Have one more upper/lower set sitting in the safe that's itching to go swimming in a lake. Thinking I'm going to build a hog killer. Which caliber would you go with between the 6.5 Grendel vs. the 6.8 SPC II? I'm leaning towards a Grendel, but haven't made up my mind.

Grendel.

I have 2 Grendels and love the round. 6.8 will suppress better, but I just wasn't happy with local ammo availability at the time.

Either obviously will work; for typical ranges involving hogs, the 6.8 works very well. Will use involve factory ammo, or reloading?

For hogs and deer inside 300 then go with the 6.8. If you want more reach and especially if shooting targets at longer ranges then go with the Grendel. Personally I really like .264 bullets and my Grendel. It's been extremely effective on whitetail and axis.

Hard to say because I don't shoot mine enough, but the Stag 6.8 SPC II that I built with a 90 grain round is the most accurate rifle I've ever shot (bought or built).

The 6.5 is easier to find ammo in, is better for long distance and still has at least 100 pounds of energy at 350+ yards. Very excellent round.

However, as mentioned, 6.8 is just as affective out to about 300 yards and suppresses better.

I have an AR in 6.5 Grendel with a 20" barrel that I absolutely love, and I'm building a 6.8 upper for my AR pistol (planning on getting an 11.5" barrel)

Dusting my 6.8 off this weekend to go after some hogs. I use 110gr vmax. Ballistic tips punch through real nice

I've taken many deer and pigs with my 6.8, and have never had any issues finding ammo. In fact, when I bought it, the conventional wisdom was that it was easier to find ammo than the 6.5, so I'm surprised to hear that it's reversed now. I've used the 120 grain SST for the most part. The Vmax is more of a varmint bullet that isn't designed to hold together, which is probably fine for head shots on pigs. The SST even seems to come apart in faster calibers like my 7mm-08 or 30-06 when I've tried them. This year I started using handloads with the 95 grain TTSX, and it performed great in the big and doe I shot with it. Used the 7mm-08 on the other animals I took this year, but need to find a projectile that I like more than the 139 gr SST.

Have no experience with the 6.5, but my 6.8 has been very good on hogs and deer. Really love the round. 95 gr TTSX loaded by Wilson combat is what my rifle shoots the best, and it has been very effective against hogs and deer, the 120 gr SST is also a winner. Remington or American Eagle 115 FMJ for plinking.

Hodor said:

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I've taken many deer and pigs with my 6.8, and have never had any issues finding ammo. In fact, when I bought it, the conventional wisdom was that it was easier to find ammo than the 6.5, so I'm surprised to hear that it's reversed now. I've used the 120 grain SST for the most part. The Vmax is more of a varmint bullet that isn't designed to hold together, which is probably fine for head shots on pigs. The SST even seems to come apart in faster calibers like my 7mm-08 or 30-06 when I've tried them. This year I started using handloads with the 95 grain TTSX, and it performed great in the big and doe I shot with it. Used the 7mm-08 on the other animals I took this year, but need to find a projectile that I like more than the 139 gr SST.

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that's happened in the last year and a half.

Wasn't aware of that. Makes sense, given the popularity of the 6.5 Creed. At the time, from what I read there weren't many good hunting bullets in 6.5 even. That I knew had changed for the better.

I can find lots of 6.8 at Cabelas and Academy. Not sure as if I've seen Grendel at Academy at all here.

Hodor said:

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Wasn't aware of that. Makes sense, given the popularity of the 6.5 Creed. At the time, from what I read there weren't many good hunting bullets in 6.5 even. That I knew had changed for the better.

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i definitely think the rise of the 6.5 CM has helped fuel the 6.5 G.

It's been hard for me to find any 6.5G ammo in any store. And the only kind I've found is the Hornady Black ammo. I have yet to find a single box of the Hornady SST ammo.

The 95TTSX is my go-to for one 6.8 (reloads), the other is getting fed the Federal 90gr GD ammo I picked up cheap. Recently bought some of the Speer 90GD's bullets for load workup.

