The 6.5 Grendel

Our smallest 6.5mm punches well above its weight class in extra short rifles with pussy-cat recoil. Details on why and how the 6.5 Grendel came to be and perform.
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A hunter's wanderings in Africa: A narrative of nine years spent amongst the game of the far interior of South Africa (LEATHERBOUND VERSION) amzn.to/3lLFcMr
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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.
Produced by: @red11media
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[@raywells2858]

There is a lot to be said for a small compact and very efficient deer cartridge that will allow me to pop a couple of pins on my AR and go from varmiting to big game in less than a minute! The older I get the more I appreciate the more efficient rounds and the less I suffer from "Magnumitis"!

[@drdes9609]

6.5 Grendel is my favorite round and it isn’t even close. It’s so versatile and easy to shoot. I find hunting with a 16inch AR much easier than any other rifle. Especially if you staying within that 300 yard mark.

[@WHOTEEWHO]

Thanks for the video

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Your welcome WHO_TEE! Glad you found it useful.

[@frivolousd8046]

It was a real fun video!

[@kentuckyearl8202]

Just watched you shoot your 6.5 and Ron's video was next lol. Love having all of this good content to watch.

[@foxcm2000]

Ron & WHO_TEE_WHOO are two big reasons KZbin is still worth watching!

[@WHOTEEWHO]

@@foxcm2000 🙏🙏🙏

[@kentwalley1207]

I love the 6.5 Grendel. The cartridge drops deer in its tracks. Furthest I have had a deer run was ten yards. I took my 600 yard range certification at Aurora Sporsmans club seven years ago. I Had set up a third size steel siloute plate at 600. When spotter arrive he asked me my scope settings. When told fire first round I hit the plate three inches low of center. Spotter said should again I said im coming up three clicks. I hit plate dead center. I had three rounds left he said fire at will can it repete? All five on target. This was with 123 g lapua Sceanars and worked up hand loads. For hunting i use 123 g hornady ssts

[@davejhotch]

I just got back from a deer harvest in south Texas. I took my HOWA 6.5 Grendel I’ve been playing with. Took a buck at 115yds with a Hornady SST. Low neck shot and that deer was dead before it hit the ground. 120lbs field stripped. I’m looking forward to field testing again.

[@SixShooter14]

When I was researching calibers for my first AR build, I wanted something "deer-capable" at 200yds... 6.5 Grendel was the winner, hands down. I've since taken a few deer and have zero regrets. It certainly doesn't reach out or hit like my 7mm Rem or .300 Wby, but for the AR platform, it's a fantastic deer option.

[@338federalshooter8]

Are you using Federal Fusion also?

[@SixShooter14]

@@338federalshooter8 I use the Hornady 123gr SST for hunting and Black ELD for sighting in or plinking.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

The advantage of the Grendel is that it fits in to smaller, lighter platforms and performs well out to 400 yards. The. 243 requires an AR 10 platform with consequent weight penalties.

[@robertpowell2746]

Ron I have a 6.5 Grindel that I built with the Adams Arms piston actuated upper. With a 123 grain SST this AR is a sweet shooter and a tack driver.

[@richardcontinijr9661]

Hands down my favorite rifle caliber. I had an AR upper built with a custom match grade barrel. It's the most accurate rifle I've ever owned and every factory load I've tried has been gangbusters. It's not uncommon for me to get .45 inch groups at 200 yards with AA 123gr Lapua Secnar. Even the Wolf steel case shots .5 inch groups at 100 yards. I've never had a dear take more than 3 steps with my 6.5 Grendel.

[@stephenhair5501]

Where did you purchase your barrel from? You are getting some impressive groups.

[@richardcontinijr9661]

@@stephenhair5501 it's a custom turned piece by dtech out of Minnesota. With factory ammunition my 200 yd groups are still only .81 inches with that upper's preferred load. But I spent a ridiculous amount of time developing my own hand load which is what gave me the ungodly accuracy that it has. As soon as I can lay my hands on another Lancer systems carbon fiber handguard I'm going to have him build me a 350 legend upper.

[@CCXRS7]

Love the Grendel. 90 grain Speer TNT on a stout load of 8208 XBR is the most accurate round I've seen out of a semi auto action.

[@dustinhudson933]

What muzzle velocity are you seeing? I've been loading 120gr sierras but I think the lighter bullets are the way to go

[@CCXRS7]

@@dustinhudson933 I've seen the quick side of 2800 out of my 16", but that's pushing the bolt in an AR kind of hard. 6.5 Grendel bolts aren't the strongest even if you buy a good one. My pet load has them in the 2760 range. If you have a bolt gun and/or a longer barrel you can push them faster than that without pressure signs.

[@LRRPFco52]

Factory 90gr TNT from Federal does 2900fps from my 17.6" Lilja, and 2700fps from my 12" suppressed. Those are large shot sample averages of at least 10-20rds. 8208XBR under 90-100gr doesn't even reach 50,000psi. Hodgdon's max compressed load under 100gr was a little over 46,000psi.

