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After hunting with 300blk for a few years, I’ve switched to 6.8x43. I took a few deer with the 300blk, but I lost one on what I could swear was a good shot.
The 6.8 puts up respectable velocities, particularly through the ARP barrels. The ARP super bolts get good reviews, and I have had no trouble with them.
PRI makes reliable 10round mags that allow loading past SAAMI spec of 2.26". They’re not cheap, but whatever.
Though I handload for 5.56, 300blk, 6.8x43, and .308, I’ve ended up buying a couple thousand rounds of Hornady 110 hpbt factory ammo for the 6.8. It’s good stuff, and it’s a cost effective way to get 6.8 brass.
For hunting I handload the Nosler 100 grain accubond at ~2,600fps.
I went with the Grendel. ASC makes reliable magazines. Maxim makes the best bolts in my opinion. There’s plenty of ammo choices from academy sports if you don’t reload. I don’t think an animal will know the difference Inside 300yds between the grendel and the SPC. The Grendel seems to be better out to 1000+ if your interested in hitting steel at long distance. Better bc and less wind drift. If you don’t mind shooting steel case ammo to plink with then you can get wolf for $5-6/20rds
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Another vote for the Grendel. Almost (finally) finished with my Grendel build. In addition to ASC, E-Lander makes good mags. I have several 25rd mags and a couple of 4rd mags for hunting deer.
That’s a great pic!
Thanks. That was 123gr SST at 100yds. I got a 22" Satern barrel from a group buy on msrhunt. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor SR-25 platform but the Grendel is my favorite.
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Grendel. Great ballistics, pretty much optimal for AR-15 platform. Especially if you do much 200 yds and greater
Excellent ammo options from match to cheap (but reliable) steel case
Inherently accurate, descended from bench rest cartridges. Yet tweaked for full auto mil work
Deadly on game with very broad range of animals taken
BTW, mags are not an issue. I use elander of late, but have never had and issue getting mags or with reliability. And been shooting Grendel about a decade
Great info. Thanks guys. Now I just have to move to a state that allows semi-autos for big game hunting. :rolleyes:
6.5 Grendel. Designed for the exact purpose you stated- hunting deer and antelope-sized animals out to 300 yards or so with an AR-15. Very accurate with several varieties of factory ammo from which to choose. If you handload, even better as brass is available from several manufacturers (I use Lapua) and 100-130 grain bullets available from every maker in all flavors (bonded, SP, match, varmint, etc).
I’m still using the original C-Products mags I bought five years ago and have never had a problem. This round seems to be getting more poplar lately with factory bolt guns now available from Howa and CZ.
A bolt gun like the CZ mini mauser or Sako short action in 6.8 or 6.5 G would be pretty cool too.
Another Grendel tip: the Hornady 123g Amax and the SST are ballistically identical, pretty much shoot to same POI.
There are Berger, Barnes, etc loadings, but the Hornady 123g profile was optimized for the Grendel and just works great in both Match and hunting loadings. The Amax loading is extremely accurate in most guns, had one heavy barrel Grendel that the most accurate I’ve ever owned with factory Hornady.
To be clear, you won’t get creedmore velocities. Go AR10 if you want that. But for a light recoiling gamestopper in the AR15 form factor, hard to beat. Especially if you like to shoot past 100yds.
As most of the AMAX line has been phased out, I’m interested to see if the 123gr ELD will yield similar results as did the AMAX. As there are both 120 and 123 gr 6.5mm ELD’s, I’m assuming the latter is still made with the Grendel in mind, but in haven’t done any testing yet.
I also love Grendel. Great stuff.
There’s a small ammunition maker near the range where I shoot. A couple weeks ago, he was testing 175 gn .308 ELD vs. AMAX, since as you mentioned AMAX is being phased out. He found that while the ELD was just as consistent as the AMAX, there was close to an MOA shift right on POI (almost no wind that day and shooting 100-300 yds). We were puzzled by this.
Last weekend, I brought out my 168 gn .308 ELD & AMAX loads, and had similar results. I don’t know that will carry over to 6.5 projectiles, and I’ve only loaded ELD for Grendel, but it goes to show why it’s recommended to zero based on ammo.
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Ditto on the Grendel or other AR15 compatible 6mm or 6.5. That said, I have no problems w/ my -39mm AR. I’d bet good handloading could turn it into a 300-yd antelope rifle. Accuracy in that caliber is amazing!
You mentioned mag capacity, but many states limit the amount to no more than 5 total, so you may need to block even a 5-rnd mag so that w/ round in chamber there’s only 5 max.
Naw man. You can get a Howa bull barreled mini action and an lss chassis. That would be one very nice bolt gun. [emoji7] http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/stock-parts/rifle-stocks/howa-1500-lss-chassis-mini-action-prod95995.aspx
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I did the same research earlier this year. The 6.8spc and 6.5g will both be the functionally the same at 300yds.
6.8 bolts are stronger (more material) with more factory ammo choices. Designed for shorter barrels.
6.5g is the sexy caliber at the moment. Better than 6.8 for long range target past 500yds. Considered more prone to jam when feeding (conditions vary). Designed for longer barrels.
I have both. But for deer hunting, a 16" 6.8spc (ARP) barrel in the woods gives a true recce AR15 type system that uses the full potential of the round. If you like hunting with long barrels, an 18-20" Grendel is considered the best compromise though full potential is from a 24" barrel (as I recall).
And if you want a 6.5 in a 6.8 spc case, that wildcat option is out there. 
This has been hashed out in many threads and often devolves into a heated debate for some odd reason. Here in Montana, several of us went through this debate back in 2011-12 and then later in 2015. Several of us, myself included built 6.8 SPC II rifles. In 2 seasons we have harvested: 3 Antelope (Ranges 200-300), 1 Cow Elk (350 YDS), 1 Large Whitetail buck (<100 YDS), 1 Large Muley Buck (355 YDS) all with the 6.8 SPC.
Between case profile as it relates to feeding, bullet selection, barrel lengths with performance, logistical support of ammunition and the 15+ and growing manufactures who produce OEM 6.8s, among other factors we chose the 6.8. Ultimately I see us loading up some 130 grain custom loads for the 6.8 in the future.
The 6.8 is awesome and I am very happy with it.
You can’t make a honest argument against the 5.56 with the bullets available these days. “Energy” is not measure of wounding ability, and bonded or solid copper have plenty of penetration for deer.
300 BLK, 7.62x39, and 30-30 I would consider functionally identical for hunting. I’d pick 300 BLK for feeding in an AR over 7.62x39.
If you want a bit more range and bullet weight there is nothing wrong with that. The 6.8 and 6.5 don’t have much difference at hunting ranges. Pick what you like and avoid the crazy arguments that people get into over them.
One thing I have to say about the 6.5 is I don’t think it has any range advantage for hunting. Bullet performance should limit the range for ethical hunting before any real ballistic difference.
I’ve seen both more hunting bullets and loads for the 6.8 on the shelf, in my AO at least. Your AO may be different or if you buy online then it’s not a concern.
Deleted due to low knowledge base.