I used the 139-140gr bullets in my 7mm-08 for many years, but a couple of years ago developed a fast and accurate load using the 120 gr TTSX (it's a Rem 788). Load development is probably over for good...

Comments about the 6.8 suppressing better? Can anyone explain?

For comparison, SG Ammo offerings for both (if not a reloader):

(The cheap Wolf 6.5 Grendel is a steel jacketed bullet)

6.8 SPC

6.5 Grendel

This is the best review of the differences and just genral info on the rounds.
6.8 vs 6.5

BurrOak said:

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It's been hard for me to find any 6.5G ammo in any store. And the only kind I've found is the Hornady Black ammo. I have yet to find a single box of the Hornady SST ammo.

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I can find both at my local Academy store all the time. Might not hurt to ask the manager about it.

I have neither caliber, but whichever has cheaper and more available ammo.

+1

6.8 spc with Wilson combat 95 ttsx. Very accurate and good results on game.

Where I shop 6.8 is more plentiful.

I recently built my brother a .224 Valkeryie and didn't realize until then the 6.8 uses a special mag (as does the .224). Does the Grendel use standard or 6.8 mags?

6.5 uses its own mags. 5,10, 17, or 25 round.

CS78 said:

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Comments about the 6.8 suppressing better? Can anyone explain?

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There are others on here that can get into the technicalities, but it has to do with the geometry of the bullet from what I've heard/read.

DatTallArchitect said:

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CS78 said:

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Comments about the 6.8 suppressing better? Can anyone explain?

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There are others on here that can get into the technicalities, but it has to do with the geometry of the bullet from what I've heard/read.

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Both bullets are super sonic and gonna be loud AF. If bullet shape actually matters (highly unlikely) the slimmer 6.5 bullets will build up smoother and fewer pressure waves.

Max SAAMI pressure for Grendel is 50k psi and max for SPC is 55k psi so Grendel maybe a couple dB quieter?

Bottom line both are gonna be 140-150 dB suppressed like any supersonic cartridge. So loud your ear can't tell a difference.

For me, Grendel is the best general purpose cartridge around. Very light recoil. I can ethically kill deer from 0-400ish yards, I'll be able to target shoot for fun out to 1000 yards once I have the skills, fits into a standard AR platform and micro bolt actions. Works well in barrels from 12" to 24".

6.8 SPC does all these things except probably target shooting at 1000 yards. Trajectory will be slightly less flat and energy will drop off faster.

Buy what makes you look the coolest. That's ultimately what matters most.

I'll have to try the TTSX for the 7mm-08. I was t sure what they had in 7mm, but figured I'd look for the bullets at some point.
Those 95's are nails in my 6.8. Was worried about the smaller weight, but performed well.

Does Wilson still sell this load? I don't see it on their website. I had a bunch of old SSA ammo with this bullet but am almost out. I was thinking I would have to pay someone to load me some.

Thanks all. Think I'm going with the 6.5. Just been on my mind for a while so I'm going to pull the trigger on it. Will post the build when I finish.

Now about Thermal Optics......

Don't have a 6.8 but wanted to show off my Grendel killed does from last week. Nobody took more than three or four steps. 60, 75, 175 yds. Had a fourth in the scope hanging around at 150 but decided to let her live. 123 grain SST.

I put together a Grendel and love it.


25 cents a round was what put me in the Grendel boat. I can plink with the thing whenever I want for cheap.

https://www.sgammo.com/product/65-grendel-ammo/1000-rounds-65-grendel-100-grain-fmj-lacquered-steel-case-wpa-wolf-ammo

Ammo price and the ability to shoot longer distances with a short barrel is why I built my 12.5" Grendel SBR. I can't wait to get it out to the range and get the scope zero'd.

maverick2076 said:

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Ammo price and the ability to shoot longer distances with a short barrel is why I built my 12.5" Grendel SBR. I can't wait to get it out to the range and get the scope zero'd.

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What upper did you go with? I just ordered a PSA stainless.

My understanding is that 6.8 does better out of a shorter (say 11.5") barrel, thus, it's nice to suppress because you can work with a smaller OAL .