Best Bolts for the 6.5 Grendel – Complete Overview

| Last Updated:
September 16, 2023

The 6.5 Grendel is a revolutionary caliber, which is being widely accepted and used in the firearm community. Due to its enhanced ballistics and qualities, the 6.5 Grendel has different measurements, compared to the 5.56 and 7.62.

This means you have to make some changes to your rifle, so it accepts and fires this round. The most inevitable part to be changed is the upper receiver, and in it, the bolt. 

Here, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of investing in a new bolt for your 6.5 Grendel rounds, and the qualities a good bolt must possess. Based upon these ideal characteristics, we have further lined up the best 6.5 Grendel bolts on the market. In the case you need to buy one, look no further than our top picks.

Comparison Chart of the Best Bolts for the 6.5 Grendel

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Best overall recommendation for a 6.5 Grendel bolt
  • Shot-peened and heat-treated steel for durability
  • Each bolt is Magnetic Particle Inspected for quality
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  • QPQ finish for maximum wear resistance and minimal friction
  • Low-mass carrier reduces felt recoil and increases bolt speed
  • Complete BCG, good for competitions and practice
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  • Made from an ultra-strong steel alloy to last longer
  • Machined radiuses on all 90-degree corners to reduce wear
  • Aesthetically pleasing and theoretically perfect BCG
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  • Back of lugs chamfered for reliability
  • Full-auto-compatible bolt for higher firepower
  • Properly inspected and tested for impeccable quality
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Pros and Cons of Investing in a New Bolt for Your 6.5 Grendel? 

If you own a 5.56 or 7.62 AR-15 and are looking to upgrade to the 6.5 Grendel, your best option is to change the complete upper receiver. However, if you already have it installed, this section will highlight the pros and cons of upgrading your bolt.

6.5 Grendel Round



vs

5.56



vs

7.62

The primary function of the bolt (Bolt Carrier Group) is to push the cartridge into the chamber, fire the primer, eject the fired cartridge, and load a new round. In other terms, the bolt carrier group is entirely responsible for the magic that happens within a rifle.

Pros

Upgrading your 6.5 Grendel has pros and cons which include:

Durable Bolt 

A simple factory-made bolt is made from forged steel or aluminum which is prone to breaking or malfunction. Upgrading your bolt allows you to choose a much stronger alternative. Plus, it also reduces the probability of jamming or malfunction. Features like a nickel coating also increase the life of your BCG.

Lightweight and Better Recoil 

Aftermarket bolt carrier groups tend to be specifically designed to reduce the overall weight of the rifle. But the low weight results in a lesser recoil and quick cycling of rounds.

Optimal Gas Block

The 6.5 Grendel operates on a different gas pressure, which might cause your 5.56 adhered gas block to crack. Using an upgraded and specific bolt with a strong and adjustable gas block will eliminate this problem.

Cons

Intended Use

The 6.5 Grendel is not a very commonly used caliber, nor is readily available in popular stores. Spending money on a new BCG won’t be necessary if you’re not going to use the rifle pretty often.

Qualities of Our Favorite 6.5 Grendel Bolts

Brownells - M16 6.5 Grendel Bolt Carrier Group Nitride Mp

Complete BCG

All the items included in the list are complete bolt carrier groups. Which include all the components, like firing the pin, extractor, and the gas key. This ensures that you don’t have to find and match parts separately. Hence you save time as well as money.

Material 

A good bolt must be made up of a durable material such as 8620 or 9130 hardened steel and properly treated. A durable bolt prevents any malfunction of the rifle and ensures you don’t get stuck in an emergency. All the bolts reviewed here have been made from durable, high-grade metal so they won’t break or fracture even with rigorous use.

Finish

A good bolt must have a protective finish like Nitride, nickel-boron, or OPQ, to eliminate problems like rusting and chipping of the bolt material due to factors like moisture and grime. Additionally, a good finish also reduces resistance by making the bolt’s surface smoother. Plus, such bolts are easier to clean.

Adjustable Gas Key

An adjustable gas key allows you to alter the gas pressure inside the chamber. Such an adjustment is often useful to modulate the performance and recoil of your rifle.

Review of the Best 6.5 Grendel Bolts  

Based upon the aforementioned qualities and the ideal characteristics of a bolt carrier group, we have handpicked the best 6.5 Grendel bolts on the market. As the 6.5 Grendel ammunition and accessories are already scarce on the market, this is probably the most comprehensive and well-compiled list on the web.

Best Overall:
Brownells - M16 6.5 Grendel Bolt Carrier Group Nitride Mp

Pros

  • Low priced
  • Complete BCG
  • Full black Nitride coating
  • Durable and solid construction
  • Properly treated and inspected

Cons

  • Staking on the gas keys might need adjustment

What Recent Buyers Report

New buyers were able to install this bolt in just minutes. They were quite happy with the overall quality of the bolt and it worked like a well-oiled machine once it was installed on their rifles. One user said that the shooting was a lot smoother than he remembered once the installation was all said and done.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This BCG is a battle-tested unit that passes flying colors before hitting the market. It’s heat-treated, shot-peened, and stands out as one of the best BCGs in terms of quality. It’s exactly what you’ll expect from an accessory that is made from two types of high-quality steel. If you want a BCG that is built to last and will be really hard to wear down, this might just be what the doctor ordered.

