The 6.5 Grendel was made to get more reach out of an AR-15. It does that with short, fat brass and sleek 6.5mm bullets. Good 6.5 Grendel ballistics come from that combo: modest muzzle speed, but bullets that hold their speed and energy well past where a 55 grain .223 fades. The Hornady Custom 123 grain SST lists 2,580 fps and 1,818 ft-lbs, a typical number for the round.
Below are the published speed and energy figures for the Grendel loads we stock, what they mean, and which bullet to pick for deer, hogs, varmints and the range.
What Is 6.5 Grendel?
The 6.5 Grendel fires a .264-inch bullet, the same size as the 6.5 Creedmoor. It was designed in the early 2000s for the AR-15 platform. The case is wider than a .223, so the rifle needs its own barrel, bolt and magazines. SAAMI standardized it in 2011.
Does 6.5 Grendel use 5.56 mags?
No, not reliably. The fat Grendel case does not stack well in a standard 5.56 magazine. Use magazines made for the 6.5 Grendel. You also need a Grendel bolt with a larger bolt face, such as the JP Enterprises 6.5 Grendel enhanced bolt. The rest of the lower receiver stays the same.
6.5 Grendel Ballistics Table
Here is the maker data for our 6.5 Grendel ammo, sorted by bullet weight.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 6.5 Grendel 90 Grain CX Lead-Free | Hornady CX polymer tip | 90 | 2,910 | 1,692 | 20-round box |
| Federal Varmint and Predator 6.5 Grendel 90 Grain TNT | Jacketed Hollow Point (Speer TNT) | 90 | 3,000 | 1,798 | 50-round box |
| Nosler Varmageddon 6.5 Grendel 90 Grain Polymer Tip | Nosler Varmageddon polymer tip | 90 | 2,800 | 1,567 | 20-round box |
| Hornady V-Match 6.5 Grendel 100 Grain ELD-VT | Hornady ELD-VT Polymer Tip | 100 | n/a | n/a | 20-round box |
| Underwood 6.5 Grendel Lehigh Controlled Chaos 110 Grain | Lehigh Controlled Chaos fragmenting hollow point | 110 | 2,800 | 1,915 | 20-round box |
| Barnes VOR-TX 6.5 Grendel 115 Grain TTSX Lead-Free | Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock X (TTSX) polymer tip | 115 | 2,590 | 1,713 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Ballistic Tip 6.5 Grendel 120 Grain | Nosler Ballistic Tip polymer tip | 120 | 2,400 | 1,534 | 20-round box |
| Underwood 6.5 Grendel TSX 120 Grain Lead-Free | Barnes TSX hollow point | 120 | 2,600 | 1,801 | 20-round box |
| Barnes Precision Match 6.5 Grendel 120 Grain OTM | Jacketed Hollow Point (Match Burner OTM BT) | 120 | 2,590 | 1,787 | 20-round box |
| Federal American Eagle 6.5 Grendel 120 Grain JHP | Jacketed Hollow Point | 120 | 2,610 | 1,815 | 20-round box |
| Hornady 6.5 Grendel 123 SST Custom | Hornady SST (Super Shock Tip) Polymer Tip | 123 | 2,580 | 1,818 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Black 6.5 Grendel 123 Grain ELD Match | Hornady ELD Match polymer tip | 123 | 2,580 | 1,818 | 20-round box |
| Frontier Cartridge 6.5 Grendel 123 Grain FMJ | Hornady full metal jacket | 123 | 2,580 | 1,818 | 20-round box |
| Black Sheep 6.5 Grendel 123 Grain SST | Hornady SST (Super Shock Tip) polymer tip | 123 | 2,550 | 1,776 | 25-round box |
| Nosler Match Grade 6.5 Grendel 123 Grain Custom Competition | Nosler Custom Competition Jacketed Hollow Point | 123 | 2,450 | 1,639 | 20-round box |
| Fort Scott TUI 6.5 Grendel 123 Grain Solid Copper | Solid copper (TUI) | 123 | 2,538 | 1,759 | 20-round box |
| 6.5 Grendel 124 Grain FMJ Sellier & Bellot | Full Metal Jacket | 124 | 2,576 | 1,826 | 600-round case (30 x 20) |
| Nosler AccuBond 6.5 Grendel 129 Grain Long Range | AccuBond Long Range bonded polymer tip | 129 | n/a | n/a | 20-round box |
How to Read These Figures
Velocity is speed at the muzzle, in feet per second. Energy is foot-pounds, from speed and bullet weight. Makers test in their own barrels. Shorter AR barrels, such as 16 inch, will often run slower than the box.
The spread here is narrow. Most 120 to 124 grain loads list between 2,400 and 2,610 feet per second. The light 90 grain loads run faster. The Federal Varmint and Predator 90 grain TNT lists 3,000 fps and 1,798 ft-lbs. Heavier bullets carry about the same muzzle energy but hold it better far out, thanks to a higher ballistic coefficient.
What Is 6.5 Grendel Good For?
Deer and hogs
The Grendel is a fine deer and hog round at moderate range. Pick a bullet built to open at Grendel speeds. Good picks include the SST, Ballistic Tip and the lead-free Barnes VOR-TX 115 grain TTSX, which lists 2,590 fps and 1,713 ft-lbs. Check your state’s rules; some states limit which rifles and bullets you can use for deer.
Varmints and coyotes
Light 90 grain bullets are made for this. The Speer TNT, Nosler Varmageddon and Hornady CX all come in 90 grain.
Range and practice
FMJ loads are the low-cost way to train. The Sellier and Bellot 124 grain FMJ 600-round case lists 2,576 fps and 1,826 ft-lbs. Match bullets like the Hornady ELD Match and Nosler Custom Competition suit steel at distance.
Defensive use
Some owners keep a Grendel for home or ranch defense. Laws on self-defense and on hollow-point ammo vary, so check your state and local rules.
Barrel and Altitude Caveats
Barrel length matters more for a small case like this one. A 16-inch barrel gives up real speed against the box. High, warm air flattens the path. Cold, dense air does the reverse. Chronograph your own rifle to learn its true 6.5 Grendel ballistics.
Comparing AR-15 long-range rounds? Read our 224 Valkyrie ballistic data guide.
Shop 6.5 Grendel Ammo
See hunting, match, varmint and bulk FMJ loads in our 6.5 Grendel ammo section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caliber is a 6.5 Grendel?
The 6.5 Grendel fires a .264-inch bullet, the same diameter as the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC. The case is short and wide so it fits an AR-15 magazine well. It needs its own barrel, bolt and magazines, but uses a standard AR-15 lower.
Is 6.5 Grendel good for deer?
Yes, at moderate range with the right bullet. Choose one built to open at Grendel speeds, such as an SST, Ballistic Tip or Barnes TTSX. Avoid FMJ and match bullets for hunting. Some states limit rifles or calibers for deer, so check your local rules first.
Will 6.5 Grendel fit in a 5.56 magazine?
The rounds may fit, but they will not feed reliably. The Grendel case is wider, so it stacks poorly in a 5.56 magazine. Use magazines built for the 6.5 Grendel. Your rifle also needs a Grendel bolt with the larger bolt face.
What is 6.5 Grendel good for?
It suits deer and hogs at moderate range, coyotes and varmints with light bullets, and steel targets past where a .223 runs out of steam. It does all that from an AR-15 size rifle with mild recoil. FMJ loads keep practice costs down.
