Two popular rifle calibers are the 6.5 Gendel and the 30-06. And as these two cartridges get more and more popular the question of which cartridge is better becomes more frequently asked. So in this article, we will compare the two cartridges to see which one is better and if so, why?
Here is the short answer:
The 30-06 is more common in a bolt action platform, is a more powerful cartridge with better ballistics, and is more versatile. The 6.5 Grendel is more common in an AR-15 platform, has less energy, and is more suited towards close-range plinking and hunting.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each caliber, their ballistics, and how the two calibers compare.
In-Depth Look at the 6.5 Grendel
The 6.5 Grendel was developed in the early 2000s by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms. It was to be an intermediate cater that would better cater to hunters who wanted to use an ar-5 to hunt or shoot at longer range.
The cartridge is based on the 7.62x39mm case, necked down to 6.5mm and blown out slightly. The 6.5 Grendel typically fires bullets from 100 and 130 grains, so it is better suited for varmint hunters as the bullets can not carry a ton o energy due to their lighter weight.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 6.5 Grendel with a 120-grain jacketed soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2600 | 1801 |
| 50 | 0 | 0.2 | 2471 | 1627 |
| 100 | 0 | 1 | 2346 | 1467 |
| 150 | -1.6 | 2.5 | 2225 | 1319 |
| 200 | -4.9 | 4.5 | 2107 | 1183 |
| 250 | -10.2 | 7.3 | 1993 | 1058 |
| 300 | -17.5 | 10.6 | 1881 | 943 |
| 350 | -27.4 | 14.9 | 1776 | 840 |
| 400 | -40.3 | 20.2 | 1674 | 747 |
| 450 | -56.1 | 26.4 | 1578 | 663 |
| 500 | -75.3 | 33.3 | 1485 | 588 |
In-Depth Look at the 30-06
The 30-06 Springfield has a rich history both with civilians and the military. It was adopted by the United States military in 1906 and lost much of its use in the military after world war 2, but it gained a lot of popularity among big game hunters and target shooters.
The 30-06 fires .308 caliber bullets that range from as light as 110-grains for varmint hunting and training to as heavy as 220-grains for big game hunting. It’s wide range of bullet weights is one of the reasons it is considered to be one of the most versatile cartridges ever made.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 30-06 with a 180-grain bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2700 | 2913 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2584 | 2668 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2470 | 2439 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 2 | 2359 | 2225 |
| 200 | -4.2 | 3.7 | 2252 | 2026 |
| 250 | -8.8 | 6 | 2147 | 1842 |
| 300 | -15.3 | 8.8 | 2045 | 1671 |
| 350 | -23.8 | 12.1 | 1945 | 1512 |
| 400 | -34.6 | 16.2 | 1848 | 1365 |
| 450 | -48.1 | 21.2 | 1756 | 1232 |
| 500 | -64.6 | 27 | 1667 | 1111 |
In-Depth Comparison
Ballistics: While both cartridges over great ballistics for their size, the 30-06 has more energy, and more muzzle velocity, but more drop and more wind drift. If you are going for target shooting at long range the 6.5 Grendel would be the better bet. But if you are hunting at longer range the 30-06 is the better cartridge.
Recoil: The 6.5 Gendel has significantly less recoil than the 30-06 making it better for lighter-framed shooters and or shooters who prefer less recoil in their rifles. However, you are sacrificing energy for recoil if you go with the 6.5 Gendel.
Availability: The 30-06 is a much more popular cartridge than the 6.5 Gendel and has been around for longer. However, the 6.5 Gendel is still an extremely popular rifle cartridge and you hold have no trouble finding it in stores around the US.
Hunting Applications: While both cartridges are respected for their ability to take game, they are better suited for taking different types of game. The 6.5 Gendel is better for taking deer, hogs, coyotes, and varmints while the 30-06 is more suited for elk, moose, bison, and bear.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 6.5 Grendel and the 30-06 are both excellent cartridges, each with its own strengths and applications. The 6.5 Gendel is better for long-range shooting and varmint hunting while the 30-06 is better for hunting big game and applications that require a powerful cartridge.