6.5 Grendel vs 300 Blackout Review & Comparison

0:00 Intro
1:54 6.5 Grendel vs 300 Blackout Cartridge History & Development
10:17 Cartridge Sizes
12:53 Trajectory & Kinetic Energy
16:15 Wind Deflection
16:36 Recoil
17:36 Other Factors: Frontal Area, Sectional Density, & BC
19:43 Ammo Selection
21:59 Rifle Selection
26:12 6.5 Grendel vs 300 Blackout: Which one is right for you?
To learn more about popular calibers like the 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout visit: huntingguns101.com/optin16151...
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In this video, I conduct a detailed comparison of the 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout cartridges.
I think most shooters and hunters who like using Modern Sporting Rifles probably agree the .223 Remington/5.56x45mm NATO are effective cartridges in certain situations. At the same time, the shortcomings of those cartridges are also very apparent to many people. This has led to the development of cartridges designed to improve upon the performance of the .223/5.56, but still function in an AR-platform.
The 6.5 Grendel and the 300 AAC Blackout are currently among the most widely used of those cartridges. As good as they are though, the 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout not perfect and there are some downsides to using them.
For that reason, I decided to examine the 6.5 Grendel vs 300 Blackout debate in detail and give you the information you need to determine which one is best for your individual needs.
To read a more detailed comparison of the 6.5 Grendel vs 300 Blackout, visit:
thebiggamehuntingblog.com/6-5...
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6.5 Grendel vs 300 Blackout
300 Blackout vs 6.5 Grendel

[@michaelsarkisian1047]

I'm retired military and a hunter, given the choice between the 2 cartridges, the 300BO has only one advantage and that is in suppressed mode. As a military round, the Grendel would allow longer range engagements while giving nothing up in close range engagements. The same can't be said for the 300BO! And while the 300BO out classes the 5.56 at close range, its trajectory leaves much to be desired at long range. The Grendel out classes the 5.56 at all ranges, especially out past 500 meters and leaves the 300BO in the dirt at those longer ranges. I had been following the development of the Grendel from its inception, and wish Bill Alexander hadn't held onto the cartridge as long as he did. It might have become the military's new round.

[@anthonykaiser974]

If all Big Army wanted was a middle ground between 5.56 and 7.62 x51 with a better trajectory, 6.5 G makes sense, but Big Army needs something that can penetrate armor better than M855A1, and 6.5 G isn't hot enough. Now, 6mm ARC might be useful there, but Big Army is supposedly thinking ahead against upgraded armor, hence 6.8 x 51 aka .277 Fury.

[@jjjr.1186]

​@@anthonykaiser974serbian ap 6.5grendel 110grn brass with tugsten core can penitrate level 4 body armor. So more than enough. Cavity back make 6.5grendel that shoots a. 118grn bullet at 2850fps from a 18in barrel. So it's got more than enough velocity. And weight to defeat armor.

[@jtdouble268]

Been shooting a 18" 6.5 Grendel since 2015. A dozen or so whitetail and a cow elk later, I really like the cartridge. Out West with wind and with longer shots the Grendel works well for me. No amount of ballistic magic makes up for shot placement.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

What ammo have you used the most on those hunts?

[@goodcitizen3780]

​@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Wish he'd respond

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

me too...

[@jtdouble268]

123gr Hornady sst

[@jtdouble268]

I’ve found the sst to be a little too frangible in higher velocity calibers, but it seems to suit the more modest velocity of the Grendel really well

[@graelgraan2428]

As a western hunter (Nevada) the grendel has been the best option for me. Over the past 4 years, my brother, my nephews and I have taken 11 mule deer. Most of these deer have been taken at ranges in excess of 200 yards with 2 at over 300 yards (318 and 354). The ammo has been hornady 123 gr, some sst and some eldx. We've been very happy with the performance.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

For deer, the SST is perfect. I shoot 150 .308👍

[@markenglert2048]

I built a Grendel during the so called pandemic. Faxon barrel in 20” and Faxon bolt which gave me the perfect head space. BCM keymod hand guard, BCM lower. Very accurate rifle, very pleased with the performance out to 300 yards due to having no where else to shoot for distance. I agree the Hornady 123grain SST to be the round my rifle likes the most. It does not like Nosler ammo, yet Barnes also does well. But I prefer the SST. Enjoyed your well thought out educated video. Nice to here someone who knows there stuff that an ordinary layman can understand. Thank you!

