350 legend/ 223 / 6.5 Grendel - bolt action

[Fadetoblack188]

Thoughts on 6.5 Grendel bolt gun?

 

[cal30_sniper]

Tikka in .223 would be my choice. My 20” Ranahan is awesome. I wouldn’t go shorter than 20” if you aren’t going to shoot suppressed. 16” .223s start to get pretty aggressive on muzzle blast/report, and young shooters may not like that.

I love 6.5 Grendel, and 6ARC, but the .223 will do just as much with less cost, and the number of good 6.5G/6 ARCbolt guns is pretty small without custom work.

Another option worth considering would be a T/C Encore. You can get a 20” barrel in a much more compact package with one of those.

 

[coyotekilla]

Thoughts on 6.5 Grendel bolt gun?

I like mine, killed a pile of coyote with it. The shell has taken a few deer too, but not this exact rifle. Have a modified straight pull ar & a cva scout braced pistol.

 

[jacksonc25]

I’m in New York as well. I’d worry about lack of a blood trail using the .223. I’ve had less than desirable trails with .243. The .350 legend is very light recoil and the all copper bullets hold together well and do a number on the ADK whitetail. If you’re not strictly hunting fields, I wouldn’t count it out entirely. Tikka also makes their T3x in a compact version that could be a good option for youth.

 

[omicron1792]

I’m in New York as well. I’d worry about lack of a blood trail using the .223. I’ve had less than desirable trails with .243. The .350 legend is very light recoil and the all copper bullets hold together well and do a number on the ADK whitetail. If you’re not strictly hunting fields, I wouldn’t count it out entirely. Tikka also makes their T3x in a compact version that could be a good option for youth.

Trails less important when they drop quicker. Isn’t that our goal, to drop them dead quickly?

 

[jacksonc25]

Of course, but taking some room for error into consideration especially with young shooters and likely a lot of firsts. Don’t want to leave a bad taste in someone’s mouth like hitting and losing their first deer.

 

[omicron1792]

Of course, but taking some room for error into consideration especially with young shooters and likely a lot of firsts. Don’t want to leave a bad taste in someone’s mouth like hitting and losing their first deer.

Me either. Nothing gets that done better than great shot placement with a 223. IMO of course.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Of course, but taking some room for error into consideration especially with young shooters and likely a lot of firsts. Don’t want to leave a bad taste in someone’s mouth like hitting and losing their first deer.

Do FNGs draw straws to see who’s going to bring this hot take into every new rifle caliber thread?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Do FNGs draw straws to see who’s going to bring this hot take into every new rifle caliber thread?

I just assume they're the same guys who roll into thanksgiving ready to tell me why Bruce Jenner really deserved to be the woman of the year when I ask them to please pass the butter.

 

[Mikido]

People lose rifle shot deer?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Thoughts on 6.5 Grendel bolt gun?

A great option. I use my CZ 527 a lot.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I don’t see why anyone given the choice between a .223 and a .350 Legendary would handicap himself with the .350. It’s literally designed to be a less efficient cartridge to take advantage of a relatively common regulation.

I would happily use a .350 Legend instead of a muzzleloader, but not over any of my other deer rifles.

 

[Fadetoblack188]

I think I am between the 223 and 6.5 Grendel now. Other then cost of ammo what cons would the Grendel be to the 223. The recoils do a kid is manageable on both.

This will be used for coyotes and whitetail in New York

 

[cal30_sniper]

I think I am between the 223 and 6.5 Grendel now. Other then cost of ammo what cons would the Grendel be to the 223. The recoils do a kid is manageable on both.

This will be used for coyotes and whitetail in New York

Cost and availability of ammo you’ve already queued in on. The other would be availability of rifles. It’s a great AR cartridge, but not a lot of great bolt actions chambered in it. If @Q_Sertorius still has his CZ 527 for sale, that would be the perfect Grendel bolt.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I think I am between the 223 and 6.5 Grendel now. Other then cost of ammo what cons would the Grendel be to the 223. The recoils do a kid is manageable on both.

This will be used for coyotes and whitetail in New York

Ammo isn’t terribly expensive for the 6.5 Grendel. The AAC 123-grain is good practice ammo at $14/20. I just got some Frontier 123-grain FMJ for $15/20 as well (I love their 5.56 so I figured I would give it a shot). And my hunting ammo has been the Hornady 123-grain SST and ELDM at $23/20. I killed two deer with it last year.

Recoil is heavier on the Grendel, but not unmanageable for a kid. I think it is a great cartridge.

 

[Fadetoblack188]

Cost and availability of ammo you’ve already queued in on. The other would be availability of rifles. It’s a great AR cartridge, but not a lot of great bolt actions chambered in it. If @Q_Sertorius still has his CZ 527 for sale, that would be the perfect Grendel bolt.

I have a Grendel in an ar platform. It’s just so heavy that’s why I wanted a bolt gun.

The ruger American gen 2 comes in it . I don’t need a 2k rifle

 

[cal30_sniper]

I have a Grendel in an ar platform. It’s just so heavy that’s why I wanted a bolt gun.

The ruger American gen 2 comes in it . I don’t need a 2k rifle

Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out then.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I have a Grendel in an ar platform. It’s just so heavy that’s why I wanted a bolt gun.

The ruger American gen 2 comes in it . I don’t need a 2k rifle

What’s a $2000 rifle?

 

[CJ_BG]

Reasons for 223 over 6.5 grendel

No difference in killing ability with proper bullet selection. (223 even has a slight edge in my opinion because of the velocity)
Cheaper and more available ammo
In a good bolt gun 5.56 ammo works just fine as well
Better ballistics
Pulls better double duty on varmints
Less recoil


The only reason to go 6.5 grendel over 223 is if you really think you need a heavier bullet. If you look through the 223 thread and decide you need more gun, a 6.5 grendel is not the step up you're probably looking for.

 

[buckbull]

I use a 350 legend for whitetails here in illinois (straight wall, single shot). I shoot barnes factory ammo and have no complaints. Way better than shooting slugs. A future straight wall state hunt would be the only reason to go with the 350 over .223, .243, 6 cm, etc.