6 arc or 6.5 grendel

[bnsafe]

ok, I hunt heavy timber, shots are 75 yds max and most within 50. I want a 16 inch gas gun so going with one of the above. 6 arc obviously built for long range and less gr bullets but moves about 200 fps faster. grendel shoots a bit heavier bullet and cheaper. I want complete pass thru not finding bullet in off side hide.
lastly, 16 or 18 inch barrel, Im leaning towards 16 inch with the distance Im shooting and wanting to suppress some day.
Im guessing none of this matters, go buy some eldm and shoot with either.

 

[Natebonebusta]

At your max distance I’d go Grendel. I’ve had two pass throughs with the 123sst both at 45 yards. FPS on that cartridge 2410 out of a howa 1500.

 

[hereinaz]

The 6 arc will be a little faster on follow up shots. The velocity will help more with pass throughs. But, the difference is going to be minimal.

 

[KyleR1985]

Do you have a minimum bullet caliber requirement where you do/will hunt?

 

[bnsafe]

no, I can pretty much shoot anything. Id have to look to be positive but am sure the 223 is legal to, just wanting something a little more.
how long is the barrel in the howa 1500. Im wanting a 16 inch gas gun

 

[_S_R_]

Within 100 yards no need to jump in to system with different BCG and mags for cool caliber. 25-45 sharps 300blk or 300hamr will do job.

 

[BigNate]

I don't understand why you want high speed low drag for 75 yards and still want a pass through. Those don't go together well unless shooting monos and even then there's no guarantee.

Why not a 16" .458 socom, 450 bushmaster, .50 Beowulf or similar?

 

[nphunter]

I don't understand why you want high speed low drag for 75 yards and still want a pass through. Those don't go together well unless shooting monos and even then there's no guarantee.

Why not a 16" .458 socom, 450 bushmaster, .50 Beowulf or similar?

This is essentially the heavy fixed vs expandable broadhead debate via rifles. Having shot several animals with lever actions and .45/.50 cal muzzle loaders I’ll take a fast small bullet every time.

Big slow heavies will do less meat damage but also much less tissue damage. I watched my buddy shoot a buck 3 times at under 100 yards and the last two under 50 before killing a 3.5yr old mule deer. First two through the lungs and the last in the back of the neck. I realize muzzle loaders are on the extreme but same principal.

I’ve also seen bucks killed with a 22-250 with unbelievable damage. I’ll take the more damage with better accuracy all day long. Those cannons would be fun for sure and I love my muzzle loaders and lever guns but if my life depends on it I’m grabbing a lazer gun.

 

[justinspicher]

If you’re going with a gas gun, why not build an upper in both?

 

[KyleR1985]

Are you going to hand load or only shoot factory

 

[robtattoo]

Within 100 yards no need to jump in to system with different BCG and mags for cool caliber. 25-45 sharps 300blk or 300hamr will do job.

I've got no experience with the Sharps, but I can conclusively say that the BLK or Ham'r will do exactly what you want.
110gr at 2450 from the BLK or a 125 at 2500 from the Ham'r will absolutely do what you need.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Big thing to remember here is pressures in a gas platform are lower than a bolt gun platform which means slower speeds in a gas gun. Imo you are splitting hairs at that range. Pick one and run with it.

 

[orangeblu]

Have had my 6mm ARC out to 1200yrd hits. Buddy has 6.5 Grendel he can’t keep up with hits. I’m running 105gr hpbt Hornady.

 

[Luked]

Built my Daughter a 300 Blk just for this exact thing.
Shots less than 100 yards.
I have one spot that is pretty dense and ill be using it in there as well.

 

[BigNate]

This is essentially the heavy fixed vs expandable broadhead debate via rifles.

No it's not.

The OP is wanting through and through penetration, but wants to use short barrel, small caliber cartridges at very close range, and mentioned using an ELDx. Those things don't go together

 

[ThorM465]

At that range I'm running my 11.5" Grendel all day. Especially if I'm above 9k ft elevation. However, I'd also be running either my hand loaded 110gr Cutting Edge ER Raptor, 112gr Hammer HHT, or 129gr Nosler ABLR if I hit my max range with either of the solids.

 

[bnsafe]

I got the 6 arc, will see what happens. If its not what I want I will move on to another option. thanks for the thoughts guys, greatly appreciated.

 

[Oldffemt]

I've got no experience with the Sharps, but I can conclusively say that the BLK or Ham'r will do exactly what you want.
110gr at 2450 from the BLK or a 125 at 2500 from the Ham'r will absolutely do what you need.

This is your answer. For inside 100yds I’d be building a pistol upper with ~8-10” barrel too. Suppress it and you’ll still be about the same over all length as a standard 16” gas gun. I used to hunt some midwest property that had been logged and there’s not a better solution for moving through vegetation that thick.

 

[Tiger260]

I got the 6 arc, will see what happens. If its not what I want I will move on to another option. thanks for the thoughts guys, greatly appreciated.

I think you'll be happy with either, as long as you don't go too light on the 6mm bullet. If it's not you're cup of tea, then just swap out the barrel for a few hundred bucks. Anything 123 gr in the Grendel will get you what you need.

 

[General RE LEE]

I own a 6 ARC but if I’m just woods hunting, I’ll either take my bow or a single shot 300 blackout.

I’m steadier with my bow to 40 yards than shooting a rifle off hand.