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Thinking about a new hunting upper #5865931 08/06/15 02:53 PM
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JESmith Offline OP
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I've got the urge to build an AR for Texas deer hunting. I have a spare PSA lower to build off. I am torn between 6.5 Grendel and 300BLK for this application. I already have plenty of bolt guns and a 5.56, so wanting something new. What would choose and why?

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5865955 08/06/15 03:04 PM
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6.8

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: ccoker] #5866031 08/06/15 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted By: ccoker
6.8

What are the advantages over the 6.5? The 6.5 seems to have better energy at longer ranges and ammo cost is 1/2.

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5866039 08/06/15 04:00 PM
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Shorter barrels , more Otc bullets, arp barrels, lighter weight

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5866086 08/06/15 04:33 PM
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Where is 6.5 Grendel ammo half the cost of 6.8?


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Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: Brother in-law] #5866093 08/06/15 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
Shorter barrels , more Otc bullets, arp barrels, lighter weight


Hmm. I have never found 6.8 SPC ammo to be that plentiful.

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5866097 08/06/15 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted By: JESmith
Originally Posted By: ccoker
6.8

What are the advantages over the 6.5? The 6.5 seems to have better energy at longer ranges and ammo cost is 1/2.


The Grendel does have better ballistics, especially at distance, but usually shoots best out of a longer barrel. IMO for decent ammo the price is about even. Midway has 19 offerings in 6.8, only 5 in 6.5.


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Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5866144 08/06/15 05:08 PM
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Around Austin, 6.8 ammo is readily available, more so than 300 in good hunting ammo.
I have both a 300 and a 6.8 and just built up my 11 year old a 6.8
He has shot deer with both and asked me to build him one as he said he had more confidence in it.

The 6.5 is a much better long rang round but you really need a longer barrel to get the most out of it.

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5866852 08/06/15 11:24 PM
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6.5 Grendel very good little round that will do anything the 6.8 will do and beyond 300 yards do it better. Both the 6.8 and Grendel have more thump than the 300BO.

As far as the 6.8 being better in short barrels it may be but not by much if at all. There are guys using 12.5 inch Grendels on deer and hogs out to 300 yards.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5866916 08/07/15 12:00 AM
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I think Bill Alexander's ego/greed got in the way of it getting more widespread industry adoption.
It is a great round.

The 7mmValkerie is an interesting round out of an AR15 platform
Resized Lapua 6.5x47 brass pushing 7mmm bullets almost to 7mm08 performance

I was talking with the guy behind it today about getting one in to test and write up.

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: ccoker] #5866927 08/07/15 12:06 AM
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Originally Posted By: ccoker
I think Bill Alexander's ego/greed got in the way of it getting more widespread industry adoption.
It is a great round.

The 7mmValkerie is an interesting round out of an AR15 platform
Resized Lapua 6.5x47 brass pushing 7mmm bullets almost to 7mm08 performance

I was talking with the guy behind it today about getting one in to test and write up.



Drool.

When you're done testing it, I'll buy it from you for a dollar and you can mail it to me for my turn. smile


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Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5866945 08/07/15 12:14 AM
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They also make a 277 for ar-15s

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5867039 08/07/15 01:00 AM
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He is too new at it to be able to afford/justify sending me the barrel and enough ammo to do a proper test.
I have enough projects on the plate right now for the forseable future..

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5867118 08/07/15 01:53 AM
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Been real impressed with the Grendel.

Consistent groups at 500 yards. Shot 2 deer last season and both were DRT.

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5867124 08/07/15 01:55 AM
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Agree with you Charles on Bill A's keeping it proprietary hurt it being accepted. The Grendel is gaining ground though with Hornady, PPU and Wolf ammo now becoming available including steel cased Wolf. Those plus AA still does ammo and several smaller suppliers like precision firearms.

Howa has a new micro length action that is beginning to show up in 223 and they say the testing is looking good so far for a Grendel chambering late this year or early next for introduction.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5868751 08/08/15 02:35 AM
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I have killed 200+ pigs, a dozen deer and tons of varmints with sonic Blackout rounds. BUT, if I had to do it again I would get a 6.8.

The Blackout is very picky about bullets. Barnes shoot well in both guns but I have struggled to find an inexpensive plinking round that is accurate. The 6.8 has better bullet choices (that are accurate) and more shock power due to the increased speed.

No experience with 6.5!


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Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5868993 08/08/15 12:36 PM
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The 6.8 and Grendal are pretty close under 300 yards. After that the Grendal has the edge. The 6.8 have a slight edge in ammo choices and it does it out of a 16" barrel vs a 20-22" barrel on the Grendal. My vote is the 6.8.


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The 6.8 is the #1 choice for hunting deer and hogs in an AR15
Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5869025 08/08/15 01:16 PM
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Op, where in Texas do you plan to hunt, and how? And why the AR? If you're hunting short (under 250-300 yds) and may be doing some walking or stalking, I stick by my 6.8 vote. If you've got some open space and this won't be used much on the move, and you may have a 400 yd shot, build a Grendel with a 22" barrel.


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Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5869326 08/08/15 07:13 PM
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Just get a 6x45mm upper roll up some 80 gr soft points and go shoot stuff cheap and efficient and very accurate. I culled deer with 80 gr Berger and always had pass thru.... This picture shows exit wound. Also shot the doe standing next to him with the next shot and broke both shoulders.


That was my old 6x45 picked up another with a shorter barrel to run Suppressed but still does the job just nicely.....especially on predators.



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Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5871135 08/10/15 12:51 AM
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6.8 gets my vote. I have 3 and all are accurate with one being exceptional. Ammo is readily available and Hornady 120 SST seems to be the go to round. OP, you are in Allen so check out the variety of ammo for 6.8 and compare to very few in 6.5 Grendel.


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Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5871406 08/10/15 03:42 AM
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I was in the same boat wanted a 100yard lightweight hunting set up. so i built a 10.5in 300 blk pistol and am about to send in my form 1 one it. from my understanding the 10.5in barrel is fine for hunting out to even 150 yard with supers.

that said i have a odin barrel on order 18in spr in 6.5 grendel thats going to be my long range gun, built one for a customer who dropped a 150lb sow last weekend at 657 yards laser confirmed. that power out of an ar15 platform impresses me.

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: JESmith] #5871741 08/10/15 03:03 PM
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Can a 6.8 be built on an AR frame?

Re: Thinking about a new hunting upper [Re: Brasso] #5871763 08/10/15 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted By: Brasso
Can a 6.8 be built on an AR frame?


Yes, just buy or build a 6.8 upper (needs a 6.8 barrel and bolt). And use 6.8 magazines.
The lower is the same.

I'm like the 6.8 SPCII and the 6.5 grendel equally. Pick one,
they both hunt Texas hogs and deer to 300y.

Last edited by Gravytrain; 08/10/15 03:24 PM.

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