6.5 Grendel vs 308: Evaluating Lengthy-Vary Black Rifle Cartridges
July 22, 2024 |
The 6.5 Grendel and 308 Winchester are two centerfire rifle cartridges which might be utilized for looking in addition to lengthy vary goal capturing.
When shooters debate which cartridge is the higher choice, most will default to the argument of “Simply purchase a 308” because it is among the hottest 30-caliber rounds available on the market.
Though the 60+ 12 months army, regulation enforcement, and looking monitor file of the 308 is plain, the 6.5 Grendel provides a number of benefits over the 308 that must be thought of. The 6.5 Grendel provides shooters comparable trajectory to the 308 with half the recoil and the flexibility to make use of the AR-15 platform versus the costlier AR-10 platform.
On this article, we’ll break down the nuances of the 308 vs 6.5 Grendel debate and assist you make the perfect determination on which cartridge is greatest to your subsequent looking or goal rifle.
What’s the Distinction Between 308 and 6.5 Grendel?
The variations between 308 Winchester and 6.5 Grendel are the diameter bullets every rifle cartridge fires, the general case size, and felt recoil. The 308 Win fires 0.308” diameter projectiles in comparison with 0.264” for six.5 Grendel. Moreover, the 6.5 Grendel has a shorter case size and fewer recoil in comparison with the 308.
Cartridge Specs
When evaluating precision rifle cartridges tuned for longer ranges, it’s a good suggestion to investigate the cartridge specs to achieve extra information of every.
Probably the most outstanding distinction between these two rifle cartridges is the bullet they fireplace. The 308 Winchester fires the tried-and-true 0.308” diameter bullet. This is similar bullet diameter utilized by quite a few well-liked 30-caliber cartridges like 300 Winchester Magnum, 30-06 Springfield, and 300 Blackout ammo.
Alternatively, the 6.5 Grendel fires a 0.264” (6.71 mm) bullet just like the 6.5 Creedmoor and 260 Remington. Typically, this implies the 308 will fireplace heavier bullets than the 6.5 Grendel.
One other main distinction between the 308 and 6.5 Grendel is their case size. The 6.5 Grendel is just dwarfed by the large 308 cartridge case by virtually a half an inch. The 6.5 Grendel has a case size of 1.52” in comparison with 2.015” for 308.
This straight displays on the case capability of each cartridges, because the 308 Win can deal with as much as 56 gr whereas the 6.5 can tackle 35 gr of powder.
The distinction in case capability will have an effect on the bullet weights every cartridge can fireplace. Sometimes, 6.5 Grendel will fireplace bullets between 90 and 130 grains, with a 123 grain bullet being the most well-liked. In distinction, the 308 Winchester can fireplace bullet weights between 110 and 200 grains as its cavernous case capability has the facility wanted to fireside heavier bullets at applicable muzzle velocities.
The subsequent main distinction between 308 and 6.5 Grendel is their total size. Because the 6.5 Grendel was developed to suit into the AR-15 platform and commonplace NATO magazines, its total size is 2.26” similar to the 223 Remington. Because the 308 just isn’t constrained by this journal restriction and was developed for the heavier and costlier AR-10, its total size is significantly longer at 2.8”.
Lastly, the 308 Winchester can deal with an extra 10,000 psi of strain in comparison with the 6.5 Grendel. SAAMI specs set up the utmost strain for 308 at 62,000 psi in comparison with 52,000 psi for the Grendel spherical.
Recoil
Based mostly on the cartridge specs, it’s clear that the 308 is a much bigger and beefier spherical. Nonetheless, all that further measurement, strain, and case capability comes at the price of added recoil.
Felt recoil shall be completely different between rifles, the bullet weight fired, and shooters. Subsequently, for the aim of this comparability we’ll use free recoil to find out the variations between 308 and 6.5 Grendel.
On common, the 308 Winchester can have round 20 ft-lbs of free recoil in comparison with 9 foot-pounds for the 6.5 Grendel.
