6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

[CST]

I am trying to build a SASS type gun that will be mainly a 0-800yard gun with occasionally 1000yd hits. trying to decide between a .308 with a 18" barrel vs a 6.5grendel with 18-19" barrel...

Guys have any thoughts on which one to go with?

 

[match308]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

I like the option of being able to by my ammo at Wal-Mart. I have a Grendel and I like it for what it is, but my 308 AR is better.

 

[koz]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

I have both. The Grendel is a great round BUT it seems to sit in the back of the safe when the 5.56 and the 7.62(308) come out. IMO reloading is a must with the Grendel.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

As of late buyin ammo at Walmart is still almost three times the cost of reloading. At least for getting quality ammo. No question the Grendel needs to be reloaded for. Unless you stock up in advance and have planned for a big budget on ammunition. But, that's true with most any rifle you don't reload for. Grendel ammo is more expensive than "match" ammo of other calibers. But not at the ratio they are to reloading.

What I've found with the Grendel so far (I'm on my second one...the first was a profit deal so I sold it) is that there are only a couple bullets that do get you out to 1k+ loaded as slow as they are. With a 18"-20" barrel I understand you lose about 100fps of velocity. I haven't loaded anything between a 16" and 24" and there was a lot of velocity lost between the two. That's why I'd choose a 24" barrel (as I did again). Without some confirmation about 20" getting what I hear they do, and having the difficulty I did getting a 24" barrel to produce what it said it should, led me to that belief.

 

[AMMOWASTER]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

My opinion is that if you are ok with a 308 sized gun get a 260 or 6.5 creedmoor and have the best of both worlds

 

[sititunga]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

I shoot the Grendel out to 1k and find it's more than adequate. Ballistically some say with the right bullet it's better than a 308 past 600 yds. I like the AR15 platform and it's semi-auto capability so will be sticking with the Grendel or an equivalent like the 6mm Turbo 40 Improved or 6mm BRX.

 

[OFIS]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

123 SMK .264 going 2600 look identical to a 175 SMK .308 going 2700 on a ballistic calculator.

Last weekend I saw for the first time the real potential and importance of ballistic coefficient.

Im pretty much sold since I can have a reliable backup precision rifle by just re-barreling my AR-15...

 

[sniper2ndrep]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

out of the 20" satern barrel im getting 2500fps with 123smk. and thats with AAmatch ammo..none of my reloads were getting that velocity. I pulled a AA bullet and saw it was some tac powder compressed so hard i needed a small flat screwdriver to get the powder out. Anyone getting better velocity..if so how without a longer barrel and staying within mag length coal. Personally im not sold on the 6.5 yet as a .308 beater yet. And ive already seen a destroyed upper including bolt face and carrier from a semi hot load so im very leery about pushing it too hard.

 

[Chiller]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

6.5 Creed
.260

 

[shooter6.5]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

I have them both in AR style weapons. Only shoot factory ammo and mostly match grade. The Grendel in my opinion is a flatter shooting weapon and a lot of fun. Down side-you cannot get good ammo over the counter in many places. Wolf ammo is available at Cabellas, etc-but personally I think it is not the best quality.

308 ammo is much more readily available. To me it is not a big deal either way, as I usually buy my ammo in bulk. Both 6.5 and 308.

The other downside with the Grendel is trying to get Alexander arms to answer an email or the phone. I like his product but would never buy another from him. That is just my take.

As one poster suggested I would go with the 260 Remington, and when I get back from overseas that is what I am going to have built.

 

[Rob01]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

POF is running a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle group buy right now.

 

[OFIS]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

24" on my 308, figure thats a fair length for max velocity if I were hypothetically going Grendel.

If you (or if I) were building a shorty little comp gun, I would echo Chillers sentiment. There is no point to give an AR15 steroids. The compromise is unreasonable given no limitations.

 

[Unknown]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

I have a number of 308's (bolt and semi) and a couple of Grendels (both semi). Which one I use depends on what I need to do. For long range precision and power, of course it is the 308.

The Grendel is best when I remember that it is an intermediate cartridge..between 5.56 and 308. For practical rifle/precision matches out to 600 yards, the Grendel rules. It has accuracy, enough power to hit plates hard, and low recoil. And because it is a semi auto, I can do multiple plates at various distances FAR faster than with a 308...bolt or semi.

The best description I can give of the Grendel is that it has 20% more recoil than a 5.56, but seems to hit plates with 85% the power of a 308. That is a really great compromise.

 

[sititunga]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sniper2ndrep</div><div class="ubbcode-body">out of the 20" satern barrel im getting 2500fps with 123smk. and thats with AAmatch ammo..none of my reloads were getting that velocity. I pulled a AA bullet and saw it was some tac powder compressed so hard i needed a small flat screwdriver to get the powder out. Anyone getting better velocity..if so how without a longer barrel and staying within mag length coal. Personally im not sold on the 6.5 yet as a .308 beater yet. And ive already seen a destroyed upper including bolt face and carrier from a semi hot load so im very leery about pushing it too hard. </div></div>

I'm getting just over 2600 fps with 123 gr Lapuas and in the mid 2700 fps with the 108s from a 22 inch barrel. I think the Grendel is capable of a lot more than what's published. You just have to look at Oly's WSSM uppers to realize with the right bolt and better propellants this should be safely possible.

 

[sniper2ndrep]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

OK so what propellant and charge are you using to get that kind of speed loading at ar15 mag length? As far as what parts i use and what also failed was a youngs national match.

 

[He Shoot Me]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

TAG

 

[sititunga]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

I use win748, AA2520, TAC and X-Terminator. For the 108s X-T seems to be the powder, TAC works well also for that weight.

 

[crackerbacks]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

I just sold my 18' Grendel last week, buying my 2nd 308 auto next month.

 

[1802]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

A good friend of mine bielt this bad ass bla bla 6.5 grendel Ar that has been seting on his binch for over two months now because he cant find ammo and he does not reload.





Where is the spell checker?

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1Boz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where is the spell checker? </div></div>

Between your ears.

 

[High Binder]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sandwarrior</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> With a 18"-20" barrel I understand you lose about 100fps of velocity. </div></div>

150 is the more common number thrown around the grendel forums..

 

[wannabullet]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

Tell Your buddy to check Cabelas.

I bought two boxes of Hornady off the shelf today. I order 3 boxes the other day from another source.

There are basically two cheaper brands which are Wolf and Hornady. I can only speculate that the Hornady should be a little better.

Then of course there is the AA ammo which is easy to order but not cheap and the new 264 LBC is just a 6.5 grendel with a different name by Black Hills Those are not cheap.

Also get on the net and it is out there.

not as easy to find or as cheap as a .308 but it is available.

I do think this is the cartridge that will force me into reloading haha.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1Boz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A good friend of mine bielt this bad ass bla bla 6.5 grendel Ar that has been seting on his binch for over two months now because he cant find ammo and he does not reload.





Where is the spell checker? </div></div>

 

[1802]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

Thanks!

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: 6.5 grendel or .308..need some opinions

love the Grendel for what it is--best format for long-range
in an AR 15 format---just so much handier, especially for hunting
---of course reloading is a must but I think all on this forum are accomplished at that--all cartridges were wildcats at 1 time or another--I enjoyed the 17's and 20's long before u could purchase ammo