6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!

[Boss .300 winmag]

First let me start off with my lack of knowledge in the tactile world, I'm tacitly challenged, and don't know JACK concerning these type weapon systems!

So I'm going to build a custom AR from the ground up, I have a friend who can mill my lower for me with all the bells and whistles, and I get to choose my serial #.

I have read the threads on here about them.

1. Ammo for 6.5 is it readily available, or does it need to be reloaded to have a good supply?

2. Ammo for 6.8 see above, same question?

3. Which round is cheaper to reload, or buy off the shelf?

4. For the ones who own these calibers, what's the biggest difference between these two rounds, all aspects. Yes I know .3 is the smart donkey answer! 

5. Lessons learned what you did, and would do different now having hind site?

Of course any experiences you want to share is more than welcomed.

Thanks in advance

Boss .300 winmag

[Austrian Hunter]

I wish I could give you input on the 6.5 but I have never shot one, I do have the 6.8 SPC and love this caliber.  Not much help just love the 6.8  and I can find ammo easily at about $1 per round. 

[AWS]

First thing you need to do is look into the licensing required to manufacture firearms.

[LongRange300RUM]

The 6.8 is going to be way easier to find and cheaper to shoot if you plan on buying all your ammo. If you plan to reload cost is significantly cheaper and pretty close to the same. Both calibers perform well. Which would better depends on what its use is going to be. For most uses I'd say the 6.8 would be a good choice. If you want a 1000yd capable caliber the 6.5 fits that bill. For a lighter weight mid range standard ar style rifle id choose the 6.8. Accuracy is really going to depend on the quality of the build. And both can be accurate calibers. I myself debated this for awhile. I decided to built a 6.5. But its going to be a 24in barreled  fixed stock range gun. Might see some coyote hunting. I'm 4 months in to my 8 month wait for my satern barrel.

And as far as building a lower. It is legal as long as it isn't to sell or make a profit. That's how they get away with selling the 80% "paperweight" lowers. Take it finish drilling some holes and you got an usable lower without an serial number.

[Boss .300 winmag]

First thing you need to do is look into the licensing required to manufacture firearms.

Thanks for your concern on this, it will be made in a fully licensed commercial factory. And serial # will be legit, when you have them custom made you get to make up the serial #.

My career, and freedom are much more important than a stripped lower!

[carpsniperg2]

Ammo for both can be found. The bullet range on both is pretty close. Markets are pretty craze right now but they are fairly close in cost to buy and reload. I like the 6.5's a little better myself.

[lghtnquik]

Boss,

Biggest question is what do you want? If you are looking past 600yd performance 6.5 all day under 6.8 no question.

The best 6.8 ammo is made in Packwood by Silver State Armory so a lot of retailers here in WA carry it. I've seen some 6.5 but not much.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Boss,

Biggest question is what do you want? If you are looking past 600yd performance 6.5 all day under 6.8 no question.

The best 6.8 ammo is made in Packwood by Silver State Armory so a lot of retailers here in WA carry it. I've seen some 6.5 but not much.

It would be used for varmint, and wet side deer, and I will also have a 5.56 barrel as well.

I have a .300 winmag for all long range situations.

[coachcw]

6.5 all the way 140 vld 

[MP123]

I'm thinking of getting a 6.8 upper too.  My informal survey of gun shops found 6.8SPC ammo was more available than 6.5.  But there were only a few boxes of it vs. none for 6.5 so take that for what it's worth.  Ammo is pretty hard to find these days but that will change at some point hopefully...

[Boss .300 winmag]

Boss,

Biggest question is what do you want? If you are looking past 600yd performance 6.5 all day under 6.8 no question.

The best 6.8 ammo is made in Packwood by Silver State Armory so a lot of retailers here in WA carry it. I've seen some 6.5 but not much.

Here is there website, lots of good info to gleam.


https://01f35c8.netsolstores.com/index.aspx

[JohnVH]

6.5 Grendel

Ive had no problems getting ammo, and reloading it myself for my 16"er

I run 120gr bullets going about 2480-2500fps on the chrony

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/

[jay.sharkbait]

Why not build a AR 10 based gun and shoot .243 or .260? And at some point build an 18".338 federal upper for brush?

Bait

[JohnVH]

I was initially going to build an AR10 also, but wanted something lighter weight and no so 'big', but still would like one someday.

[jay.sharkbait]

I've used both and you are right. The AR10/SR25 is a little heavier but has similar OAL. I just think the .308 platform is more capable.

[6.8mmARHunter]

+1 for the 6.8 SPC. If nothing else WallMart carries Federal Fusion 115gr ammo. I would say it's no longer a wildcat... A little over $1.00 a round for premium hunting bullets. Not to mention I'm kind of biased as the owner of a Mega Arms upper/lower. No opinion on the 6.5.

[Biggerhammer]

In a across the board comparison, the 6.8 SPC can't hold a candle to the 6.5 Grendel. The Grendel will walk all over it. Problem is people comparing the two Chamberings for the same purpose. The cartridges were designed for completely different applications.  The 6.8 being right at home for CQB stuff in the "Stan" and the Grendel for the extended stuff on a platform lighter than the AR-10 or SR-25 platform. Both have their place. I have personally witnessed a one shot stop on a mature Mulie, with a 120gr BT out of a 16" Grendel carbine at 496 yards or so, may have been 493. Can't recal exactly.