This substantial discrepancy in free recoil is attributed to the variations in bullet weights and powder expenses between the 2 cartridges.
Because the 6.5 Grendel will typically fireplace lighter bullets with much less powder, the 6.5 can have much less felt recoil than the 308. Low recoil is a big promoting level for the 6.5 Grendel, because the lesser felt recoil decreases the potential for a shooter to develop a recoil flinch throughout lengthy strings of fireplace.
Though recoil will fluctuate between bullet weights and powder masses, the 6.5 Grendel will typically have half the recoil of 308.
Muzzle Velocity and Kinetic Power
Muzzle velocity, measured in ft per second (fps) is the velocity at which the bullet leaves the barrel of the firearm. Typically, an extended barrel size will generate the next muzzle velocity as a result of it permits for a extra full powder burn.
Muzzle vitality is measured in foot-pounds (ft-lbs) and is a measurement of how a lot pressure a bullet delivers to its goal at a given vary.
The 308 Winchester and 6.5 Grendel will typically have related muzzle velocities with a slight edge to the 308. Nonetheless, the 308 is the clear winner in the case of muzzle vitality.
For this comparability, we’ll think about two well-liked long-range goal capturing masses: the 175 gr 308 Win Federal Gold Medal Match and 123 gr 6.5 Grendel Hornady ELD Match. Each cartridges are able to remaining supersonic out previous 1,000 yards and are designed for sub-MOA long-range accuracy.
For muzzle velocity, the 308 Federal load will exit the barrel at 2,600 fps in comparison with 2,580 fps for six.5 Grendel. That is primarily a wash as a 20 fps distinction isn’t something to put in writing house about.
Nonetheless, muzzle vitality is a significantly completely different story.
The heavier bullets fired by the 308 are well-known for his or her stopping energy, and out 175 grain bullet will exit the barrel with 2,627 foot-pounds of pressure. Though the 6.5 Grendel is not any slouch at 1,818 ft-lbs of muzzle vitality, it simply doesn’t examine to the 308.
As you may see, the bigger case capability of the 308 permits it to push heavier projectiles at larger muzzle velocity and vitality than the 6.5 Grendel.
Trajectory
Trajectory is how we quantify a bullet’s flight path because it travels downrange measured in inches of bullet drop.
Clearly, a flatter capturing cartridge is most well-liked for long-range capturing, as a shooter would require fewer changes to their optics to compensate for bullet drop. Having a flatter trajectory additionally signifies that a cartridge shall be extra forgiving of ranging errors.
One of many largest promoting factors on 6.5mm bullets is their lengthy, aerodynamic design that lends itself to a really flat capturing bullet. Nonetheless, the army, regulation enforcement, and civilian shooters have been successfully utilizing 30-caliber bullets for effectively over a century for long-range capturing. So, which one is best?
At 1,000 yards the 175 Sierra Matchking (SMK) 308 bullet has skilled -407” of bullet drop in comparison with -414” for the 123 gr Hornady ELD Match for six.5 Grendel. Technically the 308 has the flatter trajectory, however this distinction is so miniscule I’m calling it a wash between the 2.
Ballistic Coefficient
Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how effectively a bullet resists wind drift and air resistance. Put one other manner, it’s a numeric illustration of how aerodynamic a bullet is. A excessive BC is most well-liked as this implies the bullet will buck the wind simpler.
Typically, heavy bullets can have the next ballistic coefficient because it takes extra pressure to disrupt the flight of a heavier bullet than a lighter one. Ballistic coefficient varies from bullet to bullet primarily based on design, weight, and different elements which might be past the scope of this text.
With that in thoughts, you’d assume that the 175 gr SMK for 308 would totally dominate when it comes to BC, however that may be an incorrect assumption.
One key part of ballistic coefficient calculations is bullet design, and the 6.5 mm bullet fired by the Grendel spherical is extremely smooth and streamlined. Being extra aerodynamic permits the 6.5 Grendel to fireside lighter bullets however nonetheless keep a superb BC.