[@Royaljelly007]

The 6.5G is perfect for youth hunters. We have killed 8 Elk with it and using the 123gr SST combo as the best pay load in the caliber. It's lethal on an Elk to 480yds with appropriate shot placement no matter what the haters will tell you... My 15yr old son has done it with a one shot kill at that distance. We use 24" barrels for the longer needs and easy fast box ballistic data. But I've used a 18" barrel for a 300yd head shot on a Cow Elk too. It's a well rounded work horse in the AR platform. So far to date:. 8x Elk, 2x Ibex, 1x Whitetail, 1x Javilina, 1x Barbary Sheep, and 1x Mtn Lion

[@ranchodeluxe1]

Bullshit

[@Royaljelly007]

Can't help it if you are one of those who MUST have Magnumitis to shoot something or if you use big calibers to make up for poor shooting skills (likely). There is a lot of Elk and other meat in the freezer that's evidence it works in hands that can make the appropriate shot. Stay home Son, your opinion is big in the basement.

[@ranchodeluxe1]

@@Royaljelly007 Pre 64 Model 70 in .270 Win just keeps putting trophies on the wall. You tree stand deer cullers shoot 80 pound does at 30 yards. We've been hunting this South Dakota Reservation for 5 generations, Son. Happy to match skills anytime.

[@ranchodeluxe1]

Fucking high fence hunter.

[@Royaljelly007]

Me personally, I have Guided 125 successful Elk Hunts. I'm from CO and Hunt the SW. Never shot, never hunted a Whitetail, never sat a tree stand. I've tracked miles and my brother has hunted for a Medicine Man on the council of the worlds largest native nation. I can learn and do learn something new every year but I promise I've been on more hunts than you have simply because I do it every single week 18-28 weeks a year with 1 and mostly 2 hunters a week. After that many hunts I know what calibers, ballistics, and broad heads work and what doesn't. I'm from a multi-generational woodsman line too and my great grandfather killed more than a 1,000 bears off his cattle and sheep. 270 is a good and decent caliber (I have one in my great grandfather's rifle with peepsites) but I also manufactured ARs for years and know what modern non-magnum calibers are capable of in capable hands who can make consistent accurate shots. If a native Grand Mother can kill a World record Grizzly with a single shot rifle held together with bailing wire in a .22LR caliber (fact - museum in Canada) then 6.5 Grendel can and does kill Elk again and again.... My son's longest shot on a Cow Elk is 487yds.. one shot, dead Elk.

[@brianklamer3328]

Glad to hear you mention the Howa bolt actions in your video, I've been very impressed with the ones I've owned especially at the price point. 30-06, 7mm Rem mag and 6mm Creedmoor I own and haven't had to fiddle with them at all, just a high quality base, rings, and scope. All are magnificent shooters.

[@scbane]

Same here. I like to get the Howa barreled action from Brownells and "build" em. You end up with a Weatherby Vanguard (built by Howa) for $100 less than the Vanguard.

[@briankoenig8923]

The 95gr Vmax in 6.5 Grendel smacks groundhogs HARD!

[@Keolus1]

I have a Grendel in the CZ 527. Handy little rifle that is easy to carry and shoot. Ammo is still reasonably priced for it.

[@Cr0wmagnum]

Watched this before and now looking into a little 6.5 and know that you are always good for solid info. Thank you Ron still good stuff.

[@methao712]

Wow, great video, sir. Answered all my questions about the 6.5 grendel. Earned my like and sub.

[@aynjeleyes]

I bought a Cz bolt in Grendel love it.

[@bustersmith5569]

I just got mine also it's a CZ,,,,,, beautiful rifle,,,,,

[@tbjtbj4786]

I got the 527 in it. It shoots great with barns tsx 115gr.

[@donovanchilton5817]

@@WillM1776 you...didn't test the gun with the ammunition you planned to hunt with? That sounds like a you problem, good buddy.

[@sleigh4019]

Was a 257 Roberts fan way back..love those fast calibers

[@drthuntclub4153]

Ron, I would like to see you do a video on the 6.8 SPC. History, specs and comparisons.

[@wj9954]

I started out a few tears ago with the 6.5 Grendel with a 24 inch barrel, picked up a 20 inch barrel with 5R rifling. the 20 inch wasn't as speedy as the 24 but it was more accurate, so I looked around and found X Caliber and got a 24 inch barrel with 5R rifling and went with a 1:7 twist for the heavier bullets. 129 grain is the heaviest I use and the 24 inch barrel is about all I use anymore with my 6.5 Grendel shooting. It is very accurate and I am getting 2630 FPS MV with it, 123 grain, and not scaring the brass. A R Comp, TAC, H335 seem to work very well with it. Alexander Arms prescribes SRPMagnum primers with it so that's what I use. The 20 inch is 85 FPS slower than the 24, so I have it when hunting in heavy timber. I have used the 120 Gold Dot out to 720 yards and have made .83 MOA at that range. The Gold Dots are not made for steel and pretty much disintegrate when they hit face on at that range, a lot of fun. The 129 grain rounds I get right around 2490 FPS with the 24 inch barrel.

