{"id":7126,"date":"2021-07-14T14:13:57","date_gmt":"2021-07-14T14:13:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/?p=7126"},"modified":"2025-10-08T22:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T22:02:09","slug":"7-62x39-vs-6-5-grendel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/7-62x39-vs-6-5-grendel\/","title":{"rendered":"7.62×39 vs 6.5 Grendel"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 7.62x39mm, also known as the 7.62 Soviet or the 7.62 Russian, is one of the most famous cartridges in the world. It\u2019s entirely possible that this is the most-used centerfire cartridge in the world; it\u2019s certainly near the top.<\/p>\n

American shooters have started adopting the 7.62x39mm and the partnering AK-style rifle. This highly-effective combination is known for reliability, smooth performance, and excellent ballistics. While originally designed for combat, this cartridge is now being used by Americans for hunting and target shooting too.<\/p>\n

But rifle users have plenty of options, and modern cartridges are providing advances in speed, accuracy, and performance. The 6.5 Grendel, for example, is finding its own niche in the sporting-rifle community.<\/p>\n

But is 6.5 Grendel a better option than the 7.62 Soviet? To find out, let\u2019s take a close look at these two cartridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
<\/td>7.62x39<\/th>6.5 Grendel<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Released<\/td>1944<\/td>2003<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bullet Diameter<\/td>.311 inches (Variations)<\/td>.264 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rim Diameter<\/td>.447 inches<\/td>.44 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Case Length<\/td>1.524 inches<\/td>1.52 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Length<\/td>2.205<\/td>2.26 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bullet Weight<\/td>120 - 130 grains (Most 123 or 124)<\/td>90 to 130 grains<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

7.62×39 vs 6.5 Grendel: Immediate Differences<\/h2>\n

Bullet Diameter and Weight<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The main difference between these two cartridges is the bullet. The cases themselves are fairly similar, with rim and length dimension almost identical. However, the bullet diameter of the 7.62×39 is larger. The Grendel does not have a small bullet, but it\u2019s about 0.05 inches smaller than the 7.62\u2019s bullet.<\/p>\n

Ballistic Coefficient Usually Larger for 6.5 Grendel<\/h3>\n

Ballistic coefficient<\/a> (BC) is a measurement of a bullet\u2019s ability to resist air drag. Because of the nature of the bullets packed into these cartridges, the 6.5 Grendel usually has a higher BC. This means that the bullet can maintain speeds and trajectory longer, which will come into play when we start examining performance stats.<\/p>\n

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\n \"product\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n $34.95 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"logo\"\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n 20rds - 6.5 Grendel Hornady Custom 123gr. SST Ammo <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"product\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n $319.95 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"logo\"\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n 200rds - 6.5 Grendel Hornady Custom 123gr. SST Ammo <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n