Black rifle hunting: 300 BLK vs 6.5 Grendel

Joel

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Not a new hunter, but pretty new to the idea of hunting with a "black rifle". Been a 30-06, etc guy previous to now.

What do you folks with experience think is better from a 16" barreled rifle, for lets say large whitetail (pretty big bucks in the area) out to 150 meters? Any difference between the Blackout and Grendel at all within those parameters?

I'm thinking MRA Renegade, but a bit torn on what to rebarrel on, as both look like great calibers. Higher sectional density and maybe retained energy of the Grendel look good, but man the 110gr TSX and GMX really seem to perform out of the Blackout.

Curious to hear about peoples experiences where I have none here.
 
Looking at Nosler's load data online, they've got 6.5 Grendel pushing a 120gr @ 2500, vs the Blackout pushing a 125gr @ 2200. (24" barrel vs 16" barrel though.) Considering the 6.5 bullet will retain velocity and energy far better, and has a much better sectional density, that would get my vote.

Out to 150 both will do the job, but the 6.5 will be useful at longer ranges than the 300.
 
Yeah I noticed the discrepancy with barrel length too.

Hornady has 18" or 18.5" load data that still ain't too bad. Not too sure how much the long range shooting will be relevant for me but can't see not being able to as a virtue either lol
 
If there is any chance that buck would be beyond 150 I would go Grendel. Love the 300BO don't get me wrong but it sure runs out of steam fast.
 
What kind of ammo have you guys used on game?

Barnes makes specific 110/120 gr blackout and 115 gr grendel bullets that expand at a much lower velocity, Don't use the regular tsx or ttsx they require way more velocity to get proper expansion then what the blackout and grendel can do typically. Nosler 129gr long range accubond will work with the grendel too as they expand at a much lower velocity then normal accubonds. For blackout hunting tho the barnes 110/120 are the gold standard used for deer and piggies down in murika
 
From experience back when we could still hunt with a Modern Varmint, big muleys at 440 yards fold up like a cheap tent with a 6.5 Grendel.
18.6" barrel using 123 gr Hornady Amax factory ammo. Don't know the actual velocity as we never go a chance to chrono it but being a gas gun figure it would be a bit less than what a bolt rifle would get.
 
From experience back when we could still hunt with a Modern Varmint, big muleys at 440 yards fold up like a cheap tent with a 6.5 Grendel.
18.6" barrel using 123 gr Hornady Amax factory ammo. Don't know the actual velocity as we never go a chance to chrono it but being a gas gun figure it would be a bit less than what a bolt rifle would get.

Thank you! Appreciate hearing the firsthand experience, and that is quite an endorsement.
 
From experience back when we could still hunt with a Modern Varmint, big muleys at 440 yards fold up like a cheap tent with a 6.5 Grendel.
18.6" barrel using 123 gr Hornady Amax factory ammo. Don't know the actual velocity as we never go a chance to chrono it but being a gas gun figure it would be a bit less than what a bolt rifle would get.

I've used Federal Fusion MSR on deer with good results. Good accuracy out of my XCR that I had at the time.
 
Is it longer/heavier than the rifle? Haha. Well, you're gonna see what you are shooting at that is for sure and it sounds like a really cool rig.

Going back to what you said about the gas gun vs a bolt gun, does it really change things that much? Didn't know! Makes sense since propellant gas is being siphoned off the work the action instead of pushing a bullet but I didn't realize it was an appreciable amount.

And thanks RJ and DaveMachine!
 
RJ if you're happy with it then I'm sure you've killed stuff with it lol.

Nah for real BTDT I have 7.62x39 but when are we ever satisfied lol
 
Nothing wrong with a 300 BLK but as we can't shoot suppressed here I sort of dont' see the point. In a hunting situation a Grendel will do everything the BLK can and much more. In a hunting rifle, I wouldn't even look at a x39 if a Grendel was a viable option, the Grendel is a better cartridge in all respects unless you have a commie itch to scratch.

Although at 150 M it won't make a difference if you go BLK or Grendel. Choose whatever appeals to you the most. If you want to shoot further, the Grendel wins by a long margin.
 
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