6.5 Grendel
6.5mm GrendelPros – Larger bullet weight selection if you are a reloader and for factory loads, weight for weight 6.5mm bullets have a higher sectional density which means they hold together better on impact than the same weight 6.8 bullet, higher ballistic coefficients per bullet weight means better retained velocities and energy at all distances, ammo is available in the 6.5 Grendel that can be had for less than $5.00 a box of 20 making it much cheaper to shoot than the 6.8 and even most 5.56 NATO for target shooting days, has been adopted by the Serbian military as their main caliber for armed forces, and is in technical testing for US Special Forces.
Cons – Requires a different bolt and magazine than the 5.56 NATO, so higher cost to convert a rifle, currently not as many commercial factory ammunition choices as the 6.8 SPC.
6.8 SPC
6.8-spcPros – More commercial factory ammunition choices currently available.
Cons – Exterior ballistics inferior to the 6.5 Grendel in every aspect, requires different bolt and magazine than the 5.56 NATO, so higher cost to convert a rifle, no inexpensive target shooting ammo or bullets for reloading.
My conclusion, as an all-around cartridge, the 6.5 Grendel is the clear winner. It has better ballistics from 0-800 yards, has more available options for bullets, and can drive those bullets to the same speeds or better than the 6.8 SPC. The ONLY place I have seen the 6.8 best the 6.5 is when the barrel lengths get below 14 inches, but, that isn’t an option for those of us residing in the state of Kommiefornia.
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