[@raywells6088]

The only round I like more than the 6.5 Grendel is the 6x45! Its very efficient, very economical to reload and with a bad Shoulder/Neck I got in the military a pleasure to shoot. Its a real winner!

[@aspitofmud6257]

I always feel smarter after watching your videos Ron. Thanks.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Glad to hear it, Spit. Thanks.

[@kentgoldings]

I’m one of those 7.63x39 bolt gun hunters as well. I’ve been thinking of a 6.5 Grendel or 6 ARC build once the ammo thing resolves.

[@Nick-sx6jm]

6 ARC is objectively the better cartridge. You can shoot the lighter 6mm bullets faster and have similar or higher bc's. With higher velocity the bullets will expand better and give you much better terminal performance. Not to mention flatter shooting and less wind drift.

[@LRRPFco52]

Lots of Grendel ammo on the shelves now.

[@elnach3240]

@@Nick-sx6jmthere is no free lunch in ballistics and everything comes at a trade off. The Grendel has objectively better barrel life and terminal ballistics at realistic hunting ranges. In a semi-auto gas gun I want to shoot a lot, that matters to me. For the same reason I have a .308 AR-10 and not a 6.5 CM.

[@edackley8595]

Grendel is absolutely AWESOME within the AR platform. Really push the semi-auto AR to the next level. Once you start wandering into bolt guns, what's the point? I own one for my AR, but as far as taking game out West with a bolt gun, yeah, my .270 is still THE go-to gun.

[@jamesquigley8628]

Looks like a good starter like you said. Good for lightweigh short hunting guns and the AR as well. More terminal energy than the 5.56. Be Well.

[@bullgravy6906]

I've found 6.5 grendel for a good price, so naturally i come to Ron to learn about this cartridge and see if i should jump on it

[@luvtahandload7692]

Thanks for posting, Ron. Appreciate all your content! Also love my 6.5 Swedeismore! Fantastic! Keep them coming!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks, will do!

[@kennethdittig2986]

currently using a howa mini 1500 in 6.5 grendel. running it suppressed. its an excellent little deer round, taken 4 with it so far, from 30 yards all the way out to 340 yards, started it out as a chuck rifle, suppressed theres almost no recoil, i put mine in a boyds laminated thumbhole stock and just love the little bugger, using the 123 hdy, excellent performance on critters so far. i couldnt agree more with ya ron, its a perfect gun to start a kid or recoil shy person on.

[@RLD454C]

I built 2 - 6.5 Grendel's with 20 inch barrels in the AR platform . I have yet to hunt deer with either but I am looking forward to taking a whitetail with one . Lapped the barrels but have not fine tuned them yet for hunting game animals. They will be ready for hunting next fall . I am hand loading the 123 grain SST for hunting deer.

[@DavidJones-lw2lp]

Love these videos Ron, I must have a cartridge fixation as it’s really interesting learning the history and the stats. The only thing lacking was no appearance by Covey! Hope she’s busy doing dog stuff, 🐶👍🏻

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks David.

[@pewpewTN]

Cartridge fascination can be expensive lol. You get into handguns & you can't just pick one. You start with 9mm & .22LR. Then you want to go up in performance so you get a .40. Then you see how cool 5.7x28 is & have to get in on that. Gotta appreciate the history of .45 ACP so that one has to be added. You also want a micro pocket pistol, so then .380. Then you decide to graduate to the king of autoloader cartridges & go 10mm. Then time for the rifle cartridge obsession to take over😆

[@saltcreekammo]

Ammo is life

[@bobparvin9773]

I'd get one myself but I've already got a 6.8 SPC 2. A.R. and don't believe there's a whole lot of difference between the two! I've done bagged a very large axis doe and it dumped it on the spot. I also can say that my 224 Valkrie A.R. has done this exact same thing.

[@BuffaloTrace602]

Love your work Ron, thank you!

[@MC-uj4co]

I have the 6.5 Grendel one upper is the Daniel Defense 18 inch upper and the other is the bill Alexander Saturn 16 inch upper with a Rainer lower nice set up the 16 inch combo is super light .

[@chrissheathewoodguy]

Absolutly love my Grendel . I'm hopping to get a bolt action in that caliper. the 243 is my all around happy spot with most of all my hunting. our hunting laws require a 100 grain plus bullet to be used. larger then 22.4 for deer. so that leaves out the 223 from larger game animals.

[@matthewknight1910]

Do your laws specify .224 as a caliber or bullet dimension? The .223 caliber actually fires a 0.224 in (5.7 mm) projectile.

