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Help me choose a caliber- 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel

12,714 Views | 100 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by tandy miller
tandy miller
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2:23p, 6/24/22
Which of these would you choose for an 18" AR build? Would be using for deer/pigs, and maybe messing around at some longer ranges. Want something bigger than 556, as I have that already. Ammo availability for both scares me. Was about sold on the grendel, and went to my local shop and they said they hadnt had any ammo in months, but have a ton of 6.8 SPC.
FJB
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schmellba99
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2:31p, 6/24/22
Grendel, all day, errday.

Does everything the 6.8 does, but better, and at longer ranges.
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mhnatt
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In reply to tandy miller • 2:33p, 6/24/22
tandy miller said:
Which of these would you choose for an 18" AR build? Would be using for deer/pigs, and maybe messing around at some longer ranges. Want something bigger than 556, as I have that already. Ammo availability for both scares me. Was about sold on the grendel, and went to my local shop and they said they hadnt had any ammo in months, but have a ton of 6.8 SPC.

Don't let the local shop condition affect your decision much. Plenty of Grendel online (AmmoSeek) including Hornady. Both cartridges are popular enough to focus on the caliber itself instead of ammo availability.

That said, here is an article written just for you, and even claims the Grendel has the edge in almost all areas (including ammo availability).

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/6-8-spc-vs-6-5-grendel/
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jabberwalkie09
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In reply to tandy miller • 2:45p, 6/24/22
Had a 6.8spc for awhile. They can be finicky to get the gassing right depending on the barrel manufacturer. I'd probably be inclined to do 6.5 Grendel.
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Aggie Hunter
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2:45p, 6/24/22
Just buy both and you will never have regrets
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El Chupacabra
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2:53p, 6/24/22
Grendel, not even a question.
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P.U.T.U
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2:56p, 6/24/22
From someone that has several 6.8spc guns...go with the 6.5 grendel
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Central Committee
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3:46p, 6/24/22
Grendel. Also like the 6mm ARC, but the ammo can be hard to find.
We may not always get what we want. We may not always get what we need. Just so we don't get what we deserve.
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TheEyeGuy
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In reply to schmellba99 • 3:56p, 6/24/22
schmellba99 said:
Grendel, all day, errday.

Does everything the 6.8 does, but better, and at longer ranges.


Except suppression. 6.8 with subsonic and a can nice but I think you're hand loading at that point
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AggieMPH2005
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5:10p, 6/24/22
I would pick 6.8 but only if the LWRC Six8 is on the menu
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Oldman04
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6:36p, 6/24/22
6.5 Grendel hands down
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Lonestar-aught-six
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6:43p, 6/24/22
Agree on the Grendel.
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tandy miller
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7:14p, 6/24/22
Sounds like Grendel it is then. Thanks for the input. Is 18" long enough on barrel length to shoot 4-600 yards? Really don't want 20 unless it really makes a difference, bc I'll have a can on it
FJB
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Lonestar-aught-six
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7:22p, 6/24/22
I don't think it will make that much of a difference. Mine is a 18" but I haven't stretched it out yet.
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Mas89
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In reply to tandy miller • 7:26p, 6/24/22
.308 for sure.
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Be Yonder
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In reply to tandy miller • 7:26p, 6/24/22
tandy miller said:
Sounds like Grendel it is then. Thanks for the input. Is 18" long enough on barrel length to shoot 4-600 yards? Really don't want 20 unless it really makes a difference, bc I'll have a can on it


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tandy miller
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In reply to Mas89 • 7:46p, 6/24/22
Mas89 said:
.308 for sure.


I agree, but I already had the lower. Just an excuse to buy another
FJB
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CS78
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In reply to tandy miller • 8:08p, 6/24/22
tandy miller said:
Sounds like Grendel it is then. Thanks for the input. Is 18" long enough on barrel length to shoot 4-600 yards? Really don't want 20 unless it really makes a difference, bc I'll have a can on it


What are you wanting to do with it? At those distances, for deer, energy is going to be marginal. Perfect shot, dead deer. Off at all, lost deer. Velocity will also be dropping down to the point of unreliable expansion. Go with the shorter barrel if you want. Upgrade the caliber if you are trying to hunt 400+ yards.
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FIDO 96
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8:57p, 6/24/22
I've built two one of each using Wilson Combat barrels and BCG/uppers/etc. my 6.5G runs like a top each and every time. We keep messing with the 6.8spc to get it to run reliably. It's a finicky *****.
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P.U.T.U
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9:40p, 6/24/22
Bender has played with shorter length Grendel barrels, may be he can chime in
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SMM48
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10:23p, 6/24/22
6.8 SPC

Wait. I Reread the op. Grendel
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Green2Maroon
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10:53p, 6/24/22
I would go 6.5 of the two.
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JimmyHouston
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11:12p, 6/24/22
Grendel is the best all around cartridge I have seen so far. Shoot it out to 800yds or ear hole a pig at 120…it just works
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tandy miller
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In reply to CS78 • 1:53a, 6/25/22
CS78 said:
tandy miller said:
Sounds like Grendel it is then. Thanks for the input. Is 18" long enough on barrel length to shoot 4-600 yards? Really don't want 20 unless it really makes a difference, bc I'll have a can on it


What are you wanting to do with it? At those distances, for deer, energy is going to be marginal. Perfect shot, dead deer. Off at all, lost deer. Velocity will also be dropping down to the point of unreliable expansion. Go with the shorter barrel if you want. Upgrade the caliber if you are trying to hunt 400+ yards.


