Palmetto State Armory 6.5 Grendel Initial Review

Published on November 16, 2020
Duration: 11:19

Elliott Delp provides an initial review of his Palmetto State Armory (PSA) 6.5 Grendel upper, built for hunting. He details the components, including an 18-inch stainless steel barrel with a 1:8 twist, an adjustable gas block, and a Vortex Crossfire optic. Delp shares his early impressions on reliability and accuracy, noting about 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards with Hornady SST ammunition after only 50 rounds, and expresses satisfaction with the value and performance for a budget build.

Quick Summary

The Palmetto State Armory (PSA) 6.5 Grendel upper features an 18-inch stainless steel barrel with a 1:8 twist and an adjustable gas block, offering good value for a budget hunting rifle. Initial testing showed approximately 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards with Hornady SST, with expectations of improved accuracy as the barrel breaks in.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction
  2. 00:11PSA 6.5 Grendel Upper Review
  3. 00:36Palmetto State Armory Upper Details
  4. 01:45Build Components Breakdown
  5. 02:01PSA 18" Stainless Steel Barrel
  6. 02:14Rail System and Gas Block
  7. 02:54Vortex Crossfire Optic
  8. 03:136.5 Grendel Bolt and Upper Material
  9. 03:37Lower Receiver and Trigger Springs
  10. 04:12Bullet Reliability and Grip
  11. 04:22A2 Stock First Impressions
  12. 04:34Cost of the Upper
  13. 05:01Price Increases and Future Plans
  14. 05:31Reliability and Gas System Performance
  15. 05:57Accuracy Testing Results
  16. 06:04Hornady SST Accuracy
  17. 06:29Hornet Black and Wolf Ammunition Accuracy
  18. 06:50Out-of-the-Box Accuracy Assessment
  19. 07:27Optic Issues
  20. 07:40Conclusion and Recommendation
  21. 07:53Ringing Steel at 200 Yards
  22. 08:34Deer Season Performance Expectations
  23. 08:44Adjustable Gas Block Value
  24. 09:34Dislike: Accessory Mounting Near Gas Block
  25. 10:25Final Thoughts
  26. 10:28Video Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the Palmetto State Armory 6.5 Grendel upper reviewed?

The PSA 6.5 Grendel upper features an 18-inch stainless steel barrel with a 1:8 twist rate. It also includes a low-profile, adjustable gas block and is built with 7075 T6 aluminum for the upper receiver and 9310 steel for the bolt.

How accurate is the PSA 6.5 Grendel upper out of the box?

After only 50 rounds, the reviewer achieved approximately 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards with Hornady SST ammunition. While not a tack driver yet, this accuracy is considered decent for a budget build that hasn't been fully broken in.

What is the reviewer's overall opinion on the PSA 6.5 Grendel upper?

The reviewer is happy with the PSA 6.5 Grendel upper, citing its good value, especially the inclusion of an adjustable gas block and the quality of the barrel. He believes it will perform well for hunting and would buy it again.

Are there any notable dislikes about the PSA 6.5 Grendel upper?

A significant dislike mentioned is the inability to mount accessories like bipods or grips directly around the gas block due to the barrel's taper. This forces accessory mounting further back on the handguard.

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