To justify the name of a mythical monster antagonist of one of the famous old English poems Beowulf, “Grendel” 6.5 cartridge has been giving us the monstrous performance we expect from it. This intermediate cartridge has been providing us with low recoil but high performance since the day it was released, especially with the AR-15 platform rifles.
This improved variation of the 6.5mm PPC has been expanding its versatility among other firearm design platforms including bolt-action rifles and the Kalashnikov system for tactical missions, hunting, and range shooting. This cartridge is more powerful than 5.56 NATO but less than 7.62x51mm when used with an AR-15 rifle.
The 6.5 Grendel cartridge along with its AR15 companion makes a considerably high recoil and muzzle rise which can be a headache for continuous shooting. Using a muzzle brake with this combination can reduce the recoil amount to 50 percent. This is why it is important to find a great muzzle device for the 6.5mm calibers.
With that intention, I have listed the top 5 best muzzle brakes for the 6.5 Grendel cartridges for your firearm so that you can choose one and attach it to your gun to enhance your overall shooting quality.
In case you want further information about the 6.5 Grendel muzzle brake, I would suggest you to go through the buying guide section. So without further adieu let’s begin the search for the best 6.5 Grendel muzzle brake.
1. Precision Armament HyperTap 6.5mm Grendel Muzzle Brake
The first product I want to recommend for the 6.5 Grendel muzzle brake list is the Precision Armament HyperTap Muzzle Brake. This is one of the most popular muzzle brakes you will find in the market.
This HyperTap brake is perfect for use with multiple cartridges including .308, .30 cal, and .264 calibers.
But today I will be reviewing the model that is specifically made for the 6.5 Grendel cartridge. The muzzle brake supports any 5/8×24 threaded barrels. Its proprietary Hybrid baffle design combined with the advanced Convergent-Divergent port geometry helps the brake to achieve an undisrupted recoil reduction.
But what makes this muzzle brake more efficient than other ordinary brakes is that this muzzle brake reduces recoil up to 84 percent on a 6.5 Creedmoor caliber. Just think how much it will reduce for the 6.5 Grendel caliber.
The muzzle brake can also simultaneously maintain the modest 35-degree baffle angles and generous bore clearance.
Besides, the Precision 6.5mm HyperTap muzzle brake comes with an integrated universal timing nut. For this reason, you actually don’t need any additional shim to install the brake on your firearm. You can just use an adjustable wrench or a spanner tool to install and remove the brake.
Can you use this muzzle brake on a 6.8 SPC gun?
You will need the .308 caliber version of the HyperTap muzzle brake for the 6.8 SPC cartridge.
Does the muzzle brake include any installation tool in the package?
Yes, you will get two stainless spanner wrenches to install this muzzle brake on a firearm.
What is the housing material of the muzzle brake?
The Precision HyperTap muzzle brake has 17-4 stainless steel with Ionbond CrCN finish as its housing material.
2. Area 419 The Hellfire Match Self-Timing Muzzle Brake
The Hellfire Muzzle Brake by Area 419 is the second product I am recommending for the 6.5 Grendel cartridge. Its 6.5mm caliber model is perfect for any 5/8×24 threaded barrel rifle that uses 6.5 Creedmoor or the 6.5 Grendel cartridges.
This muzzle brake was released in 2016 and since then it has been holding a strong position in the shooter’s choice for muzzle brakes.
Its 4 port design is unique and advocates for the reduction of recoil and muzzle rise even for the 6.5mm calibers. Each of the ports is redesigned with different lengths, heights, and angles to make the best use of the device and create an ideal function for the current gas flow based on its pressure and volume.
Along with maintaining a solid recoil system and controlling the muzzle rise, the muzzle brake also puts attention towards limiting the sound pressure for the shooters.
The good thing about this product is that you don’t only get to use this for your 6.5 cartridges. This brake is versatile enough to work with 4 different calibers including the .243 and .30 cal.
The brake comes with a self-timing system and a Universal adapter that can work with multiple products such as suppressor mounts, Hellfire 2P, and Linear Flash Suppressor.
Once you torque the collar to lock, it will not turn until you do it yourself. That way you know this product will stay strong even in harsh environments.
What type of tools will you need to torque the adapter?
The Hellfire muzzle brake comes with a universal adapter to attach it to a firearm. In order to torque the adapter onto the barrel you will need a ⅝” wrench.
What is the OD of this muzzle brake?
This muzzle brake has a 1” OD brake and 1.1” OD collar.
How much does the 6.5mm model of this Muzzle brake weigh?
The Hellfire Muzzle brake for 6.5mm caliber with 5/8×24 thread weighs about 4.8 ounces.
3. Lancer Systems – 6.5 Caliber Viper Muzzle Brake
When you are thinking about long range shooting with the 6.5 Grendel cartridge the first thing that comes to mind is using a muzzle brake with the rifle.
The reason for this is that both 6.5 Creedmoor and Grendel cartridges with long range firearms produce a low amount of recoil. Adding a muzzle brake in the mix will make the situation more controllable for the shooter.
This Lancer muzzle brake will enhance the recoil reduction quality of the 6.5 Grendel caliber and upgrade its ballistic capability at the same time.
It sports a blast chamber and four jets in order to direct the muzzle blast and subsequently reduce the recoil impulse along with the muzzle rise of the rifle.
While looking at the jets’ location, you can see that these are located at the top of the muzzle brake. This will ensure a downward force to counteract recoil. As a result, you are getting significantly reduced recoil without increasing the muzzle blast and rise.
Along with the 5/8×24 thread pitch attachment, you get two options when it comes to the housing construction of this muzzle brake. Lancer Systems offers both black nitride and stainless steel finish for this Viper model.