[@danielkinsler46]

Glad yours is. I am on barrel number 2 from ballistic advantage and nothing. Over 1’ at 100 so can only imagine this cartridge at any thing now

[@chiefwiggum3517]

6.5 Grendel is an amazing hunting round! Have one and love it

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

What ammo have you had the most success hunting with from your Grendel?

[@chiefwiggum3517]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Hornady 123gr SST

[@preacherbiggin]

120 gr nosler BT 28.0gr of TAC powder. Always been a 1/2" @ 100 grouper in every rifle I've shot them in. Performance on deer has been stellar. Farthest I've had a deer run was 12 yards. Easy to load for and a round that any shooter (beginner to advanced) can shoot accurately. Low recoil & low blast.

[@OutsidetheEchochamber]

My sons likes federal fusion or hornady sst best

[@1rukie]

I just converted my AR TO GRENDEL love it

[@efrencarrasquillo1077]

Tell you what, this man can sure explain it the way I understand... ... ... 6.5 Grendel for me, thanks

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you found it useful!

[@catherineharris4746]

YES!👍👍

[@sp22m3]

I've got both. I researched the heck out if both. Your presentation was excellent in covering a wide degree of topics in a sufficiently deep way. Good job.

[@Rickkari7]

Took 2 deer last season with my 20 inch BCA Grendel AR using Hornady black eld match. Both taken at 175 yards. Have it sighted in for a 200 yard dead hold. That round is accurate and deadly.

[@azairman]

I have been considering getting a grendel for a while.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Not a bad idea...

[@benneuls4142]

@azairman, I have one and I love it.

[@ChoseDeath]

I've been looking at uppers recently myself. I have a rifle I built in .450 Bushmaster, so I would just use the lower from that. Short range and long range in one hunting bag!

[@VABlueRidgeExplorer]

They’re a slick shooting rifle with the right setup, I love mine. Wouldn’t hurt my feelings if the price of ammo came down for them though. And we need more variety

[@linkbond08]

Same, I'm looking at the 20" palmetto upper.

[@keithadennis]

Great video full of good information. Very informative. Thank you for taking the time.

[@frankbrowning328]

There's really only 1 thing the 300 Blackout does better than the 6.5 Grendel and that is shooting suppressed. If you're not going to use a suppressor the Grendel is a better choice for game or defense

[@jeremymcauliff8485]

I've been using a 6.5 Grendel for about 4 years now. While it's supersonic much further, my self imposed range limit is 400 yards for Deer. It's plenty of gun for shots inside this range. .300 BLK really excels with subsonic ammo and a suppressor for close range work.

[@ralphhernandez3521]

I chose the 6.5 Gendell over the 300 blackout Because of my early training in shooting. I have built two 6.5 Grendel. one in a 20 inch barrel and one in a 16 inch chrome moly barrel. both shoot exceptionally well using 129 grain Hornady bullets.

[@147CombatMedic]

Lots of great info! 👍

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@smm9030]

Ammo availability for 6.5 Grendel is extremely limited in my area and what is available it's very expensive so I switch to 300BO for all purpose AR because of ammo price and availability. Going hunting with it this year so we will see as I am new to hunting as well.

[@scttewegner72]

First video I've seen of you due to my 6.5 Grendel choice. Haven't hunted with it yet, but the long range targets are fun. Hopefully soon a deer/hog hunt combo with my boy. Thanks for the video and i subscribed. I have catching up to do.

[@Inflorescensse]

some great results on a 4 year old bucks with 125 grain sierra game changer out of a 9 inch .300. ~100yards. Best-Spine, both lungs, smashed the shoulder and found under the skin on the far side. .6 inch expansion no appreciable loss of mass.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Yikes!

[@shanep6528]

I use 6.5 Grendel 123 sst for hunting and 110-125gr 300 blackout for defense.

[@Swampytheroot]

I use both. Have both in AR and bolt action set ups. Have both in 12" AR pistols. Both good rounds. I prefer the 300 as a subsonic suppressed piece. I have 220gr Barnes OTM and the Hornady SubX. Both are honestly outstanding at 100 yards on pigs and deer. Considering them for coyotes as those have become an issue where I live just in the past week and a half. Nice presentation. Oh, I have not seen a single box of Grendel in the Raleigh, NC area in two + years. I recently saw the Wolf stuff at a gun show in Winston-Salem for thirty-five a box of 20. Fortunately, I bought several cases when it was 50¢ a round way back when. 300 is everywhere, but it's honestly way too expensive locally for what it is. I buy both online for less than half what it could be found for anywhere in VA, NC, or SC.

