copied directly from the site:
AR-STONER™ has developed a great reputation as a high quality, high value, manufacturer of AR-15 gun parts. Utilizing many of the original designs inspired by the architect of the AR15/M16, Eugene M. Stoner, AR-STONER™ continues to evolve with the needs of today’s competition and recreational shooters. AR-STONER™ upper receiver assemblies are manufactured in the USA in an ISO 9001:2008 registered facility. AR-STONER™ uses CNC machinery, controlled production techniques and mil-spec finishes, resulting in extremely high quality and unmatched reliability. Every part, from the smallest pin to a complete upper receiver assembly, is meticulously inspected for quality at each step of the production process. This attention to detail ensures that every AR-STONER™ customer can carry their product with the same confidence and pride that was put into it at the factory.

AR Stoner uppers are known for their solid performance and good value. Many shooters have had positive experiences with them, and they offer a reliable option for a 6.5 Grendel upper. Plus, getting one at a good price from Midway sounds like a great dea

You can easily return one of their uppers if needed.

I was thinking this would be a good upper to install my Pulsar Digex night vision scope for hogs, 200 yds. or less using Hornady 123sst.

It might be. I bought one of the early 6.5 uppers they sold that looked like an early military M4 upper with the plastic hand guards. It shot and shoots just fine. Make sure and thoroughly clean it before you shoot it. They used a very hard to remove sticky oil in the barrel and action as preservative.

I purchased a Bear Creek Armory 6.5 Grendel 20" SS barrel complete upper last Fall. On sale for $270. Finally found affordable brass in April and my first load with 90gr Nosler tipped Varmagedon & H335 shot multiple sub-MOA 3 shot groups at 100yd in less than ideal conditions. Smallest was 5/8". I had 2-3 failures to feed in the first 30 shots. Other than that, which is likely just a break-in issue, I'm extremely pleased with this BCA Grendel upper. This is my second BCA AR upper. First is a 223 Wylde. It also shoots well. They get my recommendation. -Mark&Belle

I had an 18" Stoner barrel that was really rough. It took a lot of JB Bore Bright to make it look good and shoot good. I have a 20" Stoner barrel also. It wasn't a good shooter out of the wrapper but it didn't take all of the work it took to get the 18" barrel shooting. It's a crap shoot with an AR Stoner barrel.

kwg

That seems like a pretty good deal if it includes the bcg and charging handle. It says heavy barrel but the description says m4 barrel which shouldn't be too heavy.

If it doesn't shoot well you could change tge barrel. An upper, handguard, and bcg are woth the price.

Bb

This is strictly my one and only experience with AR Stoner 6.5 Grendel complete upper. This was an unfired upper I bought from a friend. My experience was terrible from start to finish as far as accuracy. No matter what I shot through it for the first 100-150 rounds was all over a 12" square target @ 100 yards. The more I shot it the better it got but reached a point where it wouldn't get any better for me. After 200+ rounds I couldn't get any better than 4-6" groups @ 100 yards with multiple different ammo manufacturers. I gave up and sold it for about what it was worth. This is the only and last one I will own, but again this was only 1 of 1. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Just go straight to the original.

https://www.alexanderarms.com/product/bundle-6-5-grendel-tactical-upper-ammo/

No direct experience with the AR Stoner 6.5 Grendel upper, chose not to go that route after hearing some less than complimentary reviews from actual users.

My first AR-15 6.5 Grendel complete upper was a PSA 20-inch SS barrel; once the gas block was properly adjusted it ran with no issues. It shoots Hornady Black and SST pretty well (about 1.25 - 1.5 inches), my handload with 123 gr. Lapua Scenar is around 0.85 to 1 inch @ 100 yards. I have not been disappointed in the PSA, it was very reasonable (cost) and it shoots pretty well. I am keeping the PSA as a spare at this point; only because I picked up a LaRue.

The next complete upper I purchased was a LaRue 18-inch and it is a well put together upper; it shoots so well that the PSA has been relegated to reserve status.

StarchedCover

why 6.5 grendel instead of 6.5 cm ? i have both

My 20" psa is a great shooter. I shoot 120 seirra sp with xbr8208 and cci magnum primers. Ive shot under 2" groups at 300 yards with it. Magnum primers has made a world of differents. That stoner upper will shoot id bet. They make good stuff

6.5 CM on a AR15?

Grendel fits, crudmoor don't..

no , ar15 6.5 grendel and ar10 6.5 cm .

have 2 Grendels from CBC, both shoot well, first one was way sub MOA with federal fusion 120 gr. which have been discontinued.
https://cbcpfa.com/collections/uppe...er=6-5-grendel&query_type_caliber=or

The originals were actually Arne Brennan. But I digress.

Bear creek uppers for 3 people so far. All just under an inch at 100 pretty easy to get to....

Has anybody checked out the complete uppers at Grendel Hunter? I’ve been eyeballing the 18 fluted with a cerakoted barrel.

got one in 6mm ARC, shoots very well. Shots 8, 9 and 10 during sight in with factory 103 ELDX