Wolf 6.5 Grendel Preproduction Preview

[Grendelizer]

Bill Alexander sent me five samples of the pre-production 6.5 Grendel Wolf 123 Soft-Point ammo being made for Wolf by Prvi Partizan (PPU) (http://www.prvipartizan.com). I thought you might enjoy an update on the latest developments with this project. I can't wait! :)

First up is the cheapo box the preproduction ammo came in; Wolf will box it in their Gold line.

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfpreprobox.jpg

Here's a photo of Wolf's Gold line packaging shown at SHOT Show 2006.

http://www.65grendel.com/65g_wolfammo.jpg

Back to the preproduction samples; we get a little teaser as she peels off a layer, allowing a little peek. ;)

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfpreproopen.jpg

"Take it off! Take it off!" all the customers cried (that's a line from a polka song, in case you're wondering). And she shows us what she's got! :D

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfpreprooneout.jpg

Now she's showing off her little rear end!

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfpreprooneup.jpg

OK, OK, enough with the cheesy metaphor! The next two show the headstamp with Prvi Partizan's "PPU" acronym. I believe Bill said he's going to suggest to Wolf that they put their own headstamp on instead. We'll see.

Note also the large primer, compared to Lapua brass with the small primer. Difference in performance between the two will be very minor.

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfpreproppuhead.jpg

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfprepropppuheadB.jpg

Here are two shots of a line-up of all five 123gr hunting Soft-Points. Going to be wonderful Bambi medicine!

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfpreprofivebox.jpg

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolf123sppreprofive.jpg

Next is a mix of Wolf's 123 SPs with AA's 123 Lapua Scenar ammunition, for comparison.

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolf123sp123scenar.jpg

And we'll wrap up with two photos of the preproduction ammo loaded into a CProducts 10-round magazine.

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfprepro10rdtop.jpg

http://www.65grendel.com/gallery/65g_wolfprepro10rdmag.jpg

Bill has tested and conditionally approved the preproduction samples Wolf sent him, and it's now in PPU's court to make the tweaks according to Bill's specifications.

He said he clocked this ammo at 2580 fps from a 24" barrel, so he's asked for more velocity. He also thought the ammo caused premature copper fouling, so he's asked for a revised powder formulation. These are minor tweaks; Bill thought they were "99%" of the way there.

Unfortunately, as all of us have found out this past summer, the Serbians of PPU operate not on Swiss time, but on what could be called an Eastern European version of "Mexican time." The schedule on this is out of AA's hands, it's out of Wolf's hands, we all wait.

But it will be worth waiting for, because they plan to produce TEN MILLION rounds of the stuff! Yes, that's "ten" with a T and "million" with an M. :D

John

[TOrrock]

Very cool! Thanks for the write up.

I think that's the only Prvi Partizan ammo I've ever seen without a serious primer sealant in orange, red, or purple.

Hope they're able to get this to market fairly "soon". :cool:

[Sid Post]

Thanks for the update!

:) I'm looking forward to some good blasting ammunition.

At a $1 a round, I don't get much general blasting done. :(

Maybe when it warms up next spring, I'll be able to do some serious blasting to hone my skills with the new rifle and affordable ammunition.

[TimP]

But it will be worth waiting for, because they plan to produce TEN MILLION rounds of the stuff! Yes, that's "ten" with a T and "million" with an M. :D

John

If thats the case I need to start saving up for a 6.5 upper.

[Cyclic240B]

Thanks for sharing the review Sir.

[C4IGrant]

Cool!


C4

[FALbert]

I have a question related to this ammo. I plan on building either a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel some time in the future. Knowing me, I'll probably eventually end up with both. :D

Since available ranges in my area are limited to 200 yards max, long range shooting is not a factor as to which can hit more effectively beyond this distance. Originally, I had my mind set on 6.8 SPC. Since I live in a ban state, I can't by any post 1994 mags larger than 10 round capacity. This sucks cause I don't feel like spending $40 for PRI mags that are limited to 10 rounds when C-Products has 25 rounders for a lot less. And 6.8 SPC does not work well with standard USGI mags from what I've gathered. Does the 6.5 work well with off the shelf USGI mags? If it does not, then it matters not which caliber I build first. Also, what is the difference in cost of the ammo? I see Remington 115 gr BTHP 6.8 SPC for $13.99 at a local shop.

[Grendelizer]

FALbert, 6.5 Grendel only works properly with Grendel-specific magazines, such as those offered by C-Products. Do not use 5.56 USGI.

Grendel ammo prices, as at MidwayUSA, for example, are about $21/20. Thus, the need for Wolf Grendel ammo! ;)

John

[AmmoUp]

with the wolf 5.56 75 gr. just hitting the markets with a price not so good, actually bad I might not be building a 6.5.

I don't think we are going to get the great price break we6.5 owners /fence sitters have all been waiting for.

time will tell.

[jmart]

Why the large primer? Why can't the industry (6.8 also included) standardize on a primer size for each cartridge?

What is the mushroom velocity threshold for the 123 grain SP?

[Grendelizer]

I don't think we are going to get the great price break we 6.5 owners/fence sitters have all been waiting for. Time will tell.

AmmoUp, I tend to agree. We predicted Wolf 6.5 Grendel Gold line to come in at $5-$7 a box, but now, if it's comparable with the Wolf 5.56 75gr that David Fortier reported on in another forum, it looks like it will be $8-$10/20. Not terrible, but not great, either.

However, Wolf still knows how to import really cheap ammo, but I'm wary of making predictions that take a year or more to come to pass, so you'll have to wait for SHOT Show to see if Wolf has anything to say about the subject. Yes, "time will tell."


Why the large primer? . . . What is the mushroom velocity threshold for the 123 grain SP?

I'm pretty sure the large primer allows them to economize by making 6.5 Grendel off 7.62x39 Russian tooling.

Don't know the mushroom velocity threshold, and Bill Alexander never mentioned that he had gel tested these loads, so I'm going to assume he doesn't have that data, either. Perhaps Prvi Partizan does?

John