[@themightycrixus1131]

AAC has 300 blk for pretty cheap. You can get UT easily in nc

[@johnmorganjr769]

Great content and delivery !! 🇺🇸 💥 🌴 😎

[@Nickrioblanco1]

The Underwood 194 gr Maximum Expansion in 300 Blackout used with a suppressor works somewhat like a crossbow as far as the entrance and exit holes. It is much better at avoiding the deer ducking down when shot at (jumping the string) and is superior to a crossbow bolt/arrow when it hits bone. Not ideal but if you can't make a lot a noise it works.

[@Canadianhunter]

I have a 6.5 Grendel and love it. I don’t like the 300 black out, that said I would really like to try a 300 hammr. I think it would be the best hunting option available in that size of cartridge.

[@N101RG]

I love my Sanders Armory Grendel. One correction on 300 BO mags. They do work well with 5.56 mags but reliability will be poor with subsonic loads. The ogive interferes with reliability.

[@BigDogDaddyD]

300 Blackout with an 8" barrel on a AR-15 pistol and brace setup, with a 6" suppressor, and a binary trigger, and a 30 round magazine loaded with 220 grain subsonic rounds). Dedicated to home and personal defense. Copied this layout from several SWAT and Secret Service info sources.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Very interesting!

[@doylethorn9251]

I use the Hornady Sub-X 190 gr. in the Blackout. I have taken several deer and many hogs with this load. However, the farthest shot taken has been 55yds. Nickel size exit holes are the norm.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Can you tell me more about your experiences with the Sub-x on game?

[@doylethorn9251]

The Sub-X On deer, a "vital V" shot put the animal down in its tracks a majority of the time. The few that didn't, only went 10 -20 yards. All shots had full penetration with a nickel size exit hole. As I said before, the longest shot was 55 yds. On pigs under 100lbs, I have similar results as the deer. On the larger pigs, I head shoot them with instant drop. I was very surprised with the performance on the first few animals. Now its what I expect. I am also an Archery hunter, so getting close is where the excitement is.....

[@bobborlog1677]

Yes 190 sub x are my favorite I handload them alot. Also I get great accuracy with them out of my ruger American ranch. Sub 1 inch at 50 yds

[@mrtcward]

6.5 all day…

[@harrycombs2724]

I shoot and load both calibers in rifle and handgun. I've taken very large Whitetail bucks with both calibers out to 125 yards. The 300 blackout performs great in super and subsonic loading. Subsonic loads with Lehigh defense projectiles have taken nice bucks out to 62 yards while 125 grain Nosler BT bullets have dropped them to just over 100 yards. 6.5 Grendel with 123 SST bullets out of a 20" rifle barrel has great knock down power to 300 yards but due to the area I hunt I'm limited to 125 on all calibers. In my Contender handgun with a 14" SSK barrel the 6.5 Grendel knocked a nice buck flat at 82 yards this past season. Overall, I love both calibers for the area I hunt but for anything over 150 yards, the 6.5 Grendel is king in my book. Been shooting both since the came out so I feel comfortable with my results.

[@berksrbify]

Thanks, I was looking for Thompson Contender information.

[@danhoff4401]

I see you asking alot of Qs about bullets. I built an AR this summer, 350L and 6.5G uppers. 1 in 1 with the 350, 4 in 5 with the 6.5. all whitetail does, longest shot was 125. All dropped within sight including the one I had to shoot twice, which was my fault, bullet did well but I put it in her shoulder in front of the vitals and got part of one lung. Bullets were Barnes, 170 gr and 115gr copper solids. The BCA uppers shoot about 1.5MOA and your dropping towards 1000 ft lbs and 2k fps between 2-250 yds with a 16" upper which depending on which source you go to is the bottom of expansion velocity. I kinda think thats the determining factor for range.

[@mtdusmc9437]

300BO is a marketing/fanboy round.

[@teamstucker624]

Keep buying that 5.56 all day right 👍

[@mtdusmc9437]

@@teamstucker624 Nope, 7.62x39. Cheaper, more readily available, more powerful, better ballistics.

