.338 ARC vs 6.5mm Grendel
Part of our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The .338 ARC vs 6.5mm Grendel comparison matches two AR-15 cartridges with different design philosophies. The 6.5mm Grendel (123gr SST at 2580 fps) retains 881 ft-lbs at 500 yards, well above the .338 ARC's (175gr HP Match at 2075 fps) 600 ft-lbs. Trajectory heavily favors the Grendel with 63.9 inches of drop at 500 yards versus 118.6 inches for the .338 ARC. Recoil is similar at 9.7 ft-lbs for the Grendel and 10.1 ft-lbs for the .338 ARC. The Grendel excels at extended range precision, while the .338 ARC offers heavier bullets for brush hunting and subsonic suppressed applications inside 200 yards. Performance varies with ammunition selection and barrel length.
Ammunition Parameters
.338 ARC Parameters (Reference Load)
6.5mm Grendel Parameters (Reference Load)
.338 ARC vs 6.5mm Grendel Ballistics Chart
Comparing bullet drop at various ranges between .338 ARC and 6.5mm Grendel.
Try Our Ballistics Calculators
Want to calculate exact trajectories for these calibers with your specific loads?
.338 ARC vs 6.5mm Grendel Energy Comparison
Comparing the muzzle energy and energy retention at various distances between .338 ARC and 6.5mm Grendel.
.338 ARC vs 6.5mm Grendel Recoil
Comparing recoil energy and impulse between .338 ARC and 6.5mm Grendel.
.338 ARC Recoil (Reference Load)
6.5mm Grendel Recoil (Reference Load)
Notes:
- Recoil calculations based on bullet weight, velocity, powder charge, and firearm weight
- Recoil energy indicates the felt force when firing the weapon
- Recoil impulse represents momentum transfer during firing
- Actual felt recoil can vary based on grip, stance, and firearm design
.338 ARC vs 6.5mm Grendel Velocity
Velocity decay from muzzle to 500 yards for .338 ARC and 6.5mm Grendel.
.338 ARC vs 6.5mm Grendel Average Cost
Comparing cost per round and training affordability between .338 ARC and 6.5mm Grendel.