It comes with six separate jet nozzles so that you can fine-tune the depressing gas amount while firing.
Will this muzzle brake work for the 300 Win Mag?
Since this muzzle brake supports the .308 caliber, it will work for the .300 Win Mag cartridge.
What is the size of the base?
The overall height of this muzzle brake is 1.05” with a slight taper at the back of 0.925”.
What installation tool comes with the muzzle brake?
Along with the Lancer Viper brake, there is a crush washer for installation and 6 tuning jets.
4. Airborne Arms AAS8 Spectre 6.5 Grendel Muzzle Brake
The list of compatible cartridges with this Airborne Arms Spectre muzzle brake is one of the major reasons for choosing this product to go with your 6.5 Grendel.
This muzzle brake is so versatile and perfect for multiple-caliber use. You get to use this with .300 AAC Blackout, .308 Win, 6.5mm Creedmoor, Grendel, 6.8mm Remington SPC, 6mm ARC, and 7.62x39mm calibers.
What’s best with this muzzle brake is that it significantly improves the sight recovery time and felt recoil within the limitation of legal dimension accepted by the sub-1×3 competition.
Its precision CNC-machined housing uses a solid bar of stainless steel as its surface which ensures the durability of the brake.
The large initial expansion chamber of this brake works hand-in-hand with its graduated three-port design of precisely angled baffle in order to minimize the muzzle rise and cancel out a large portion of the felt recoil at the same time.
The rear side of this Spectre muzzle brake covers the stainless steel timing shims so that the whole body can blend into the round barrel shape of your rifle and provide you with a flush look without the requirement for additional tools.
Will this muzzle brake work with the 9mm calibers?
No, the 9mm cartridge has a larger bullet diameter than the other calibers like .308 or 6.5mm. That’s why this muzzle brake will not work for the 9mm caliber.
What is the weight of this muzzle brake?
The Airborne Arms Spectre Muzzle brake weighs about 3.9 ounces.
What is the gas block journal size diameter of this brake?
This muzzle brake has a gas block journal with a diameter of 0.750 inches.
5. VG6 Precision Gamma 6.5 Muzzle Brake
For my last recommendation, I have the VG6 Precision Gamma 65 Muzzle Brake. This Muzzle brake is specifically suitable for the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, and 6.8 Remington SPC calibers. This means you can easily use this brake with AR-15 platform rifles that have 6.5mm calibers.
What I like about this product is that it has a unique combination of both muzzle brake and compensator, meaning you are getting all the benefits of a muzzle brake without the chances of a muzzle flash.
As a result, this combination helps to boost up the shooter’s confidence as he can take multiple follow-up shots to get his targets.
In addition, the unique chamber geometry for the housing design provides the shooters with a very light feel on the shoulder. This is a good feature considering the blowback from a 6.5 AR-15 rifle will be strong.
This 100 percent CNC machined muzzle brake has a 68RC surface hardness which keeps the brake strong and sturdy even in critical situations. The whole muzzle brake uses both CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) in order to give optimal performance.
Will this Gamma muzzle brake work for the GLFA .223 Wylde Rifle?
Caliber wise it will fit the GLFA rifle since this muzzle brake works for 6.5mm calibers. However, it only attaches to 5/8×24 threaded barrels whereas the GLFA Wylde Rifle has a 1/2×28 thread pitch.
What is the diameter of the brake?
The Gamma muzzle brake has a diameter of 0.86”.
Will this muzzle brake fit the Remington 700 308 mag pul?
No, this muzzle brake is for 6.5 calibers. You will need the Gamma 762 for the Remington 700 308 Magpul rifle.
Buying Guide For 6.5 Grendel Muzzle Device
This buying guide section will mainly focus on all the important information about the muzzle devices for the 6.5 Grendel cartridge. The following checklist has all the points you will need to know about 6.5 muzzle brakes.
Vent Placement
Vent placement is one of the most important points that you need to check before purchasing a muzzle brake. Without the correct vent placement, the whole point of having a muzzle brake gets neglected.
For a good vent placement, you need to make sure it is on the sides or top of the muzzle brake in order to keep the muzzle flip and recoil to the minimum. If it is at the bottom, the muzzle recoil and rise will get worse.
Installation
Coming to the installation part, you need to check certain points when you are buying a muzzle brake for your 6.5 Grendel rifle. Although the timing nut and crush washer are mostly included in the package along with the muzzle brake, there is one thing that is very important to attach with the firearm.
Every muzzle brake attaches to a certain thread pitch of the firearm. With the 6.5 Grendel cartridge most of the muzzle brakes come with the 5/8×24 thread pitch. For this reason, you will need rifles that have 5/8×24 threaded barrels.
Construction & Weight
When it comes to the housing construction of the muzzle brake it is important that you choose a port design that allows the gas to have a good and undisturbed flow without giving out too much muzzle flash.
The same goes with the weight range. It cannot be too heavy since you are already using the muzzle brake with a heavy rifle.
Durability
Last but not least, you also need to check the quality of the housing materials. That way you will know the muzzle brake is heat protected and is strong enough to survive harsh environments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 6.5 Grendel is a versatile cartridge that works perfectly well with AR-15 rifles. However, the high ballistic coefficient of the 6.5 Grendel cartridge produces a large amount of recoil which gets even higher when used with an AR-15 rifle. That’s why having a good quality muzzle brake is very important.
To search for the best muzzle brake for your firearm with a 6.5mm caliber, I have listed the top 5 best muzzle brakes available in the market. But it does not end here.
I have also added a checklist in the buying guide section where you will find all the information about 6.5 muzzle brakes. Now the choice is yours. Go and find your favorite one!
