Should I invest into 6.5 Grendel?

[noammo]

I have several AR15 lowers and 3 complete uppers; 16, 18, and 20 inches in various configurations. I also have invested in 200+ AR15 magazines and plenty in .223/5.56 ammo. I am now interested in an AR pistol platform as I can keep it in my truck here in a free state. However, it seems like 6.5 Grendel could be a much better round for short-barrel platform. The only drawback is that I won't be able to use the existing magazine inventory and the high price and low availability of 6.5 Grendel magazines very discouring. In addition, I won't be able to run into Walmart to recharge in the event of SHTF while away from the house and will likely be stuck with my loadout as the chance of finding it from the fallens are extremely rare.

Basically, I would be required to carry another complete AR15 upper in 5.56 as part of the loadout to swap out. It would be a great fort defense and range gun but the platform is impractical for at least 5 years or until ammo is at least stocked at local Walmart.

My current load-out is a G17 with 3 17-rounders on the person and 5 33-round sticks in canvas chest pouch. It will probably be more than enough for all problems in 100-yard range. But I want to expand survivability much longer with a rifle-caliber setup while still taking advantage of a CHP right.

By the way, an .308 in short barrel setup is a no-go as I don't think that much range and would rather save the weight for extra rounds.

 

[Fiv3r]

If you have 200 magazines and enough 5.56 to stuff into them, I think you're well beyond the realistic survivability. I don't think most war vets that fought in active combat engagements burned through 6,000 rounds of ammo.

6.5 Grendel is a fine round, but I would look at it as a third string special use weapon. I think if you had 5 to 10 magainzes and enough ammo to go in them, you would be fine for specialized use if things went sideways.

Then again, I have 3 loaded mags for my AR holding my sum total supply of 5.56 and currently have a 6+1 .380 in my pocket with no spare magazine. I'm probably not the best source for advice on this topic.

 

[Deanimator]

I have several AR15 lowers and 3 complete uppers; 16, 18, and 20 inches in various configurations. I also have invested in 200+ AR15 magazines and plenty in .223/5.56 ammo. I am now interested in an AR pistol platform as I can keep it in my truck here in a free state. However, it seems like 6.5 Grendel could be a much better round for short-barrel platform. The only drawback is that I won't be able to use the existing magazine inventory and the high price and low availability of 6.5 Grendel magazines very discouring. In addition, I won't be able to run into Walmart to recharge in the event of SHTF while away from the house and will likely be stuck with my loadout as the chance of finding it from the fallens are extremely rare.

If I had a place to shoot a rifle, my next upper would be a 6.5 Grendel. I have more confidence in 6.5 than 5.56 and am a fan of that bore size in general.[/QUOTE]

 

[SharpDog]

Yes

1. AA sometimes carries magazines at great prices, I got several there for $15 each shipped. They list them higher now but keep looking.
https://www.shopalexanderarms.com/6_5_Grendel-Magazines.html

2. For uppers or complete rifles, Hardened arms is hard to beat:


https://www.hardenedarms.com

Note that HA website is down at this time, first time I've seen it down, give it a few if you go there. Do a search on 6.5 Grendel uppers or rifles. The had a lightweight 6.5G rifle on sale recently for $549. It might still be available.

 

[Legionnaire]

Welcome to THR. Buy a 6.5 Grendel if you like. Invest? Not so much.

By the way, SHTF threads have short lives on THR.

 

[labnoti]

Should you invest? That sounds like a financial question rather than a technical one. Based on your reasoning, it doesn't look like you'd have a Grendel product or service to sell, so I'm not sure where you'd be expecting to see a return. I'd say you have no reason to expect a practical return for what you'd be investing for above what you've already invested in 5.56x45. I won't fault your evident preparedness, but if you're only expecting to equip yourself in an unlikely event, you are probably better off at this point considering alternative outcomes. You're ready with 200 magazines and chambered in 5.56 so you can scrounge from the fallen. Are you overweight with a poor diet, diabetes, high blood-pressure, addicted to sin, high-cholesterol, gingivitis? Any of those things are more likely to lead to your death than not buying an upper and a bunch of magazines in Grendel.

