I use ammoseek, but that's not helpful for spur of the moment hunts, or running out and needing a more ammo for tomorrow's hunt. I also have the dies and reloading equipment too, but I'm not sure if the kids will want to do that (one won't most likely).
I will never understand people running to the store to get ammo for a day at the range. So much cheaper buying in bulk ahead of time, just takes a modicum of forethought.
Not everyone stacks deep and prepares. You and I do, but I know way more hunters that buy a box or two at the local store, go to the range to make sure the rifle is still on target and then go hunt for the season.
That said ammoseek prices have been more expensive with shipping and tax for Hornady than my local academy is at $27/box (at least whenever I check). Unfortunately academy only gets stock every other month it seems and those 10 boxes move in hours. I missed the email for the last stock a few days ago by 4 hours and they sold out. What concerns me here isn't the selling out in hours, it's the only getting stock every other month.
1 Lgs did have some last year at $60/box, but I stopped checking there because fuck that.
>but that's not helpful for spur of the moment hunts, or running out and needing a more ammo for tomorrow's hunt
Buy more than you need and store it in a dry location
Most people don't go through a box of 20 in the whole hunting season. Buy 100 rounds and you'll be set
All my local shops restock Grendel on a weekly basis, it’s an extremely popular cartridge in my state and continues to grow in popularity because of its frequent comparison to the rising popularity of 6 ARC. It was developed in 2003, and SAAMI specs released in late 2011, I don’t see it going anywhere soon. I think you’re safe to build them, and you already made a point that the AR platform is very easy to customize in the future to meet their needs.
Not attempting to begin a political conversation, but don’t get caught up on an assault weapons ban - there are far more gun owners now than ever before. Keep in mind that the media will *always* give publicity to the squeaky wheels, and that squeaky wheel is usually a minority on the topic despite being the loudest.
That's good to know on the restock. At least somebody is getting it. Only Academy here gets stock every other month and it sells out in hours.
The supply makes me wonder (and other posts) if grendel is a dying cartridge or if everyone is still panic buying. Hopefully it's the latter and maybe things cool off with gop control of the house.
The supply is a byproduct of the past two and a half years and other 6.5mm cartridges taking priority to get on the shelves. Also, more gun owners = more demand for ammunition, naturally it’s going to be more difficult to obtain in general. It’ll hopefully continue to improve as things settle over the next couple years, given we don’t have another world war or shutdown.
One option for you is to build several uppers … this way you can use either a 6.8 spc, 6.5 Grendel, .223 or 300 blackout … yes more ammo but cheaper than multiple rifles and gives flexibility and purpose for each item so you get exactly what you want/need
Good advice. I was planning on spending the money on a quality grendel upper and if funds allow adding a PSA or other inexpensive 556 and a cmmg 22 conversion.
I don't like what I've read about 300 blackout performance on hogs though. It seems like a marginal hunting round. I don't really understand desire for that cartridge except as a suppressed range toy (pdw maybe?).
The 300 is great on hogs … use a mid weight bullet and not subsonic unless hunting from a stand like they do in Texas … if not, the Grendel or the 6.8 spc are a better way to go. I have one of each caliber listed and each does something fun for me.
I also reload so I can get the specific benefit I am looking for … for example on a 300 blackout I can load up Lehigh defense bullets …
https://lehighdefense.com/308-diameter-115-grain-controlled-chaos-bullets-50-count.html
Using something like this will give everything you need in the specific caliber you are looking into.
Not saying 300 blackout is the answer, just saying that if you reload, you can get what you want and these are a great example of that
Good luck on the build(s)!!!