[@chrissheathewoodguy]

@@matthewknight1910 it says larger then .224 plus it has to be a grain weight of 100 or more.

[@matthewknight1910]

@@chrissheathewoodguy fair enough 👍🏼

[@la_old_salt2241]

I know the State of Louisiana requires a minimum of .24 caliber, so .243.

[@lynneldridge480]

I was curious about building my next AR in 6.5 Grendel. I knew just who's videos to turn to for some solid ballistic info. Thank you.

[@boermetroer1714]

Great video Ron. I have a 20” Howa Grendel which I have used on Black wildebeest, blesbuck and springbuck. Every single animal I have shot dropped without running further than 20 meters. I believe the slower speed actually helps some bullets not blowing up in hundreds of pieces. One wildebeest cow I shot angled from the front had the 129gr Accubond LR break through front leg and travelled right through the other side. I would not have attempted that shot with the softer SST.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks David. You are right. Low impact velocities minimize bullet expansion and break up.

[@pauloglesbee9517]

Congratulations. The Grendel will get it down. I’m going to try some Barnes bullets next season. I’ve taken three decent bucks with mine a lot of does

[@jasonmartin5606]

I love my BCA 6.5 grendel uppers! Best load Barnes tsx 115g- 2875fps 20" barrel have taken dozens of deer&hogs always DRT- no tracking involved, the Fort Scott tui load is deadly accurate & wicked on deer! Capt J

[@Duckhunterbow]

The grendel is really at home in the ar15 platform or howa mini action where you can't get a .243, .308, or 6.5 creedmore. Pretty much 243 energy with 308 ballistics in a small handy package.

[@concernedaussie1330]

We have a howa mini action 6.5 Grendel with tally extra low rings & leupold 1.5x4x20 pig plex scope. What a fantastic little ultralight rifle . So far only used American gunner bulk ammo & had fantastic results. Have 2 magazines, one loaded with std out the box target ammo for close range on pigs & the other mag has the same ammo with 1mm filed off the tip . That creates a larger hollow point & works fantastic on all the other smaller pests . Wounds seems very similar to the 243 with 80 gr soft points.

[@AnAZPatriot]

Found some of this brass at the range for the first time this last weekend. That steep shoulder made it stick out like a sore thumb for sure.

[@ernestclayton8550]

That would be really nice in a small lightweight single shot with iron sights! Stump sitter! Cheer's

[@jameshagerman7681]

I don't know of a single shot but cz makes a nice little bolt gun with irons chambered in 6.5 Grendel

[@WolfsbaneXI]

I could listen to this dude talk all day

[@geoffreyjohnston6483]

Ron thanx for the info, I had no idea this cartridge amounted to that much. In terms of recoil, you forgot the sissies, just flat sissies.

[@MobileAura]

I’m getting a feeling this guy knows his stuff.

[@BacklTrack]

My new favorite gun KZbinr honestly. It's refreshing

[@DontTreadOnMe9000]

Ron isn't new, he's been on tv hunting for a long time. He most definitely knows his stuff, and is by far my favorite tv hunting/shooting personality.

[@BacklTrack]

@@DontTreadOnMe9000 new for me is what I meant!

[@charlesc.stirkjr.7608]

Mic Drop !!!

[@MrT67]

Yep. I'm thinking the same thing. After many decades spent outdoors, fishing etc., I'm finally getting into hunting. I've done a lot of reading on diff calibers and have a reasonable appreciation for what will work well here in NZ. Watching Ron's videos has given me that extra bit of confidence that my thinking is in the right direction. I'll probably go for a 6.5 Creedmoor. We don't have dangerous game here. Red deer are the most common. We have some elk, but not widespread populations and a few whitetails, sika. All introduced. I'm not a big guy and just a beginner. Plus, I'm most likely going to be a one centre fire gun owner (plus a 22LR and a 12 guage). I think the Creedmoor will be a good all-rounder for me personally, not because of the hype. If I ever feel the need for something heavier, I'd possibly go 300WSM..... Anyway, that's my amateur opinion.

[@K.O.tyranny]

6mm arc kicks it!!

[@frontiersmanselfreliance3621]

Thanks for the video. Comparing the Grendel to the 243 was very helpful. For a decade now I have felt that the 243 with 80 gr gmx is the best cartridge to carry on the ranch for coyotes and hogs but I was interested in the howa mini action. I often carry a 223 bolt gun as well so I may get the howa in that instead of getting a new expensive little cartridge.

[@johngilman8598]

Recently took first deer with 6.5 Grendel with 123 gr HP, close range. Entrance hole but no exit. Every erg of energy went into the chest cavity, resulting in glop instead of organs. Wow. Sold.

[@charlesperry1051]

I wanted a more capable hunting round for the AR platform and chose the 6.5 Grendel. So far I am very happy with its performance. Would I choose it for a bolt action rifle? Probably not. I already have a .243. It is a shame H&R is no longer around because 6.5 Grendel would be an amazing round in a Handi Rifle! My sons both have Handi Rifles in .243.

