I’d like to build my own but have a question. I want to build a lefty version. There are enough parts to do it except for a bolt. Nobody makes a 6.5 Grendel bolt. I sent an email to Alexander Arms but haven’t recieved a reply yet. Do you think a competent gunsmith could modify an existing one? I’m a true lefty, all the way. If I’m gonna spent thousands of bucks to do it I want it to be a lefty. Any thoughts?
i think you’d just be looking for a 7.62X39 bolt, someone correct me if im wrong.
Yes a 6.5 G bolt is nothing more than a 7.62x39 sized bolt face but I have never seen a left side eject 6.5 G bolt. That might be a problem…on the other hand when I built my 5.45x39 (dif size) AR15 with KKF middy barrel I had to modify a Colt 5.56 bolt. Can’t see a reason why the OP could not modify a Stag 556 lefty bolt. I could be missing something.
openbolt
The 7.62x39 bolt is not the same as the 6.5G bolt. Extremely similar, but not exactly the same. I think I read that someone wanted to use their Grendel bolt on a 7.62x39 build and it didn’t work, or maybe it was the other way around. Can’t recall…Been a while.
When I worked for Brockman’s Rifles (one of the very few gunsmiths allowed by Bill Alexander to chamber the Grendel round at that time) we were converting CZ 527 mini Mausers from 7.62x39 to 6.5 Grendel and never had to rework the bolt in any way. I suppose it’s possible that the AR15 style bolt could be different…though I can’t imagine why it would be different when the 6.5G was based off the 7.62x39 case.
I just measured three dif mfg 7.62x39mm case heads and came up with this:
Chinese copper washed “III 78” = .4435"
Wolf steel case lacquered= .4440"
Brass cased Yugo? “NK 1977” = .4430"
and the one 6.5G case I have marked “ALEX-A 6.5 GREN” = .4390"
The Grendel case is slightly smaller. I can say with confidence that there would be no issue using a 7.62x39mm AR15 style bolt for a 6.5 G conversion.
openbolt
I really appreciate all you guys that have researched and provided valuable input. The fact remains nobody makes a left-handed bolt for a 6.5G so I’m gonna talk to a couple of gunsmiths and see what they can do to modify a right-handed bolt. Not the ideal situation but it’s the story of my life for being left-handed. Thanks!
There were some lug shrearing issues with some of the 7.62 bolts when used with the 6.5G. You may want to find a 9310 or LMT Enhanced bolt if you go this route.
The rim diameter is the same as the 7.62x39 case, the rim thickness is greater on the 6.5 Grendel, i.e. the bolt face is deeper. That’s why the 6.5 Grendel bolt is made using a more rugged alloy than a standard 5.56 bolt.
I understand your desire to build a full lefty rifle, but the most costly single component in your rifle, other than the barrel, may be that bolt.
You are absolutely right! That’s why this build isn’t gonna happen. I’ll get over it and move on to a 6.8 build. I can get all the parts I need and it will be really unique and different after it’s completed. Yes it won’t be accurate to a thousand yards, but I figure I’d rather be sure at 400-500yds than iffy at 1000. It’s just that I hope I never have to take a shot at that distance. I’m a really good shot, but I’m no military sniper for sure. Sometimes a guy just has to settle. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be able to get parts for a 6.5G. I just don’t want to wait forever. Thanks to all for your input. I’ll keep you posted on the new build as it progresses.
A true 6.5 Grendel bolt has about .011" more headspace than a 7.62X39 Bolt. This is the difference between a true Grendel and the 6.5CSS ( use to be a Grendel licencee )
A 6.5 Grendel bolt in a 7.62X39 won’t fire off the primer…barely dents. A 7.62X39 bolt will not close over a Grendel case in a grendel chamber ( the lug shearing problems you “hear about” regarding 7.62 bolt used in TRUE Grendel are B.S because bolt that creates over .010 LESS headspace will never close even with a min sized case ) . Problem you have is companies such as CSS use a 7.62 bolt and call it a Grendel ( use to ) caused much of this confusion.
I couldn’t resist trying !
I have built 6.5 Grendel on both Saber Defense and Satern barrels. Both came with Grendel bolt from Alexander Arms ( a requirement of Licencing agreement ), both of which are NOT the same as 7.62X39 bolt
I stand corrected. TRG42, many thanks for clearing all this up. I know I learned a lot from your post.
o/b