Originally Posted by
1168
6.5 Grendel has a lot going for it as a sport and hobby cartridge, and a couple of things as a military or police cartridge. It is halfway in diameter and mass between 5.56 and 7.62 (77gr and 175gr), and is one of 3 or 4 “alternative” chamberings that remain relevant. I’ll not be getting rid of my 5.56 guns (I’m even assembling more), but the Grendel is the only alternative chambering I mess with, and I arrived there with a lot of careful consideration.
1) it is surprisingly efficient in short barrels. Mine is a 12.5”. LRRPF52, our resident Grendel nerd, also likes the 12.5”. I live in the Southeast, and my Grendel is meant to replace my levergun. Of course, if you are into 18” barrels, that’s fine, too, but it would be worth looking into a Creedmoor at that point.
2) it provides more projectile mass without too much more recoil. This could be useful for defeating barriers, and some might argue that it increases lethality, though I won’t.
3) it is legal (and suitable) for whacking deer. Kinda reminds me of a modern 30-30. Also reminds me of 7.62x39, in that it launches similar weight projectiles at similar velocities, but with MUCH better BC.
4) it does a good job of launching bullets that are heavy for caliber (see #1) with a decent BC at a modest velocity, with mild recoil. This makes it a good target round, because it bucks wind well. It also would make a good designated marksman round, as long as the user can get a good range estimate, which is easier to read than wind. In fact, it follows a similar arc to .308.
5) logistically, the Wolf ammo makes it an affordable chambering for the “one gun” guy, and it fits in a regular AR with just 3 parts away from commonality. Outside of Wolf, most ammo you find on the shelf is meant for decent precision, and that’s cool too.
But why not a Grendel?
6) it does not shoot as flat as 5.56. So past like 300yds, you have to be able to guesstimate range. However, see #4 and #8. Not really an issue for most, and those that are shooting long range, ought to be skilled enough to make good use of it.
7) it is less available than 5.56, .308, 30-06, etc. I don’t think I would choose it as my only rifle. And without mass military adoption, it could always disappear. Then again, 7-08 is still around, for pretty much the same reasons the Grendel is.
8) if you hunt somewhere with longer shots, the modest starting velocity may limit your range, or at least cause you to think a little harder about projectile selection. I believe that a impact velocity of >2200fps is desirable for big game, and that limits me to about 100yds with 120gr projectiles. If we reduce that to 2000fps, it gets me ~150yds. This may not be important to you, and if we handload, we can choose lighter projectiles for more velocity, and still have an OK BC. For humans or paper, none of this matters.
9) bolt face is hogged out, and max pressure is limited.
10) it cannot replace 5.56 because of 5.56’s strengths, particularly in its native weapon. It is also not a larger 6.5-7.62mm cartridge. So, even though its in a not-too-hot/not-too-cold space, its also neither fish nor fowl. Its like being in the “friend zone” with a woman.
Can’t wait to get my 6.5 can out of purgatory.
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