14.5” “Recce” build (6 ARC, 6.5G or 6.8 SPC)

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 8, 2022

Gents,

I am looking at building a 12-14.5” “recce” style upper. I want a caliber other than 5.56 just because. I have plenty of 5.56 rifle and want something new. I do reload so that is not a concern.

It’s seems like 6 ARC, 6.5G and 6.8 SPC II are the best choices. I plan to run an LPVO on this rifle and hunt small-medium game in Texas. Yes, hogs too.

Just looking for thoughts and advice.

6 ARC - good bullet selection, externally ballistic superior but not much info on running in a short barrel. How are terminal ballistics?

6.5G - good bullet selection, flatter shooting than 6.8, limited info on short barrels, terminal ballistics good

6.8 SPC - poor bullet selection relative to others, terminal ballistics are superior, better performer in short barrels.

What would y’all do or recommend?

SkyScrapin · Jun 8, 2022

Have 4x 6.8 SPCs, no 6.5G, and a single 6 ARC.

I'd go 6 ARC across the board without hesitation if starting over. Proof carbon 14.5" specifically.

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 8, 2022

SkyScrapin said:
Have 4x 6.8 SPCs, no 6.5G, and a single 6 ARC.

I'd go 6 ARC across the board without hesitation if starting over. Proof carbon 14.5" specifically.

Oh man! I didn’t see that Proof made a 14.5”! That would be sick.

TonyTheTiger · Jun 8, 2022

Flip a coin.
Or build one of each and you'll come to the conclusion that you could've just flipped a coin and been equally satisfied with any of those choices.

TheOE800 · Jun 8, 2022

6.8 probably going to have the best feeding mags unless Geissele’s magical wonder-mags for 6mm ARC work and are available in quantity (but that price tag).

CaptArab · Jun 8, 2022

I'd pick the bullet you want to shoot- IMO the Hornady 105 6mm bthp is one of the best performance to $$$ ratios put there and kills great.

6 Arc for me

db2000 · Jun 8, 2022

6MM ARC: Long Range in a Small Package with the Lantac 6ARC

Read: 6MM ARC: Long Range in a Small Package with the Lantac 6ARC from Dave Merrill on January 6, 2021 for Recoil.

www.recoilweb.com

Ndbowhunter · Jun 8, 2022

CaptArab said:
I'd pick the bullet you want to shoot- IMO the Hornady 105 6mm bthp is one of the best performance to $$$ ratios put there and kills great.

6 Arc for me

over a 108 eld?

i lose virtually no velocity going from 105 to 108, but gain quite a bit in bc.

2800fps launch makes mushy inside and good exits on elk at 500

db2000 · Jun 8, 2022

TonyTheTiger said:
Flip a coin.
Or build one of each and you'll come to the conclusion that you could've just flipped a coin and been equally satisfied with any of those choices.

^^^ this

CaptArab · Jun 8, 2022

Ndbowhunter said:
over a 108 eld?

i lose virtually no velocity going from 105 to 108, but gain quite a bit in bc.

2800fps launch makes mushy inside and good exits on elk at 500

I'm a Cheap bastard and I don't shoot gas guns super far at animal

But you're totally right.

db2000 · Jun 8, 2022

Ndbowhunter said:
over a 108 eld?

i lose virtually no velocity going from 105 to 108, but gain quite a bit in bc.

2800fps launch makes mushy inside and good exits on elk at 500

Well you’re not getting 2800 fps with a Recce build. Or hunting elk with it

CaptArab · Jun 8, 2022

db2000 said:
Well you’re not getting 2800 fps with a Recce build. Or hunting elk with it

Might bubba it up to 2500 or so but yea, nah
.
Looked it up cause I'm a dork-
105 is .530
108 is .536
110 is .604

So assuming 2500 fps for all three (which isn't true) and expansion velocity at a conservative 1900,105 is ~400 ish 108 is maybe another 10 yards and atips get you to 450.

But they'd probably open up well past that, so I think ND nailed it, if you wanna shoot an elk at 500 with a recce, you'll be set

db2000 · Jun 8, 2022

CaptArab said:
Might bubba it up to 2500 or so but yea, nah
.
Looked it up cause I'm a dork-
105 is .530
108 is .536
110 is .604

So assuming 2500 fps for all three (which isn't true) and expansion velocity at a conservative 1900,105 is ~400 ish 108 is maybe another 10 yards and atips get you to 450.