Wouldn't be hunting anything other than pigs further than 200 yards most shots would be within 100. I'd just like the ability to ping steel from 400+ as well.
FJB
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zachsccr
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6:20a, 6/25/22
I went 6.5 myself so I guess that's the answer
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Zjones920
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7:03a, 6/25/22
I have zero experience with the 6.8, but I've built a 6.5G and I honestly don't like it. It doesn't suppress well. It's still really loud with a can on it and I couldn't get it grouped well with my can either.
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aggieforester05
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9:02a, 6/25/22
Wolf makes Grendel ammo for practice/bulk storage(at least until it runs out thanks to Biden's ammo embargo). Around 70 cents per round. You won't be shooting the 6.8 that cheap unless maybe you can get it down to that reloading. If you go Grendel buy some in bulk now before it's gone.
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jwright4288
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In reply to tandy miller • 9:11a, 6/25/22
tandy miller said:
CS78 said:
tandy miller said:
Sounds like Grendel it is then. Thanks for the input. Is 18" long enough on barrel length to shoot 4-600 yards? Really don't want 20 unless it really makes a difference, bc I'll have a can on it


What are you wanting to do with it? At those distances, for deer, energy is going to be marginal. Perfect shot, dead deer. Off at all, lost deer. Velocity will also be dropping down to the point of unreliable expansion. Go with the shorter barrel if you want. Upgrade the caliber if you are trying to hunt 400+ yards.


Wouldn't be hunting anything other than pigs further than 200 yards most shots would be within 100. I'd just like the ability to ping steel from 400+ as well.


With that in mind you'll be golden with any length. I can do that with my 12". Will you be using a suppressor? And will you be shooting off a rest or offhand for pigs and such?
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CS78
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In reply to Zjones920 • 9:18a, 6/25/22
Did you try an adjustable gas block? Well worth the effort.

Who made the barrel? Maybe try a different ammo?
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tandy miller
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In reply to jwright4288 • 9:56a, 6/25/22
jwright4288 said:
tandy miller said:
CS78 said:
tandy miller said:
Sounds like Grendel it is then. Thanks for the input. Is 18" long enough on barrel length to shoot 4-600 yards? Really don't want 20 unless it really makes a difference, bc I'll have a can on it


What are you wanting to do with it? At those distances, for deer, energy is going to be marginal. Perfect shot, dead deer. Off at all, lost deer. Velocity will also be dropping down to the point of unreliable expansion. Go with the shorter barrel if you want. Upgrade the caliber if you are trying to hunt 400+ yards.


Wouldn't be hunting anything other than pigs further than 200 yards most shots would be within 100. I'd just like the ability to ping steel from 400+ as well.


With that in mind you'll be golden with any length. I can do that with my 12". Will you be using a suppressor? And will you be shooting off a rest or offhand for pigs and such?


Yes would be suppressed if at least 16" bbl (R9). Will shoot off of a rest at deer/blackbuck, but not necessarily pigs and yotes.
FJB
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FiTxAg04
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In reply to tandy miller • 10:43a, 6/25/22
Ive hit steel at 1000 with an 18" barrel Grendel.
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goatchze
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11:08a, 6/25/22
260 Remington
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TheEyeGuy
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In reply to FiTxAg04 • 11:11a, 6/25/22
FiTxAg04 said:
Ive hit steel at 1000 with an 18" barrel Grendel.
Nearly ditto... mine's a 20" but that doesn't factor in too terribly much. I know I have pissed chassis rifle guys off by keeping up with them at 600-1000 with my AR.
Owner of Texian Firearms:
Dealer in Firearms, Optics, Night Vision and other shooting accessories.
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Zjones920
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In reply to CS78 • 8:35p, 6/25/22
CS78 said:
Did you try an adjustable gas block? Well worth the effort.

Who made the barrel? Maybe try a different ammo?


It's got one on it. It's setup to be one click past full eject. It's a ballistic advantage fluted barrel 16" if I remember right.
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jwright4288
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In reply to tandy miller • 11:33p, 6/25/22
Gotcha,

I'd strongly consider a 12" if hunting suppressed is the primary role. I always found a 16"+ gun a bit unwieldy suppressed but that's mainly from driving around/getting into and out of the cart. You can shoot steel at longer ranges (including 1000yds, check some of the other forums for lots of others doing so)

18" is obviously better if long range shooting is the primary goal or you simply don't have any issues with longer barrels with the suppressor.

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