• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Breaking News
    • Industry News
  • Gun Reviews
  • Gear Reviews
  • Ballistics
  • Concealed Carry
    • Defensive Gun
  • 2A

Gunners Den

  • Ammo
  • Rifles
    • ar-15
    • SKS
    • M1 Garand
    • M1 Carbine
    • Mini
  • Shotguns
  • Handguns
  • Hunting
  • Reloading
  • Trade Shows
  • Gun Info

6.5 Grendel Ballistics and Cartridge Guide

October 12, 2022 By Joshua Gillem

Picture courtesy of Federal Premium

6.5 Grendel Ballistics:

This 6.5 Grendel Ballistics chart shows 90 grain Federal American Eagle Varmint and Predator rounds:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS300 YDS
Velocity (FPS)3000264123092002
Energy (FT/LB)179813941065801
Drop (Inch)/+1.70-8.3

This 6.5 Grendel Ballistics chart shows 130 grain Federal Premium Gold Medal Berger Rounds:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS300 YDS
Velocity (FPS)2400225121081969
Energy (FT/LB)1663146312821119
Drop (Inch)/+2.70-10.4

This 6.5 Grendel Ballistics chart shows 123 grain Hornady Black ELD Match:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS300 YDS
Velocity (FPS)2580241022472090
Energy (FT/LB)1818158613791193
Drop (Inch)/+2.30-9.2

6.5 Grendel History:

The 6.5 Grendel is sized in the ever-popular 264 caliber. Only, this one is stuffed down to fit inside the AR-15 platform.

The 6.5 Grendel and the 5.56 NATO are essentially the same length, minus a few millimeters (5.56X45 VS 6.5X39), but the Grendel has extra energy leftover at 300 yards to keep stopping deer sized animals in their tracks with well placed shots.

The 6.5 Grendel traces its roots back to the first few years of this century, with a parent case being the same that the famous 7.62X39 used, the 220 Russian.

This 6.5mm cartridge was developed and introduced to the shooting industry in 2003 by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms.

6.5 Grendel Uses:

The 6.5 Grendel usually being chambered in an AR-15 platform as one of the more popular chamberings, means the rifles in this cartridge excel in defensive scenarios.

The Grendel utilizes a bigger cartridge case along with a bigger, heavier projectile (ranging from 90 to 130 grains in size).

It’s also a good hunting cartridge being that it’s still offering up over 1,000 FT/LB of energy at 300 yards, depending on the load.

The 6.5 Grendel can safely take white tailed deer with well-placed shots out to 300 yards, and I have heard of some hunters taking elk at 150 yards and under. I’d tread lightly here, however, and use a better round if elk is your goal.

Conclusion:

The 6.5 Grendel is a good cartridge that pulls double duty for defense and hunting purposes and does a good job at both with the right load for each.

Shop 6.5 Grendel Ammo, here.

Filed Under: Ballistics, Ammo, AR-15, Gun Info Tagged With: 6.5 grendel, ballistics, rifle ballistics

About Joshua Gillem

Josh is a lifelong practitioner and student of the gun. He grew up shooting/hunting with his dad, and was given his first gun, a 12 gauge shotgun, when just a small boy. After high school, he joined the Marines where his love for firearms blossomed as he qualified with an M16A2, an M9, and a 240G. Josh has been writing about firearms and tactics for several years, is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and believes that each individual person has the right to self-defense by any means necessary. Currently residing in gun-friendly North Carolina, he carries a concealed gun on a daily basis, even in his own house.

Primary Sidebar

Most Popular Posts

Best AR-15 Manufacturers

When Will Ammunition Prices Go Down?

Handgun Ballistics Chart

Rifle Ballistics Chart

Muzzle Brake vs Comp vs Flash Hider

12 Best 9mm Handguns

45-70 Ballistics, History, Info

Best Optics Ready Pistols

Cheap Bulk 223 Ammo

Follow Us

YouTube

Facebook

Footer

Disclosure

Privacy Policy

About Us

Contact Us

Advertise

Contributors

Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · GunnersDen.com ~ As a participant in the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate services, I may earn a small amount of money if you buy something after clicking on a link. It in no way increases the amount you pay and helps us stay in business. Please know that we only recommend products we trust and have used ourselves.