Would you get into 6.5 Grendel in 2024?
- Thread starter KCode
- Start date
Do you know which barrel length Barnes used for their data/development? The data on their site says 2590fps. I assume they used a 24" barrel like Nosler. You data looks about 200fps slow which would make sense for a new 18" barrel and natural variation.
I haven’t looked. But I’m assuming it was a 22-24”. I’ll be happy if the barrel sped up and picked up 100-150fps and got me to 2400
I got into 6.5 Grendel with a CZ 527 bolt-action rifle for deer hunting. No regrets. Whether it is better or the more recently introduced 6 ARC, I couldn't say, but the 527 was never chambered in 6. Either would work in an AR-15, but they both perform much better with a longer barrel than most people prefer on an AR.
AR's also bring a lot of other potential criteria into the mix. Heavier projectiles are going to have a better terminal effect, but if the bulk and weight of a full loadout is a factor, then the trajectory of the bullets is going to arc more because larger cases to hold the powder for higher velocities would reduce magazine capacity and therefore increase magazine count and overall weight. If you're hunting and you only need about five cartridges, it doesn't matter.
300 BLK is the worst of both worlds. It's too small and light for subsonic, being beat even by 45 ACP. It's too heavy and with insufficient powder capacity for supersonic. Grendel is certainly a better choice for supersonic. For subsonic, we need some more innovation. 300 BLK works well because it uses the 5.56x45 case, magazines, etc., but like I wrote, it's too small and light to slow it down. The 45 is better, but it may lack the pressure to operate a gas action. Pistol cartridge carbines typically use blowback actions that don't just blow, they suck. Suppressed AR's need a large caliber cartridge that generates a lot of gas pressure. I don't like how the straightwall options headspace off the case mouth, so maybe 458 socom or 9x39.
AR's also bring a lot of other potential criteria into the mix. Heavier projectiles are going to have a better terminal effect, but if the bulk and weight of a full loadout is a factor, then the trajectory of the bullets is going to arc more because larger cases to hold the powder for higher velocities would reduce magazine capacity and therefore increase magazine count and overall weight. If you're hunting and you only need about five cartridges, it doesn't matter.
300 BLK is the worst of both worlds. It's too small and light for subsonic, being beat even by 45 ACP. It's too heavy and with insufficient powder capacity for supersonic. Grendel is certainly a better choice for supersonic. For subsonic, we need some more innovation. 300 BLK works well because it uses the 5.56x45 case, magazines, etc., but like I wrote, it's too small and light to slow it down. The 45 is better, but it may lack the pressure to operate a gas action. Pistol cartridge carbines typically use blowback actions that don't just blow, they suck. Suppressed AR's need a large caliber cartridge that generates a lot of gas pressure. I don't like how the straightwall options headspace off the case mouth, so maybe 458 socom or 9x39.
I regret to say I concur the 300 BLK only beats the Grendel in reliability.
Under 100 yards, the 300 BLK is o-tay but if I could go back in time and talk to myself, I'd say DON'T DO IT unless you're doing apartment building style CQB.
Under 100 yards, the 300 BLK is o-tay but if I could go back in time and talk to myself, I'd say DON'T DO IT unless you're doing apartment building style CQB.
This is what the Beretta NARP looks like. I think this one is 5.56, but you get the idea of the layout, semi-monolithic upper, looks like a throw-lever quick-detach handguard.
Yeah, even in 2025….
First groups from a new 18” Grendel build.
Seekins upper, lower, hg
Proof 18” Stainless 6.5 Grendel barrel
Toolcraft DLC bcg
Colt lpk
Standard carbine RE w/H buffer
Magpul STR with Subrevtech bag rider
Flat Larue MBT trigger
NX8 4-32 Mil-XT in a cheap Warne X-Skel mount
Surefire 3 Prong FH
Castle nut is staked at 12 o’clock.
Groups were shot at 100 yards across the bedcover of my truck on a Harris with a rear squeeze bag. Forgot my chrono. Hornady Black 123ELD’s and 100ELD-VT ammo used.
The 2 groups on top of one another were shot suppressed. The 100gr ammo short stroked without the suppressor but locked back on empty suppressed. 123’s ran like a champ with and without the can.
I got sloppy and shanked shot 3 in the top left pic but oh well, I counted it in the group.
Lone shot in center pic was the first fired after a quick bore sight.
First groups from a new 18” Grendel build.
Seekins upper, lower, hg
Proof 18” Stainless 6.5 Grendel barrel
Toolcraft DLC bcg
Colt lpk
Standard carbine RE w/H buffer
Magpul STR with Subrevtech bag rider
Flat Larue MBT trigger
NX8 4-32 Mil-XT in a cheap Warne X-Skel mount
Surefire 3 Prong FH
Castle nut is staked at 12 o’clock.
Groups were shot at 100 yards across the bedcover of my truck on a Harris with a rear squeeze bag. Forgot my chrono. Hornady Black 123ELD’s and 100ELD-VT ammo used.
The 2 groups on top of one another were shot suppressed. The 100gr ammo short stroked without the suppressor but locked back on empty suppressed. 123’s ran like a champ with and without the can.
I got sloppy and shanked shot 3 in the top left pic but oh well, I counted it in the group.
Lone shot in center pic was the first fired after a quick bore sight.