But they'd probably open up well past that, so I think ND nailed it, if you wanna shoot an elk at 500 with a recce, you'll be set

Have you ever shot elk at 500 yrd?
Honest question. I have with 300 WBY Mag and broke its left shoulder so it dropped on the hillside. It was still well and alive though and that was a pretty damn good shot. Just saying, hunting elk with a 12-14” barrel gas gun at 500-whatever is retarded and possibly inhumane but whatever. You run numbers and type away. This is across King Gulch in Mesa CO.

CaptArab · Jun 8, 2022

db2000 said:
Have you ever shot elk at 500 yrd?
Honest question. I have with 300 WBY Mag and broke its left shoulder so it dropped on the hillside. It was still well and alive though and that was a pretty damn good shot. Just saying, hunting elk with a 12-14” barrel gas gun at 500-whatever is retarded and possibly inhumane but whatever. You run numbers and type away.
View attachment 7887923

I haven't I'm just being an internet jackass. I really don't shoot animals at distance at all- I live in TN and don't get out much.

Nice elk.

Probably takes an enormous amount of skill to hit anything with a 300 WBY considering practicing with it in a hunting weight rifle would be miserable as hell.

To the OPs point- I think a 14.5 6 arc would make you pretty happy, be reasonably inexpensive to shoot, and do everything you'd practically need.

I plan on building one, or possibly a 13.9 if I could find one and running 105s for steel and whitetail.

db2000 · Jun 9, 2022

CaptArab said:
I haven't I'm just being an internet jackass. I really don't shoot animals at distance at all- I live in TN and don't get out much.

Nice elk.

Probably takes an enormous amount of skill to hit anything with a 300 WBY considering practicing with it in a hunting weight rifle would be miserable as hell.

To the OPs point- I think a 14.5 6 arc would make you pretty happy, be reasonably inexpensive to shoot, and do everything you'd practically need.

I plan on building one, or possibly a 13.9 if I could find one and running 105s for steel and whitetail.

Right on. I get it.
It is miserable to practice with. It’s actually the rifle that got me into reloading.
The day I shot that I didn’t even feel the recoil. Immediately racked another round and was back looking at the elk in record (for me) speed. Pure adrenaline. Just held at the top of his back with predicted 21” drop at that distance. Probably some luck too at that point in my shooting experience.

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 9, 2022

db2000 said:
6MM ARC: Long Range in a Small Package with the Lantac 6ARC

Read: 6MM ARC: Long Range in a Small Package with the Lantac 6ARC from Dave Merrill on January 6, 2021 for Recoil.

www.recoilweb.com

I was just reading this! Ha! Pretty cool.

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 9, 2022

reubenski said:
For a hunting centric gun I'd go 6.5 or 6.8 over 6mm. Realistically, 6mm is twenty thousandths, .020" larger than a .223 Wylde or 5.56mm. But in our heads the 5.56mm is a flyweight and the 6mm ARC is a big boy.

I would also disagree that there isn't a lot of info on short barrel 6.5G. there's a ton. You're looking at 2450fps - 2500fps with a 120gr out of a 14.5" barrel. If I was you, I'd be looking at the 115gr Barnes TAC TX .264 bullets. Probably looking at 2500 - 2550 with those. I'm pushing 110gr Tac TX .30 bullets at 2500fps out of a 14.5" 300BO. But the 6.5mm version probably has a better BC.

Non-match 6mm bullets are mostly varmint oriented. The tougher, large game variants are slimmer pickings. I've shot the 90gr TGKs out of a 6 Creed at 3050fps at whitetail and they acted like varmint grenades.

For 6.8 I hear the 90gr Gold Dots are the bullet to shoot.

So I started out by looking at 300 BLK running a 110 but wanted an ultra short barrel for subs.

For the reasons above (terminal ballistics) I am leaning more 6.8 SPC.

db2000 · Jun 9, 2022

Cold_Bore_88 said:
So I started out by looking at 300 BLK running a 110 but wanted an ultra short barrel for subs.

For the reasons above (terminal ballistics) I am leaning more 6.8 SPC.

For a hog gun inside 100 yd, a Hornady 150 ILSP at 1840 fps has great ballistics, similar to 6.5G and 6.8. It’s very accurate at 50 yd and decent at 100 yd from my Seekins SP8, which has an 8” barrel and a handguard that covers the suppressor. Tight package but has plenty of rail room for thermal in front of the lvpo. 6mm ARC is better than all these ballistically but not sure how pertinent it is in real world hunting. If you’re hunting past 200 then definitely 6ARC and the 300 Blk is weak in a short barrel.

