6.5 Grendel versus 6mm ARC for whitetail

[LRRPF52]

I got the 22 Nosler bug. Midway had a sale on Proof Research barrels, and I had to have one. Even though I had several 223 and 556s. “300FPS” faster…
After quite a bit of playing around with it, trying 55g, 69 SMK, 75&77g, and 85 g bullets, factory and reloads, I found to gain that extra speed, I sacrificed accuracy. I eventually decided it wasn’t worth having two calibers so close to the same performance.

I checked out the Hodgdon reloading website and compared a couple of bullets. Sierra makes a 107 match king in 6&6.5mm. Velocity is almost identical, with the slightest win to the Grendel. Then I checked a 120 grain Grendel against a 103 Arc. Just over 200FPS faster on the ARC, but with a 17 grain lighter bullet. Both using a 24” barrel.

I don’t have an interest in the ARC, solely for the reason there were several variations out there already, and some out preform the ARC supposedly, like the 6mmAR, which I always wanted.
For me, ethical deer range I wouldn’t shoot past 300 yards unless conditions were perfect. My question is does the ARC really out preform the Grendel from 400-800 yards? I would assume the heavier bullet would maintain velocity better even with a slightly lower BC.

I’ve shot 14 bucks in the last 15 years. For Vermont that is amazing. All with the Grendel. All within 180 yards. I shot a 7 point pie bald that was directly facing me. Sorry, got too excited and didn’t wait for a better shot. Dropped in its tracks. The farthest I’ve had one run was 50 yards. I’m not really happy with the accuracy of the 120SSTs, but they perform very well.

One thing I’ve noticed is that 120gr and higher class bullets from 6.5 Grendel hit the steel harder, or at least louder. There’s more momentum.

The “smack" sound on animals will be different as well, favoring the larger diameter projectiles.

I have always had a plan to get a 6mm AR barrel and built a coyote/target rifle, but after shooting a lot of that 110gr PPU 6.5 Grendel recently, I kind of lost interest.

For me, I shoot steel a lot, so my perspective will not apply to everyone. I like to hear the impacts audibly, not try to guess or squint to see if I connected.

I’ve had the same problem when spotting for 6mm Dasher, .243 Win, 6 Creedmoor, etc. in PRS matches and LR events. They connect, but it’s hard for ROs to tell once you start pushing out to 650/700yds and farther.