I have an 11yr old girl who wants to start hunting with me this year, about which I'm excited. She's learning to shoot with an AR and 22lr. She loves the 22lr, but is comfortable and showing promise with the AR as well.. I know I'm going to get some people say the .223 is plenty for pigs and deer, but I'm not getting into that debate, she's going to hunt with a larger caliber. She is relatively new to shooting, and is still a bit shy about recoil. She has no issues with the AR.

I have a 7/08 that has a brake, but it weighs in at about 14lbs. Just too heavy for her. The next step up in my inventory is an Encore in .280AI, so......

I'm looking to stay in her comfort zone on the platform with a caliber that is effective, and pick up an upper for her.

I do reload, and have for a few decades now, so she'll be loading her own ammo too (under close supervision). I've been studying the two rounds (6.8SPC & 6.5 Grendel). I really want to stay with the Nosler Accubond since I get such great terminal performance from them in other rifles. In 6.8 I can get down to 100gr (or use the 110's), where I bottom out at 129gr Accubonds on the 6.5. I know the recoil differences will be minimal, if even noticeable.

In researching trajectories, energy, velocity, and keeping in mind that shots will be limited to about 100yds, I am leaning toward the 6.8 SPC.

Any reasons why I should reconsider?

Thanks

Is she your daughter?

Yes

I've built three Grendels and two 6.8s. I have several years of experience hunting and loading for both cartridges. If you're going to handload or ever get a hankering to shoot over 300 yards, go with the Grendel. If your sole purpose in life is to kill a critter under 300 yards, get a 6.8. Main reason- the 6.8 is excellent in a 16" barrel with factory ammo. The Grendel works best with a 20"+ barrel unless you handload. These are facts and not opinion.

Have you thought about .224 Valkyrie shooting the 88grain Eldm?

Grendel and 6.8 SPC

Are like

Beaver and Woodchuck

You’ll be fine either way you go

Either works for what the OP has listed. I like the Grendel because I do like to stretch them out some for if needed. Inside 2oo yards they are in reality not enough difference to worry about though. Reciol wise both are mild for the performance they deliver especially from an AR. one thing about the 129gr Accubond LR it will expand down to 1300fps and can actually be loaded down some below max and still kill deer and hogs past 200 yards with good expansion. THere are guys using them taking deer to 300 yards from 12 inch barrels starting out at about 2100 fps. Eith the high BC it just doesn't slow down as fast as lower BC bullets but inside 100 yards for now it can sure work well.

6.8 and the Grendel compare well until you get to longer distances, then the Grendel rules.
I have one of the uppers that IMTHESTUPIDREASONISOLDIT built, it’t great.

In an AR, I would go with the 6.8SPC. Less issues with the bolts, mags are a bit easier to find, and it works better in a shorter barrel.

The 110 grain Accubonds are very good deer/hog bullets. Also, check out Cavity Back Bullets. They were originally designed for the 6.8 in the AR and they are super on game.

Another vote for 6.8.
It’s going to get even better since adopted my a military unit

Get a .243 barrel for the Encore...

Or a 6.5 Grendel for the Encore. I have one and it is great on deer.

Getting another Encore Barrel means I have to get a youth stock and new fore-end. My Encore is custom from Bullberry, with their hanger bar and fore end, and the pull length on it fits me at 6'3", no way she'd ever be comfortable. By the time I buy all that, I have as much or more than an upper and have to swap parts around. Not a huge deal, but something to consider none-the-less. I'm not against another Encore barrel, it's one reason I chose the platform, but it's just not rubbing me the right way for this application.

And, I have a complete lower looking for an upper. With the adjustable butt stock I can take it anytime I want to as well. Going with the AR platform serves a few different purposes.

The more I look at the two rounds, and with the advice here, I am pretty set on the 6.8 right now.

Even when I use it, I rarely shoot over 200yds anymore, and should it be a likelihood I'll just grab a rifle better suited. This will be a dedicated shorter range application.

If she ever gets to the point of wanting to shoot farther, then she'll be ready to step up to the bolt guns anyway. My 708 has a brake and adjustable stock, so it's a prime candidate. It's just so dam long (26" barrel + brake) and heavy that I'll have to help more in the stand. I want her to be comfortable and as independent in the moment as possible.

Thanks for the advice fellas!

Vote for Grendel! BUT, I'm a big 6.5 fan. Go buy her some factory ammo, then reload the brass. I own 6 firearms in 6.5 (2 Grendel, 2 6.5x284, 6.5 TCU, 6.5x55)
AND I have a aversion to .270s, that's just me.

I'm not usually a particular fan of .277 stuff either, but I've never seen anything about them to push me away. In a more conventional application/rifle I can imagine any number of other calibers I'd choose. But I see some definite potential in the SPC on the AR platform for the application. Not that there are any flies on the Grendel, of course.

yep

6.8 for me for those exact reasons.
I know quite a few people that have bought a 6.8 after hunting with me for a while and seeing how effective it is.
Nothing magical, just works and really anything over a 16" barrel is just unnecessary added length

I have handloaded just about every bullet for it over the last 10 years but have pretty much shooting the Hornady 120 SST load since it came out.

+1

No experience with the 6.8 but me and my buddies have had great results with the 6.5 grendel. One friend shoots alot of pigs with his 12.5 AR, and I've been really pleased with the accuracy of my 18" build. We shoot the Hornady 123 SSTs

Being that you are a reloader I would look to either of the other calibers 7mm08 or even the 280 as feasible. A weak charge of H4894 behind a lighter for cal bullet has taken several game animals for me in testing and my wife.

I load 36 grains of H4895 with a 110 grain sierra prohunter and it has done a number on many deer/hog/javalina over the years. Earlier this year I stumbled my way into a CZ 30-06. I loaded some 125 grain NBT's over 31.5 grains of H4895 and am goint to get my soon to be 5 year old shooting them. Based on rifle weight and a recoil calculator it says it will be comparable to a .223 recoil wise.

I also wouldn't turn my nose up at all to a 223 and quality hunting bullet, ie barnes, partition, nosler bonded solid base swift sirocco, fed fusion.

The military has a different 6.8. It is not the SPCII.

He would have to step up to the Ar10 frame for the 7.08

I like the 6.8 because it performs so well in a shorter barrel. I have a suppressed 12.5 and it is sub-MOA all day long with each factory round I've tried. I've got some reloads to work on, so it might get even better. Anyway, the 12.5 is great for the kids as I get plenty of FPS in a lighter and maneuverable package and without the noise and kick.

I love my 6.8 but just wish for a little more power. I’m thinking of building a 14.5” lightweight 7-08. With a pinned 51T it would be legal w/o a stamp. A 150gr moving the same speed as the current 115gr would pack a punch.

The weight and report is not worth the difference

I have a 16" 6.8 and a 17" 7mm08
inside 300 yards they are equally effective in my experience
I run the 120SSTs in the my 6.8 and 140 Accubonds in the 7mm08

I know on paper the 7mm08 is "better" but as far as dropping pigs and deer..

Now, if I was to go after big animals and had to choose I would probably opt for the 7mm08
I love both guns and don't plan on getting rid of either.. 2 6.8s in my safe