6.5 Grendel bullets in various sizes
The 6.5 Grendel cartridge is very closely related to the .220 Russian case (which was developed in the late 1950’s, based upon the 7.62×39 design). In early 2002, the 6.5PPC cartridge attracted the attention of Bill Alexander (Alexander Arms), due to the fact that it would fit the 7.62 bolt used for the AR-15 platform.
With some slight modifications and a few well-timed introductions to individuals at Lothar Walther, Lapua, and a few others, the 6.5 Grendel cartridge is born!
As a result, this 200-800 yard cartridge that works on the AR-15 platform is now being modified to work in bolt action rifles and even the Kalashnikov system.
PLEASE keep in mind: Some online retailers are selling 6.5 Grendel barrel/bolt combos. However, the bolts are actually 7.62 bolts! You’ll need to do some modifications (i.e. recess the bolt face by an additional .010″) or you’ll have both headspacing and feed issues. The easiest way to figure out which one you’re getting is to see if the site classifies the bolt as being a “Type 1” or “Type 2”. The “Type 1” is a 7.62 bolt and will need the modification to shoot 123gr loads. The “Type 2” is (usually) a true Grendel bolt.
IF you have a “Type 1” bolt, you’ll want to keep your loads around 107gr. The 123gr will (typically) not feed or shoot properly.
It’s also best to get the barrel and bolt from the same place, when you can. That way, if you have any questions/concerns, you have one location to go to in order to troubleshoot, get answers, etc. (We are stocking dealers for multiple 6.5 Grendel manufacturers – including Alexander Arms, Satern Machining, etc).
Always check with the manufacturer before shooting another caliber through your barrel/bolt. Some calibers can be interchangeable…but others are definitely NOT. (For example, some 6.5 Grendel barrels/bolts can accommodate the .264 LBC-AR caliber from Les Baer…but not ALL 6.5 Grendel barrels/bolts can!)
Pluses:
7.62 mm NATO, 6.5mm Grendel, 5.56 mm NATO
– Great middle ground between a 5.56 and 7.62.
– Better armor penetration at 1,000 meters
– Due to it’s longer bullet inside the case, it has a higher velocity and carries greater energy than a 6.8SPC at over 500 meters.
– Made to fit the dimensions of an AR-15 rifle, so little modification is needed.
Minuses:
– Larger cartridge than 5.56, thus reducing magazine capacity
– Requires longer barrel (typical barrels are 18″-20″ or more)
– Cannot hold “heavy” bullets (123gr compared to the 6.8SPC’s 140gr)
Uses:
While originally marketed to police and military, the 6.5 Grendel round was actually created for white tail deer hunting. THIS is the caliber you use when you want all the stopping power of a .308 (and more) without the .308 price tag.
To swap from a 5.56 to 6.5 Grendel? It’s just a barrel, bolt, and magazine swap. Done and done!