First range report with the AR-based 6.5 Grendel rifle

[kilopaparomeo]

First, I'll say that I'm really intrigued by the 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC rounds.  While I am a HUGE lover of the 7.62 NATO and also shoot the 5.56 NATO in competition, the idea of a intermediate round is appealing to me for CQB, hunting and long range work.

Personally I have a hard time getting so worked up like many do over the 6.5G vs 6.8 SPC...frankly I consider them to both be good rounds on paper.  The 6.8 seems to have the edge in shots at 300 yards and under, the 6.5 has the edge at longer ranges.  Both do very adequate jobs where the other excels.  Since I have an interest in a new round mostly for long range and hunting, and because I already have a love affair with the 6.5x55mm, and because I like being different, I decided to give the 6.5 Grendel a try first.  If I don't like it, I'll sell everything and move over to the 6.8 SPC.  As a side note, it appears to me that the 6.8 SPC is getting a bit more traction in the market, probably because Remington is pushing it and Alexander Arms really need to open up the licensing of their product.

In case you haven't seen them next to each other, here's a pic of a 5.56x45mm (77 gr SMK) next to a 6.5 Grendel (123 gr SMK) next to a 7.62x51 mm (168 SMK).



Here's a bullet comparison for you.  .223 55 gr surplus next to a .223 77 gr SMK next to a 6.5mm 123 gr SMK next to a .308 168 gr SMK.



I ordered an Alexander Arms 24" Overwatch upper from Midway and mounted it on a DPMS lower.  I have a Magpul PRS stock on it, a DPMS target grip and a Jard adjustable 3 lb single stage trigger mounted.  The optic is a Haako 4.5-16x42 mm illuminated reticle on Burris Tactical rings.  This scope needs to be mounted far forward so I have an extended rail on order...in the mean time, I'm making do with a raised rail mounted forward.  I currently have a cheap bipod on it until my Harris arrives

First the upper.  Metal work is good and the finish is even.  I don't care for the aesthetics of the carbon fiber free float tube but it is very rigid.  The muzzle is crowned and threaded for a muzzle device, but unfortunately it is an unusual thread pitch and Alexander doesn't make a thread protector cap from what I can see.

The PRS stock is very comfortable.  I like the Jard trigger but it "rolls" a little too much for me in letoff.  I like a bit more glass rod break that that...maybe I've been shooting my 2-stage NM trigger to much.  I does have a very light break, though.



I only had a chance to put together 5 loads using VARGET. I've had great luck with that powder in .223.  In general, this doesn't seem to be a flexible powder for this rifle and I need to try a different burn rate.  While I had a few good groups (under 1MOA) there was pretty wide variation as I moved in 1 grain increments.  I dodn't futz with the OAL yet...I'll wait until I find a promising powder for that.  All were loaded with 123 gr SMK at 2.260" OAL and Remington SR primers.  Conditions were 50 deg F with light and variable winds from behind.  100 yard range.  Bipod with bunny ear bag in the rear.   Next powder to try is Accurate 2520.   

Here's the best target of the day at 100 yards.  5 shots in 0.65"...best three in 0.40"

[Pathfinder]

When one of my compadres on this site (sorry, don't remember who) mentioned the 6.5, I started researching a little more. I got the impression that AA had a lock on things, and man the people on the 6.5 boards are weird! They all have played off the Grendel name for the cartridge and as a result have oddball names. Very geeky.

Glad to hear about the traction. I have evaluated my wants, and I am thinking more power in shorter ranges is what I am looking for, so the 6.8 is probably the way to go. Too bad the ammo is so doggone high, even compared to the Grendel.

Added: PS: I really like the .308 best myself, need to get a DSA FAL.

[Hazcat]

Here's what I don't understand. (and yes, I'm an old foggy )

The Grendel is a short fat round.  Looks to be the same case diameter as the .308. So....you are not gonna get more in a mag so why reinvent the wheel?

I'm one of those that think the 30-06 was invented by God as the perfect rifle round.  The .308 I can somewhat understand as there is less kick and just as good ballistics though you trade off variety.  Very efficient military round (308).

Can't believe there is all that much difference in weight between 100 rounds of .308 and 100 rounds of Grendel and the diff will be more than covered by performance.

My .02.

[Pathfinder]

Here's what I don't understand. (and yes, I'm an old foggy )

The Grendel is a short fat round.  Looks to be the same case diameter as the .308. So....you are not gonna get more in a mag so why reinvent the wheel?

I'm one of those that think the 30-06 was invented by God as the perfect rifle round.  The .308 I can somewhat understand as there is less kick and just as good ballistics though you trade off variety.  Very efficient military round (308).

Can't believe there is all that much difference in weight between 100 rounds of .308 and 100 rounds of Grendel and the diff will be more than covered by performance.

My .02.

The Grendel bullet is lighter, 120 gr as I recall (probably wrong), but incredibly skinny and long. Supposedly the reason it is better at longer ranges. The reason for the Grendel is not just more ammo, although that's part of it with the smaller cases and shorter cartridges, same as the 5.56, but supposedly it has better performance at longer ranges, to 600 yards. Kind of a win-win in someone's eyes. The US Military ain't buying it though, from the looks of things. Too much invested in the 5.56.

Boy, I bet it sucked to be a general when the troops started demanding M-14s back after Somalia and the first Sand Box, then Afghanistan. Kinda put a crimp in the good PR for the M-4, especially the part where bad guys got his multiple times with the M-16/M-4 and kept coming. The M-14 kinda takes that problem away.

I am such a .308 bigot!   

[Hazcat]

We were screaming for a decent round (M14) when I was in the jungle.  Damn near 50 years later and nothing has changed!

[Sponsor]

[DDMac]

The decision makers weren't in the jungle. Sort of like Congress.
Mac.

[tombogan03884]

The decision makers weren't in the jungle. Sort of like Congress.
Mac.

They aren't in Iraq either. and Neither are thier Kids

[Overload]

Here's what I don't understand. (and yes, I'm an old foggy )

The Grendel is a short fat round.  Looks to be the same case diameter as the .308. So....you are not gonna get more in a mag so why reinvent the wheel?

6.5 Grendel rounds will fit in an AR magazine and therefore through an AR mag well.  So, you get a new upper, swap out 223, attach 6.5 G upper, and slot in 6.5 G magazines and you're ready to shoot.  So, basically, you don't need a new lower as you would to fire .308.  It's the same reason people are trying 6.8SPC- it also fits through a regular AR lower.

short action vs long action in bolt rifles.

[Neon Knight Anubis]

The 6.8 spc, if I'm correct, was partially designed by sof because they wanted a heavier bullet for CQB but they didn't want it to go as slow as the 7.62x39. The Grendel sounds like it was made with precision in mind because of its accuracy at longer ranges, sounds like a Grendel AR would make a great high capacity urban sniper rifle with some really hot rounds or for precision rifle competition. That's what it sounds like to me from my observations.

[ccd]

There are MORE than one or two Congressmen that have kids serving in the military(overseas), just because you want it to be true doesn't mean it is.