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 9, 2022

TacticalPlinker said:
My hog gun is a Noveske Afghan 6.8SPC II in 14.5"

Inside of 250y its a beast with 90gr Federal XM68GD/Fusion. Flawless magazine feeding from PRI . Going on my 10th year . No failures logged in my book . 2k rounds. All weather. I don't pretend its a precision gun, but it holds .75 -1" easily. 2790 fps at sea-level. Did 3 carbine classes. No pukes. Just keep her wet with Mobile 1 .

It doesn't have a large selection of factory ammo to choose from , but what's out there clearly does the job.

This is basically what I am looking to do. Good to hear you have good experiences and velocity number. Really appreciate the feedback.

TacticalPlinker · Jun 9, 2022

Cold_Bore_88 said:
This is basically what I am looking to do. Good to hear you have good experiences and velocity number. Really appreciate the feedback.

Just edited- I got tell you there's a big upgrade IMO when I added the A5 and LMT enhanced BCG. Really smoothed out the recoil impulse. Slower carrier speed. Less violent. Feels like a spicier 5.56 now

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 9, 2022

db2000 said:
For a hog gun inside 100 yd, a Hornady 150 ILSP at 1840 fps has great ballistics, similar to 6.5G and 6.8. It’s very accurate at 50 yd and decent at 100 yd from my Seekins SP8, which has an 8” barrel and a handguard that covers the suppressor. Tight package but has plenty of rail room for thermal in front of the lvpo. 6mm ARC is better than all these ballistically but not sure how pertinent it is in real world hunting. If you’re hunting past 200 then definitely 6ARC and the 300 Blk is weak in a short barrel.
View attachment 7887993

Ya. Being a “precision rifle” shooter (local matches only) the 6 ARC really stands out when talking external ballistics. Terminally, the jury is out. 6.8 SPC consistently proves to be the better hunting cartridge when talking terminal ballistics.

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 9, 2022

TacticalPlinker said:
Just edited- I got tell you there's a big upgrade IMO when I added the A5 and LMT enhanced BCG. Really smoothed out the recoil impulse. Slower carrier speed. Less violent. Feels like a spicier 5.56 now

If I could ever find an LMT E-BCG I would buy it. I am on every “in-stock” alert I know of. They either sellout in minutes or people want $600 for them.

I saw Lantac makes a more affordable E-BCG similar to LMT.

I love the A5!

MSTN · Jun 9, 2022

6mm ARC Hornady 108's out of a new 14.5" Proof CF barrel. Velocities usually pick up another 20fps as the barrel gets some rounds through it.

Clayman · Jun 9, 2022

Cold_Bore_88 said:
I saw Lantac makes a more affordable E-BCG similar to LMT.

It isn't really similar. The only two bcg's worth paying more for are the LMT or Surefire. Beyond that get a quality phosphate or something like Sionics NP3 if you want a coated one.

Cold_Bore_88 · Jun 9, 2022

MSTN said:
6mm ARC Hornady 108's out of a new 14.5" Proof CF barrel. Velocities usually pick up another 20fps as the barrel gets some rounds through it.

View attachment 7888047

You are the man!

91Eunozs · Oct 22, 2023

Bit of a thread necro, but after picking up a MAWL, I recently bought a 13.5” Geissele rail to get a bit more rail over my old 12” JP hand guard for my 13.9” 6.8SPC pig gun.

Only problem is that I didn’t account for the overlap of the muzzle device on the threads, and I’m short by 2-3mm to be able to fit any of my cans…and I only shoot suppressed these days; too many years flying jets, and I need to save what little hearing I have left.

The hand guard is too small to recess any of my 7.62 cans, I even tried direct thread mounts, so that’s not an option. I also have a 16” barrel in 6.8SPC as well, but already have a dedicated upper with an LPVO for that one. So the obvious answer of course is: Build another upper! LoL

I know the 6 ARC is the latest hotness, and I’m sure it works very well, but I’m too heavily invested in 6.8 to go in another direction for an intermediate caliber, and frankly, this round just flat works on pigs and coyotes. My favorite pig round by far…. Well, .308 works better, but the 6.8 is a lot easier for me to get follow-up shots on running sounders of hogs.

So, who still makes a good 14.5” barrel for 6.8SPC-II ? I’d prefer a lighter weight profile, and make this one a daytime brush gun; probably fitted with another red dot vs LPVO or scope.

I don’t need another 16”, but I guess I’d consider an 18”-20” barrel; again, in 6.8 though…would swap my current 16” barrel into this upper (along with the LPVO), and could put a longer barrel on that other one that has a 15” hand guard, and probably fit a mid-range scope for longer range work.

thanks in advance for any tips/pointers.

