Help me pick my new project: shorty 308 or 6.5 Grendel upper?

[Winny94]

I'm debating b/w building a 6.5 Grendel upper for my AR and a shorty 308 bolt action.

I want something I can hunt deer, antelope, etc. sized game with while also ringing steel out to 500-600 yards.

I can build a 18" Grendel upper for about $250-$300 (already have many of the parts). Or I can take that money and put it towards a 16.5" rem 700 AAC-SD in 308.

What would you do and why? (I do reload, and both rounds would be reloaded for)

 

[cotntop]

I shoot both and they are really great at 500-600yd for steel. Both are minimal for game at distance (300yd) in my opinion. Grendel is fun if you plan on stretching it way out.

 

[fmsniper]

grendel

 

[Tjsr19]

Where are you getting a Grendel barrel and bolt for 250-300? I would really like a link. Pm me please

 

[Ledzep]

I have both calibers. Several bolt action .308's and an 18" Grendel upper. My personal opinion is that a 6.5 Grendel AR15 with a 14.5-18" barrel is the most versatile rifle platform you can get today. The Grendel is great for popping steel out to about 700-800yd. Past that it gets difficult to see splashes (misses). I do agree with the post above that it's a limited range hunting caliber. Granted, I've seen folks on the 65grendel forum take deer as far as 700yd with it, I wouldn't shoot a deer-sized animal much past 400yd with it.

If you already have a precision bolt rifle, and don't have a 6.5 upper, I would definitely get the upper put together.

Truth be told, I sold my DPMS LR308 because I couldn't find a big enough difference between it and the Grendel. The Grendel was lighter, kicked less, and was more accurate.

 

[Notso]

Shorty AAC-SD bolt gun.

 

[Okie Gordon]

I have both setups and the 308 just sits in the safe but the Grendel goes to the range quite a bit.
Can't really explain it other than to mention that the AR Grendel is just plain fun to shoot.

 

[The Gump]

.308.

 

[Bdevr]

Had a Grendel. Fantastic round, but finding ammo or brass does not seem to be getting any easier or less expensive. Something to factor into your overall cost....

 

[Notso]

The only thing I would add to the discussion is even though the Grendel is probably a great round..... at the end of the day, you still are shooting an AR. Granted its a slightly longer range, flatter shooting round than the std AR - but it will still be an AR platform.

I have precision ARs and carbines and they all get shot - but my shorty Rem 700 SPS .308 is the one that gets the most range time. Its the one rifle I keep coming back to. I find it far more challenging to shoot well than an AR platform and I tend to push it more. But if you don't already have a precision bolt gun, I would go that route. I think you will find the Grendel upper just another upper that looks and feels exactly like your .223 upper. Just my $.02