[@revolutionanarchy713]

Youre spot on it being cheap, lol! @@mtdusmc9437

[@robertjackson1407]

Thank you 😊

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

You're welcome 😊

[@merlinnorris817]

6.5 Grendel taken to Whitetail doe last season one dropped one went 35 yards shots for 55 + 30 yd with the SST load have neck problems fun little rifle to shoot Howa 1500 mini action

[@Off-target-xy6bx]

Hoping to try the grendel this upcoming deer season 👍. Another comparison might be 300 bo vs 350 legend. Thx for the video.

[@ErickaC-mc7vg]

Just my opinion from shooting hogs here in Texas, but the 350 Legend spanks the 300 BLK for hunting.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Tell me more about the setup you use with your 350 Legend for hog hunting and the results you've received.

[@ErickaC-mc7vg]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog It is a 16" AR I built from parts sourced from a number of places. 16" Trybe barrel from Optics Planet, Black Hogue Overmold stock, Hogue Overmold grip no finger grooves, Expo Arms 15" handguard made by CMT for Primary Arms, Anderson upper and lower with an Anderson LPK with the stainless hammer and trigger, FailZero BCG, Aero gas block and tube, with an ATN X Sight 4K Pro 3-14 on top. I use the 150 grain Winchester Deer Season XP ammo. It is very accurate, reliable and as effective as any round I have ever used on hogs. I haven't put one of my thermal scopes on it because it is so dialed in I don't even want to mess with it.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Very interesting. Are those 150gr XP bullets usually exiting from hogs? What's the terminal performance like otherwise?

[@ErickaC-mc7vg]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Depends on shot placement. I have had a few that passed through, even on big hogs, if I hit behind the shoulder in the body, small entry and nickel size exit. On a solid shoulder or neck shot usually no exit, seems to dump all the energy in the hog, bust everything up and drop it. I am very confident in the 350 Legend, have been impressed with it. Fairly recently I have built an 11.3" AR pistol and 16" and 18" AR rifles chambered in 300 Ham'r, going to see how 300 Ham'r does on hogs. Will use the 130 grain Ham'r Hot Core from Wilson Combat.

[@seanwillis1822]

I’ve been using the 300 BO for hogs with thermal using 125 Sierra Pro Hunters and H110 with good results. Most shot 100 yards or less.

[@jonathanhoppe6500]

How do you feel about 6 ARC vs 6.5 grendel for whitetail deer?

[@kongvue5160]

I'm really thinking about a 6.5 grendel 12" barrel. I've heard from others that it's still an effective round on that barrel length pass 400 yards. If so that would be a great rifle being that short, weight reduced, and still effective for mid distance shots.

[@lullabygully4621]

My first scratch built AR was a Grendel with a 12.5" barrel. I thought it was perfect for its flexibility

[@dianaalfieri18]

I'd try to keep that under 80yds.

[@ds6872]

300hype-out is proof that excellent marketing can sell ANYTHING lol

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

haha

[@huntgar]

Awesome data 🙏🤠👍 🇺🇲

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks!

[@franklinfx]

10" brl ar...ive used120gr fed all copper 1900fps and handloaded 110gr hornady sp 2150fps, both effective on whitetails around 80-100yd

[@Airon79]

I was in Academy rather recently and one of the guys in the gun section recommended the 6.5 Grendel over the 6.5 Creedmoor . At 500 yards the 6.5 Creedmoor , .308 , 30-06 , and the one I really was looking for , the 300WM , those rounds have like 12" less drop than the Grendel and like 20"+ less drop the 300 B/O but even with drops like those hi-powered rounds I find it hard to believe anyone can even see their target through a scope .

[@Jeffy2n]

I own both a 300blk and a 6.5. I like both, but I have them for different rolls. I would say this to anyone who would like to hunt with them. It does not matter if it is factory loaded or hand loaded, you need to test that ammo for expansion at the maximum range you want to hunt with. The 6.5 bullets were mainly first offered for rounds like the 6.5x55 Swedish and 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka, both have similar ballistics, give or take a couple hundred feet. So most 6.5 will or should work in the 6.5 Grendel it is the 308 bullets that can cause issues at the speeds the 300blk runs at. 308 bullets have two distinct development paths. They were either designed around the 30-06 (And refined for the 7.63x51/308) or the Winchester 30-30. My point here is to say, you need to confirm that your chosen bullet will function at range, putting a 30 caliber pass-through is not humane, and can lead to a long tracking search for said wounded animal.

