Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

Hunters have more choices than ever when it comes to modern AR-platform cartridges. Two calibers in particular stand out this season: .338 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) and 6.5 Grendel. Both are designed for long-range precision, excellent terminal performance, and compatibility with the AR-15/AR-10 family of rifles. But which one should you take into the woods this year?

In this guide, we’ll break down ballistics, effective range, hunting applications, rifle configurations, and cost considerations for both cartridges — and help you decide whether to pick one or build both.

Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

For decades, hunters were limited to bolt-action rifles chambered in .308, .30-06, or .270. Today, modern sporting rifles (MSRs) have changed the game. With cartridges like the 6.5 Grendel, 350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, and now .338 ARC, hunters can build a lightweight, customizable AR rifle that hits as hard as a traditional deer rifle.

Why this matters: Hunters want modularity, low recoil, and accuracy without sacrificing knockdown power. Both the 6.5 Grendel and .338 ARC fit that bill.

Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

Ballistics

• Bullet Weights: 90–130 grains (most popular 123 gr)

• Muzzle Velocity: ~2,500–2,650 fps with 123gr loads

• Energy at 100 Yards: ~1,800 ft-lbs

• Energy at 400 Yards: ~1,000 ft-lbs

Advantages

• Flat shooting, excellent for medium game like deer, hogs, and coyotes.

• Low recoil, even in lightweight AR platforms.

• Ammo availability is much better compared to newer cartridges.

• Effective out to 600–700 yards with the right load.

Best Uses

If your hunting season consists mostly of deer, hogs, and predators, 6.5 Grendel is an affordable, proven choice that doesn’t punish your shoulder.

See our Moriarti AR-15 6.5 Grendel Uppers for precision hunting builds.

Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

Ballistics

• Bullet Weights: 180–225 grains (optimized for heavy-for-caliber projectiles)

• Muzzle Velocity: ~2,400 fps with 200gr loads

• Energy at 100 Yards: ~2,500 ft-lbs

• Energy at 400 Yards: ~1,600 ft-lbs

Advantages

• Designed by Hornady for long-range hunting and tactical use.

• Hits significantly harder than 6.5 Grendel, especially beyond 300 yards.

• Better suited for larger game like elk, bear, or even moose.

• Excellent for states where straight-wall cartridges aren’t required but hunters still want big bore performance.

Best Uses

If you’re heading out for big game hunts or want a round that bridges the gap between 6.5 Grendel and .308 Winchester, .338 ARC is your answer.

Explore our Moriarti AR-10 .338 ARC Uppers for your next hunting rifle.

Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

• Choose 6.5 Grendel if:

  • You primarily hunt deer, hogs, or predators.

  • You want an affordable, proven cartridge with wide ammo availability.

  • You prefer AR-15 compatibility for a lighter build.

• Choose .338 ARC if:

  • You’re chasing larger game like elk or bear.

  • You want superior energy retention at extended ranges.

  • You’re comfortable with AR-10 weight and higher ammo costs.

• Choose Both if:

  • You want a complete hunting toolkit. Use 6.5 Grendel for whitetail in the woods, and .338 ARC for elk in the mountains.

  • You enjoy reloading and experimenting with long-range hunting ballistics.

  • You want maximum flexibility in your AR collection.

Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

• 6.5 Grendel has been around since 2003 and is well established. Ammo is available from Hornady, Wolf, Federal, and others — making it affordable to practice with.

• .338 ARC is new and still niche. Ammo is premium-priced and not always stocked in local stores, though availability is improving as more hunters adopt it.

For hunters on a budget, 6.5 Grendel is the smarter entry point. For those chasing elk across the Rockies, .338 ARC is worth the investment.

Hunting Season: .338 ARC or 6.5 Grendel — Or Both?

There’s no wrong choice between 6.5 Grendel and .338 ARC. Both bring excellent hunting performance to the AR platform, but each shines in different roles.

• 6.5 Grendel = Versatile, efficient, and proven for medium game.

• .338 ARC = Powerful, cutting-edge, and made for large game at distance.

Serious hunters may want both rifles in their safe — one lightweight Grendel AR-15 for deer season and a .338 ARC AR-10 for elk season. That way, you’ll always have the right tool for the hunt.

Ready to gear up for hunting season? Browse our Moriarti 6.5 Grendel Uppers and Moriarti .338 ARC Builds today. Happy Shooting!