The 175 gr SMK has a ballistic coefficient of 0.505 whereas the 6.5 Grendel 123 ELD Match has a BC of 0.506.
Now you could possibly have a look at these numbers and say that the 2 bullets are primarily equal when it comes to ballistic coefficient, however that’s solely half of the story.
If we have a look at different masses for 308 and 6.5 Grendel, we’ll see a special story.
Take for instance two lengthy vary looking rounds usually used on medium to massive recreation, the 308 Win 165 gr Nosler Partition and 6.5 Grendel 123 gr Hornady SST. The 308 Nosler spherical has a BC of 0.410 whereas the 6.5 SST has a BC of 0.510.
Comparisons like this might go on advert infinitum, however besides in a couple of circumstances, the extra aerodynamic 6.5 Grendel can have the next ballistic coefficient than the 308.
Sectional Density
Sectional Density (SD) is the measure of how effectively a bullet penetrates a goal. That is extraordinarily vital when looking massive and medium sized recreation, as you want a bullet that may punch by way of thick conceal, bone, and sinew.
Sectional density is calculated by evaluating the bullet weight and the bullet diameter. The upper the SD the deeper the bullet will penetrate into the goal. This can be a simplified view of penetration as there are different elements to think about, resembling bullet enlargement and velocity.
Penetration is a ballistic measurement extra pertinent to the massive recreation looking, due to this fact the 165 gr 308 Nosler Partition and 123 gr 6.5mm SST bullets shall be in contrast.
By way of sectional density, 308 Win and 6.5 Grendel are nearly an identical. The 165 gr Partition bullet has a SD of 0.248 whereas the SST measures at 0.252.
Looking
Selecting between the 308 Winchester and 6.5 Grendel to your new looking rifle is determined by what recreation animal and engagement ranges you count on. Each have unbelievable terminal ballistics that may make quick work of any recreation animal that comes into your sights.
For varmints, the 6.5 Grendel is clearly the best alternative. With its low recoil and semi-automatic functionality in AR-15 rifles, a Grendel rifle provides you a light-weight bundle that’s simple to hold and provides fast follow-up photographs. Moreover, you may make the most of a shorter barrel, assume 16-18”, with out shedding quite a lot of stopping energy when utilizing the 6.5 Grendel.
The lighter bullets utilized in 6.5 Grendel ammo lend themselves to varmint looking, with their excessive muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory.
For medium to massive sized recreation like whitetail, the 6.5 Grendel remains to be a formidable cartridge and may simply take down deer out to 400 yards whereas retaining the really useful 1,000 ft-lbs of kinetic vitality. A 6.5 Grendel could possibly be used for elk inside 100 yards, however something bigger and also you’ll possible end up missing the required muzzle vitality to make a clear kill.
When you have to keep kinetic vitality over longer ranges, it’s tough to beat the 308 Winchester. There’s a cause it’s has been one of many prime lengthy vary looking rounds in North America because it was launched within the 1952. In a position to retain the really useful 1,000 ft-lbs of vitality to ethically harvest a whitetail out to 600 yards, the .308 provides a 50% enhance in efficient vary over the Grendel.
Moreover, the 308 is greater than as much as the duty for elk, moose, caribou, and black bear, making it a superb massive recreation looking cartridge choice rivaling the 300 Winchester Magnum and 30-06 Springfield.
Though there are some lighter weight masses for 308 that can be utilized for varmint looking, most think about it “a bit a lot” for groundhogs, prairie canines, or different varmints as a smaller cartridge can be utilized to related impact, just like the 223 Rem or on this case, 6.5 Grendel.
There’s some overlap within the capabilities of 308 and 6.5 when it comes to whitetail looking, nonetheless the excellence between the 2 turns into clearer on the reverse ends of the looking spectrum.