[@wilrohan2985]

I prefer the 6.5 Grendel, using a 130-grain Accubond, but only with a long barrel. The 300 Blackout works quite well with a short barrel. It's too bad that those old surplus 147-grain FMJ bullets, that used to be so plentiful and that work so well in the Blackout (with CFEBLK) are apparently no longer available. I don't know what happened to my favorite Grendel powder Power Point Varmint, but now I need to develop a load using a different powder, CFE 223 I suppose.

[@WAMurf-mk1zy]

😊 well done

[@trkjivdlopmd]

.300blk is the most efficient in my opinion. Hog hunters like “Texas jagd” have found at the atypical hunting ranges, show .300blk better than Grendel at those ranges (100 and in) Also, you can shoot suppressed and go much much shorter with .300blk

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Sounds like we're pretty much in agreement that the 300 Blackout is great suppressed, in a shorter barrel, and/or inside 100 yards. For what it's worth, those are the conditions I primarily hunt hogs under myself (usually 30-70 yard shots, suppressed, 16" barrel) and I use the 300 Blackout.

[@larrygibson9273]

300 BO reminds me of a .30-30 designed for a semiauto rifle. Little lighter than a 7.62X39, but nowhere near a .308 / 7.62 NATO. 7.62X39 and .30-30 are close range rounds. 100-150m.

[@southerntriplej8061]

Ive got both I hunt with both the Grendel is a better performer. I do love my 300 bo with 195 gr cavity back subs out to 90 yards. but I ve had pretty good results with the grendel I like the speer gold dots and break the shoulder they usually go straight down. but I have 4 Grendel's and I have a couple that like the SST and it works well , the 120 pro hunter works perfect also. Im shooting the barnes 115 this year in my 18" faxon rig. its really accurate so Im going to give that a try. but I kill a lot of deer with mine we have a very liberal season and can kill a lot of deer every year. but honestly if I know Im shooting over 250 yards Im taking a 708 or 30-06. over 400 Im taking my 7rem mag. think pf the grendel as a flatter shooting 30-30 and you are golden. Remember its not screaming fast so break the deer down or hes going to run. the Blackout sub sonic with Cavity back subs think of a bow that can shoot 100 yards lung shoot and get the head light and look for the blood trail. I have killed a deer with a 110 v max it really did well but the shot was abou 50 yards.

[@gsitzkowitz]

Just saying, I started with a Grendel and was disappointed on its performance on game. I admit I knee jerked and I should have given it a better chance but it led me to 300 Hamr. Out to 200 yards it’s awesome! Considering that I’m running a 16” barrel gun that weighs a mere 7 1/2 pounds it’s a joy to carry in the field with sub MOA accuracy! Great for Texas where I hunt.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

That is an excellent point. As the 300 HAMR becomes more mainstream, it could very well end up displacing the 6.5 Grendel as my recommendation for the "best" all-around cartridge for hunting with an AR-15

[@ErickaC-mc7vg]

Yes, the 300 Ham'r is better than either of the other two in my opinion. I shoot hogs here in Texas and have found 350 Legend to be a great hog cartridge. But I wound up building a 16" Ham'r AR and liked it so much I built a 11.3" and 18". It offers good bullet weight and velocity. Don't think it's any more effective on hogs than the 350 Legend but it is a very neat cartridge.

[@Spruce-Bug]

Will you post a video for the 9.3x62mm profile?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

It's in the works and coming soon!

[@Spruce-Bug]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Awesome, thank you.

[@dianaalfieri18]

I'm rather supprised at 1 of the comments below, that 400 yds is a hard see with a scope.Mabey with a cheap scope,,but a good scope makes 2 or 3 inches a large target at 400 yds,don't worry it wasn't my scope.But it taught me a good lesson. VLA

[@stevenboggs5076]

CZ did no favors to either by stopping production of 527s. Those are great choices in either chambering. Prices are like 2X vs new!

[@joehughes6337]

Agreed, why did they end this model? I got lucky and snagged one on gun broker.

[@tbjtbj4786]

I like the 6.5g as a deer and hog round. Never cared much for the 300bo And for close range hogs i would rather have the 350L with the heavy weight bullets.

