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Posted: 1/7/2008 3:19:51 PM EDT
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I read a review on a comparison between the differant variations for the AR's. One round mentioned was the 6.5 MPC which was basically a necked up .223. This allowed the use of the same bolt and magazines as the current round. Has anyone tried this? |
Any 6.5 variation seems to be something ARFCOM poster "constructor" would have knowledge or a working use of, I am sure he will be along to add information about it. |
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The 6.5 MPC is a creation of JD Jones at SSK Industries. The basic .222 case is shortened to something just over 1.6" and given a sharp shoulder. It just will allow for loading some 6.5mm bullets at magazine length. The quoted velocity numbers are higher than one might expect for such a small case. www.sskindustries.com/6_5mpc.htm David |
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Believe it or not I have not built one of those. When I start a new project I research the loads and ballistic tables for hours to determine if it is a worthwhile project. In this case it was not. A 223 with an 8" twist shooting the 75gr Hornady Amax would absolutely smoke the 6.5mpc. the 6.5 bullets are too long and heavy. If you want to use a 223 case I'd go with a 6mm version and use 85gr and under bullets but, thats just my opinion. |
| Yes, those bullets look to be seated very deep and just marginal case capacity.The 6.5 bullets are efficient but not at that weight and not seated so deep.I too would go with a 6mm or .25 tops with that case capcity and 95-100grs tops.You'd have alot more flexability.But then again the 6.8 spc is pushing a similar envelope and seems to be pretty effective.Think of the 6.5 mpc as the 6.8spc and the 6x41 as the grendel but in this case you have less case capcity and lighter bullets. |
That sounds like the perfect compromise!I've wondered about a 5.45x39 necked up to 6mm but the spc has brass available as well as bolt face and mags.Personaly I've bound myself to the 6x41(short necked 222) for brass,bolt, and mags and got a quote from Pacific Tool for a reamer @$147. |
Dave makes all of mine, good luck |
| Thank you gentlemen. I was just trying to find a way to give my AR a little more "whack". As most, I ALWAYS want a little more power but I hate the thought of having to spend a fortune. The cost of a barrel isn't too bad but when you start adding to cost of several magazines, bolt, etc. into the picture you just start to think about the .308's available. |
Now that will be a great little cartridge! Funny how the world eventually turns round to the Grendel's fundamental concept: intermediate case capacity, high BC bullets. Who'da thunk?  For this reason the 6.5 MPC is a non-starter. John | 6.5 Grendel: The State-of-the-Art Combat Cartridge. | |
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That's cool, as far as it goes. But with bigger bullets and a small case capacity, I would think that it wouldn't compare favorably even with 5.56 loads, and that users would soon get bored. I base this partly on the assumption that the loads posted on the SSK site are, well, "optimistic." If my assumption is wrong and his loads are good to go, then he's done a damn fine piece of work getting nearly 6.5 Grendel performance from the 5.56 case. But it's not often that one can defy the laws of physics. . . . John | 6.5 Grendel: The State-of-the-Art Combat Cartridge. | |
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Well, Harrison, I forgot to add that of course that doesn't apply to you!  John | 6.5 Grendel: The State-of-the-Art Combat Cartridge. | |
LOL, not everyone can squirt brass through a little hole. So where do I find some good mags for the Grendel? |
Grendelizor, I think that you are being a bit harsh on J.D. Jones. I know he can be bit irascible at times. However, JD Jones is a pretty reputable guy and builds a great product... so I believe that these velocities are attainable... with his barrels/uppers. Here are the velocities from the SKS site. 95 g bullet 12" barrel 2600 fps 20" barrel 2800 fps 110 g bullet 12" barrel 2480 fps 20" barrel 2731 fps 120 g bullet 12" barrel 2220 fps 20" barrel 2400 fps These are pretty impressive loads but they are not too crazy when you compare them to other published load data from similar cartridges. For example: In the Hodgdon No 27 Reloading manual these loads are listed loads for the 6mm TCU from a 14 inch barrel 90gr Speer 28.5gr BL-C(2) 2597fps 100gr Hdy 28.5gr BL-C(2) 2597fps 6.5mm TCU from a 14 inch barrel 100gr NOS BT 26.05gr H4895 2229fps 120gr Hdy 27.55gr BL-C(2) 2092fps There are also loads listed the in Hodgdon manual for the 257 Kimber/Copperhead (222 mag. necked up to .257) 257 Kimber from a 22 inch barrel 100gr Speer 28gr H4895 2760fps These are also similar to load/velocities listed for the 90-to-100 gr bullets in the 6mm-223 and 6mm-222. 320pf |
I've obviously heard the name, but other than that don't know anything about J. D. Jones. Best wishes to him and his products. Regarding my suspicion that the initial 6.5 MPC velocities might be a little high for long-term safe operation in an AR, I admit it was only my assumption, and upon closer examination I'm probably wrong. John | 6.5 Grendel: The State-of-the-Art Combat Cartridge. | |
| I looked at this as well in my quest for a "larger then .22 caliber" AR for deer. I had initially looked at 6x45 and 25/223 but then came across the 6.5 MPC. More and more I think the 300 Whisper (300/221, 300 Fireball, etc) is the best way for me to go. My hunting is deer and boar, mainly in NC since I have a lifetime licence there. If I was out west I think the 6x45 would be great, I may get one down the road anyhow just because everyone I have talked to really likes theirs. |
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I wonder how it would do necked up to 6.8 and use some of the 6.8spc specific bullets in the same weight.Would the muzzle velocity be greater d/t piston effect and slightly better case capacity? What if we went a bit further and shadowed the 30 apache but in a 43mm case with lighter spitzer bullets? Rechamber a 300 whisper? |
If I were only going to shoot deer or boar and wanted it to be a 30 caliber, I'd go with the 7.62x39. If it didn't have to be 30 caliber, but smaller, I'd go with the 6.5 Grendel. If bigger then the 50 Beowulf of 458 SACOM. The 6.5 Grendel would shine out West too. |
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Hey I researched ballistics for over 6 months before deciding on the 6.5mm Grendel. People keep complaining that the velocity is not good enough, so please do tell, what is good enough without jumping to a MUCH larger case like the .260Rem, or 6.5/284? It sure seems like everyones efforts are coming full circle back to the grendel. Constructor has seemed to be the only one to have challenged that. |
I've been watching and reading hunting results with the 6.5 Grendel. This past season was really the first good year it got some use. It seems from the findings that the round puts deer down very well. More impressive is almost all the cases it had total penetration. I think that we are so attuned to magnum cartridges that we have lost sight of what the lower velocity cartridges can really accomplish. Joe |
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