346ci · Oct 22, 2023

91Eunozs said:
So, who still makes a good 14.5” barrel for 6.8SPC-II ? I’d prefer a lighter weight profile, and make this one a daytime brush gun; probably fitted with another red dot vs LPVO or scope.

AR Performance 6.8 14.5'' 3R 11 twist Scout Barrel

4150 CMV 6.8 Scout profile barrel with a more accurate 6.8 ARP chamber and 3R rifling 11 twist . 1lb-12oz M4 feed ramps, mid length gas system and 5/8x24 threaded muzzle

www.blackstonearms.com

Vynz · Oct 22, 2023

I had a 6.5Grendel, when I shot through my Grendel ammo I got a 6ARC barrel and have been trying it out. At the distances I shoot on the range (<600y) I don’t notice a difference.

I’m not sure which one I’ll stick with at this point as an non-reloader. Only Hornady makes 6ARC ammunition right now. 6.5 Grendel has more manufacturers but is mostly an after-though them for options as well.

If I was a reloader I think there is more room to play in the 6ARC. I think bullet weights in the 90-110gr range are the sweet spot for the ARC/Grendel case. There are many more 6mm bullet options in this range than 6.5mm bullets. With 6.5 Creedmoor development focused on the 130-150gr bullets and 6.5 Grendel being an industry step child (and Hornady now focused on ARC) I don’t expect great 100-110gr options being developed soon. In contrast 6ARC will benefit from the widely present 243win bullet options as well as from newer 6mm Creedmoor focused bullet designs. Plus the 6ARC is Hornady’s AR-15 baby.

PappyM3 · Oct 22, 2023

Cold_Bore_88 said:
So I started out by looking at 300 BLK running a 110 but wanted an ultra short barrel for subs.

For the reasons above (terminal ballistics) I am leaning more 6.8 SPC.

I’m not sure I get his logic:

“For a hunting centric gun I'd go 6.5 or 6.8 over 6mm. Realistically, 6mm is twenty thousandths, .020" larger than a .223 Wylde or 5.56mm. But in our heads the 5.56mm is a flyweight and the 6mm ARC is a big boy.
…
For 6.8 I hear the 90gr Gold Dots are the bullet to shoot.”

He says 6mm is only 0.020” larger than 5.56, but ignores that it’s up to 2 times the weight. That leads to much better sectional density, and ability to expand just as much as a 6.8 with a nicely designed bullet. He even talks about using 90gr gold dots for 6.8, which are lighter than 6mm options.

I’ll take a 105/108gr 6mm over a 90gr 6.8mm any day of the week, provided equally good bullets. Sectional density and BC is a plus, with the bonus of more mass too.

91Eunozs · Oct 22, 2023

346ci said:
AR Performance 6.8 14.5'' 3R 11 twist Scout Barrel

4150 CMV 6.8 Scout profile barrel with a more accurate 6.8 ARP chamber and 3R rifling 11 twist . 1lb-12oz M4 feed ramps, mid length gas system and 5/8x24 threaded muzzle

www.blackstonearms.com

Thanks! Found AR Performance (again) last night after browsing around; don’t know when they became Blackstone Arms. Got my 16” barrel from them when they were just AR Performance as I recall anyway…actually bought two of those 16” barrels; one for me and the second to build up an upper for a work buddy.

Edit: Bought from them when they were AR15 Performance…Really good barrels in my experience. 6.8 Barrel link now goes to Blackstone:

AR Performance barrels

6.8 SPCII barrels, AR Performance, ARP has been the number 1 choice in 6.8 SPC barrels for over 10 years, that is my only goal.

www.ar15performance.com

346ci · Oct 22, 2023

I have pushed a 90gr gold dot out of my 12.5" 6.8 at 2900-2920fps safely, others have done 3k. That is the same bullet in the xm68gd that was for the 8.5" guns used overseas.

A 120gr SST at 2400fps out of it puts deer in the dirt also.

If we are talking energy on target, the 6.8 is like a sore peter, hard to beat.

346ci · Oct 22, 2023

91Eunozs said:
Thanks! Found AR Performance (again) last night after browsing around; don’t know when they became Blackstone Arms. Got my 16” barrel from them when they were just AR Performance as I recall anyway…actually bought two of those 16” barrels; one for me and the second to build up an upper for a work buddy.

H retired and Blackstone took over the barrel side.