[@codyboland8109]

One thing you forgot to mention is that published velocities in this video for 6.5 Grendel is from 24” barrels and 300 blk is 16” barrels

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

That's a good point and you're right, I mentioned barrel lengths at the end of the episode, but did completely forget to mention that when I discussed ballistics. With a 16" barrel, the 6.5 Grendel will still outperform the 300 Blackout, but the gap in performance will be much smaller. With the 18-20" barrels most common on 6.5 Grendel rifles, that gap will grow, but still fall a little short of the 24" barrel performance.

[@Dave-ck8cf]

Between 6.5 Grendel and 300 ACC with 16’’ barrel What’s a winner 🥇

[@robertbates6057]

6.5 Grendel!

[@jamesgloriod7195]

Mr. Big Game Hunting... although the correct sign should be obvious to most readers, for the sake of consistency you should add the "plus" sign to the vertical drops for the 110grain .300BO round on your ballistics table.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Oh jeez, you're right! Thanks for pointing out that typo. It's unfortunately not something I can fix on this video without taking it down though.

[@socom2173]

Which would you rather have on your person in Bear country (in a short barrel)?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

300 Blackout with 120gr Barnes TAC-TX bullets

[@ronniepier8193]

The only down side from moving away from 5.56 is cost. 6mm arc 6.5 Grendel and 300 blk or 762x39 are much better Rounds in a AR 15 for hunting both 2 legged and 4 legged Animals.

[@jringo45acp]

So, you can put a 6.5 Grendel upper on a 5.56 lower, just like 300 Blackout?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

yes

[@jringo45acp]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Thanks! I might just have to get one.

[@mr.mr.3301]

Remember the 30 Remington AR

[@bryanst.martin7134]

The AR15 is the '57 Chevy of the gun world. The 300AAC is the most versatile accessory you could offer the "AR57". 85gr to 230gr. An 85gr TREX is devastating! If a 110gr can do 2300fps, then what is the 85gr capable of?

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Banana Ballistics just did a review and the ballistics were much higher than you pointed out.

[@anthonykaiser974]

Need V1, V2 etc. to know where the bullet function starts to fail.

[@jmoore43543]

What about the 129grain sst hornady for the grendel?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

As far as I know, the 129gr SST is not available as a factory load for the 6.5 Grendel (the 123gr SST is). No reason you couldn't handload the 129gr SST though. The cartridge won't be able to push that heavier bullet quite as fast as the 123gr SST (which seems to be the "sweet spot" for the Grendel), but it will certainly work within its limitations.

[@Off-target-xy6bx]

Alexander arms has loaded the 129 sst.

[@jmoore43543]

Alexander arms invented it i do believe

[@eriksforestryvision8751]

5.56 & 223 for a cheap budget shtf ar. Can't go wrong for so many years.

[@eriksforestryvision8751]

Otherwise great video, 6.5 & 300 both have their place.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it! And I agree with the benefits of the 556/223 for cheap and easy to find ammo. Nice thing about the 223/556, 6.5 Grendel, and 300 BO is you can have them all with a simple swap of the upper receiver!

[@deanebrownfield6866]

Have to agree mostly. I have a 16" and a 10.5" upper in 300 BO for the AR platform. Now that the pistol brace ATF regulation has been declared unconstitutional; by the the 5th circuit appeals court last week, you don't need to SBR the 10'5" barrel ;and pay the $200 tax stamp, fee. Just put a pistol brace on it for $50 and you are legally done. The 16" is for my wife. She likes the recoil of the blackout better than the 6.5 Grendel. I have a 6.5 Grendel upper and lower parts on order and coming next week for me and hunting out to 400 yards. Next will be the AR-10 build for elk and long range shooting. The whole shebang with sales tax, freight, FFL, fees, tax stamp, silencer, freight, optics, accessories etc will be around $4,500 total. We live in the golden age of guns.

[@davidfrick383]

Just be aware an AR-10 is an incredibly heavy thing to hunt with, Very few under 12lbs. Like 3-4 lbs more than a standard bolt action rifle. As long as you aren't carrying it far or up and down mountains.

[@curthensley3265]

Everyone on here picks the 6.5 grendel Iv never had a problem with my 300 blk, for big game I go to 30-06.

