AR firearms came to light in 1959. They soon became one of the most popular guns in the United States. They are especially popular among hunters since they make for a very efficient hunting weapon. This is especially true if you plan on hunting big game. But the ammo you use for your AR-15 is as important as the gun itself. If you use weak bullets, they won’t accomplish much. Bullets like the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC are far more powerful.

But what is so special about them? How are they different from any other AR-15 bullets? How can you know if they’re the right option for your needs? Keep reading and learn more about the differences between them below. 

What You Need to Know About the 6.5 Grendel

You might be wondering if one bullet option is better than the other. If you look at both the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC side-by-side, you’ll find that they’re very similar. The 6.8 SPC is slightly taller and larger. 

But both of them are very similar in color and shape. Both of these options are very powerful. They also have very similar capabilities and powers.

But they also have some important differences, including weaknesses and strengths. The 6.5 Grendel was one of the first (and best) alternatives to the .223 Remington.

The .223 Remington was a standard ammo option for a long time. But once the 6.5 Grendel came around, people found that this option had many more benefits compared to the traditional choices. The main benefit is that the Grendel is far more powerful than the .223 Remington.

This is why hunters love it. It’s great for taking down big game. Whether you’re dealing with deer, moose, or bears, this bullet can take down whatever you’re hunting. 

Law enforcement sometimes uses this option as well. The 6.5 Grendel is a long bullet. It is 2.26 inches in length. This is the longest a bullet can be while still being able to fit inside an AR-15. 

While the Grendel might not look like much when you hold it in your hand, it packs a serious punch. It is loaded with gunpowder. This ensures that it goes flying like crazy as soon as you pull the trigger.

How It Works

The 6.5 Grendel is a very efficient type of AR-15 ammunition. It can go long distances without slowing down too much. This is yet another reason why it is so popular among hunters. 

You can hunt big and dangerous game with this bullet while staying a safe, long distance away. It also doesn’t drift very much when there’s a breeze. But its performance will drop when shot out of a gun with a shorter barrel. 

This is true of any bullet. Shorter barrels usually decrease a bullet’s accuracy and power. But the 6.5 Grendel is still surprisingly powerful when shot out of a short barrel. 

Another benefit of this bullet is that it has a very mild recoil. This may surprise you considering how powerful the bullet is. This lesser recoil is great for staying focused and keeping your shoulder in good shape. 

The 6.5 Grendel is also very aerodynamic. This is because it isn’t very large. It’ll cut through the air without encountering any issues. 

This allows you to take clear shots every time. Its accuracy is hard to beat, too. Few things can change the bullet’s course. 

As long as you aim properly, the bullet should go exactly where you want it to go. Another bonus is that these bullets are very easy to reload. This ensures that you won’t be fiddling with a bunch of bullets during the most important moment of your hunt.

Understanding 6.8 SPC Bullets

The 6.8 SPC’s full name is the 6.8 Remington Special Purpose Cartridge. This bullet shares a lot of the same benefits as the 6.5 Grendel. But this is not to say that they are interchangeable. 

Once you look closer, you’ll find that they have some important differences. Both of these bullets are ideal for hunting.

The structure of the 6.8 SPC is slightly different. It is slightly heavier compared to the Grendel. 

It is also slightly larger. The 6.8 SPC usually starts with more kinetic energy compared to the Grendel. More kinetic energy at the start gives the bullet more of an initial boost. 

This may help it go further, as long as other conditions are also met. The bullet’s trajectory is also important. Suppose you fire this bullet from a 16-inch barrel. 

This barrel should give the bullet optimal trajectory. This is because it is long enough to guide the bullet out of the gun with plenty of power. The performance is more or less the same as the Grendel. 

Both have superb performances. They can accomplish anything you need them to. If you want to shoot a deer from 200 yards away, you can accomplish that with both cartridges.

The main problem with the 6.8 SPC is that it has a greater risk of drifting in the wind. This is not too surprising since the bullet is larger. This is not to say that the bullet will be swept away in a slight breeze.

But the wind will make the bullet drift off course to a certain extent. This is especially true when shooting at long distances. The longer the range is, the more the bullet will drift. 

Wind Drift and Other Factors to Consider

At 100 yards, the bullet might drift an inch. But at 500 yards, the bullet might drift two or more feet. This is something you need to consider if you’re serious about shooting at long distances. 

You’ll have to account more for the wind, especially on very windy days. You won’t have much of a problem when you shoot with a 6.5 Grendel. This is because the bullet is smaller and more resistant to wind drifts.

It’s better to use the 6.8 SPC when shooting at short or moderate ranges. Trying to shoot something far away will make you more likely to miss it unless it is a very still day. A benefit of the 6.8 SPC is that it has a very mild recoil. 

No one likes a bullet with a huge recoil since it can leave a bruise on your shoulder. It may also make your shots more inaccurate. The 6.8 SPC has a milder recoil compared to the 6.5 Grendel. 

This is ideal if you can’t stand strong recoils and want one as mild as possible. The 6.8 SPC is another favorite among hunters. If a hunter doesn’t have the 6.5 Grendel, they likely have the 6.8 SPC instead. 

This is because it is the perfect alternative, especially if you don’t care too much about very long-distance shots. 

Comparing the Two Options

Both the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC are ideal options for hunting. They are both very flexible and powerful. But they have their strengths and weaknesses that are important to consider before you buy either one. 

Consider what kind of hunting or target shooting you plan on doing. Do you want to hone your long-range shooting skills? Or do you care more about getting a close, clean shot?

What kind of gun do you have to accommodate these bullets? Consider the length of your gun’s barrel. If it’s a shorter barrel, around 16 inches, it may be best to go for the 6.5 Grendel. 

This is because the Grendel is shorter and more accurate when shot from a shorter barrel. If you try to shoot a 6.8 SPC from a shorter barrel, it will be far more inaccurate.

The Details

If you have a longer barrel around 24 inches, the 6.8 SPC will have the advantage. 

This is because this longer, heavier bullet does better when it’s guided through a longer barrel. You should also consider how windy your region is. If you don’t get much wind, then the choice between these two bullets won’t matter that much. 

But if you often get steady gusts, the 6.5 Grendel might be the better choice. This is because it is smaller and more resistant to wind drifts. This is in comparison to the 6.8 SPC, which may drift several feet in the wind at long distances. 

Both bullets offer similar performances and power. Power is not an issue for either option. Both should eliminate your target as long as you aim properly.

All About the 6.5 Grendel vs. 6.8 SPC

Which cartridge is better, the 6.5 Grendel or the 6.8 SPC? Both options are great for hunting and target practice. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, so you’ll have to decide which option is better for your unique hunting style. 

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