Check out the 6.5 Grendel, a look-alike cousin to the 6.5 PPC but with a different skill set.
The 6.5 Grendel cartridge underwent three years of development before Bill Alexander (Alexander Arms) released it in 2003 as a “long-range” cartridge specifically intended for the AR-15 family of rifles and carbines. The 6.5 Grendel transforms the military 7.62x39mm parent case by necking it down to 6.5mm, blowing out the shoulder, and changing to a Small Rifle primer and flash hole. As a close relative of the benchrest-proven 6.5 PPC, the 6.5 Grendel is the ideal length to seat long-ogive 120-grain and 130-grain bullets within the AR-15 magazine length constrictions.
General Comments
Accuracy in the 6.5 Grendel, in suitably barreled AR-15 rifles, readily attains sub-MOA, making it a great choice for long-range deer and varmint hunting. The 6.5 Grendel accommodates lightweight varmint bullets in the 90-grain class, which offer superb accuracy for competition and small-game shooting, mid-weight 108- or 120-grain competition bullets, and 130- or 140-grain game bullets for long shots on medium-sized game.
Seventeen 6.5 Grendel cartridges will fit into an Alexander Arms-supplied magazine dimensioned to fit into the magazine well of an AR-15’s lower receiver. The cartridge performs well in a 24-inch barrel using a 1:9 twist. Factory loads do not exceed 50,000 psi. Alexander Arms supplies rifles, magazines, ammunition, reloading dies, and brass.
Alexander Arms relinquished its trademark claim on the 6.5 Grendel as the 13th edition of Cartridges of the World went to print, which led to SAAMI standardization.
Hornady and Wolf are now factory-loading this round as well.
6.5 Grendel Reloading Data and Factory Ballistics
| Bullet (grains/type) | Powder | Grains | Velocity | Energy | Source |
| 90 Speer TNT | FL | 3,030 | Alexander Arms | ||
| 120 Nosler BT | FL | 2,580 | Alexander Arms | ||
| 123 Lapua Scenar | FL | 2,650 | Alexander Arms | ||
| 129 Hornady SST | FL | 2,450 | Alexander Arms |
Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest’s Cartridge’s Of The World.
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