[@Ronhickmott]

I'm no expert on this subject but I do know the 5.56x45 was made off the 222 magnum shell, not the 222. It's a small difference but the 222 shell is only 43mm in length, where the 222mag is 47mm, they just trimmed 2mm off the neck, it's a shame they didn't just push the shoulder forward by 1mm, it would have been superior in my humble opinion.

[@Airon79]

I think he said it came from the .221 Fireball .

[@billydanzz]

Seems like the commercial market, i.e. manufacturers, didn't just follow the route companies like LWRC and Patriot Ordnance Firearms (POF). LWRC/Magpul built a reciever set and magazine purposed built for the 6.8SPC and POF has the Revolution..basically a modified receiver set chambered in .308 but is essentially the same dimensions as an AR15 receiver. These two receiver designs allow for better cartridge designs, rather than the same old approach of trying to create better cartridges that are restricted by the OAL limits of the AR15's magazine. Guess every commercial manufacturer looks in the mirror and only sees a DoD contractor.

[@hotramen5952]

if you want to hunt with a 16" barrel go 6.8 spc 20" or longer barrel, go 6.5 grendel straight wall only, .350 legend your hunting dangerous game with a rifle that likes to jam at the littlest inconvenience, .450 bushmaster.

[@ChoseDeath]

Really? My .450 has never had a single hiccup.

[@ErickaC-mc7vg]

The 350 Legend is a great for shooting hogs, very effective. But don't forget the 300 Ham'r, it is a very versatile round, great for coyote, deer or hogs. Edit: You can't get the hotter 6.8 SPC II in factory ammo, nobody makes it, you can only reload to the hotter, higher pressure specs. Only the downloaded, weaker 6.8 factory ammo is sold as factory ammo.

[@ErickaC-mc7vg]

@@ChoseDeath My 16" 450 Bushmaster, Trog, has never had a failure of any kind either.

[@jmoore43543]

Alexander arms makes 129sst hornady

[@markmtbrider]

Will 6arc put the 6.5 out to pasture?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Hm, good question...maybe I need to investigate that...

[@stevenboggs5076]

No way. Frontal area advantage.

[@poorfatman5317]

What about the six millimeter arc

[@mr.mr.3301]

Someone make a 7mm Grendel.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Good idea!

[@mr.mr.3301]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog people I know like the 30s and 7s. Most think 6.5s are too small.

[@scubasteve3032]

That’s a great idea!

[@marvinbrock960]

Correction… You MUST use 300 BO magazines when shooting those long subsonic types of ammunition.. the tips start binding after 3-4 rounds.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Just looking at them, the Grendel wins.

[@dallasweber7692]

.300 Blackout Which I Have 4 Of Them Is Best Home Defensive & Best CQB I Have Ever Seen. On Top Of That Out To 300-400 Yards The .300 Will Drop Wild Hogs. Extremely Effective In Dropping Deer Within 250 Yards. Suppressed It Has No Equal. 6.5 Grendel & 6.5 Creed & 6.5 ARC Are Better In Longer Distances. S.W.A.T. Rarely Takes Urban Shots Over 125 Yards. No Matter How ANYBODY Attempts To Spin It I Take The .300’s Blackouts In My Truck & Keep 2 At The Ready Next To My Bed For Doomed Wanna Be Intruders At 0300 In The Morning Or Whatever Time It Is. To Each Their Own However My 4 .300 Blackouts Accomplish Every Mission Which Its Intended To Do.

[@darrelldill1126]

OMG dude. I was just looking for a comparison not a freaking history lesson. You lost me at 5:41.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

OMG dude. You could have clicked on one of the chapters and skipped the history lesson.

[@mikegrendel9126]

220 Russian

[@crashdsnowman1]

Opposite ends of the spectrum, slow and quite VS Meh.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Definitely true that they're both ideally suited for very different situations

[@Alden99669]

Neither one of these cartridges is a good choice for hunting. The 6.5 Grendel is a good battle cartridge, better than the 300 Blackout or the 7.62X39. The 6mm ARC is probably the best battle cartridge at this time.

[@OutsidetheEchochamber]

Very comparable to 243 or 30-30 great hunting cartridges within their limits

[@crashdsnowman1]

Not with breaking bolts and mag problems, the military would never consider the Grendel or 6mm ARC due to reliability problems. We went through this with the military in 2006.

[@richardmartin3243]

NEED A 6.5MM GRENDEL BULLET TO RUN AT 2900FPS TO 3000FPS