[@jrwickersham]

I run a Ruger ranch 6.5 Grendel with an OSS suppressor. Shorter than my howa 1500 in 3006, and hits my shoulder a helluva lot less. Still drops game 🤩

[@unclefreedom213]

Friday is now complete got a new Ron Spomer cartridge video

[@MrCannonsdad]

I use an 18 inch barrel AR in Grendel I built for the last four deer seasons. I have killed multiple deer AND it works great for hogs. We also have used a 7.62 x 39 and .223 ARs for deer hunting. All worked. My 13 year old nephew killed a 2.5 year old 8 pointer at 300 yards with a 64 grain .223 soft point Winchester load. Dropped it in its tracks. Shot placement is key. The Grendel is more versatile than any AR15 platforms out there for over all performance.

[@michaelmcfarlane7663]

The 6.5 Grendel makes for an excellent hog rifle using a AR platform, especially at night when using thermal optics. The low recoil helps you to stay on target.

[@uralbob1]

Great episode Ron. Recently assembled a 6.5 Grendel but haven't fired it yet. The CZ in 6.5X55 is my favorite of all time. Looking forward to building up loads for the Gredel! Thank you for this episode!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thank you and good luck.

[@troy9477]

It has always sounded to me like another design for an intermediate miltary cartridge. Fast enough wirh a relatively light bullet, and lower recoil. The ballistics and BC are better than the 7.62x39, and we know it works. Might be interesting to experiment with. As some commenters pointed out, it has double duty application for varmints and predators. We know high BC 6.5 bullets do well downrange, and your numbers show that. Several years ago, i re-imagined the old 280 British cartridge from the late 40's. Target ballistics were a 130 gr fairly sleek bullet at about 2500 fps. About the same as a 125 gr 30-30, with better SD and aerodynamics. By way of keeping the ammo compact, i suspected case length could be 45 mm or less (223 length), and maybe just maybe as short as 39mm. Those ballistics are more than adequate for a military cartridge, and it would of course have hunting applications as well, with fairly light recoil. At the time i eas not thinking about the Grendel at all; it was just a fun mental exercise. A ballistician would have to work out the details. But it sounds like it slmost duplicates the Grendel, but in 7mm. And we do NOT need another 7mm cartridge! The 7x57 for the classic guns, 7mm-08 fir a modern, slightly faster version of it, 280/280 AI for a near do it all medium game cartridge, and the 7mm Rem Mag for the magnum boys are all we need. I am planning to get a 7mm-08 in the near future, and already have a 1895 Chilean Mauser (Ludwig Loewe, 1908).......

[@dkn2128]

I love my Sanders Armory 6.5 Grendel. Easily and consistently makes 8 inch groups @ 1000 yds.

[@JoeWayne84]

Browning auto rifle in 243 is my main deer rifle same as my grandad, and dad for whitetail deer around the farm it’s the perfect medicine and a excellent choice for new hunters or even younger hunters . Out of a lil heavier auto loader the recoil is a joy and the bullet is inherently very accurate and just the right power for taking whitetail deer . I’ve thought about getting a 6.5 grendal upper but I don’t want to be that guy hunting with a AR platform idk I just rather have a gold trigger with the walnut stock and my dads old leupold he bought in the 80s it just feels like a bespoke tool and a classy one that works to perfection where As even my high end ARs they just feel like industrial tools and don’t have a soul to them the way a even good bolt action like my mark77 Ruger in 270 it’s such an amazing gun and the most accurate firearm I’ve ever shot I’ve been waiting to go sheep hunting one day and when the time comes I’ll be ready. God bless

[@joeginsu2965]

Why didn't you compare the 100 grain 6.5 Grendel to the 95 grain .243 Winchester? Kinda cheated by doing that. 1647 energy from the muzzle and 2,620 fps from Steel Wolf Ammo, not 2 dollar a round ammo like the Sierra in .243. Total disservice to the 6.5 Grendel in this video. And why not compare it to the venerable 7.62×39 which it is VERY similar to?

[@finngamesknudson1457]

Much as I love Grendel, ammo costs are a factor. Excluding steel case/bimetallic (Tula), lately I’ve seen Grendel ost per round higher than Creedmore, 308, or pretty much anything. Given how many rounds I like to fire, have been sticking to 223 or 22LR for target shooting. I reserve Grendel for “real” shooting - doping and hoping to find a dear lease.

[@brianclay3315]

The Hornady 123gr SST is fantastic around 2600fps with Ramshot TAC. The SST has a .510 BC.

[@j.dub.5476]

I shot my Grendel at 375 yards with a 90 grain Speer TNT and dropped a Pronghorn in New Mexico just recently.

