6.5mm Grendel or 6.8mm SPC II

[Nomercy]

I'm looking at putting a new barrel on one of my AR-15's to use it as a deer rifle, I'm looking at the 6.5mm Grendel, or 6.8mm SPC II.

It seems from my current observation that the SPC is more readily available, but the Grendel is actually slightly more powerful, i.e. longer range. It also seems that converting my 5.56 AR to either cartridge only requires change of the barrel, bolt, and magazine, Correct?

I reload, but I'm not necessarily interested in doing a lot of case forming just for hunting ammo. I'm also sometimes lazy when it comes to hunting ammo, so I may even (gasp) revert to factory ammo if it were readily available?

Can you offer any advice to help my decision between these 2?

And also, how would either of these rounds perform as a 1000yrd cartridge in a custom build?

 

[spclark]

If only in selection of bullets, the 6.5 Grendel has the advantage. I'd be directing you now to the 6.5 Grendel forum for lots of experience with hunting applications, but it seems to be "under construction."

I don't know of anyone attempting to reach 1000 yards with a 6.8 SPC in either variant; it was never intended to function at those distances. The 6.5 grendel can however do fairly well though case capacity is limited when you get beyond 130 grain bullets. I've shot my 26" CSS (the original provider of custom Grendel match uppers) upper at 1k using Norma's 130 grain Black Diamond bullet with good results but it won't keep up with a 6BR or 6.5x284. I have a 30" barrel chambered in 6.5 Grendel for a bolt gun that I've also used at 1k with those 130's but I think its case capacity os more suited to something around 120 grains.

I couldn't recommend using either for hunting at that distance. Neither require case forming and "factory" loads are available for both.

You're correct in assuming all you need swap is the bolt, barrel and mags. In fact I use 6.8SPC mags in my Grendel upper as well as my match 6HAGAR upper.

 

[15Tango]

I know you said you don't want to do any case forming for hunting, but in a pinch Grendel brass can be made from 7.62X39 brass and it's considerably cheaper, I've been running Lapua's X39 brass which is about half the cost of actual Grendel brass and it's been great.

If you want factory they're both covered, Wolf even makes ammo for the Grendel. Last time I was in the local Cabela's they had factory ammo for both cartridges.

I can't think of anything the SPC can do that Grendel can't do just a bit better though.

Wayne

 

[spclark]

7.62x39 uses a large rifle primer? I know many of the common 6.8 SPC cases do also.

6.5 Grendel uses a small rifle primer so there's a little more brass in the case heads to resist stretch when warmer loads are used.

 

[15Tango]

7.62x39 uses a large rifle primer?

Yes, sir!

6.5 Grendel uses a small rifle primer so there's a little more brass in the case heads to resist stretch when warmer loads are used.

Maybe, sir? I was worried about that myself but the Lapua 7.62X39 brass hasn't had any primers go loose on me yet which Winchester's X39 brass I can't say the same, that stuff opens up really easy. Unless you shoot really conservative loads don't bother with Winchester's X39. The Lapua's hanging tough though. The Hornady Grendel brass with SR primer is surprising strong, I haven't had any go loose yet.

You can make brass for the 6.8 from .30 Remington, Remington still makes the stuff and it's about $50 per 100, about what 100 Lapua 7.62X39 costs.

Brass for either will always be available, I think the Grendel's selection on it might be a tad better though.

Wayne
Wayne

 

[jonbearman]

Rem 7.62 x39 brass has a small rifle primer.I would go grendel.It is a very accurate cartridge and soft shooting in the ar platform.Cant be beat.

 

[15Tango]

Jon,

Where are you finding Remington 7.62X39 brass? I'd love to know!

Wayne

 

[spclark]

You can make brass for the 6.8 from .30 Remington, Remington still makes the stuff and it's about $50 per 100, about what 100 Lapua 7.62X39 costs.

Yeah but with all the different brands of factory 6.8 out there why would you want to?

I use .25/.30 REM brass as parent stock for my 6HAGAR & it's a major PITA making up cases. Takes about 4 minutes to make one case, start to finish. They only last maybe 6 or 7 reloadings before the case heads open up or in the Jamison International .25 REM-based cases I use for 600, nearly half a batch will develop an internal stretch ring about .6" up from the case head after the third or fourth reload. They've discontinued production of those too so it's Remington's .30 REM or nothing now. 6.8 brass is too short by about .08" to use.

That's an AR-capable 6mm that cries out for factory brass but it seems nobody's interested. Of all the 6's made for the AR platform it's probably the best save for the brass issue.

 

[Kenny474]

Grendel all the way. It's a very accurate round and will do just fine on deer from an AR.

The Grendel is actually based on and very similar to the 6PPC, which we all know is king in point blank BR.

The bullet selection in 6.5 is better than .270, and I feel the round itself is just better in general.

 

[DHD]

I don't have a 6.8 so I don't have an opinion on it other than bullet selection and the yardages that you will be limited to because of it.

The Grendel is a lot of fun to play with and mine shoots very well. I have used Sierra's 107, 120, and 123 MK's, Lapua's 108 and 123 Scenars, and have shot a few 123 Amax's. With the exception of the Amax (I have not tried them other than with my standard 123 load, 30.8 AA2520) everything will shoot into .75 moa for 5 shots. I have shot my rifle out to 600 yards and will still hold that accuracy as long as I don't ignore the wind and proper technique, but those issues are my problem not the rifle's.

FWIW, my rifle is an AA Overwatch, 24" Lothar Walther, JP adjustable trigger, and a NF 5.5-22X50. I use AA brass only as I have plenty. I have noticed that pressure comes on quick so I don't try to get the last 25 fps that the data says is there (AA data online). I will order the EGW Whitley Bag Rider System so I can shoot the thing better. The rifle rolls something terrible but it is sort of round so what should I expect?

 

[Beau]

Don't poo-poo the SPC too much. The Grendel really only has an advantage with mag length loadings. Loaded long, the SPC actually has a little more case capacity than the Grendel. Pair it up with some Berger bullets and you could embarrass some lesser marksmen with their Grendels.

 

[dan06]

I have an ar-15 upper by detech custom in 6.5-243wssm.... I love it. Olimpic arms makes uppers in 243wssm and 25wssm they make great vermin to deer rifles. you have to reload for the 6.5wssm but the .243 and 25wssm can be bought as factory rounds.