I have the itch for a different caliber AR and I am considering the 6.5 Grendel and the 300 Blackout. I would like your opinion on which is better and why. My main goal would be to hammer hogs/varmints within 250 yds. No supperssors yet, but that may be in my future at some point. I have bolt guns for deer and larger game. Thanks for your insight.

6.5 Grendel.

X2

Not sure about the numbers for a 300 BO but at 200+ I can’t see it being impressive on game.

Grendel X3. the only reason I would pick the 300 BO over teh Grendel would be for subsonic loads. The Grendel works well for hunting or target.

Get a Grendel or 6.8

Forget a 300

I have a .300 B/O. I was limited to S&W, so it had to be that or 5.56. I like it. I got it with a 5R barrel and finished in RealTree APG. I've killed a pile of stuff with it, all inside 150 yards. That said, if I know I'm going to be hunting a spot where I'll be shooting some distance, I use something else. Under different circumstances I would have chosen another caliber.

Another vote for 6.5 Grendel

Grendel

6.5 no question.

I love my 300 BO, but if you're wanting to shoot out to 250 I'd go 6.8 or Grendel also. 300 BO's sweet spot is under 150 or so.

Lol looks like you didn’t start any fights.

Somebody will be along in a minute to throw the Valkyrie into the mix, even though you gave the two options you are assessing. I'd go Grendel.

Grendel

If I had to own, only one AR type rifle, it would be chambered in 6.5 Grendel, no question about it. It's the Crescent wrench of AR-15 cartridges. It'll do lots of jobs well.

For your specific requirements, the Grendel would be it. But, I hunt with a 300 blk out, and I feel no disadvantage with a blk out inside of 300 yards. I easily know the come ups with this round and feel confident in it. But the Grendel does have a little more speed and energy than the blk out with the same weight bullet with higher BC bullets, so it will have less drop and less wind drift.

Grendel, that being said, I kill a bunch of hogs with 6.8

6.8 spc

6.8 spc or 6.5 Grendal, unless you want 30-06 ballistics and heavier bullets, then go with a .300 OSSM....

Between those two options: Grendel. Unless you reload factory ammo can be slightly difficult to find. I know it wasn’t an option but it has been mentioned, 6.8 is another good option.

At least Grendel is finally getting closer to the attention it deserves. More and more factory ammo is being made for it and small manufactures as well as custom ammo manufactures are cranking more 6.5 Grendel ammo out. Precision Firearms is back offering Grendel ammo in perhaps more choices than ever. PF Link

Federal and Hornady as well as others are cranking out good hunting ammo as well as target ammo

If you reload Starline is now offering brass for the Grendel with good reviews so far

16” or less-Eric @ Blackstone Arms builds a good 6.8 upper. As said above, works well for 250 yards.

Wow, I was expecting more variance in suggestions. Apparently 6.5 is the way to go. I am not very familiar with the 6.8. Someone care to educate me? I’ve also heard about the Valkyrie. Anybody with experience with that round? My concern is the availability and price of ammo. I want to be able to afford to shoot it still. Thanks for all of your help!

I am a huge 6.8 fan.. Hornady 120SST factory ammo is VERY effective and accurate in numerous 6.8s I have been around.
Ammo is available just about anywhere.

I think the 6.5 is a better choice if you want to shoot longer ranges with an AR15 but ideally you want a longer barrel to get the most out of it, same with the Valkarie. You really gain nothing by going over 16" with a 6.8

grendel