Thread: 6.5 Grendel advice for young shooter

Unless Im reading it wrong the guys wanting opinions on 6.5g not another caliber rammed down his neck

i bought the wife a 6.5 after princess happyteeth and co got her sks. still unfired though

Who else make a factory 6.5 grendel? I am not a howa fan, don't know much about the Ruger offering. I have been looking at one as well to step my kids up to.

got the ruger one here, c/w supressor

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Yes indeed,I can agree with that to a degree. That $1000 rifle,if downloaded now can go back to full noise later lol saving a further $1000 down the track. By same token the 7mm/08 down loaded with lightest projectiles will be just as gentle on young fella.... But don't tell Mum cause the " excuse" to buy new rifle for lad is great reason to get gentle stalking rifle for Dad when boy decides to move up to 7mm-08 later...I cannot disagree with that logic at all.

If reloading, I've started looking the the weight range of projectiles available. Recently bought a 243, wasn't really on the radar, but was a chance to try a LH bolt action. But now really enjoying it, 1:9 twist so projectile choice ranges from 58gn to around 100gn, which covers most situations well. The 6mm ARC would be a nice option, more economic on powder, but brass, dies, etc very easy to find for 243 (half my brass is necked down 7-08 brass anyway!). And plenty of nice 243 rifles available on the 2nd hand market. That's probably the main advantage of 243 I think, and maybe partly where @mickDuck is coming from?

But if buying new, different kettle of fish.

I notice 6.5mm and 7mm both have projectiles starting at 100gn, and go up from there. So apart from it being a different rifle, if reloading can get similar performance/recoil from both (reduced loads for 7-08)? But Grendel does look like a good all-round option if you are after another rifle.

My experience is that projectile weight seems to make a big difference to recoil, I have a reduced load for my 30 cal rifle (125gn @2500 fps) that is effective out to around 200m, shoots like the 243. Very benign compared to the 168gn full noise load.

If it was me, I'd be favouring the 6mm cartridges and a fast twist barrel, but in saying that I haven't checked the availability of brass and dies. But that wasn't the question either!

Im running a bit lighter than you guys 85 and 90gn from memory.

Originally Posted by Floyd72

hey Micky, yeah i had thought of the 120gr pills in my 708 as I do have a box of TTSX. Sounds weird when i say it out loud but I don't want to psych the boy out and have him develop a mental block with my 708 - he's already been 'scoped' once lol. And on the wounding thing, I acknowledge the repitition is the key and just get him being reliable with the .223, but we have all missed animals and know we've wounded them and it sucks. At his age I'd rather have just that extra margin of error while he is learning

Sorry bud missed this post in the chatter fair enough. There are some great/ awesome options for the 223 around now too.even with slow twists. The Speer 70 GRN sort of brings it nearly up to similar levels....on paper anyway. End of day,your Dad and know what's right for your young fella. If you were closer I could help out in person ,between 22-250 the humble x39 etc most scenarios can be well taken care of. Tell you what though,if you going to go grendal,make it Howa mini.then when urge takes you,after lad has pinched the 7mm,you can drop mini action into one of robhughesgames fancy stocks and go untra light lol. Fun times ahead. Good on you for getting young man hunting.

Originally Posted by 300wsm for life

Who else make a factory 6.5 grendel? I am not a howa fan, don't know much about the Ruger offering. I have been looking at one as well to step my kids up to.

Ruger-ive owned both howa and ruger grendel’s
My personal preference is howa
I find ruger quite rough and agricultural in comparison
Both were are very accurate consistently sub moa with handloads


Might be a couple of others but not sure I think cz make the 527 in grendel but i could be wrong

I doubt you will regret it.
Infact there is a chance you'll end up using it over the 7mm08. Shooting rifles with minimal recoil is certainly a lot nicer.
The 6.5 has factory offerings in starting from 100gr up and the 6mm arc has 80gr up. So probably a little less recoil with the arc. Obviously doesn't matter if you are reloading as you can load whatever you want.
Both appear to have reasonable available ammunition at a similar price.

If I could only have one rifle the grendel would be hard to go past for what I do

I origenally ran the 85gr Bergers in the Grendel, but then Berger stopped making them. Still got 2 boxes left though.

Yup, CZ makes a beautifull 527 in Grendel.

Originally Posted by Jaco Goosen

Cant go wrong with a 65 Grendel, it would work perfectly for the young fella. Im pushing 95gr Vmax's at 2900+fps. Works great for hunting and I can hit a dinner plate out to 500m.

My, then 13YO, used it during the NZDS Hunts course. Low recoil, easy to handle rifle.

I dont like shooting heavy for calibre projectiles, personal preferance.

the v max go ok ? not messy ?

Id assume with zero experience that the vmax being designed arround bigger cases going way faster
That at Grendel speeds it works more like a hunting bullet
This was my experience with the 100gn serria

Originally Posted by TLB

I doubt you will regret it.
Infact there is a chance you'll end up using it over the 7mm08. Shooting rifles with minimal recoil is certainly a lot nicer.
The 6.5 has factory offerings in starting from 100gr up and the 6mm arc has 80gr up. So probably a little less recoil with the arc. Obviously doesn't matter if you are reloading as you can load whatever you want.
Both appear to have reasonable available ammunition at a similar price.

Yup pretty much what has happened to me.
Haven't shot my 08 based case gun since I got the Grendel. I run 2 loads. 90gr tnt and then 123gr eldm. Both have their place but the 123gr go really well at distance. I've actually shot this further than the 08.