6.5mm Grendel

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6.5 Grendel
65G 144 123 129 120 90.jpg
6.5 mm Grendel showing variety of bullets 144 gr (9.3 g) to 90 gr (5.8 g)
Type Rifle
Country of Origin United States
Specifications
Parent Case PPC
Case Type Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet Ø 6.71 mm (0.264 in)
Neck Ø 7.44 mm (0.293 in)
Shoulder Ø 10.87 mm (0.428 in)
Base Ø 11.15 mm (0.439 in)
Rim Ø 11.2 mm (0.44 in)
Rim Thickness 1.5 mm (0.059 in)
Case Length 38.7 mm (1.52 in)
Full Length 57.5 mm (2.26 in)
Rifling twist 1 in 8" or 1 in 9"
Primer Small rifle
Production & Service
Designer Bill Alexander
Design Date 2003 [1]
Ballistic Performance Sampling
Bullet Wt./type Velocity Energy
90 gr (5.8 g) Speer TNT 2,880 ft/s
(880 m/s) 		1,658 ft·lbf
(2,248 J)
120 gr (7.8 g) Norma FMJBT 2,700 ft/s
(820 m/s) 		1,942 ft·lbf
(2,633 J)
123 gr (8.0 g) Sierra Matchking 2,650 ft/s
(810 m/s) 		1,917 ft·lbf
(2,599 J)
130 gr (8.4 g) Norma 2,510 ft/s
(770 m/s) 		1,818 ft·lbf
(2,465 J)
108 gr (7.0 g) Scenar (moly) 2,790 ft/s
(850 m/s) 		1,866 ft·lbf
(2,530 J)

Test barrel length: 24 inches
Alexander Arms Pressure-safe Load Data

20" Grendel Counter-Sniper

The 6.5 mm Grendel (or 6.5x39mm Grendel) is a 6.5 mm caliber intermediate cartridge developed in 2002 by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms and Arne Brennan of Competition Shooting Sports. This cartridge is an evolution of the case designed by Dr. Lou Palmisano's PPC. [1] The 6.5 Grendel was designed as a low recoil, high accuracy, long-range cartridge for the AR-15 platform.

Contents

Development and history

7.62 mm NATO, 6.5 Grendel, 5.56 mm NATO

The Grendel design philosophy has been summarized as "start slow and end fast". High muzzle velocities accelerate barrel wear and increase the percentage of recoil due to escaping gases but only yield good impact energy if the bullet is efficient at carrying its velocity downrange. Constrained by the length of the 5.56 mm NATO round, but wanting to launch a much heavier bullet, the Grendel designers decided to use a short, fat case for higher powder volume while saving space for long, streamlined, high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullets that give up little of their in-flight energy. Firing factory bullets from 90 to 129 grains (5.8–8.4 g), its muzzle velocity ranges from 2,500 ft/s (760 m/s) with 129- and 130-grain (8.4 g) bullets to 2,900 ft/s (880 m/s) with 90 gr (5.8 g) bullets (similar in velocity to a 5.56 mm 77-grain (5.0 g) round).

Timeline

  • 1998: Arne Brennan investigates .22 PPC, 6 PPC in search of a more capable competition and hunting round.
  • 2000: Arne Brennan begins shooting a 6.5 PPC wildcat cartridge from his custom AR-15 platform.
  • 2001: Arne Brennan and Bill Alexander introduced to each other by Lothar Walther.
  • Mar 2002: First production 6.5 Grendel brass cartridges manufactured to specification by Lapua.
  • May 2003: First prototype 6.5 Grendel weapon demonstrated at Blackwater Shoot-out.
  • May 2006: Independent ballistic gelatin testing completed for 90 gr (5.8 g) TNT, 120 grains (7.8 g) Norma, 120 gr (7.8 g) SMK, and 123 grains (8.0 g) SMK prototype.
  • Aug 2006: Bill Alexander publishes pressure safe load table for AR platforms with 14.5- to 28.0-inch (370–710 mm) barrels.
  • Feb 2007: Production Wolf brand ammunition becomes available.

Performance

Proponents assert that the Grendel is an ideal middle ground between the 5.56 mm NATO and the 7.62 mm NATO, taking the best attributes of each. It has a flatter trajectory and retains greater terminal energy at extended ranges than either of these cartridges due to its higher ballistic coefficient.[2] Production rifles have consistently achieved sub–minute of arc (MOA) groups at test ranges out past 600 meters.[3] On March 6, 2006, Arne Brennan achieved a witnessed 1.198 inches (30.4 mm) group at 660 yards (600 m).[4] Similar accuracy was demonstrated at recent Blackwater Shootouts.[5] Competitions have begun to be won with the 6.5 Grendel although use of the round is still not common in competition.[6][7]

External ballistics

Muzzle Velocity Change with Bullet Weight
Comparison of Assault Rifle Cartridges' Retained Energy
Bullet velocity: 20 inch (508 mm) barrel
Bullet mass Muzzle velocity 1,000 meter velocity
gr g ft/s m/s ft/s m/s
Lapua Scenar 108 7.0 2,700 820 1,166 355
Lapua Scenar 123 8.0 2,620 800 1,222 372
Lapua FMJBT 144 9.3 2,450 750 1,213 370

As noted above, the Grendel case is very closely related to the PPC case. When sufficient load data was made available, a thorough study of the Grendel case, which constitutes a precisely dimensioned combustion chamber when the round is chambered, was done with the following results. In general, each additional grain of bullet weight will reduce muzzle velocity by 10 ft/s (47 m/s for each gram) and each additional inch of barrel length will increase muzzle velocity by 20 ft/s (2.4 m/s for each centimeter). Therefore, a handy rule of thumb is "one inch of barrel length equals two grains of bullet weight (1 mm → 5 mg)". Specific details are available as graphs derived from Alexander Arms' public domain load table linked below.

