Three firemen that work at my station brought out identical rifles (don't judge) to go through the class. Radical uppers with 20" barrels, and factory Hornady ammo. Two of them were shooting 123 A-Max, and one was shooting 123 gr. SST. We discussed the BC on both bullets, and Hornady publishes them as the same BC. Only one way to find out, I said. It was 90F with slight mirage right to left, indicating less than 5 mph wind.

All three rifles got a zero within 1/2" at 100 yards, then we headed down the range. After 400 yards I went back into the calculator and adjusted MV down to 2400 fps. All three rifles made it to 800 yards with no problems. I was very impressed by what the little cartridge can do at such a long range. Obviously hits didn't look as hard as they would have from a larger 6.5 mm, but they were hitting exactly where they should have, repeatedly. I've read that the 6.5 Grendel is supposed to be a good hunting cartridge, that is capable of long range target, and it proved to be absolutely true.

I've had other customers out with 6.8 SPC, and never could we get them to hit 800 yards. After 700 yards, I'd lose the bullet in the air. Clearly the 6.8 has a great following, and I'm not knocking it in any way. But if a guy wanted an AR-15 to hunt with as well as shoot long range target, the 6.5 Grendel proved that it absolutely can do it.

One odd thing we had happen was with the 123 SST, it spin drifted to the right. Not just once, but every time past 400 yards. The guys shooting the A-Maxes had to hold a right wind. The SST had to hold no wind, or a left wind, even though the mirage was clearly right to left. The only explanation I could come up with was the fact that the SST has a cannelure, and an A-Max does not. I hypothesised that the cannelure digs into the air, during flight, and causes a right drift. Had we been in higher wind, we wouldn't have seen the drastic difference, I suspect. Just to be sure it wasn't a scope or rifle difference Rob (who was shooting SST) put another guy's A-Max ammo in his rifle, and bingo, no spin drift to the right. I thought that was interesting.

I ran into a guy shooting one a couple months ago and its a cool little round. If I were wanting an AR hunting caliber and didn't want to step up to AR10 platform for a 6.5 creed or 308, I'd consider one. But for my needs, it doesn't really have a place in my arsenal.

Gotta wonder if a cannalure will always cause that. ?????

I have been wanting to build one for some time.

Sure is fishy. I'd think you'd need enough twist on a cannelure bullet to cause it. Like a 10 twist .308 and a light bullet, with cannelure. I don't know. I'd dare say I'd make an official test, but days with almost no wind aren't very common.

The BC on the 6.8 just won't work that far out, IMO. However, when I come see you next year, I'll bring mine and we'll see what it can do after we finish the real work.

It'll hit 700. We've done it twice with two different shooters, and two different rifles. 800, I just can't see where it goes, it must be starting to yaw.

No one had hand loads, though. A stout hand load and a longer barrel might get it done. But the 6.5 still has the better BC.

Can you push the 130gr VLD with the 6.8 fast enough to get out there? .452 isn't great but it isn't bad, either. Not sure about mag length on that too.

More I read about the Grendel the more I want one.

I would rather keep my 16" barrel and only be able to shoot 700 yards

Interesting results, thanks for sharing!

1/2" of zero at 100 for "budget" upper is not too shabby.

Just get the Grendel in 16 inch and still make 800.

As much as I love my 6.8s for hunting, the Grendel is definitely better for long range.
A buddy had a JP upper a few years ago and we were making 1K hits easily with it.

Talk to me about this 6.5 Grendel. I've never paid attention to them. I'm thinking about selling this AR10 308 for something lighter, and the 6.5 Grendel sounds like it might fit the bill.

How effective is it for hunting compared to a 5.56 55gr vs 308 168gr? Is it a middle of the road between the two, or statically better than both?

A look at Hornady's ballistics should tell you the difference. Pay attention to foot pounds delivered at what ever distance you want.

It can't be statistically better than a .308. Physics won't allow it.

In my opinion it is the most potent round for an AR-15 platform.

I've been throwing around the idea of building one for my long range rig. The 6.5 will fight the wind better than the 308 and shoot straighter/flatter further, but of course if you're talking about energy the 308 beats it hands down. Both are better than 5.56 for hunting and long range.

I don't think that's true of the Grendel, unless you're talking about 700-1000 yards, and even then it would be almost identical. Out to 500 it drops more than a .308, so the flatter part isn't true for almost all hunting applications.

Sorry had that backwards.


The top line is a 168 SMK out of a .308. The bottom line is a 123 Amax/SST out of a Grendel.

The Grendel drops about 10 Inches more at 800 yards. The .308 drifts about 2 inches more in a 10mph crosswind.

At 800 yards the velocity is identical, even thought the .308 bullet starts out 100fps faster. That’s because the 6.5 Grendel bullet is more aerodynamic.

So if long range shooting is your aim, there’s not a whole lot of difference…

Try those numbers again with a .308 and 155 gr Tipped Match King. The BC is higher than your two stated examples, and because of loss of weight, it gains velocity.

That's what's loaded in my LR 308.

6.5 Grendel great little round but so is .260 and our beloved 6.5 Creedmoor, all of which can be run on an AR-15 lower??? all short and all super accurate.

only decision is cost of shooting and go for it

Creed and 260 can't run in ar 15 lower. Only 308 pattern ar....

General view is 6.8 is better inside 300-500. Beyond that 6.5 Grendel shines

Nope. 260 Rem, and 6.5 Creedmoor have to run in an AR-10 platform. That's why the Grendel isn't going anywhere, I suspect.

consider me educated on this subject...Long Live the Grendel. BTW makes a great little bolt gun round too....Google Dakota Precision Varmint...

The Grendel is no joke and if I was going to build a black gun that is the one. For argument sake let's say it's the same as the 308 (except for ft/lbs) it is a MUCH lighter platform and that's reason enough to give it the nod, in my opinion.

Dakota precision