The Brownells 6.5 Grendel Bolt Carrier Group is constructed with two separate kinds of steel. The bolt has been manufactured using 9130 steel, whereas the carrier has been made using 8230 hardened steel. Each of these components has been shot-peened and heat-treated to make them durable and long-lasting.

The bolt carrier group comes complete with an extractor, a firing pin, cam pin, and a firing pin retention pin. The bolt has an adjustable gas key to let you change it appropriately.

Each extractor installation includes a rubber insert and spring to ensure the rounds do not jam. It is a type 2 bolt, finished with a black nitride coating, which makes it resistant to wear and aesthetically pleasing. Each of these bolts undergoes a magnetic particle inspection before leaving the assembly line, so you can rest assured of the quality.

Who Will Use This Most

This is the perfect BCG that is built for the long haul. We’re talking years, maybe even decades provided that you take excellent care of it (and the rifle itself). You will definitely get your rifle to function like nothing else once you’ve installed this on your rifle. The shooting will be much smoother and a lot more reliable than with your factory default.

Bottom Line

If you want a factory replacement BCG that will fit on most 65 Grendel rifles, the Brownells brand BCG will definitely be worth having around for a long time. And that’s always a good thing if you long for a rifle that will have the potential to last you what might seem like a lifetime. After all, without a highly functioning BCG, your rifle might as well be useless.

The Brownells M16 bolt carrier is a durable product made with two different grades of steel. It is a complete BCG with nitride coating on all parts. Each of these is magnetic particle inspected, which is an assurance about its quality. Considering its price, it is the best deal for money on the market, especially for the rare 6.5 Grendel Caliber.

Runner-up:
J P Enterprises - Ar-15 6.5 Grendel Full Mass Bolt Carrier Group

Pros

  • OPQ coating
  • Complete BCG
  • Superior wear resistance
  • The choice for low and normal mass carrier

Cons

  • Expensive

What Recent Buyers Report

According to most users, they said that this BCG didn’t need any additional fitting while it was being installed on their rifles. Once it was finished, they said that it worked just fine with the charging handle and thus leading to shooting that was reliable and jam-free through well over 100 rounds. One user said that he was really surprised that it was light in weight given the durability of the BCG itself.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This BCG is made from high-quality steel that makes it built like a tank. On top of that, it’s a BCG that is designed for tactical situations. So, if you own a rifle that fires 65 Grendel cartridges are often used by law enforcement or military personnel, this BCG will be the perfect match. It can handle consistent amounts of gunfire and will make sure that every shot is made without a single malfunction to speak of.

The BCG from J.P. Enterprises has been made from high-grade 9130 steel, which is lightweight and has a longer life expectancy compared to the original factory made bolts.

The BCG is available with a choice of a low-mass carrier that reduces felt recoil and increases bolt speed to some extent, thus slightly improving the rapid-fire handling. The standard weight carrier in the BCG has a 100% increase in bearing surface, which improves cycling and reduces wear on the inside of the receiver.

The bolt carrier group also has an, OPQ finish to resist wear and operate more smoothly. It comes complete with all the components such as firing pin, extractor, and others.

Who Will Use This Most

Expect this BCG to be popular among users who are members of law enforcement or military personnel. Yes, it’s a bit more hardcore than some of the other BCGs that you’ll find. But it can handle the high-stress situations better than your average Joe BCG. Expect this to last you through thousands of rounds and many years of faithful service.

Bottom Line

The JP Enterprises 6.5 Grendel Full Mass bolt carrier group is exactly what you need for your rifle if you are looking for a high-quality BCG that won’t wear and tear even after a long period of time. You’d be insane to pass up the opportunity to give this a closer look if you are looking for what might be one of the best upgrades you can find in a 65 Grendel rifle.

This full-mass, bolt carrier group for the 6.5 Grendel is a durable and lightweight upgrade for your existing BCG. It is fully coated for maximum wear resistance and smooth operation. The only drawback is the price of the BCG, which is not far behind a complete upper receiver.

Best for the Money:
J P Enterprises - Ar-15/M16 6.5 Grendel Enhanced Bolt Completion Group

Pros

  • Proper finish
  • Solid and durable body
  • Completely shrouded firing pin

Cons

  • Prone to discoloration

What Recent Buyers Report

As expected, a lot of new users were happy with the BCG for a few good reasons. The quality of it was one of the major things that made this stand out as a favorite among those who were looking for a BCG at a budget price. One user said that given the quality and overall performance, he said that he got exactly what he paid for and then some.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Tired of a BCG wearing down or cracking on you a little earlier than expected? With this BCG, you won’t have to worry about any damage after short-term use. Especially when you’ll be firing off so many rounds at the range on a regular basis. Whether it’s hundreds of rounds or thousands, this BCG will make sure that it will work in tandem with your charging handle so you get smooth, reliable shooting each and every time you pull the trigger. This is the perfect BCG for hunters and target shooters alike. Why would you want to go back to your old BCG anyway?

