[Blasternank]

Hey guys. I'm glad to be involved on this forum. I was pretty much sold on getting a grendel but searching AR-15.com and starting to make my way through more info I'm not sold on it anymore. I'm actually leaning towards the 6.8spc now! I've convinced my brother n law to get an ar in 6.8 and will be ordering one soon for him. He just wants something that will be good for deer/hogs out to a few hundred yards.

I do have a question, the grendel claims it can effectively kill things way out there, 700 + yards but I look at the energy that the rounds have out at that range and I just can't say that it should ethically be shot at any animal at that range, except maybe prairie dogs or coyotes. Also, I've been less than impressed with their problems with their magazines.

Can anyone add something to help me out? Experiences or effectiveness of the 6.8? I've heard that reloaders are actually getting better results with the new bullets, etc out of the 6.8 than the grendel can achieve. I know this subject has been beaten to death, I'm sure, but it is pretty new to me and I want to make a good informed decision about this. I am a reloader so I won't have any issues reloading for any cartridge.

Thanks,

Bob
Keller, TX

 

[Bull000]

I'm busting heavy rocks to pieces out past 100 yards out in west Texas hill country. Haven't shot anything with it yet, but look in the hunting section here on 68forums and you can see how well it does with pigs and other game. Apparenty our 6.8s are some serious pig killers, and if you can kill a pig with it, you can kill most anything else with it. I have yet to get into some pigs with mine, but i'm looking forward to it.

 

[ron169]

Im not going to try to tell you why you should get the 6.8 over the 6.5. That is a decision you need to make based upon your plans on use for the weapon. Instead, I will tell you why I chose the 6.8.

More Common: Manufacturers from RRA, DMPS, Stag to LWRC, Barret, Noveske etc etc etc etc are making the 6.8. I know the 6.5 doesnt have near the brand base that the 6.8 does. That means to me that the 6.8 has a better chance of surviving long term.
List of 6.8 uppers and manufacturers

Bullet manufacturers: Im a big fan of Hornady Loaded ammunition, and one of the things that sold me was the fact that they had a line of 6.8 ammo. Then look at SSA, they have a plethora of different loaded 6.8 ammo. When I first started I had no plans to reload, so I needed a company that would push the ammo to the limit. Now Im almost done acquiring my reloading gear so I can do it myself. But we also have Sellier and Bellot, Remington, BVAC, and a few others loading up some 6.8

Effectiveness as a SBR: One of the great things about the 6.8 is the fact that there is not a whole lot of energy loss going to a SBR platform. A 12 in barrel only looses between 50-100 fps from a 16 in barrel. The disadvantage is that you done gain a whole lot going from a 16to a 20 in barrel.

Overall reliability: The 6.8 bolts hold a pressure to 60,000+ psi without breaking, although for longevity, most keep them around 53K psi which is around the military spec. The 6.5 has had bolt problems in the past and I have yet to read about a 6.8 bolt failing.

Well to sum it up, First and foremost im a Cop, so I need a smaller barrel. 16 inches or less. Although the 6.5 seems to have amazing results to 1000000000 million yards, they do so with 20,24 and 26 in barrels. Thats not feasible for me. If I need to make a shot over 200 yards, Ill call in the SWAT snipers or ill use my LR308 or my Remington .270

 

[paulosantos]

The 6.8SPC is a 0-300 yard cartridge for deer and hogs. The Grendel is pretty much the same. The SPC does it wth more initial velocity, while the Grendel does it with the higher BC bullets. Right now, the SPC has the advantage with the much better magazines and more support from manufacturers. If you plan on shooting long range, the Grendel is currently better, but for anything else, a 12"-16" SPC is the better choice, IMHO.