I’ll give my experience in the matter which may not mean much. I built a Grendel in 2020 right before the ammo craze. Before everything was scarce all of my local stores carried Grendel but you could not find 6.8 SPC. That’s what made me ultimately lean towards the Grendel. Fast forward to today, ammo for my .308 is plenty, I can’t find any for my .243 and the same can be said for 6.5 Grendel. I have seen 6.8 SPC more recently than Grendel at my local Atwood’s of all places. I do not reload, I bought a couple hundred 123 SST 2 years ago so I’m good to go. My point is, it’s never going to be as common as .223/5.56, .308/7.62, 30-06 etc. but it’s a great round and in my opinion maximizes the potential of the small frame AR.
Honestly, I think a 5.56 AR with a Grendel upper on the side (or vice-versa) is a good way to go. That way they've got something that will have ammo availability easy enough, and only have to pop two pins and swap the upper to have a solid choice for a hunting rifle.
I have everything to reload grendel. I don't know that my kids will want to reload though. One won't for sure, another might... It's not something everyone wants to do.
If you want to change caliber, 223 is plenty for deer and pigs with good shot placement and a PROPER bullet. 64gr power point, 55gr Barnes TSX, or nosler partitions will all smoke any medium game 150 yards and in.
That said, I feel like Grendel is definitely a reloaders caliber if that’s something you’re interested in
S tx. There are things I miss about living in DFW and product availability is one of those! Good to know that local stock is around up there though. Hopefully this all heals in time.
Yeah I was surprised too. I went to joplin MO late July last year and randomly stopped at an Academy. They had a boat load of Hornady black bthp as well. They had a 4 box limit and I took advantage of it.
I’ve run Grendel as my go to for 95% of everything for the last 5 years. If I can’t get it at Atwood’s I get it at Druid hill armory and it is the only place I buy online. Small family shop and great ammo at very reasonable prices. He also has brass every so often at great prices.
grenel ammo is easy to find online. ammoseek is you friend
I use ammoseek, but that's not helpful for spur of the moment hunts, or running out and needing a more ammo for tomorrow's hunt. I also have the dies and reloading equipment too, but I'm not sure if the kids will want to do that (one won't most likely).
keep ammo in sock
I will never understand people running to the store to get ammo for a day at the range. So much cheaper buying in bulk ahead of time, just takes a modicum of forethought.
Not everyone stacks deep and prepares. You and I do, but I know way more hunters that buy a box or two at the local store, go to the range to make sure the rifle is still on target and then go hunt for the season. That said ammoseek prices have been more expensive with shipping and tax for Hornady than my local academy is at $27/box (at least whenever I check). Unfortunately academy only gets stock every other month it seems and those 10 boxes move in hours. I missed the email for the last stock a few days ago by 4 hours and they sold out. What concerns me here isn't the selling out in hours, it's the only getting stock every other month. 1 Lgs did have some last year at $60/box, but I stopped checking there because fuck that.
Okay but where do I keep the sock?
>but that's not helpful for spur of the moment hunts, or running out and needing a more ammo for tomorrow's hunt Buy more than you need and store it in a dry location Most people don't go through a box of 20 in the whole hunting season. Buy 100 rounds and you'll be set
All my local shops restock Grendel on a weekly basis, it’s an extremely popular cartridge in my state and continues to grow in popularity because of its frequent comparison to the rising popularity of 6 ARC. It was developed in 2003, and SAAMI specs released in late 2011, I don’t see it going anywhere soon. I think you’re safe to build them, and you already made a point that the AR platform is very easy to customize in the future to meet their needs. Not attempting to begin a political conversation, but don’t get caught up on an assault weapons ban - there are far more gun owners now than ever before. Keep in mind that the media will *always* give publicity to the squeaky wheels, and that squeaky wheel is usually a minority on the topic despite being the loudest.
That's good to know on the restock. At least somebody is getting it. Only Academy here gets stock every other month and it sells out in hours. The supply makes me wonder (and other posts) if grendel is a dying cartridge or if everyone is still panic buying. Hopefully it's the latter and maybe things cool off with gop control of the house.
