Federal Fusion MSR 6.5 G 120 gr. and 6.8 SPC 120 gr.

[Double Naught Spy]

While looking over ammo and being in a debate with a die hard 6.8 guy, I noticed something odd about Federal's MSR Fusion in 6.5 and 6.8.

The 6.8 spc is 115 gr. with a BC of .378 and velocity of 2470 fps

https://www.federalpremium.com/ammunition/rifle/family/fusion/fusion-msr/f68msr1

but the Grendel is 120 gr. with a BC of .34 and velocity of 2600.

https://www.federalpremium.com/ammunition/rifle/family/fusion/fusion-msr/f65gdlmsr1

The MSR line, as I understand it, is supposed to be optimized for 16" barrels. So I am a bit surprised to see the Grendel with a higher velocity from a heavier bullet.

I was also surprised that the Grendel had a lower BC despite being a heavier, longer, thinner bullet. I would expect the Grendel to have a higher BC.

Am I missing something(s) and if so, what am I missing? Do these numbers seem odd to anyone else?

Merry Christmas!

[sneaky one]

Probably just a typo, it does look odd tho. Have a great holiday , DNS !

[Randy99CL]

Yeah, some of those 6.8 guys are a pain.

I noticed that the Hornady American Gunner (bulk at SW) lists the 6.8SPC 110g at 2570fps and the 6.5G 123g at 2590. That's an 11% heavier bullet at higher velocity. http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/s...3934/cat100114
How is the 6.8 better??

Happy Xmas Everyone!

[Double Naught Spy]

And I typo'd the title, lol. The 6.8 is 115 gr. I am just so used to seeing 120 gr. 6.8. Still, looking at the links, the issues are bizarre.

[Double Naught Spy]

Probably just a typo, it does look odd tho. Have a great holiday , DNS !

Happy holiday to you as well. What is interesting is that the data (velocity, BC, weight) are defaulted in there ballistic calculator as well for the numbers described. The Grendel is shown with a heavier bullet, higher velocity, lower BC than the 6.8.

https://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics_calculator/

So if it is a typo, it is throughout the system. However, in checking the ballistic calculator results, contrary to write-ups proclaiming that MSR ammo is optimized for 16-20" barrels, they show the test barrel on the Grendel to be 24". So that would account for the velocity difference, but not the BC issue.

[LRRPF52]

I noticed this as well. Figured the Grendel was a 24" and the 6.8 from a 16".

Not sure why the BCs are that way. Maybe they were switched, or maybe one has a flat base and the other a boat tail. A .34 BC for a 120gr 6.5mm is lower than even the old school Sierra Pro Hunter 120gr flat base soft point (.368 G1).

[sqeezeatrigger]

My 16" AA barrel likes the Federal Fusion better than anything else I've tried (not a reloader) consistent 1/2" groups at 100yards