Best Affordable 6.5 Grendel Upper?

For anyone who shoots this round, what is the best affordable upper in your opinion?

Main use will be hunting within nominal ranges, say 0-300 yards max. Target shooting is also on the table so take that into consideration.
I’m looking for quality components that give good accuracy and reliability.
I may load for this, but to begin with assume I will be using factory ammo.

Anyone here use the Acme Machine uppers? I’ve read good things about it online but would like to hear some real-world feedback.

TIA

Almost forgot to ask what mags do you prefer?

I think you will get the best info in return if you list the budget you have in mind.

Mine is home build on a receiver set from Wilson Combat and Odin works Barrel/bcg combo because at the time there were not too many factory options. A, I'd highly suggest looking to building your own. I think if you try hard enough you'll be able to find/borrow some tools and it can be surprisingly easily and get really good results. Not trying to brag, But i have shot a 0.5moa group at 300yds, and i'm still a rookie to reloading. Apparently this level of performance is very uncommon in 6.5g if you get a good manufacturer and you ensure one way or another that bolt is properly headspaced to the barrel. Once again, mine was a combo and guaranteed by Odin but I remember reading that Lilja will verify their barrel if you send them a bolt.

BUT, if I had to buy and was willing to spend a little money (ie the "buy once, cry once" philosophy), then I think I'd do the Larue 6.5g upper kit. I priced out to $792, including trigger and upper assembly but without the lower receiver and all black. Honestly, I spent more on mine than I would have gotten from this kit plus lower. And I'm guessing the accuracy can performance is probably comparable.

Edit: I only own one 10rd e-Lander mag distributed by Alexander Arms themselves. From what i read at the time, the metal mags made by e-lander under any name are good. I don't have any cycling rated issues after the intial setting of the adjustable gas block that came with the barrel combo. The plastic ones can be a little sketchy.

Fair enough, let’s say less than $500 for a complete upper.

Then I totally recommend home build. I live in the Houston area and everything needed to assemble and upper proper. I'd personally be willing to help you out with tools and such to help save you cost. I'll just have to take your word on giving them back. Also, I fancy myself as one to get the most bang for your buck. I have my own ideas of which components are and are not worth spending the extra dollars to get the most performance for my dollars.

While I am generally one to do everything myself, I just have no interest in assembling an upper from parts.
I do really appreciate the offer though!

And if it comes down to it, I would just buy a bolt action 6.5 Grendel if I get more bang for my buck that way. CZ, Howa, Ruger, all make rifles in 6.5G. I’d likely go with the CZ but don’t like the 24” barrel. I’d prefer 18-20”. I could have it cut down and recrowned I guess. I think the howa’s comes in a 20” heavy barrel and the Ruger is 22” I think.

Personally, I'd start with PSA for $349 shipped. I don't have anything in 6.5 of theirs, but zero complaints about their lowers and 5.56 uppers I have purchased.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/barreled-upper-assemblies.html?caliber_multi=2037

I've heard good things about these folks, and if you find you need a better/different barrel down the road, I have the tools needed to change it... and it's easy to do.

http://pro2a-tactical.com/ar-15-uppers.html?cat=8

They have uppers from 16" to 24", and on their home page is a code for $20 off a $300 purchase.

I also wouldn't be afraid to order from PSA, I have had good luck with their stuff so far.

Haha, fair enough. But the AR does make it easy for those of us who are A) not yahoos and have some man-life skills and B) know one's limitations. I have good to great general man skills, tools and was smart enough to ensure I got a quality barrel that had the bolt checked by someone far more competent than I. I put my rifle together once and has shot like a champ since. Believe that or not is up to you.
However, it was not my first upper assembled and I did exactly what you mentioned on 556 versions. No disasters, but learned alot from assembling and reassembling. Still enjoying stripping down one from time to time to give it a thorough cleaning.

I totally get why you wouldn't. I am a tinkering person by nature and just enjoyed the whole process of messing around with the ar platform.

I’ll look into pro2a. Don’t know anything about the product they produce or how it performs. Definitely don’t want sub-par accuracy or function.

The main investment IMO should be in the barrel. That's where your going to get the accuracy, especially for the target shooting side of things. If I were you I would buy the barrel and components separately and have a shop assemble it for you. I highly recommend 1911 academy in McKinney. You could also order a barrel and take it to Rifle Gear in Plano and they could build the rest for you with a great trigger and Spikes receiver for a very reasonable cost. Wilson Combat has a 16" Recon Tactical barrel on sale in this caliber currently for $187.00. Rifle Gear is a cafeteria type set up for multiple choices of receivers, bolt carrier groups etc...They would be happy to start with the barrel you bring in. With 1911 Academy you would need to bring the components in with you. You might already have a good trigger in your lower but if not you could address that while you building out the upper.

quality and affordable usually dont go together.

i would just look for one for sale on the classifieds and get after it.

Sorry, I never doubted your post, I was just responding to P_Shooter's statement, they were looking for an assembled upper.

Brownells
Bear Creek Arsenal
Primary Arms
Watch their sales

I have a bearcreek and shoots moa all day. Paid less than 300

I beg to differ...

BCA has a few complete uppers in 6.5g on sale for less than $220.

quality and accuracy have nothing to do with each other

a savage axis is an accurate gun but I wouldn't call it a quality gun

I had a Harden Arms that shot very well.

I had a bear creek barrel, and that thing would shoot 9" groups at 50yds. Best it ever got called them up and found that they had an issues with a bunch of their barrels in 6.5g. I bought a bbl off of the 6.5grendel forum for around 150 and it shoots plenty good enough for what I need. (3/4moa) with Hornady Black 123 eldm.

that is an experience you can find repeated several times on the 65gendelforum. Get a BCA upper and if it doesn't shoot drop a group buy barrel on it and big improvement

I don’t have any firsthand experience with budget Grendel’s, or budget AR uppers in general. But based on reading a lot of forum posts on the subject, I’d not mess with anything Bear Creek.

I think if I was to try a budget upper in 223 or 6.5g I’d roll the dice on a PSA premium or Aero precision purchased on sale. It’s already been said, you could always swap the barrel if it doesn’t shoot. I know the aero upper, hand guards and parts are pretty decent as I’ve used them for a few builds. I haven’t tried PSA but I’ve seen people who should know post that many of them do shoot well (again, I’m talking the premium stainless barreled uppers)

Otherwise build your own, Faxon or Ballistic advantage barrel for budget options, though I’d spend the extra money for a Craddock precision criterion, Wilson combat or similar barrel myself.

This won't be a popular response. I have owned two Radical Arms uppers.

The first one is a 20" 6.5 grendel that can wear out a ragged hole at 100 yards. I use it all the time hunting deer and pigs. It is the rifle I use the most and it is the cheapest upper I own. Currently I have it suppressed with a XP50 thermal scope on it.

The second one was a 458 socom. After the good luck with the 6.5, I thought I would try a 458 from Radical. Worst gun I have ever owned. Nothing but problems and poor customer service from Radical. Glad I don't have it anymore.

If you end up with a grendel upper like I got, then you will love it.