This bolt carrier group has been made from durable 9310 nickel-chromium-molybdenum-steel, which is almost ten times more durable than the normal steel generally used for manufacturing bolts.

The bolt comes complete with all the inner parts, so you don’t have to search and purchase them separately. The outer, as well as the inner, core is highly resistant to stress and ensures that your BCG will not break or malfunction even after prolonged rigorous use.

The chrome and black color combination of elements in the group make it look aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, the bolt works very well with most 6.5 Grendel barrels, as long as the headspace matches.

Who Will Use This Most

If you want a BCG that will be worth every penny, this is the one you might want to consider putting to good use. Even at the price that it’s going for, you’re going to get quite a steal of a deal. Not to mention, you’ll be able to install this in as little as a half-hour or less. Whether it’s for a building project or an upgrade, this BCG will certainly stand head above shoulders over some flimsy factory default that wears and cracks quite easily.

Bottom Line

If you want to upgrade to a better BCG, then you best believe that this one might be perfect for your 65 Grendel rifle. If you are looking for the perfect BCG that will handle a lot of consistent use and even the extreme weather conditions, the JP Enterprises 65 Grendel Enhanced bolt completion group will be the best one you can find for your rifle. Whether you use it year-round or on occasions, this BCG won’t crack or wear down easier than you think.

This bolt carrier features a perfect balance between price and characteristics, meanwhile being a lightweight and reliable replacement to the OEM bolt.

4. Faxon Firearms - M16 Bolt Carrier Group 6.5 Grendel Mil-spec

Pros

  • Nitride finish
  • Complete BCG
  • Works in full and semi-auto platforms
  • Properly inspected, minimal chances of malfunction

Cons

  • Maybe a little heavier than other BCG’s.

What Recent Buyers Report

New users said that this was the closest BCG that they could get to a military-style bolt. When they installed it, that’s when they were treated to some smooth shooting that didn’t malfunction once. Most of the new users ranged from hunters to law enforcement officers that were looking for a BCG that was compatible with most charging handles and didn’t need any additional fitting.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Once again, we take a look at a BCG that is battle-tested before it even hits the market. It passes the shot peen and heat treatment tests and proves itself as one of the toughest BCGs on the market. So if you are looking for something that will resist all kinds of heat and won’t wear down after consistent amounts of extended use, this BCG will certainly be an accessory worth investing in.

This bolt assembly from Faxon Firearms is a mil-spec, dimension-based replacement for the existing bolt on your 6.5 Grendel upper. The bolt has been made from hardened steel and features a nitride finish to resist wear and reduce traction while firing.

The smooth finish also makes the bolt easy to clean. The bolt carrier group also has an adjustable gas block to let you control the recoil of your weapon. Plus, it has a shrouded firing pin, so it works well with both auto and semi-auto platforms.

Who Will Use This Most

This is a great mil-spec BCG that will be perfect for multiple applications. Whether you are a hunter, target shooting for fun, or using it in high-stress tactical situations this BCG will stand out as one of the better choices for anyone looking for a highly functioning bolt that will handle consistent use day in and day out. It’s also the best one you can choose if you want something that you know is tested for quality long before it ever reaches the shelves. It’s good to know that you’ll get the best in quality long before you ever buy it.

Bottom Line

The Faxon Firearms M16 bolt carrier group will probably be best for you if you just want to waste no time finding a BCG that is excellent in quality. On top of that, it’s a bolt that will definitely give you a leg up in your shooting no matter what the application. For a BCG that won’t wear down too easily or get damaged after short term use, the Faxon Firearms delivers on the promise.

The BCG from Faxon Firearms is a simple OEM replacement with a nitride finish and components manufactured from high-grade steel. The bolt group has been fairly priced and offers good value for money.

Conclusion

Using the 6.5 Grendel ammunition requires the use of a specially designed bolt carrier group. It should be durable and has a proper finish to resist wear and reduce friction.

Additionally, having an adjustable gas key also helps with the function. Upgrading your BCG helps improve the overall accuracy of your rifle and also reduces the cost if you don’t want to change the entire upper receiver or want a personalized solution. 

Ankit

Ankit Kumar is an engineer turned writer who specializes in topics related to firearms, gun safety and weapon tech. His passion towards enrolling in the Army drifted his interest towards light and heavy firearms. He’s a qualified competitive air rifle shooter and an avid nature lover. His other areas of expertise include survival, prepping and firearms/ammo storage. When he’s not writing, he’s either learning a new skill, trekking or enjoying a long drive.

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