When you want a hard-hitting cartridge with spectacular stopping energy that may take down North America’s bigger recreation at vary, then the 308 is the clear alternative. Nonetheless, should you count on you’ll be felling principally varmints and whitetail inside 400 yards, then the 6.5 Grendel can do all of that with half the recoil of the 308.
Ammo and Rifle Value/Availability
Relating to ammo availability and price, it’s tough to beat the 308 Winchester.
Because the 308 is a army caliber that’s at present in use, there’s a plethora of surplus ammo and parts out there available on the market at affordable costs. Moreover, metal cased ammo can also be out there from producers like Wolf and Tula, which additional drives down the value of 308.
Lastly, the 308 has been available on the market because the early 1950’s and is extraordinarily well-liked for looking and lengthy distance capturing, which means that nearly each ammo producer like Remington, Federal, Hornady, Nosler, and Underwood has a 308 providing.
Brass cased full steel jacket (fmj) observe ammo for 308 will usually run you round $1/spherical with the Wolf metal cased ammo going for round $0.88/spherical. Premium looking and match ammo typically runs round $2/spherical and up for 308 Win.
Shopping for in bulk is all the time good, make certain to take a look at our inventory of bulk 308 ammo.
Because the 6.5 Grendel is a comparatively new cartridge, there are fewer ammo choices out there for it in comparison with 308. Most Grendel ammo could be thought of premium, as there are fewer sources of low cost observe ammo.
Wolf does supply a steel-cased model of the 6.5 Grendel for round $1/spherical, however from all different North American ammo producers it is best to count on to pay at least $1.70/spherical.
The 308 Winchester additionally wins once more within the rifle division, as a result of its wide-spread adoption by army, regulation enforcement, hunters, and civilian lengthy distance shooters alike.
Any rifle producer value their salt has a rifle chambered in 308, because it is among the hottest centerfire rifle cartridges on the planet. The world is your oyster in the case of bolt-action rifles as this can be a staple within the looking neighborhood.
Moreover, should you would favor a semi-automatic rifle, you may simply choose up a Springfield M1A, an AR-10, a Kel-Tec RFB, FN-FAL, and even some AK-variants chambered in 7.62 NATO.
Sadly, the 6.5 Grendel has not obtained the fanfare and wide-spread acceptance that many had hope for, and this severely limits your rifle choices. Because it was developed for the AR-15 platform, it’s not arduous to select up a semi-automatic AR in 6.5 Grendel. Nonetheless, these rifles usually carry a premium price ticket that places them on par with an out of the field AR-10 when it comes to value.
On the time of writing, there have been solely two choices for bolt-action rifles for six.5 Grendel. Ruger and Howa are at present the one two main producers providing a bolt-action Grendel rifle.
Reloading
The 308 Win and 6.5 Grendel are each glorious choices for reloading and supply all kinds of parts so that you can excellent your ideally suited handload with.
Typically, 0.308” diameter bullets shall be simpler to come back by as they’re additionally shot from 300 Blackout ammo, 300 Win Magazine, and 30-06 Springfield.
The 6.5mm craze has not hit North America as arduous because it did in Europe, nonetheless the introduction of the 6.5 Creedmoor positively aided in getting extra 0.264” diameter bullets available on the market. Nonetheless, there are some 6.5mm cartridges which might be well-liked to reload moreover the Creedmoor and Grendel rounds, these being the 6.5x55mm Swiss and 260 Remington.
Typically, this implies it is going to be simpler to supply parts for the 308, as bullets for this caliber are extra well-liked with North American handloaders, nonetheless it is best to nonetheless have loads of choices for six.5mm projectiles as effectively.
By way of powder, there are tons of choices for each cartridges, so this is not going to be a difficulty.
Nonetheless, because the 308 has a bigger case capability, you’ll burn by way of powder sooner when you’re reloading for this cartridge. Subsequently, it is strongly recommended to buy your powders in bulk to extend your value financial savings in addition to not operating out of powder earlier than an extended distance goal capturing competitors.
Proceed studying extra concerning the variations between 6.5 Grendel vs 308 ammo right here.