Tiger said:
Grendelizer said:
Les Baer used to make 6.5 Grendel rifles, and Black Hills Ammunition used to load 6.5 Grendel ammunition exclusively for Les Baer.
Les Baer has now dropped the 65G and is introducing his 264 LBC-AR. Below is the link to his SHOT Show 2010 press release:
Link: http://www.rifleshootermag.com/new_products/RS_shotshow2010day1_011910WO/
Note where he states: ". . . will also perform in rifles chambered for the 6.5 Grendel."
So what we have here is an attempt to piggy-back on the 6.5 Grendel's growing popularity (Hornady being the latest major ammo manufacturer to offer 6.5 Grendel ammunition) with a copy-cat cartridge.
What Arne no doubt means when he says "Hornady is making 2 million pieces of brass" is that when Hornady makes their 6.5 Grendel brass, a portion of it may have a boutique head-stamp for the 264 LBC-AR.
John
John,
I think it's going to be the other way around.
Tiger
That's an interesting thought. I wonder how a truly niche company like Les Baer, who produces perhaps the most expensive AR's available, will ever surpass the multitude of companies already producing the Grendel.
It would seem that companies like Sabre, JT, etc. are likely to produce as many Grendels in a month as Les Baer produces in a year!
Going to be hard for LB to catch up!
Remember, the vast majority of AR purchases are lower end purchases, not big bucks rifles. Les Baer doesn't play in that lower end market, so they are at a huge disadvantage.
Look at the facts:
Les Baer has one load planned, the 123 AMAX. Black Hills ammo, while certainly premium in nature, has also always been premium in price, actually more expensive even than Alexander Arms ammo.
Current Grendel manufacturers produce at least 8 different loads, and Hornady will be coming on board with at least 2 more in the next few months.
Advantage: Grendel
Les Baer rifles are extremely well built, but their price is at the top of the market, too.
There are Grendels available from the same price point as 5.56 all the way up to the price of Les Baers.
Advantage in numbers: Grendel
Les Baer is providing no loading information.
Alexander Arms, Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester, Ramshot/Western powders all provide 6.5 Grendel loading data.
Advantage: Grendel
Number of rifles in the field:
Advantage: Grendel, by huge numbers! And if you bought a Les Baer Grendel, how do you feel now that Les Baer has turned his back on you?
I had planned on picking up 2 Les Baer .45's this year. This move makes me very unlikely to do so. I doubt the stability and business acumen of someone who says they support something one day, then turns their back on it the next.
Not a smart move, in my opinion.