I am looking at a 6.5 Grendel upper but I am not sure about the 6.8? The 6.8 rifles/barrels seem readily available but the ammo doesn't seem as flexible. Anyway. I keep hearing that the 6.5 is better because the military is looking at it.

Which it is?

I am no expert but the 6.8 is more available locally than the Grendel. Even though the name Grendel is cooler sounding and from one of my favorite books.

The military is using 6.8 now in some instances. 6.8 is more readily vailable, and is being made by more and more manufacturers.

SOCOM uses some 6.8SPC. It is basically designed to do the 5.56's job better. 6.5 Grendel is more like a long range round.



TS

I just went with 6.8 because there seemed to be more rifle options( I went with Robinson Arms XCR) and for my purposes the ballistics and ammo availability are better.

Both of your statements are why I want one. I have been shooting larger caliber firearms for many years and prefer them to a .223. The AR15 "size" fits us both (wife) and I like the more compact size. I am looking to add an upper to a XR15 we already have. I am concerned about the Grendel since the ammo (other than Wolf) is hard to come by. AA seems to have a lock on some of the Grendel stuff. I also read some articles about the military dropping the 6.8. Not that the 6.8 is bad but rather that the mfg's will abandon it for the 6.5. ugghhh...

B

Alexander refusing to "share" their products without a complicated affiliation or "franchise" type deal has killed or severely held back their products from going on to larger success. The 6.8 still has more of a following than 6.5G.



TS

Army went with 6.8SPC because of it's knockdown force and penetration it is not a longer range application, the 6.5G round is a longer range round and is very limited for mfg

I ordered a 6.8 and considered the 6.5, but because of price and ammo/brass availability the 6.8 seemed a better choice for me.

I don't understand the 6.5 Grendel popularity

With greater production capabilities and numbers than Alexander Arms, Olympic produces a 243WSSM that ballistically put the Grendel to shame with a lot more versatility with bullet weights from 55 grain up to 115. Proven and repeatable velocities and only the bolt is propietary to Olympic.

The 6.8SPC I understand. More short range power.

My choice for shorter range engagements was the 6x45
(223 case shooting a 6mm bullet)
Which gave me greater energy/ velocity and range.

My long range is the 243 WSSM

This post has been edited by Colorado Osprey: January 2nd 2009 8:37 PM

unless you reload them i agree with karma... the more readily available load would be the one for me. i had the 6.8 and enjoyed shooting it at four legged critters with hornady v-max loads.

ooooo I am slippin I never thought about vmax 6.8 now that would be a wackmonster out to 500 prolly with the 62g

Theres no doubt about it. You can find a lot more of the 6.8 more readily. However, it seems as if the 6.5 outperforms the 6.8. I've personally shot neither, but done my share of research on both and this is what i found.

The 6.8 SPC 115gr leaves the muzzle at 2700 fps, and drops to 2417 at 100 meters and 1903 at 300 meters. Energy is 1861 at the barrel, 1492 at 100 meters, and 925 at 300 meters.

The 6.5 Grendel 123 leaves the muzzle at 2600 fps and drops to 2426 at 100 and 2098 at 300. Energy starts at 1846 and drops to 1607 at 100 and 1202 at 300.

At longer ranges, it's still all Grendel, as expected. At 500 meters, the Grendel retains 1797fps and 882 ft-lbs energy, compared to 1470 and 552 for the 6.8 SPC. The difference becomes more pronounced out to 1000 yards.

So even coming out of the barrel, The 6.5 barely trails. But by the time you get some distance, the 6.5 is spanking the 6.8. If i was picking one for hunting(especially 300+ yards), i'd go with the 6.5.

But personally i have much better calibers for hunting.

I believe that Grendel speed is from a 24" because I could only get 2800 with 100gr bullets from a 22" and that was with loads so hot the Lapua stamp in the brass dissappeared.
We are getting 2850fps from a 6.8 20" barrel using 110gr Accubonds with a BC of .410(drop tested at 460yds)
Every major maufacturer is building a 6.8 except Colt who is too busy doing DOD work to take on more civilian sales.
Yes, I have both and for reliability I'll take the 6.8. How many times in your life have you shot past 400 yds?

double tap



This post has been edited by constructor: January 9th 2009 12:35 AM

Does the 6.5 grendel take the same stripped upper as a regular AR15? or does it have a totally new stripped upper?

I assume, bolt barrel and a few others are diffeernt, but I'm just speaking of the stripped upper.

I am hoping to buy a Mega upper to match my lower, thats why I ask.

6.5G will work in a standard AR upper/lower. Different barrel, bolt and mags.


TS

Well, I had a big write up last week but lost it when I hit add reply. The 6.8 SPC and the 6.5G are both really good at what the are designed for. I like the 6.5G for the overall capabilities it has. Call me crazy but I like the ability to have an excellent CQB weapon that can be called on to reach out when needed. I also like the idea of having 1 cartridge that CAN be used in a 14.5, 18 or 24 inch package for short or long range work. Grab a loaded mag and grab whichever weapon package you need (or want) and you're good to go. I see all these posts of I have this caliber for this range and this caliber for that range...etc..etc. That's great until you have to carry all these weapons and ammo on foot in a real world situation (you know....The Zombies Are Coming!!!) It reminds me of Robin Williams in "The Survivors" when he brings all these guns to a gunfight and calls time out because he grabbed the wrong ammo.

I saw something about the .243 WSSM being more versatile than the 6.5G. It is an excellent performer ballistically but as for versatility, it is limited by magazine capacity due to the huge cartridge case diameter making it a single stack low capacity package.

Now I know the Grendel is not the magic cartridge that will obsolete every other cartridge. It's not the BEST thing out there for any given situation or any given distance. But it is one of the best at handling many or all of them satisfactorily from the standard AR-15/M-16 package. With a quick change from my Eotech to my 4-16x (both in Larue QD mounts) my 14.5 Tactical is cabable from point blank to 800m (supersonic and over 500 energy.) It easily fills that "If you could only have one gun" type role.


Medic...out!

I have only seen a couple of Grendels around here, no 6.8's. Ammo for both is non existant. I compared and like the 6.5 better, so ordered a 24" varmit type upper in 6.5 as well as brass, dies and extra mags. It should be here in about 8 weeks. One big reason to go the 6.5 is that "if" formed brass for either dries up, it will be easier to find 7.62x39 brass to form Grendel cartridges than to find 30 Rem brass to make the 6.8, and certainly more economical.

Anyone have a good source for 6.8 ammo? I agree it could be harder to get and I have some cash today to stock up on ammo with. What is the best source with available quantities?