6.5 Grendel vs 6.5 Creedmoor
Hey all, today we are going to be going over two different 6.5 cartridges on the market, the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Both cartridges have become popular with a wide variety of shooters and are well supported by many firearms offered in the caliber. Today we are going to offer a brief overview of the cartridges and discuss a few of their traits and use cases. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
6.5 Grendel
The 6.5 Grendel was introduced in 2003 and was designed to be compatible with common STANAG type magazines. The round was designed to be utilized in an AR-15 style rifle while serving as a means to bridge the gap between the 5.56x45mm and the .308 Winchester cartridges. The cartridge affords a shooter a larger and more precision-oriented round than the 5.56x45mm that AR-15 style rifles are commonly found in. A boon of the caliber is that a shooter can have access to a higher degree of accuracy and performance without having to move up to a larger-sized rifle.
6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor round made its debut in 2007 and has solidified itself as a solid performer in both long range shooting and hunting applications. The round is often compared to the long-standing .308 Winchester and is considered by many to be a superior round when it comes to precision shooting. The 6.5 Creedmoor has attracted military attention in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom as marksman and sniper rifle systems have been adopted in the caliber. The cartridge is also known for its relatively mild recoil when compared to other full-sized rifle cartridges, making it a favorite among shooters.
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Firearms Chambered in 6.5 Grendel
An overwhelming majority of the firearms chambered in 6.5 Grendel will be semi-automatic and in AR-15 form. Some bolt action options exist and are commercially available from manufacturers such as Ruger and Howa. The semi-automatic options available in the caliber make the already mild-recoiling round even more tame as the impulse is dampened by the operation of the rifle.
Firearms Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
For the most part, a majority 6.5 Creedmoor chambered firearms will be in the form of bolt action rifles. One can find many bolt action rifles in the caliber from manufacturers such as Bergara, Christensen Arms, and Tikka just to name a few. One can also find semi-automatic firearms chambered in the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge such as AR-10s and Springfield Armory M1As to name a few. The recoil of the 6.5 Creedmoor is already relatively light, the impulse of the round will be reduced even further when utilized in a semi-automatic platform.
Availability of Ammunition
When it comes to today’s market, one will generally find less 6.5 Grendel ammunition options than 6.5 Creedmoor. While the 6.5 Creedmoor tends to be more commonplace, one can still find a fair amount of 6.5 Grendel on the market.
As far as 6.5 Grendel goes, one will typically encounter loads in the range of 90 grains to 130 grains. A variety of companies such as Hornady, Remington, and Federal produce offerings to suit needs such as plinking, hunting, and precision shooting. When it comes to the 6.5 Creedmoor, one will find a wide variety of ammunition to fit multiple roles. Generally, one can find loads that range from 110 grains to 160 grains. Affordable, general-purpose loads for plinking and target practice are common while more specialized loads optimized for hunting or precision shooting are also available.
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Usage for 6.5 Grendel
Firearms chambered in the 6.5 Grendel cartridge would be well-suited to hunting. The round is a good option for hunting game such as deer and is especially effective as a predator hunting load. The fact that one can use AR-15 style rifles in the caliber makes it even more efficient for hunting as one can configure a build to best suit their hunting needs. For example, one can make a lightweight AR-15 chambered in the cartridge that will be well suited to field use.
Usage for 6.5 Creedmoor
When people think of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, they will typically think about the cartridge in the context of hunting or long-range target shooting. One will be able to handle some larger-sized game humanely and efficiently with some of the purpose-built hunting loads on the market. A sizeable share of the 6.5 Creedmoor market is dominated by precision-oriented rounds from companies such as Hornady that allow an end user to squeeze a high degree of accuracy out of their rig.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, either the 6.5 Grendel or 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges will serve you well. You can find multiple firearms which will accommodate either caliber and fit your specific needs, whether you want a semi-automatic or a bolt action. We here at True Shot carry ammunition for both of these calibers to suit your shooting needs. No matter which caliber you shoot, we want you to be the best shooter you can be and stand ready to provide information and ammunition. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.