I like it a lot. I have two AR's a bolt action and a Single Shot rifle in the Grendel, they all shot very well. I have been using the bolt action (Mini Mk X rechambered) for about the last 10 years and have taken numerous Deer with it except this last year when I used the T/C G2 rifle (MGM barrel). I shot an old Doe at the back of the yard (approx. 132 yds).

Steve.......

recently bought a 6.5 grendel bolt howa nice little rifle for the money

I reload the 6.5 Grendel using RP 7.62x39 brass
Small primers = less brisance
Look it up

I have been running a 6.5 Grendel for quite some time now and love it. My longest kill was about 200 yards on a Whitetail with 123 SST's. Most of the time I find my bullets 85 to 90 percent intact. My major components are Alexander Arms parts.

The Grendel does have almost a cult like following so you do have to weed through a bunch of BS. However the same can be said for the 6.8 SPC, I own both. Of course each bashes the other for king of the hill.

From my understanding/ recollection the 6.5 Grendel was original designed with a compound angle in the throat. It was designed around the 123 grain bullet I don't recall exactly which one. But due to the throat design heavier bullets couldn't be used. It has been an extremely accurate round.

Several years ago there was a group buy put together on the Grendel forum. I do not recall who manufactured the barrels but there were problems with rounds not chambering or sticking. I believe it was found that the compound angle in the throat was cut wrong. After much arguing and deliberation the manufacturers fix was to recut the chamber and remover the compound angle. This drove the Grendel purists nuts so the Grendel II was born. Around that time I was sick of all the BS going on so I stopped following the Grendel forums.

My Grendel was built a year or two before it became SAAMi approved so there were no published load books. Just what was shared between Grendel shooters.

Just like most calibers the 6.5 Grendel will out perform the majority of people that shoot them. Most of us in here are above average shooters and may find the differences between the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC. Neither are a bad caliber and are very capable of killing in my opinion. And I'm still in load development for my 6.8.

I’ve never even looked at either calibre, but I have heard good things about both.

It’s interesting that the US military, and no doubt, ultimately its allies, are very close to naming the 6.8 SPC as the successor to the 5.56mm. What will be even more interesting is the weight projectile they will utilise, and no doubt design the barrel twist to suit, for the military rifle. Barrel wear will need to be watched as the military traditionally load hotter than SAAMI Specs.

As an aside, the Australian military has named the SIG Sauer MCX in .300 Blackout calibre as a replacement for MP5 series: MP5, MP5K & MP5SD personal defence weapon.

Vince, the US Military is going to a 6.8mm but its a different case than the SPC. A couple of commercial versions are the 277 Fury and the 6.8 Western. The military version used a special bi-metal case of brass with a steel base and runs at 80K psi.

Really, the 300 BO? I've had 3 300 BO and they are anemic! Doesn't matter if factory or reloads. For hunting, the 110 TTSX Barnes and 125 MKZ ammo makes it a reasonable cartridge for deer at shorter distances. I have a hard time matching their performance with reloads. I'd rather have the 5.56 if shooting longer than 125 yards.

slimjim wrote:

Vince, the US Military is going to a 6.8mm but its a different case than the SPC. A couple of commercial versions are the 277 Fury and the 6.8 Western. The military version used a special bi-metal case of brass with a steel base and runs at 80K psi. Really, the 300 BO? I've had 3 300 BO and they are anemic! Doesn't matter if factory or reloads. For hunting, the 110 TTSX Barnes and 125 MKZ ammo makes it a reasonable cartridge for deer at shorter distances. I have a hard time matching their performance with reloads. I'd rather have the 5.56 if shooting longer than 125 yards.

Thanks Slim...I was told it was the SPC cartridge. Be interesting to have a look at the final product. I’ve seen videos of a plastic/metal case being touted, but not the bi-metal…yet. Pressures of 80K are insane mate!! What sort of velocity is anticipated? What sort of barrel life will they get…not a lot I imagine.

The 300BLK in a SIG Sauer Will apparently be available only to SF for “up close and personal dirty” type action. The rest of the Defence Force will no doubt come into line with what the US Defence selects as their personal weapon.

Apologies for stealing your thread wiersay111. What does the 6.5 compare to? What calibre are you replacing with this rifle? I must admit, I’m not at all familiar with the capabilities of the 6.5…will it do anything that the .223 REM cannot do?