I’ve done enough reading to go cross-eyed on which caliber. I have a Grendel for the range but settled on a 6.8 for what you describe. Four reasons: 1) 6.8 bolts are stronger because they have more material on the rim. 2) 6.8 brass cycles more reliably. 3) out to 400 yards, both bullets are similar for hunting uses. 4) Longer than 16” isn’t necessary to maximize cartridge (18” is the start for Grendel).

Then there’s ammo options for 6.8 as well as wildcats built off 6.8s like the newly released 224 Valkyrie. All around, I think 6.8 is THE intermediate cartridge/case for the AR15 system. I didn’t think so when I began researching because of the rising sex appeal of the Grendel and the 6.5mm craze. 6.8 has been overshadowed but not for lack of performance.