[@AT-HB-4120]

I'm handloading 123 gr eldm with 28.5 grains ADI 8208 @2725fps for my Howa mini 20'' standard barrel in a TSP-X chassis. Shoots under 1/2 inch groups @100 easy but my best 5 shot group is 1.28" @400 yds. This round is LEGIT. Try it

[@gregoryolenick3668]

Great video Ron love my two Grendel's

[@jamesgreenfield9640]

Thanks for the comparison.

[@jurshperez8022]

I have a 12 inch barrel 6.5 AR-15 I'm spot on at 100 and 200 yards, I love it

[@scottsozmtns7534]

Ron I love that you’re talking about the 6.5 Grendel as it’s a truly great cartridge! I think Ruger offers the “American”, budget rifle for like $400?? I really thought it was in serious contention for the intermediate sniper round, along w/the .260 Remington due to a bit more cartridge room. Given the very high B.C.’s & Sectional Density’s I thought the .260 Rem., would get real genuine consideration. What does the military do? They announce their “new”, intermediate cartridge, drum roll……the .300 Win Mag. What? They wanted smaller cartridges, x-speed, accuracy, deflection & more weight than the .223 Rem. Which brings me to a cartridge you talked “around”, when you mentioned the 6mm & 6.5mm PPC. I’m talking about the amazing, stupendous.222 Remington; the “Triple Deuce”. Also at 1 point held the world record for accuracy, but for some reason it’s a dying, if not yet dead, cartridge it seems. I’ve got a Rem 722 in .222 & I cut the barrel, re-crowned it & tapered the rifling & it is an absolute dream!! Turns out my youngest son wants my last remaining .22 Hornet in the Ruger “Varmint”, 77/22 with my 2.9-10x44 UCC (Ultra Clear Coat/early model), w/mil-dot reticle. Also you mentioned the Creedmoor being used for Elk. I wouldn’t hesitate 1 second to use my .260 Rem on an Elk due to it’s penetration & sectional density’s. I’m however a very good shot, not that I’ve been in “long range/F-Class”, semi professional shooter, but have learned, practiced, studied (under Green Berets/Rangers), & have taken my rifles & the accuracy to a much higher level than the casual “once-a-year”, deer hunter. Not to say I don’t or have never missed; but it is not a common thing. Not tooting my own horn but all my hunting buddies, friends & family call me the “Scalpel”, when speaking of hunting with everything from the .17HMR to the .30-06’, .303 Brit, .30-40 Krag, .300 Win Mag & short mag too. I have shot up to .35 calibers in rifles w/good success but here in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri there isn’t a real need for much bigger than a say, ? .35 Remington or Whelen. One of my favorites over .308 was a .33-30 a friend of mine had built & it was a dream of a little cartridge. Again, a bit much for here but enjoyed shooting it. I love ALL things gun. I’m no bow hunter looking for the ultimate in difficulty of hunting. I make hunting a challenge with hunting squirrels w/my Ruger Mark I, 7” bull barrel. I’ve even taken a grey squirrel with a Phoenix Arms .22lr. That was a hard shot! As always Ron, I love your stuff & just told my son about your 700+ deer kill with the 6.8 Western. He was very interested in hearing more. Hopefully he’ll start watching you as I have. He’s a prison guard & loves to hunt when off duty. I just really enjoy your format, the cartridges you talk about both for & against, because you keep it honest & not being “kicked back”, like most gun writers today w/5 articles in 1 magazine about the 6.5 Creedmoor. I’d love to hunt Africa, out in the western U.S. for Elk, Big Horn & Antelope, but I’m not willing to praise every single new cartridge such as the Creedmoor over & over until I become somewhat nauseous. We git it! I’m glad about what its done for the .264/6.5mm rifles/cartridges but it’s not the “end all-be all”, round gun writers today would have you believe. Keep up these great podcasts as I love & look forward to each & every single one. I’m going to go to Pateron & check it out. Much respect for you kind Sir!

[@gsitzkowitz]

I built a Grendel in an AR with a 24” barrel. I chose that length because that is the barrel length that the cartridge was developed for. I wound up with a super accurate 9 lbs rifle in the field. You can’t get those advertised velocities out of shorter barrel which means in the real world this is a 250 yard max cartridge, maybe. I was unsatisfied with the results I got in the field with such a heavy gun. I wound up with a 300 Hamr with a 16” barrel that delivers the advertised velocities that are promised. It’s a 250 max cartridge that performs like a “better” 30/30. You ought to look at one of those.

[@brandonbraquet6176]

My favorite gun is my ar grendel. .5 inch group at 100 yards. I shot it out to 1000 yards and just ring metal.

[@smitty3624]

I think in the hunting field, hogs are really where the grendel will shine. If you already have an AR, you can get a good 6.5 upper for a good price, and have very fast follow-up shots thanks to the light recoil.

[@williamwinn948]

That's a beautiful looking book

[@pauliec2193]

Also a lot of guys want to use an AR 15 and not the AR 10 platform for various reasons and in a lot of states you’re not allowed to use .22 Centerfire for Deer so the Grendel is a good option.

