Quick Tip: 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel

Our roving Brownells Gun Tech, Caleb Savant, is back to conduct another "caliber comparison" for us. This time, it's two AR-15 cartridges: the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC (aka 6.8mm Remington SPC - "Special Purpose Cartridge"). The 6.5 Grendel has a high-ballistic coefficient .264" bullet, while the 6.8 SPC has a larger-diameter .277" bullet. Both have the same 2.26" OAL as the AR-15's standard .223 Remington / 5.56 NATO round. The big difference is the 6.5 Grendel's faster velocity and flatter trajectory. With the same bullet weight, it'll be about 100 fps faster than the 6.8 SPC. At a 100-yard zero, the 6.5 Grendel will drop about 8.5" at 300 yards, while the 6.8 SPC will drop 10.5" at the same range. The Grendel has about 200 ft-lbs. more energy both at the muzzle and downrange. The 6.8 is a bit better on close-in targets, while the 6.5 is better for reaching out to more distant targets. Caleb to favoring one of them..... Which is yours? Tell us in the comments below.

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