350 legend/ 223 / 6.5 Grendel - bolt action

[Fadetoblack188]

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.

I am reading there is less room for error on shot placement especially when it comes to a youth hunter.

The right ammo. Is this store bought off the shelf or hand loads ?

 

[cal30_sniper]

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.

It’s been a while since I ran the numbers, but I think the Grendel still equals or holds an edge ballistically at longer ranges out of equivalent barrel lengths compared to heavy for caliber .223 loads. The Grendel will launch the 120ELDM at least as fast as a 223 will sling an 80ELDM, and their ballistic coefficient is identical. As the barrels get shorter, the Grendel starts to really pull ahead (based on what I’ve seen messing with 12”-16” Grendels.

All of that to say, the .223 seems to be the clear winner in this use case with today’s better bullets. The Grendel made a lot more sense when it came out 20+ years ago but that gap has closed significantly since.

Both are overshadowed ballistically by the 6ARC in the same class of rifle.

Edit before I get shredded, I’m specifically referring to ARC/Grendel loaded to normal bolt gun pressures, not the anemic factory loads people feed the weakened bolt head in their ARs for a regular diet.

 

[cal30_sniper]

I am reading there is less room for error on shot placement especially when it comes to a youth hunter.

Post #5 in this thread links to an absolute mountain of data that contradicts this.

 

[Fadetoblack188]

Ok so it looks like a 77 tmk which is store bought not hand loaded will do what it needs to as well as my kids shooting the 223 at a whitetail. Maybe I’m back to choosing the 223 haha

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I am reading there is less room for error on shot placement especially when it comes to a youth hunter.

The right ammo. Is this store bought off the shelf or hand loads ?

What do you mean by “less room for error on shot placement?” I assume you think that a larger diameter bullet provides more “margin for error.” This is technically true. A .243 bullet provides approximately .019” more margin for error than a .224 bullet, assuming quality bullets.

Factory loaded 69, 73, or 77-grain .223/5.56 is absolutely lethal against deer (and other animals).

Bullets still need to hit and damage vitals to kill animals. The most important factor in that is accurate shot placement. Giving a kid a rifle they can shoot a lot and with which they become become proficient is the most important way to set him up for success. There’s no hunting cartridge that makes up for poor shot placement.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Ok so it looks like a 77 tmk which is store bought not hand loaded will do what it needs to as well as my kids shooting the 223 at a whitetail. Maybe I’m back to choosing the 223 haha

Yes, as much as I would like to sell someone my lovely, accurate, reasonably priced, little CZ, the only reason I would choose a 6.5mm Grendel over a .223 is if your jurisdiction doesn’t allow .224 caliber bullets for deer.