[@k5at]

Ron, I built a 6.5 Gendel AR to shoot the "White Buffalo" at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico. The target is 1123 yards from the bench. I sighted in at 200 yards (I forgot my ammo except for a 10 round mag) I used 6 rounds to get it sighted in, having 4 rounds left, I moved to the 1123 bench and hit the gong 3 times in a row. Great little cartridge!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Good shooting, Herb. Did you try the coyote at 1,100 yards or so? Durned thing is hard to see!

[@k5at]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors never shot a coyote over 100 yards, but shot prairie dogs up to 320 yards with a 17 hmr.

[@jessepitt]

The first centerfire I hunted with was my father’s model 99 in .243. I had run millions of rounds through my.22 but had never fired his .243. We were already headed out when I asked him if maybe I shouldn’t take a test shot? He looked confused, then irritated because he didn’t want to waste ammunition at .50c a round. He grunted and we walked back down to our shooting area that was 100 yards max. He gave me one round, I aimed at the 100 yard steel and drilled it dead center, the recoil was fine for an 11 year old and I felt confident. My dad still looked irritated because he new it would be fine and he’s a serious cheapskate. We went out and I head shot a deer a 85 yards without flinching. A great rifle and caliber. That was thirty crazy years ago.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Fun story Jesse.

[@ryewaldman2214]

I really wish you would have compared it to the 30-30 winchester, which is another one of those cartridges often recommended as a good deer rifle for young/small/recoil sensitive shooters. If i recall off hand, the Grendel offers similar terminal ballistics at impact (e.g., 100--200yds) even though it starts with a little less muzzle energy. I've heard the comparison that the Grendel is a more efficient 30-30.

[@LRRPFco52]

Yup. An 11.5" Grendel shooting 129gr ABLR has more energy at 400yds than a 20" .30-30 has at 200yds. Using equal barrel lengths, it simply out-classes the .30-30 in every way, other than projectile frontal area.

[@ryewaldman2214]

@@LRRPFco52 and the best part is that for small and medium bores, frontal area is one of the absolute least important factors in terminal performance of expanding bullets. Unless you are shooting deer with solid brass dangerous game solids, the starting frontal area of a projectile is just about the least of your concerns. Bullet expansion, bullet mass, and penetration determine the wounding performance.

[@mgrenell]

Ar15 vs bolt gun. Grendel is a great gas gun. And is a sweet performer in ar15.

[@jmelcher1849]

You nailed it on the head. It's biggest trick is 243/308 style performance in an AR platform

[@davidh9659]

Trajectory close to 308 but nowhere near the energy Energy close to 243 but nowhere near the trajectory. The fact that it can do so well from an AR15 platform is amazing though.

[@danielblackburn4626]

Love the channel.

[@smc1942]

Grendel is a little Beast! I love it! BETTER than 308 performance at 1K, with _HALF the recoil!!!_ Yes, the 123 grain is the best bullet! Gotta Love it!!! It WILL reach FAR passed 400 yards!

[@arthurdent5903]

The 6.5 grendel works well on hogs and it's made for the small frame light weight AR platform . It also makes a great DMR for longer ranges, the ammo use to be cheap ( wolf 100 grain for $5.00 a box or less ) before the Biden Russian ammo ban, now it's shot up to over $16.00 or more for a box of 20 steel case if you can find it.

[@kirkmartin2223]

I love my howa mini action. The 22" barrel really likes the Barnes 115gr ttsx.

[@EDvonSCHRECK]

Iam pretty happy with my 6,5 Grendel in my CZ 527, its my little roe deer rifle here in germany. But here you have to be a reloader because there isnt any factory ammo exept the 123grain hornady sst for hunting. As it happens this load dont want to fly with my rifle. But with the 120 gr Nosler BT i have sub MOA accuracy with Vihtavuori N530 powder

[@timotoxic4664]

This caliber would be a very fine choice for a mini scout-rifle! Around 5 lb just shy of 36 inch, yeah would nice tool, for work in the range of 100-150 yard.

[@kevinroberts9580]

I shoot the 6.5 Grendel in my 20in AR-15 and it's sub-moa and fun to shoot

[@gzsprout]

If I had to close my eyes and imagine someone to teach me about bullets / hunting, it'd be this guy.

[@Clearanceman2]

The 6.5 Grendel has .243 power in an AR15 length case. Would be my #1 AR choice for whitetails.

[@ЭнкерСидоров]

The story of Grendel began with the 5.6*39 cartridge of the Soviet engineer Blum, as far as I understand PPC this is 5.6*39, not 7.62*39. I think the Grendel is the best ballistic caliber 308, 30.06 with AK recoil, and the size of the cartridge for an assault rifle

[@mopardoctor9966]

I have found that 6.5 Grendel ARs can be fussy with magazines.

