6.5 Grendel on it's own merits

[LRRPF52]

My first 6.5s were .260 Remington, both gas guns, one of which I still have. That was a major step up from .308 for me in competition and LR shooting.

I got interested in Grendel years before that, but waited 5 years to see where it was going and to let any kinks get worked out. I had brass for 6.5 Grendel before I ever ordered my AA barrel/bolt combo.

One of the main differences I notice is being able to stay on-target inside the scope with very minimal muzzle blast, recoil, and most-overlooked: torque-induced loss of sight picture.

With larger propellant column rifles pushing heavier bullets, you will notice on high-speed camera that the rifle twists counter to the direction of the rifling, which is almost always RH twist.

The rifle therefore twists to the left around the axis of the barrel. This is especially true on lightweight firearms, including short barrel 300 Whisper/Blackout pistols and SBRs.

You really see it with .308 light rifles, magnum mountain rifles, but don’t see it much at all with .223 and 5.56 blasters since there’s almost no projectile mass.

I also notice a huge difference in energy on-target between 6.5 Grendel and 5.56 carbines, where Grendel hits with a very audible “whack", and 5.56 makes a little “tink” when talking 300yds and further.

As a shooter, you’re able to see immediate target feedback if shooting steel or game.

Then when you look at the projectile selection and factory ammo options, it sells itself.

One thing that is really missing is factory rifle options from the big box stores. I see Alexander Arms carbines and pistols at local gun stores, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen AR-15s chambered in 6.5 Grendel at Sportsman’s, Cabella’s, or Scheel’s.

There’s a market opportunity there since those stores cater to the hunting crowd for long guns.

They sell plenty of Grendel ammo, but occasional Howa bolt guns and no AR-15s.

A lot of that has to do with people building their own Grendels, but I’d like to see more factory rifles in the big stores.