Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles 6.8 or 6.5???

6.8 or 6.5???


Hi to all! PLEASE understand that i am not starting this thread to start a flame war! I am going to shortly purchase an upper receiver in either 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC, and in looking at the two, I ma torn as to which could be considered the more popular/"better" of the two? It's intended use in this case would be for hunting deer in the 160lb class at ranges to about 200 yds, so I think that point is moot. I have scoured the net, but am curious, which did you choose, and why???

I've owned both. At the range you are interested, it's a wash. Past 250 yards or so, the 6.5 does much better.

Also be aware that you are limited to lighter bullet weights for the 6.8 in the AR. The grendel was designed to accommodate pretty much any 6.5 bullet.

Either is a handloading proposition. My local dealer stopped carrying 6.8 and never carried 6.5.

In that use class it makes no difference. 110 or 120 grain bullets of suitable construction to kill a deer is easy. Factory ammo is more widely available for the 6.8 than for the 6.5 and cheaper.

I say 6.8.

The 6.5 has nothing on the 6.8 inside 300 yards. A lot of bullets available for the 6.8, Better mag capacity/reliability, 3x more companies making rifles, uppers and supporting the 6.8 and cheaper more available brass.

Just make sure to get a SPCII 1:11 barrel, gives you more flexibility in reloading.

I vote for the 6.8 SPC also. Nosler has a 110 gr Accubond out now specifically for the 6.8, and there are Barnes TSX bullets for it as well. The 6.5 Grendel is an impressive cartridge, but it really needs minimum 20" barrel and preferrably 24" to get the most of it's powder capacity. The 6.8 SPC doesn't lose much velocity at all going down to a 16" barrel. That made my decision for me. I'm basically looking at the same parameters you are as far as size and yardage, and the 16" carbine length makes a wonderfully handy short rifle.

much as I prefer the 6.5.... in this instance for your job I'd say 6.8 also even though I still hate .277 bullets... its the obvious choice for many reasons.

Jeff

What he said.

If you don't reload, the 85 grain TSX or 110 Pro Hunter are available commercially from SSA. If you reload, the flavors are endless.

You're going to have to go well past 300 yards to make the Grendel out-shine the 6.8. Bottom line, the deer will never know the difference between the two. You might want to look at this, http://www.ar15performance.com/ , if you're only interested in an upper.

There are a few complete packages offered from the majors as well. Stag, LMT and RRA come to mind.

George

I chose the 6.8 since I don't reload. Ammo is cheaper and more plentiful. I bought the RRA A4 complete rifle with the RRA match trigger. Took two deer using the Siver State Armory 110 TSX load. Both dropped on the spot at 100 yards. My cousin has a Bushmaster 6.8 which he uses for deer and 'yotes. I highly recommend the PRI 6.8 magazines. That's what ships with RRA. Also, just buy your 6.8 ammo direct from Silver State Armory. You will get the best price and availability.

Thanks! I am getting setup into reloading now and am finding that 6.8 dies/supplies seemed easier to find in cursory searches, so much of my thoughts have been confirmed by everyone here!

I have at present only really considered the 20" barrel thinking that it would be neccessary for proper terminal perfomace from the cartridge....but now will go back and look again, as I find the 16" barrel a handy one indeed.

Thanks you so very-ver- much one an all - reason yet again why I come here first for solid info!

I chose the 6.5 for three reasons, first I did not want to add another bullet diameter to my current stable, I already have too many, and have about half a dozen of the 6.5 Swedish rifles. Second, the longer range ballistics interest me, not that I need them. Third, I can be assured of a ready supply of brass, the 6.5 can be easily reformed from the 7.62x39 whereas the 6.8 must be made from 30 Rem. when and if you can find it( I do not really know about supply because I have not looked, but know it is not too common anymore)

No need to be reforming brass when just about everyone carries 6.8SPC already formed. You've got three manufacturers making 6.8 SPC brass, Remington, Hornady and Silver State.

And if you think 6.8 brass is expensive, try buying good 6.5 Grendel brass. I love the Lapua brass, but it costs like lobster.

6.8spc

Whether the 6.8 SPC outshines the 6.5 Grendel at short-range depends on your load. Here is external ballistics for the Grendel that surpasses that of the SPC even at short range: www.oa2.org/forums/download.php?id=4287

4 different loads shown for the Grendel compared to 1 load (and not the most efficient 6.8 bullet) for the 6.8 spc. No information on the twist or chamber used for the 6.8 and a rather questionable velocity on that 123 gr Grendel load.

Try it against some 110gr Accubonds and 110 gr TSX's in the 6.8 spc with a 1:11 twist and a Spec II chamber and well see what the short-mid ballistics look like.

Here's a link that is easier to view some external ballistic comparisons from: http://www.accounttech.us/grendelballistics.pdf

I agree that there are many different loads. Feel free to post ballistic and load information that you find.

Yup, those velocities are not realistic. Not even Bill Aexander's load data or factory ammo gets that high. His load data puts the 123 Lapua Scenar at 2600 Max. I can tell you from personal experience that Bill A's data is highly optomistic as well.

I vote 6.8.

Personally watched two deer killed with a 12.5-in. Barrett. Wounds from 110 OTC Remington (not the hottest ammo) looked just like what a 130 gr. Corelokt from .270 Winchester does.

If I had a child that was afraid of recoil I would likely obtain a 6.8 SPC-calibered rifle of some sort.

6.5 WSSM wildcat...

That was the one Winchester let slip thru the cracks