6.5 cartridge question

[bobcat93]

Im looking for short range cartridges with in (200yards), game, targets, self preservation
What would be the advantage of one cartridge over the other here.
6.5x40mm or the 6.5 grendal.
What would you build.
Ive also thought about rifle builds, the state of our economy, and the state of my wallet.
I could spend a fortune to have something built or simply build or buy a new upper for my AR and bam! Im in business..i like that idea.
Hell i already spent a small fortune on my ar build i can never sell because i put to much money into it..and is collecting dust.
So it seems practical to just buy a cool upper and enjoy what i already have even more.
My AR is pretty dang sweet its more of a bench, or prone position rifle.
Also how do these cartridges perform with short barrels and how short can i go and still get proper dwell time
Thanks folks..

 

[lb-ft]

You’ve mentioned self preservation as one possible way to utilize the cartridge you ultimately select. Grendel. From a liability position, best to use factory ammo for self defense which (unfortunately) limits your options.

 

[Evlshnngns]

6.5x40mm....?

My Grendel is great. Easy button all the way.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

You’ve mentioned self preservation as one possible way to utilize the cartridge you ultimately select. Grendel. From a liability position, best to use factory ammo for self defense which (unfortunately) limits your options.

In the bigger picture of events that you would really use this rifle for self preservation, you’re really not going to have to worry about your hand loads being used. IMO.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

A second and third rifle is never a bad idea.
One could die on you.

 

[bobcat93]

This is the 6.5x40mm wildcat

 

[bobcat93]

I am leaning towards the 6.5 grendal

 

[30EX]

Grendel

 

[Oso]

I did a double take to reconfirm that this wasn’t a 2018 thread that accidentally got revived

6.5 x 40 is based on a 6.8 SPC case. Based on an article the selection of the 6.8SPC case for the 6.5x40 was to ensure case feeding (AR15/M16 and heavy machine gun). The 6.8SPC geometry is similar to 7.62x51 as compared to stubby design of Grendel case.

The 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC are very close in performance out to +400 yards. You can buy store ammo for either cartridge. I doubt there is any meaningful performance improvements by hybridizing these cartridges to create the 6.5x40. If it’s a SHTF rifle then you want ability to find ammo anywhere. I would simply pick either 6.5 Grendel or 6.8SPC.

The Grendel’s case geometry/length allows it to handle long bullets without having to seat them down inside the case below the neck. The 6.5 Grendel has wide industry support, and with the addition of 6ARC and 22ARC this cartridge isn’t going away.

 

[Fuj]

6.5-GT......Dave Zimmerman won the Ridgway VBR championship with one.
and that's 850 to 1000 yards. Should be sweet in a decent upper !!

 

[Oso]

6.5-GT......Dave Zimmerman won the Ridgway VBR championship with one.
and that's 850 to 1000 yards. Should be sweet in a decent upper !!

The GT cartridge would require an AR10. I think the OP is looking at cartridges that will fit in AR15.

 

[bobcat93]

I know what ya mean..i was just thinking back to videos i seen on shooting usa or some show when the 6.8 SPC and 6.5 grendal came out on the market.
This was back when folks thought the military was gonna adapt a new cartridge, it gets every one excited then it fizzles out ..the 6.8 spc dropped by the wayside and the 6.5 grendal stuck around.
I dont know anyone who has or does shoot the 6.8 spc cartridge..in fact ive never even seen one in real life so it could be a mythical cartridge

Im just not impressed by the 22arc, or 6mm arc due to all the corporate B.S and intellectual property nonsense.
Besides being a puritan..if i want to send a 6mm down range ill use the 6ppc not some wanta be
Plus i have a 6br and have it covered.

I like having different power cartridges i dont know why.
Like a 17 fireball, and 17rem
221 fireball and a 223rem
6.5 grendal, to go along with my 6.5 creedmore would be fun
30-30 win , 300win mag
32s&w and 327 fed
38 special, 357 mag.
This is what my gun collection looks like
22lr, 22mag..
Am i the only one with a collection like this? Or is it normal..i dont know but it keeps me entertained

 

[bobcat93]

The GT cartridge would require an AR10. I think the OP is looking at cartridges that will fit in AR15.

I would never run my Lapua BR brass through a semi auto rifle..hahaha...it looks like a dog chewed on them after two reloadings..

 

[Oso]

I would never run my Lapua BR brass through a semi auto rifle..hahaha...it looks like a dog chewed on them after two reloadings..

Absolutely Agree - nice brass goes with bolt rifles!

OP mentioned AR. I only use cases in AR’s that I am willing to loose in the grass, slide & grind across concrete, deformed during ejection, or possibly mangle during extraction. Some AR’s behave better than others.

 

[284winner]

Im looking for short range cartridges with in (200yards), game, targets, self preservation
What would be the advantage of one cartridge over the other here.
6.5x40mm or the 6.5 grendal.
What would you build.
Ive also thought about rifle builds, the state of our economy, and the state of my wallet.
I could spend a fortune to have something built or simply build or buy a new upper for my AR and bam! Im in business..i like that idea.
Hell i already spent a small fortune on my ar build i can never sell because i put to much money into it..and is collecting dust.
So it seems practical to just buy a cool upper and enjoy what i already have even more.
My AR is pretty dang sweet its more of a bench, or prone position rifle.
Also how do these cartridges perform with short barrels and how short can i go and still get proper dwell time
Thanks folks..

I'm a little bias having the 6.5 Grendel. Not sure about the 6.5x40mm. The Grendel out to 300 yards is fabulous.

 

[Fast14riot]

I have several 6.8s and shot them next to grendels at several matches. Other than a couple clicks on the scope at 500m, they're very similar. But, the 6.8 necked down to 6.5 is a great shooting cartridge too. Just a simple neck down with a bushing change.

 

[koger]

I just traded for a used , 2 week old Ruger Gen 2 American Predator, and it is shooting great with nothing done to it but a 10 minute trigger job ala Youtube. $400 used. I am using Starline brass and 120 Sierra SP olc cup an core bullets that mushroom easy at lower velocities.

 

[bobcat93]

Lots of 6.5 grendal love out there, i did watch a video from Banana ballistics on YouTube he does a good job

 

[bobcat93]

Here is a different comparison. Very interesting