LRRPF52 · Oct 22, 2023

I just went through the 2023 6.5 Grendel factory ammo list. Took me about an hour to see what has changed. We’re up to 122 factory loads now. Some options and small shops disappeared, while many others added SKUs.

2023 6.5 Grendel Factory Ammo List

Alexander Arms
120gr Barnes TSX HPBT
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
123gr Lapua Scenar HPBT
129gr Hornady SST
130gr Swift Scirocco

Barnaul
100gr FMJ
110gr FMJ

Barnes
115gr VOR-TX TTSX Boat Tail

Cavity Back Bullets
105gr MKZ
118gr MKZ

Copper Creek
95gr Hornady V-Max
100gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Barnes TSX
120gr Barnes TAC-TX
120gr Hornady CX
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

123gr ELD-M
125gr Nosler Partition
127gr Barnes LRX
129gr Hornady Interlock
129gr Hornady SST

130gr Hornady CX
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr Berger VLD Hunting
130gr Berger Hybrid
130gr Hornady ELD-M
6.5 Grendel load development pack Stage I
6.5 Grendel load development pack Stage II
Starline load development pack
Lapua load development pack brass
Hornady Load development pack brass
Norma load development pack brass

Custom Reloads of Dallas (This is new manufactured ammo with new brass loaded on single stage press using a Sartorius to within .02gr.)
90gr Nosler Varmageddon
95gr V-Max
120gr ELD-M
123gr SST
123gr Scenar
123gr Hornady BTHP
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr ELD-M
140gr BTHP

Defender Ammunition
105gr Blitzking
107gr Tipped SMK
123gr SMK

Druid Hill Armory
95gr V-Max
95gr Maker Tipped Rex
123gr SST
123gr ELD-M
140gr ELD-M

Federal
90gr TNT American Eagle
120gr Match American Eagle
120gr Fusion
130gr Berger OTM Gold Medal Match

Fort Scott Munitions
123gr TUI

Hendershot's
95gr Hornady V-MAX
100gr ELD-M
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Nosler Partition
100gr Sierra HP
100gr Barnes TAC-TX
100gr Barnes TTSX

107gr Sierra Matck King
107gr Sierra Tipped Match King

120gr TTSX
120gr TAC-TX
120gr Berger Match TGT
120gr Hornady ELD-M
120gr Hornady GMX
120gr Lapua Scenar-L
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

123gr Hornady ELD-M
123gr Nosler Custom Competition
123gr Hornady SST
125gr Nosler Partition

130gr Berger VLD Match Hunting
130gr Berger AR Hybrid Tactical
130gr Nosler Accubond

Hornady
123gr SST Custom
123gr ELD-M Black
123gr FMJ Frontier

HSM
107gr SMK
120gr Sierra Pro Hunter
123gr SMK
130gr Berger Match Hunting VLD Trophy Gold

Maker Bullets Ammunition
85gr Overwatch Field TREX
95gr Overwatch Field TREX
110gr Overwatch Field TREX

Nosler
90gr Varmageddon
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
123gr Custom Competition
129gr Accubond Long Range Trophy Grade

Precision Firearms
95gr V-Max
100gr A-MAX
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr Lapua Scenar HPBT
107gr Sierra Match King HPBT
108gr Lapua Scenar
110gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos

120gr A-MAX
120gr PPU HPBT
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
120gr Barnes TSX
120gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Nosler E-Tip
120gr Lapua Scenar-L

123gr Hornady ELD-M
123gr Sierra Match King HPBT
123gr Lapua Scenar HPBT

123gr Hornady AMAX
123gr Hornady SST
123gr Nosler Custom Competition
123gr Lapua Silver Scenar

127gr Barnes LRX
129gr Nosler Accubond Long Range

130gr Berger VLD Hunting
130gr Berger VLD TGT
130gr Sierra Tipped Match King

PPU/Prvi Partizan
110gr FMJBT
120gr HPBT

Sellier & Bellot
124gr FMJ

Underwood Ammo
105gr Match Solid Flash Tip
110gr Controlled Chaos

Remington
120gr HPBT
130gr Premier Match OTM Berger (replaced 120gr Premier Match)

Wolf
100gr FMJ (steel case)
120gr Performance

LRRPF52 · Oct 22, 2023

Vynz said:
I had a 6.5Grendel, when I shot through my Grendel ammo I got a 6ARC barrel and have been trying it out. At the distances I shoot on the range (<600y) I don’t notice a difference.

