08-26-2011, 02:39 PM
The main advantages the Grendel has over the .243 Win for target-shooting is barrel life, and much less powder consumption for reloaders. You also have a smaller action and potential for a lighter rifle/carbine for carrying while hunting.
The main advantage with the .243 Win is velocity. The .243 Win with 85gr bullets probably has a little more recoil than a Grendel pushing 120gr pills, both rifles being of similar barrel profile. They are both great cartridges for children and women who are more recoil-sensitive. The Grendel/AR15 gives the hunter a much faster follow-up shot option than a bolt-gun .243 Win of course. A .243 Win in an AR10 is significantly heavier and larger than a Grendel AR15 as well. The Grendel is an inherently accurate cartridge since you pretty much fill the case to within 90% or above capacity with whatever bullets you're using, so burn is very consistent.
The .243 enjoys a pretty broad range of bullet selection, and covers .22-250 velocities with the 55gr grenades for varmints, as well as really fast medium game bullets in the 75-105gr range. It's a very flat shooter for sure.
I think I would approach this from the advantages of the AR15/Grendel combo, versus a bolt gun, rather than the calibers.
The main advantage with the .243 Win is velocity. The .243 Win with 85gr bullets probably has a little more recoil than a Grendel pushing 120gr pills, both rifles being of similar barrel profile. They are both great cartridges for children and women who are more recoil-sensitive. The Grendel/AR15 gives the hunter a much faster follow-up shot option than a bolt-gun .243 Win of course. A .243 Win in an AR10 is significantly heavier and larger than a Grendel AR15 as well. The Grendel is an inherently accurate cartridge since you pretty much fill the case to within 90% or above capacity with whatever bullets you're using, so burn is very consistent.
The .243 enjoys a pretty broad range of bullet selection, and covers .22-250 velocities with the 55gr grenades for varmints, as well as really fast medium game bullets in the 75-105gr range. It's a very flat shooter for sure.
I think I would approach this from the advantages of the AR15/Grendel combo, versus a bolt gun, rather than the calibers.