 

[noammo]

My definition is investing is strictly for survivability and enjoyment and definitely not financial. I too was thinking that if I have 6.5 ammo for price and stuff 5 mags twice over, I should be good to go for most short term situation but will definitely need to lug around the 5.56 upper to swap out when I am down to 2 mags. And I am strictly talking about AR-15 pistol with 10-12 inches barrel, where 6.5 Grendel is head and shoulder better than 5.56. If it was just defending the fort, I can stick with 5.56 or move to .308 in bolt action or heavier semi-auto platforms, of which I have my CETME and clone PTR.

The ability to have a loaded weapon in mid-power cartridge in vehicle as well as on person via a discrete bag is truly an advantage not to pass up. With that added power, I can just reduce handgun ammo load and learn to aim better,

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Is it April 1st again or what?

 

[jmr40]

If I were wanting a rifle for a survival situation I'd stay with 5.56. With good shot placement and within 150 ish yards a softpoint 5.56 round on the heavier end of the spectrum kills deer just fine if you're trying to survive off the land.

If I wanted a dedicated big game rifle on an AR platform with a little more range and the capability to shoot bigger game than deer a 6.5 Grendel would be near, if not at the top of my list.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Having, let alone needing, 200 full magazines of 5.56 is quite equivalent to needing a trauma plate in the back of your body armor to keep you from getting killed by multiple .308 rounds on your way out to the car from one of America’s largest indoor retail shopping areas of which you are the Sergeant of a three-man Rapid Tactical Force at.

 

[noammo]

Thanks Sharp Dog. I went ahead and picked up a 5.56 and a 6.5 uppers from PSA as well as a case of ammo. I tried to get their bag and mags deal but they were out of stock so I called and they agreed to include 3 10-round mags of 6.5 in lieu of 7 mags of 5.56. It is a win-win for everyone. The case is not low profile as I wish but big enough to carry 2 complete weapons or 1 weapon and and extra upper and additional ammo. The 6.5 should be interesting and give me an additional 250 ft/sec out of the 12 inches barrel vs. the 10.5 inches barrel setup from 5.56 but overall length is the same due to configurations. That should help with situations under 200 yards.

Now if anyone know a good gun safe for a 2019 Tacoma, that would be great. My wife’s Ridgeline is perfect to run a pelican case under the magic seats and secure it to the multi-point latch and anchor but the Tacoma has mostly wasted space under the seat unlike a Tundra, Ford, or Ram.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

The 6.5 should be interesting and give me an additional 250 ft/sec out of the 12 inches barrel vs. the 10.5 inches barrel setup from 5.56 but overall length is the same due to configurations. That should help with situations under 200 yards.

The barbarian hordes won't have a chance.

 

[<*(((><]

I think you’ll be pleased with the 6.5. I’m a 6.8 SPC guy but they are very similar.

 

[<*(((><]

I think you’ll be pleased with the 6.5. I’m a 6.8 SPC guy but they are very similar.

I have a lockerdown safe for my center console of my tundra and it’s a nice unit. Looks like they have just what you need for $850.

https://www.lockerdown.com/i-49-suv...a-crew-cab-behind-the-seat-long-gun-safe.html

 

[noammo]

Thanks Luke. Just put that on order. I was always looking for something under the seat like my Ford and my buddies’ Tundra but this is good. I could get a carpet backing to cover it so it looks like nothing behind the seat from factory. I am not impressed with the lock though so I may have to rig up a lock inside to add additional security. Quick retrieval is not a primary concern as I have pepper spray for persistent homeless and windshield crews. Just joking

 

[<*(((><]

Let us know how it turns out, wish something like this was an option on my Tundra, but I have the crewmax and there really isn't a good option for the 2007-2013 Crewmax's unless I'm missing it.

 

[ATLDave]