[@jasonbroom7147]

Another excellent video, but aren't they all? :) Two things I love about the 6.5 Grendel: It mirrors the performance I've been getting out of my T/C Contender, chambered in 6.5 JDJ, for the last 30 years, and it's available in the gorgeous CZ 527 micro-mauser action! Well, I say "available", but haven't been able to find one in the last couple of years that I've been searching. Thank you for sharing why this diminutive little cartridge is surprisingly effective on deer-sized game.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks Jason.

[@stephenk9301]

Aren't those 6.5 Grendel velocities measured from a 24" barrel? Geesh! Who wants a little cartridge with a barrel that long to make it effective? Ron, please post the barrel lengths used when showing bullet velocities and energy.

[@Nick-sx6jm]

Exactly, the whole point of an AR is to be short and handy. Another point is that out of normal 16-18" barrel its not going fast enough to make the bullet adequately expand past 100 yards. Past that you might as well shoot fmjs.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Sorry Stephen. I generally try to mention bl length. Forgot this time. But sharp-eyed folks like you help pick up my slack! Thanks.

[@stephenk9301]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors You're an outdoorsman and a gentleman. Great combo. Another good reason I keep watching and learning from you, sir. Keep up the fine work here. Have a great weekend!

[@ronwinn879]

Great video and explanation!

[@carfvallrightsreservedwith6649]

Won't be long before the .25 caliber returns onto the scene. BLACKJACK ACES has been making a 131 grain .25 caliber bullet for wildcatters for a few years now. Impressive enough that some barrel makers are now offering twist rates (1:7- 1:8) to take advantage of the indicated potential. Rem 700 LA, a varmint contour REMAGE barrel with maybe an extended throat/leade, and a Boyd stock and you should have a scarey quarter bore. Or just use a Savage action/barrel combo and reset headspace on your .25-

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

CARFV, reset headspace? Why would headspace change just because you're loading longer bullets? I'm not following this.

[@Neon806]

Can you do a comparison of the 6.5 Grendel and the 6mm Arc?

[@timeverett7828]

123gr too heavy of a bullet. 6.5 Grendel works best around 90gr to 115gr bullet.

[@davidh9659]

Bullets in the 90-100gr range have G7 coefficients around .16-.2 (comparable to lots of 69-77gr 224 bullets). Youd give up some of what sets the 6.5G apart from the 223Rem in the first place

[@williamkenney339]

The Selous book is available on Kindle.

[@tominva4121]

I have been trying to decide between a 6.5 Grendel and a 300 Hamr AR15 with a 16 or 18 inch barrel for hunting. Trying t figure out which will survive commercially, provide a longer barrel life, and offer the best ballistics.

[@homes8362]

That there round is the equivalent of a 243 out to 220 yds. The 6.8 spc does the same thing. The 243 is the most copied round there is in the ar-15 platform but it doesn't keep up after 300 yds. I've got All three and I ain't kidding either. Out to 250 there's not a nickels worth of difference.. Done shot oodles of deer with em all. Those 243 copies have to use a heavier bullet to get it done, but less velocity.

[@exposingthedarknesswiththe9190]

So, the bottom line is, if you require the velocity and kinetic energy, save yourself your hard earned money and simply get yourself a caliber that does it all in a .270! Did I mention it's still a 20 caliber bullet that will easily take down an Elk with NO problem what so ever, and for less money!! 👍😇

[@loganchappell6272]

Dear Ron : Have you ever handloaded for a lever action with a box magazine in wich the rounds are vertically stacked? If so, what is the proper procedure. Do we follow the standard lever action procedure, or do we follow the standard bolt action procedure? For example if I am reloading 30-06 brass to shoot in an 1895 Winchester that has only been fired in that rifle should I only neck resize, or should I full length resize? I'm sorry for the long question.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

I find it safest to full length resize cases to be fired in single-shots, levers, pumps, and autos. One can tweak to just bump the shoulder enough to feed properly, but that risks some rounds at different temperatures not chambering or doing so with difficulty. I just tried it with a Dakota M10 falling block in 25-06 last night. Couldn't close on neck-sized cases. In your M95 it's not the stacked magazine that's the issue, but the camming strength of the lever action assuring a tight case will lock into battery. I'd imagine the M95 could do it. You'll have to experiment. We neck size in order to maximize case life, but also to enhance accuracy. I wonder if the M95 has enough inherent precision to even notice the slight accuracy advantage a neck-sized case could add?

[@loganchappell6272]

Thank you. And, that's an interesting thought on inherent precision.

[@andrewc.boatman7404]

enjoy your videos

[@gradyhernandez4699]

I'm " happy" with my 6mm Remington and my 25-06 savage. I like the 6.5 grendel however

[@011CJ]

I have gone back and forth with the thought about using my AR for bear but I want to feel comfortable taking a shot at 400 but I have not gone that far with a 450 and have thought about the 6.5 gr the bullet is big enough for my state but I'm still un decided