08-10-2011, 11:16 PM
I like hog hunting at night with an AR type rifle and have experimented with 5.56, 300 Blackout, 6.8 and .308, so my comments are in context of rapid, short distance shots supplemented with the rarer long shot. Because running hogs are generally difficult to stop with a body shot (and running head shots are hard to make), I have found a light, handy weapon with minimal recoil and faster shot recovery to be generally the most effective. My AR-10 has made some impressively devastating first shot precision kills, but once the rest start to run it's been really hard to do much with a rifle that starts at 10 pounds before glass & suppressor go on. When the game turns into make your shots count during a 100 yard sprint for cover, flatter trajectory, faster shots and rifle handiness always serve the shooter better than a single 180 gr dumptruck punched broadside through the chest.
From that standpoint, the Grendel looks like the perfect chambering for the task of AR pig hunting. Its efficient, low recoil and fits into the lighter, handier rifle. It shoots flat and accurately delivers moderate energy with a good range of projectiles. It's much better suited than 5.56 for a 300 yard shot, but doesn't require a gun so heavy you are too tired to make it when the time comes. It should still perform well with barrels down to 14 or even 12 inches long, if you desire a suppressed weapon that is the same length as a standard rifle and won't reduce the service life of your suppressor like a .308 SBR will.
My No.1 complaint with the Grendel (and 6.8) in an AR is the cost of brass - it's just a bit pricey to kick out of the chamber and into a field. My No.2 complaint is the 9/16 muzzle thread pattern - you can't use the more widely available 5/8 thread pattern accessories. Given the difficulty and cost of obtaining a suppressor, it would be nice to just screw a .308 can on the end and go shooting. The first complaint will remedy itself as the cartridge becomes more popular. Both of these issues are minor and heavily outweighed by the ballistics and accuracy inherent to the Grendel.
From that standpoint, the Grendel looks like the perfect chambering for the task of AR pig hunting. Its efficient, low recoil and fits into the lighter, handier rifle. It shoots flat and accurately delivers moderate energy with a good range of projectiles. It's much better suited than 5.56 for a 300 yard shot, but doesn't require a gun so heavy you are too tired to make it when the time comes. It should still perform well with barrels down to 14 or even 12 inches long, if you desire a suppressed weapon that is the same length as a standard rifle and won't reduce the service life of your suppressor like a .308 SBR will.
My No.1 complaint with the Grendel (and 6.8) in an AR is the cost of brass - it's just a bit pricey to kick out of the chamber and into a field. My No.2 complaint is the 9/16 muzzle thread pattern - you can't use the more widely available 5/8 thread pattern accessories. Given the difficulty and cost of obtaining a suppressor, it would be nice to just screw a .308 can on the end and go shooting. The first complaint will remedy itself as the cartridge becomes more popular. Both of these issues are minor and heavily outweighed by the ballistics and accuracy inherent to the Grendel.