6.5 Grendel vs 6.8spc II economics?

HALL,AUSTIN · July 10, 2017, 04:04 PM

Which would be an over all cheaper round to load? Does it mainly come down to case capacity? Also which one would be simpler to load. I've looked at getting into reloading for a couple years now and I'll take the plunge soon, both calibers would fill the role I would use them for so I figure all else being close enough to not matter to me, cost could be the deciding factor. Also does either have a fmj option with the same or close weight to their hornady SST counterpart? Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions.

Fla_dogman · July 10, 2017, 04:09 PM

I've heard so many opinions on both sides of the fence, and all were legit, to me it boils down to what you want to do with the rifle.

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HALL,AUSTIN · July 10, 2017, 04:32 PM

Either would work. It'd be my "bigger than a .224" option. No real need, just a want.

Tsquared · July 10, 2017, 06:09 PM

You need to look at the availability of loaded ammo, cases and projectiles. I didn't do very much research beyond the ballistics and distances. My deciding factor is that I have a 270 and I can use some of the same projectiles - I was wrong with that as they are both .277 but the Six8 uses much lighter projectiles. I do like my Six8. There is a wealth of info over on the 68forums

5whiskey · July 10, 2017, 07:40 PM

Tough decision. Obviously 6.5 gives a little more long range capability at the expense of a little more powder and more expensive cases. Mag capacity is a little less also.

I would likely stick with 6.8 unless I knew I would be shooting to 500 frequently, or that there was a good chance I would ever shoot past that.

ed308 · July 10, 2017, 08:30 PM

Both are close to each other. Don't think I've seen a FMJ bullet for reloading in 6.8 unless it's a pull. Federal and S&B both make 6.8 ammo that in FMJ. I use Nosler's HPBT Custom Comp bullets for my plinking ammo. More accurate than FMJ. They are either 110 or 115 gr bullets. Not sure about the Grendel and whether is has a FMJ bullet for loading. And I'm not sure which is easier to reload since I only reload 6.8. One member on this forum has said he thinks the Grendel is a little more difficult.

GeauxTide · July 11, 2017, 08:16 PM

First load for my Grendel put 5 123SSTs into .3" @2450fps with 30gr of CFE223 from 20" bbl. That's more than 1 grain under max. I've been pleased with the Hornady brass and there have been no jams in my AA Overwatch. I'm a 6.5 Loony, having a 260 and 6.5-06 too. Price, in the absence of value, is not a consideration.

July 10, 2017, 04:04 PM	#1
HALL,AUSTIN Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2011 Location: asheville north carolina Posts: 556	6.5 Grendel vs 6.8spc II economics? Which would be an over all cheaper round to load? Does it mainly come down to case capacity? Also which one would be simpler to load. I've looked at getting into reloading for a couple years now and I'll take the plunge soon, both calibers would fill the role I would use them for so I figure all else being close enough to not matter to me, cost could be the deciding factor. Also does either have a fmj option with the same or close weight to their hornady SST counterpart? Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions.

July 11, 2017, 08:16 PM	#7
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	First load for my Grendel put 5 123SSTs into .3" @2450fps with 30gr of CFE223 from 20" bbl. That's more than 1 grain under max. I've been pleased with the Hornady brass and there have been no jams in my AA Overwatch. I'm a 6.5 Loony, having a 260 and 6.5-06 too. Price, in the absence of value, is not a consideration. Last edited by GeauxTide; July 12, 2017 at 07:37 AM.

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July 10, 2017, 04:09 PM	#2
Fla_dogman Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2015 Posts: 265	I've heard so many opinions on both sides of the fence, and all were legit, to me it boils down to what you want to do with the rifle. Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

July 10, 2017, 04:32 PM	#3
HALL,AUSTIN Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2011 Location: asheville north carolina Posts: 556	Either would work. It'd be my "bigger than a .224" option. No real need, just a want.

July 10, 2017, 06:09 PM	#4
Tsquared Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2016 Location: NE Atlanta Posts: 337	You need to look at the availability of loaded ammo, cases and projectiles. I didn't do very much research beyond the ballistics and distances. My deciding factor is that I have a 270 and I can use some of the same projectiles - I was wrong with that as they are both .277 but the Six8 uses much lighter projectiles. I do like my Six8. There is a wealth of info over on the 68forums

July 10, 2017, 07:40 PM	#5
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,652	Tough decision. Obviously 6.5 gives a little more long range capability at the expense of a little more powder and more expensive cases. Mag capacity is a little less also. I would likely stick with 6.8 unless I knew I would be shooting to 500 frequently, or that there was a good chance I would ever shoot past that.

July 10, 2017, 08:30 PM	#6
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	Both are close to each other. Don't think I've seen a FMJ bullet for reloading in 6.8 unless it's a pull. Federal and S&B both make 6.8 ammo that in FMJ. I use Nosler's HPBT Custom Comp bullets for my plinking ammo. More accurate than FMJ. They are either 110 or 115 gr bullets. Not sure about the Grendel and whether is has a FMJ bullet for loading. And I'm not sure which is easier to reload since I only reload 6.8. One member on this forum has said he thinks the Grendel is a little more difficult.