Terminal ballistics

120 SMK test
123 SMK test
120 Norma test
Dimensions of the 6.5 mm Grendel.

Alexander Arms contracted Speer Law Enforcement to perform terminal ballistics tests in accordance with standard F.B.I. Protocols and their standard in-house procedures. They use 6 in × 6 in × 16 in (150 mm × 150 mm × 400 mm) blocks of ten percent ballistic gelatin, calibrated with a BB. These results were made public in May 2006. All tests were completed using either 14.5- or 16.0-inch (370 or 400 mm) chrome-lined Alexander Arms Tactical rifles and shot from either 50 or 100 yards (45 or 90 m) to simulate combat conditions using short-barreled M4 format weapons. Barrel pressures were less than 345 MPa (50,000 psi). These are all production rifles and ammunition except for the prototype 123 gr (8.0 g) Sierra MatchKing (now a production bullet). In addition to the photos shown below, a 90 gr (5.8 g) TNT was tested resulting in explosive fragmentation after penetrating only 0.5 in (13 mm).

The 120-grain (7.8 g) Sierra MatchKing penetrated 3.25 inches (83 mm) before yawing and fragmenting. The Alexander Arms Tactical 16 carbine (16 in/410 mm barrel) was used at a range of 100 yards (91 m). Impact velocity: 2,383 feet per second (726 m/s). Maximum penetration of the 120 gr (7.8 g) SMK was 19.5 inches (500 mm), maximum permanent cavity diameter was more than 6 inches (150 mm) with lesions running to gel block exterior surfaces. Depth to the maximum permanent cavity was 7.5 inches (190 mm). The bullet fragmented, with seven large pieces visible within the block. Jacket sections came to rest at 11.75 and 16.25 inches (298 mm and 413 mm), and the bullet core at 19.5 inches (500 mm).

The prototype 123 gr (8.0 g) SMK penetrated 2 inches (51 mm) before yawing and fragmenting. The Alexander Arms Tactical 14.5 carbine (14.5 inches (370 mm) barrel) was used at a range of 50 yards (46 m). Impact velocity was 2,385 ft/s (727 m/s). The 123 SMK penetrated to a depth of 16.2 inches (410 mm), maximum permanent cavity diameter was more than 6 inches (150 mm) with lesions running to block exterior surfaces. Depth to the maximum permanent cavity was 7 inches (180 mm). The bullet fragmented into multiple small fragments with jacket pieces visible at 11 and 13 inches (280 and 330 mm). A small core fragment was visible at a maximum depth of 16.2 inches (410 mm).

The 120 gr (7.8 g) Norma FMJ penetrated 16.5 inches (420 mm) before veering out the side of the block and impacting the support frame. No fragmentation was evident, but the slug is believed to have tumbled at about 7 inches (180 mm) with its maximum permanent cavity at 11 inches (280 mm). Lesions of more than 6 inches (150 mm) were torn through the top and bottom block surfaces. The bullet was fired from an Alexander Arms Tactical 14.5-inch (370 mm) AR-15 rifle at a range of 50 yards (46 m) with a chronographed impact velocity of 2,405 ft/s (733 m/s).

Notes

  1. ↑ 6PPC -- The Benchmark of Accuracy
  2. ↑ Grendel ballistics table
  3. ↑ Four shooters achieve 6.5 inches (170 mm) group average at 900 yards (820 m)
  4. ↑ 660 yard Sub MOA Group
  5. ↑ Armed Forces Journal
  6. ↑ Robert Whitley NRA win 5 Mar 05
  7. ↑ 3rd Place behind .308 AR10s - ahead of all .223s (second to last article)

Periodical References (with no online copy)

  • A. Guns 'n' Ammo: Book of the AR-15, 2004, "The 6.5mm Grendel," David Fortier, p. 66.
  • B. Special Weapons for Military & Police, Annual #27 2004, "Beyond the 5.56mm NATO," Stan Crist, p. 62-67.
  • C. Guns 'n' Ammo: Book of the AR-15, 2005, "6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC," David Fortier, p. 32-44.
  • D. Shooting Times, February 2005, "Cooking up Loads for the 6.5 mm Grendel," David Fortier, p. 52-56.
  • E. Shooting Illustrated, September 2005, "6.5 mm Grendel and Alexander Arms," J. Guthrie, p. 34-37, 67-69.
  • F. Petersen's: Rifle Shooter, March/April 2006, "Cartridge Efficiency - Why case shape matters," M.L. McPherson, p. 22-24.
  • G. Shooting Times, January 2007, "Other AR Chamberings," Sidebar Article, David Fortier, p. 56.
  • H. Special Weapons, Semi-Annual #50 2007, "The Super Versatile AR," Charlie Cutshaw, p. 44-45, 80-83.
  • I. Special Weapons, Semi-Annual #50 2007, "5.56mm NATO Alternatives," Stan Crist, p. 52-59.
  • J. Shooting Times, March 2007, "Les Baer's 6.5mm Grendel AR Sets a New Standard," David Fortier, p. 26-32.
  • K. Special Weapons for Military & Police #52, Spring 2007, "BETTER-IDEA 6.5mm GRENDEL," Stan Crist
  • L. Special Weapons for Military & Police #52, Spring 2007, "New Battlefield Requirements - New Rifles and Ammo Needed," Charlie Cutshaw

See also

External links

C-Products 26rd Grendel Magazine
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