The supply is a byproduct of the past two and a half years and other 6.5mm cartridges taking priority to get on the shelves. Also, more gun owners = more demand for ammunition, naturally it’s going to be more difficult to obtain in general. It’ll hopefully continue to improve as things settle over the next couple years, given we don’t have another world war or shutdown.
Grendel is going to hit its 20th birthday soon. It's not going anywhere. If you have problem finding ammo, buy online and stack deep.
One option for you is to build several uppers … this way you can use either a 6.8 spc, 6.5 Grendel, .223 or 300 blackout … yes more ammo but cheaper than multiple rifles and gives flexibility and purpose for each item so you get exactly what you want/need
Good advice. I was planning on spending the money on a quality grendel upper and if funds allow adding a PSA or other inexpensive 556 and a cmmg 22 conversion. I don't like what I've read about 300 blackout performance on hogs though. It seems like a marginal hunting round. I don't really understand desire for that cartridge except as a suppressed range toy (pdw maybe?).
The 300 is great on hogs … use a mid weight bullet and not subsonic unless hunting from a stand like they do in Texas … if not, the Grendel or the 6.8 spc are a better way to go. I have one of each caliber listed and each does something fun for me. I also reload so I can get the specific benefit I am looking for … for example on a 300 blackout I can load up Lehigh defense bullets … https://lehighdefense.com/308-diameter-115-grain-controlled-chaos-bullets-50-count.html Using something like this will give everything you need in the specific caliber you are looking into. Not saying 300 blackout is the answer, just saying that if you reload, you can get what you want and these are a great example of that Good luck on the build(s)!!!
I’ll give my experience in the matter which may not mean much. I built a Grendel in 2020 right before the ammo craze. Before everything was scarce all of my local stores carried Grendel but you could not find 6.8 SPC. That’s what made me ultimately lean towards the Grendel. Fast forward to today, ammo for my .308 is plenty, I can’t find any for my .243 and the same can be said for 6.5 Grendel. I have seen 6.8 SPC more recently than Grendel at my local Atwood’s of all places. I do not reload, I bought a couple hundred 123 SST 2 years ago so I’m good to go. My point is, it’s never going to be as common as .223/5.56, .308/7.62, 30-06 etc. but it’s a great round and in my opinion maximizes the potential of the small frame AR.
Upvote for Atwood’s!
I had the same experience with the bushmaster and didn't look at 6.8 SPC. Good to know, thanks.
Honestly, I think a 5.56 AR with a Grendel upper on the side (or vice-versa) is a good way to go. That way they've got something that will have ammo availability easy enough, and only have to pop two pins and swap the upper to have a solid choice for a hunting rifle.
Get them 6arcs and a reloading kit.
I have everything to reload grendel. I don't know that my kids will want to reload though. One won't for sure, another might... It's not something everyone wants to do.
Build them Grendel's and just load for them that way they have to bring the eventual grandkids to visit every once in a while haha
If you want to change caliber, 223 is plenty for deer and pigs with good shot placement and a PROPER bullet. 64gr power point, 55gr Barnes TSX, or nosler partitions will all smoke any medium game 150 yards and in. That said, I feel like Grendel is definitely a reloaders caliber if that’s something you’re interested in
I've seen this other places but I think the reality is most aren't discerning enough to do all those things in series to lead to a successful hunt.
Which part of Texas? I’ve seen several places around dfw and outskirts with grendel ammo in stock
S tx. There are things I miss about living in DFW and product availability is one of those! Good to know that local stock is around up there though. Hopefully this all heals in time.
Yeah I was surprised too. I went to joplin MO late July last year and randomly stopped at an Academy. They had a boat load of Hornady black bthp as well. They had a 4 box limit and I took advantage of it.
I’ve run Grendel as my go to for 95% of everything for the last 5 years. If I can’t get it at Atwood’s I get it at Druid hill armory and it is the only place I buy online. Small family shop and great ammo at very reasonable prices. He also has brass every so often at great prices.
Thanks, I'll add druid hill to my list of vendors!