I’m not sure which one I’ll stick with at this point as an non-reloader. Only Hornady makes 6ARC ammunition right now. 6.5 Grendel has more manufacturers but is mostly an after-though them for options as well.

If I was a reloader I think there is more room to play in the 6ARC. I think bullet weights in the 90-110gr range are the sweet spot for the ARC/Grendel case. There are many more 6mm bullet options in this range than 6.5mm bullets. With 6.5 Creedmoor development focused on the 130-150gr bullets and 6.5 Grendel being an industry step child (and Hornady now focused on ARC) I don’t expect great 100-110gr options being developed soon. In contrast 6ARC will benefit from the widely present 243win bullet options as well as from newer 6mm Creedmoor focused bullet designs. Plus the 6ARC is Hornady’s AR-15 baby.

For factory ammo in 6.5 Grendel in the 90-110gr weights, you have:

90gr Federal TNT
90gr Nosler Varmageddon
95gr Hornady V-Max

100gr Barnaul/Wolf FMJ Steel Case
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr Hornady ELD-M
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Nosler Partition
100gr Sierra HP
100gr Barnes TAC-TX
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr Hornady ELD-VT (New for 2024, BC .445)

105gr Cavity Back MKZ
105gr Sierra Blitzking
105gr Match Solid Flash Tip
107gr Sierra Match King BTHP
107gr Sierra Tipped Match King
108gr Lapua Scenar

110gr Barnaul FMJ
110gr Overwatch Field TREX
110gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos
110gr PPU FMJBT

6.5 Grendel is kind of saturated with 90-110gr options. The new 105gr Sierra Blitzking is a great dual-use target and hunting bullet.

I noticed that the PPU factory 110gr FMJBTs fly really flat from the 12” Grendel. I made 3/3 hits at 780yds, then made a 1st-round hit at 900yds with that ammo, which surprised me.

Vynz · Oct 22, 2023

LRRPF52 said:
For factory ammo in 6.5 Grendel in the 90-110gr weights, you have:

90gr Federal TNT
90gr Nosler Varmageddon
95gr Hornady V-Max

100gr Barnaul/Wolf FMJ Steel Case
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr ELD-M
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Nosler Partition
100gr Sierra HP
100gr Barnes TAC-TX
100gr Barnes TTSX

105gr Cavity Back MKZ
105gr Sierra Blitzking
105gr Match Solid Flash Tip
107gr Sierra Match King BTHP
107gr Sierra Tipped Match King
108gr Lapua Scenar

110gr Barnaul FMJ
110gr Overwatch Field TREX
110gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos
110gr PPU FMJBT

6.5 Grendel is kind of saturated with 90-110gr options. The new 105gr Sierra Blitzking is a great dual-use target and hunting bullet.

I noticed that the PPU factory 110gr FMJBTs fly really flat from the 12” Grendel. I made 3/3 hits at 780yds, then made a 1st-round hit at 900yds with that ammo, which surprised me.

Wow I stand corrected, back when I was buying 6.5 Grendel ammo I could only find: V-Max, Nosler B-Tip, TTSX, SMK BTHP in the 90 - 110 weight range; of which I liked the TTSX as a jack of all trades which I used for the rifle’s zero. Some of these I’ve never heard of before like the TREX, Blitzking and MKZ.

Thanks for taking the time do this, I probably wouldn’t have checked the 6.5G scene for another couple years and assumed it was still a small selection. I also get the feeling you have a lot more places to look for ammo than I know of… I’m all ears if you want to share. I usually do milehighshooting, and sgammo myself.

91Eunozs · Oct 22, 2023

346ci said:
I have pushed a 90gr gold dot out of my 12.5" 6.8 at 2900-2920fps safely, others have done 3k. That is the same bullet in the xm68gd that was for the 8.5" guns used overseas.

A 120gr SST at 2400fps out of it puts deer in the dirt also.

If we are talking energy on target, the 6.8 is like a sore peter, hard to beat.

Yeah, my 16” 6.8 upper really likes 120-140gr pills.

Very effective on pigs, coyotes, and the occasional Texas Hill Country-sized deer (i.e. not very big! LoL)

Crews · Oct 22, 2023

There are many that will argue with me and they might be right….. but I’m out on 6.5 Grendel or any thing else that uses that mag.

Every 6.8 I’ve ever owned ran like a sewing machine and popped animals with some authority out of a <14” barrel

FuhQ · Oct 22, 2023

Crews said:
There are many that will argue with me and they might be right….. but I’m out on 6.5 Grendel or any thing else that uses that mag.

