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+--- Thread: 6.5 Grendel Recommendations/Advice? (/showthread.php?tid=872)
6.5 Grendel Recommendations/Advice? - BaronVonReicher - 08-05-2011
Hey guys, I'm looking for suggestions/recommendations/advice about a 6.5 Grendel upper.
First, some background: I recently bought an AR-15 in 6.8 SPC. A few hours later, I came across info about the 6.5 Grendel and thought "That's what I should have bought!" The main purpose (for now) of my rifle is hunting deer, hogs, and the like at 300 meters or less. The 6.8 SPC will satisfy that. Eventually I would like something I can take out to 500-600 meters, even 800 meters if possible. I came across a lot of info about the 6.8 SPC; not so much for the Grendel.
I have a few questions that I hope you guys can answer:
- The optimum setup for a 6.8 is a 16" barrel, mid length gas system, 1:11 twist. What's the optimum for a Grendel?
- Can I convert my rifle to 6.5 Grendel just by switching out the upper receiver?
- Who makes/where can I get an "optimum" upper to suit my hunting wants/needs (500-600 m, possibly 800 m)?
- What is the best ammo for target shooting?
- What is the best ammo for hunting?
- What can I effectively hunt with the Grendel? (Elk? Bison? Bear? Moose?)
Thanks,
-Baron
6.5 Grendel Recommendations/Advice? - LRRPF52 - 08-05-2011
Welcome. As you noted, the 6.8 SPC will cover your needs out to 300m just fine.
I wouldn't say there is an optimum barrel length or gas system length for the Grendel, since that would be determined by your needs/barrel length. In a 16", mid-length is what AA offers, and I have one of those. For distance, longer barrels are the way to go, so I would recommend leaning in that direction since you already have a 16" SPC. You WILL be able to swap uppers of course, just like with a 5.56 upper. That will give you configuration choices, where you could have your SPC upper with a 1-4x optic, and the Grendel with a 2.5-10 or 4-16 optic...both zeroed and ready to go.
The next factor will be what type of shooting platform you will use. Bench, or stalking while hunting. If you will primarily shoot from a bench or prone position, you can go with 22"-28" pipes. If you are walking and stalking, 18"-20" will serve you better.
For cutting paper, most people prefer to load their own, but there are several quality loads offered on the market now from AA and Hornady that a lot of people have had good results with. You'll have to see what works best in your set-up, but that will largely depend on barrel quality. A high-end barrel will run you about $200 more than a button-rifled production barrel.
Game as large as Elk have already been taken with a 6.5 Grendel at 405 yds, so I think shot placement and shooter abilities would determine your ethical engagement of animals with the Grendel. The vast array of 6.5mm projectiles available gives you much more selection in bullets than the 6.8 for sure, but you will not be going much over 123gr and getting sufficient velocities. It's a fun cartridge to load for and shoot. Basically, you're getting .308 trajectories out of a tiny AR15 with half the recoil, and a lot less powder. It basically makes needing an AR10 in .308 unnecessary, unless you rely on vast supplies of .308 ammunition.
6.5 Grendel Recommendations/Advice? - BaronVonReicher - 08-06-2011
Thanks for the info! I don't hand load, not yet anyway. I thought Grendel ammo was supposed to be cheaper (~65 cents/round) than 6.8 SPC (~$1/round)??? Granted I've just glanced at prices on Google shopping, but I'm seeing Grendel is more expensive! I've seen Wolf ammo has low prices, but I've also heard it's got serious issues. Any thoughts?
My primary firing position will be from a bench-type setup as I mostly hunt from a tree-stand. Originally, I wanted to go with a 19.5" barrel on an upper from Alexander Arms, but now I'm thinking about an upper with a 22" barrel. What's the range on a 22?
I'm looking for a brand that is to the Grendel what AR Performance is to the 6.8; does that make sense to you guys? Can anyone recommend an upper that's great quality and still affordable? And by affordable, I'm trying to stay around $1000 or below, but I'd look at $1500 tops.
I liked the idea of the Grendel because I read it's the best of the 5.56 and .308 without the drawbacks of each. I don't know about you guys, but I go for a head shot with my game. I'm not really big on trophys or mounts. So with that in mind, what animals are still not a good idea to hunt?
Also, I'd like to get an idea of how loud these things are and what an effective muzzle brake/flash hider would be.
Thanks again!
6.5 Grendel Recommendations/Advice? - hm2 clark - 08-09-2011
Lets see, you want to know what you CANT kill with a 6.5 Grendel with a head shot from 600-800 yards. Hmm...not elephant. Not hippo. Not rhino. But as long as you can make the head shot every time from your bench type set up, lions and tigers and bears , bison and elk and moose, hogs and antalope and white tail should all fall to head shots. My 15 y/o daughter finds the recoil mild so a brake isnt really necessary. Flash hiders do help to prevent night blindness if your shooting from your tree stand after full dark, but 600 yard head shots after dark are rare. So, for hunting most of us just use a 16-20 inch barrel and100- 120 gr bullets for ranges to maybe 400 yards. For animals beond 400 yards the longer tube and premium (barnes, partitions) high BC ammo. $1000 should cover a grendel upper.