Every 6.8 I’ve ever owned ran like a sewing machine and popped animals with some authority out of a <14” barrel

Try using a DuraMag stainless 6.5G mag... They used to be known as C-Products Defense. Those mags run flawlessly. I've put 1000+ rounds through my Grendels (combined) using the same magazine, and not 1 single feeding issue. And I only shoot suppressed so the mags get dirty, but keep on trucking.

LRRPF52 · Oct 23, 2023

Vynz said:
Wow I stand corrected, back when I was buying 6.5 Grendel ammo I could only find: V-Max, Nosler B-Tip, TTSX, SMK BTHP in the 90 - 110 weight range; of which I liked the TTSX as a jack of all trades which I used for the rifle’s zero. Some of these I’ve never heard of before like the TREX, Blitzking and MKZ.

Thanks for taking the time do this, I probably wouldn’t have checked the 6.5G scene for another couple years and assumed it was still a small selection. I also get the feeling you have a lot more places to look for ammo than I know of… I’m all ears if you want to share. I usually do milehighshooting, and sgammo myself.

The factory ammunition selection has been pretty extensive since the 20teens and reached around 100 options in 2020. It’s now 123 options, as I overlooked Nemo 120gr FMJBT in that list.

I use AmmoSeek, Target Sports USA, SGAmmo, and many local gun stores and big box stores. I’m spoiled in that I’m sandwiched between 2 different grocery stores that stock ammo and reloading supplies, I have 4 Sportsman’s Warehouses within 35 minutes of me, Scheel’s, Cabella’s, and Smith & Edwards.

I prefer ordering online for pricing, but I also like to keep locals in business. Sportsman’s is opening more and more stores all over the US. I just saw their new store map and there are a ton popping up all over the East Coast and Florida as well. They are up to 146 locations now.

The most accurate factory ammo I have experienced so far has been from Precision Firearms with the 123gr SMK and 120gr Scenar-L, especially when fired from Bartlein and Lilja pipes. PF 123gr Scenar did well even from my beater 16” AA/Shaw pipe when I first got into Grendel.

I’ve shot more Hornady 123gr factory ammo than any other I think though. They used to have a cool deal with Sportsman’s for 200rd plastic ammo cans for $139.99, but I think that was discontinued after Wuhanflu. I used to shoot a lot of 123gr A-Max, and there was nothing wrong with that load. It got updated to 123gr ELD-M, which is the main factory ammo I shoot now. I usually buy the 123gr ELD-M in bulk when I see the price in the right place, and combined with discounts or promotions. I also use Cabella’s points to buy ammo, so anytime I walk in there, I walk out without having to actually pay for the ammo.

Kamerad · Oct 23, 2023

LRRPF52 said:
For factory ammo in 6.5 Grendel in the 90-110gr weights, you have:

90gr Federal TNT
90gr Nosler Varmageddon
95gr Hornady V-Max

100gr Barnaul/Wolf FMJ Steel Case
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr ELD-M
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Nosler Partition
100gr Sierra HP
100gr Barnes TAC-TX
100gr Barnes TTSX

105gr Cavity Back MKZ
105gr Sierra Blitzking
105gr Match Solid Flash Tip
107gr Sierra Match King BTHP
107gr Sierra Tipped Match King
108gr Lapua Scenar

110gr Barnaul FMJ
110gr Overwatch Field TREX
110gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos
110gr PPU FMJBT

6.5 Grendel is kind of saturated with 90-110gr options. The new 105gr Sierra Blitzking is a great dual-use target and hunting bullet.

I noticed that the PPU factory 110gr FMJBTs fly really flat from the 12” Grendel. I made 3/3 hits at 780yds, then made a 1st-round hit at 900yds with that ammo, which surprised me.

I am just getting in to 6.5G, with an 11” cut rifled Alexander upper. Would you share velocity data if you have any, esp on the 110gr PPU FMJBT?

I really appreciate all this info you’ve gathered, very helpful!

Snapper314 · Oct 23, 2023

Here is a video showing a 14.5 6mm ARC being taken out to 1000 yards and beyond.

91Eunozs · Oct 23, 2023

Just to close the loop on my thread necromancy, I think the 6.5G is an awesome round (if you can get it to feed), and if I was starting new, would almost certainly go with 6 ARC, but have one of these on the way for my new/old upper

to go in this:

Now to decide on an optic…

Vynz · Oct 25, 2023

LRRPF52 said:
The factory ammunition selection has been pretty extensive since the 20teens and reached around 100 options in 2020. It’s now 123 options, as I overlooked Nemo 120gr FMJBT in that list.

I use AmmoSeek, Target Sports USA, SGAmmo, and many local gun stores and big box stores. I’m spoiled in that I’m sandwiched between 2 different grocery stores that stock ammo and reloading supplies, I have 4 Sportsman’s Warehouses within 35 minutes of me, Scheel’s, Cabella’s, and Smith & Edwards.

I prefer ordering online for pricing, but I also like to keep locals in business. Sportsman’s is opening more and more stores all over the US. I just saw their new store map and there are a ton popping up all over the East Coast and Florida as well. They are up to 146 locations now.

The most accurate factory ammo I have experienced so far has been from Precision Firearms with the 123gr SMK and 120gr Scenar-L, especially when fired from Bartlein and Lilja pipes. PF 123gr Scenar did well even from my beater 16” AA/Shaw pipe when I first got into Grendel.

I’ve shot more Hornady 123gr factory ammo than any other I think though. They used to have a cool deal with Sportsman’s for 200rd plastic ammo cans for $139.99, but I think that was discontinued after Wuhanflu. I used to shoot a lot of 123gr A-Max, and there was nothing wrong with that load. It got updated to 123gr ELD-M, which is the main factory ammo I shoot now. I usually buy the 123gr ELD-M in bulk when I see the price in the right place, and combined with discounts or promotions. I also use Cabella’s points to buy ammo, so anytime I walk in there, I walk out without having to actually pay for the ammo.

And here’s a new one for 2024 in the 100gr range too!

LRRPF52 · Oct 25, 2023

Kamerad said:
I am just getting in to 6.5G, with an 11” cut rifled Alexander upper. Would you share velocity data if you have any, esp on the 110gr PPU FMJBT?

I really appreciate all this info you’ve gathered, very helpful!

I haven’t chrono’d the 110gr PPU factory load yet, but it’s flatter than I expected. I used 107gr SMK data in my program just to see what would happen, and it seemed to match up enough for me to see impacts then adjust with the 17.6” Lilja Grendel. I had to take a lot of drop off my turret compared to 123gr ELD-M. 123gr hits harder though and can be heard clearly impacting at distance, whereas the lighter weights sound just like a 6mm.

I loaded up a mag of 110gr PPU in the 12” Grendel and then connected 3/3 at 780yds, then 1st-round hit at 900yds on a reduced size plate.

107gr SMK is doing 2450fps from one of the 12” Grendels on top of 8208XBR without pushing it.

91Eunozs · Oct 26, 2023

The barrel arrived today, but I forgot that I’d given my last mid-length gas to a buddy. Dumb ass!

Gonna look nice when complete though…hope it shoots as well as the 16” barrel I got from ‘em.

91Eunozs · Oct 28, 2023

Update to the update, then I’ll stop highjacking this thread, LoL

Grabbed a gas tube:

And swapped the red dot from the 12.5” upper over to this one (have another one OTW that I’ll put back on the 12.5” upper) to get a “minute of deer” zero:

Took a few rounds on the target on the left (lane 17) to walk it in, then a couple 5-rd groups, plus a 10-rd mag dump on the top target on the right-hand target (lane 18), but close enough for today…will give it a good cleaning, and get a better zero with an actual rest and better squeeze bag next weekend.

Still diggin’ the 6.8 round

Vynz · Oct 29, 2023

91Eunozs said:
Update to the update, then I’ll stop highjacking this thread, LoL

Grabbed a gas tube:

View attachment 8259462

And swapped the red dot from the 12.5” upper over to this one (have another one OTW that I’ll put back on the 12.5” upper) to get a “minute of deer” zero:

View attachment 8259463

Took a few rounds on the target on the left (lane 17) to walk it in, then a couple 5-rd groups, plus a 10-rd mag dump on the top target on the right-hand target (lane 18), but close enough for today…will give it a good cleaning, and get a better zero with an actual rest and better squeeze bag next weekend.

View attachment 8259466

Still diggin’ the 6.8 round

View attachment 8259465

Who‘s gas block?

91Eunozs · Oct 29, 2023

Vynz said:
Who‘s gas block?

Gotta say, I honestly don’t recall. Swapped it from the other upper… Sort of looks like the old Aero adjustable gas blocks, but don’t think that’s it. Maybe Battle Arms Development?

Honestly don’t recall where I got it, but since it’s not V7 or 2A Arms (my usual choice of GB), likely something on sale from Pri Arms or PSA a couple years ago.

Krej · Dec 7, 2023

It is a Q adjustable gas block.

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