Would you get into 6.5 Grendel in 2024?

#501
I built up a 6.5G bolt-action AR using one of the new BCA bolt action uppers combined with my Grendel bolt and Odinworks 18" barrel.

Why? Great suppressor host -- quiet, no gas blowback, 22deg throw and positioning make bolt very easy to run quickly, AR ergonomics, AR parts compatibility, and just plain fun to shoot.

65g_bolt_can.jpg
 
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#502
McPotty said:
I started a Grendel build mid 2023 and finished it in early 2024. I really just wanted an AR that wasn't 5.56 and I'm ignoring the ARC hysteria. I like it well enough, it's pretty soft shooting and holds moa with 123gr Hornady Black. I started reloading for my 308 maybe 5 months ago and plan to start the Grendel and my son's 5.56 at some point.
Are there faster, flatter, more better, whizz bang cartridges? Sure, and there always will be. Would it be a waste of your time/money to build/buy a Grendel? I don't think so.
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It’s pretty hard to beat how flat Grendel shoots 100-110gr. You can slightly out-do it with 6mm, but the shooter can’t tell unless looking at a ballistics program at the point where it finally hits .1 mils of drop separation.

I took my youngest son out yesterday to shoot Grendel and .260 Rem all day.

The 12” is boring to shoot even at 780yds, though 110gr PPU and 100gr ELD-VT aren’t as loud on-TGT as 123gr.

When I hold on the 800yd stadia in the reticle tree, I connect with 123gr ELD-M.

With 110gr PPU and 100gr ELD-VT, it was on the 700yd stadia in GRSC reticle.

The lighter 100-110gr 6.5 loads feel like shooting 6mm AR to me. No real difference in lower wind conditions, but 6mm has the edge once you start getting higher full value wind speeds.

As I look at the 123gr Fort Scott TUI with .571 G1 BC, I think I can get it to 6mm 108gr ELD-M speeds loading it longer, so it will beat it, especially for the impact noise on-TGT.
 
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#503
Whats the 10mph wind drift difference for a 6.5 100 gr vs a 109 6mm at 800 yards with both around 2600 fps.

.226 vs .292 is a pretty dramatic difference in BC.

2.2 mils less elevation, 1.3 mils wind drift and 522 vs 246 lbs of energy all in favor of the 6mm.

You can probably get the 100gr going a little faster but its not going to come close to the difference in BC. Run anything heavier in the 6.5 and you loose velocity super fast and still wont come close to BC consistency and raw number of the high BC 6mm.


The numbers for the 6.5Grendel just don't pencil out for me, unless you are shooting Big Game at short range .
 
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#504
DeathBeforeDismount said:
Whats the 10mph wind drift difference for a 6.5 100 gr vs a 109 6mm at 800 yards with both around 2600 fps.

.226 vs .292 is a pretty dramatic difference in BC.

2.2 mils less elevation, 1.3 mils wind drift and 522 vs 246 lbs of energy all in favor of the 6mm.

You can probably get the 100gr going a little faster but its not going to come close to the difference in BC. Run anything heavier in the 6.5 and you loose velocity super fast and still wont come close to BC consistency and raw number of the high BC 6mm.


The numbers for the 6.5Grendel just don't pencil out for me, unless you are shooting Big Game at short range .
Click to expand...
Just curious, what would you consider short range distance in yards for big game ?
 
#506
DeathBeforeDismount said:
Whats the 10mph wind drift difference for a 6.5 100 gr vs a 109 6mm at 800 yards with both around 2600 fps.

.226 vs .292 is a pretty dramatic difference in BC.

2.2 mils less elevation, 1.3 mils wind drift and 522 vs 246 lbs of energy all in favor of the 6mm.

You can probably get the 100gr going a little faster but its not going to come close to the difference in BC. Run anything heavier in the 6.5 and you loose velocity super fast and still wont come close to BC consistency and raw number of the high BC 6mm.


The numbers for the 6.5Grendel just don't pencil out for me, unless you are shooting Big Game at short range .
Click to expand...
100-110gr in Grendel will do 2800-2900fps though, whereas I need a 26-28” tube to get 2750fps with 6mm AR and 105-108gr.

So the lighter Grendels are pretty flat. Wind favors the 6mm for sure. I don’t like anything in the 100-108gr class in either once you start getting out far, because of anemic effects on-TGT. It’s very easy to hit with both, but can’t hear it or see splash. They both hit hard enough at 400yds though, much harder than 5.56 for sure.

I can get the 123gr Fort Scott to 2600fps loaded long, so it has 633ft-lbs at 800yds at sea level. G7 on it I think is .287, so not a perceptible difference between it and .292 for the 6mm.

It (123gr TUI) has way less drop than I’m currently seeing from 100gr ELD-VT/2690fps mv at 1k.

I need to do some work with the 123gr TUI and post up the real-world results. They look nothing like any other 123gr on the market. They don’t look like the pics on Fort Scott’s site either. They’re pointed, super sharp tips.
 
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#507
vmpglenn said:
I built up a 6.5G bolt-action AR using one of the new BCA bolt action uppers combined with my Grendel bolt and Odinworks 18" barrel.

Why? Great suppressor host -- quiet, no gas blowback, 22deg throw and positioning make bolt very easy to run quickly, AR ergonomics, AR parts compatibility, and just plain fun to shoot.

65g_bolt_can.jpg
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Curious about these, is the bolt compatible with any AR barrel and handguard? I wouldn’t mind converting my 6.5G upper and a short 300BO as well for my kids to plink with.
 
#510
DeathBeforeDismount said:
I have a box of the ft Scott in 6.5g and 6.5cm. They are sharp as hell. It was an impulse buy at a gun store but never tested them.
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I went on an oryx hunt in late January and the head biologist for the WMA was remarking on the performance of Ft Scott bullets. They had a hunter a couple weeks prior that took three oryxes (could have been either scimitar horn or gemsbok), and all 3 were pass throughs. This was note-worthy as they rarely see pass throughs on these animals. Also noteworthy was that no follow up shots were required.

I saw 4 animals harvested on my hunt. 8 bullets were used, none passed through their target. No Ft Scott bullets were used.
 
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#513
stello1001 said:
They work good on grendel though?
I figured they're way too long? Are you getting 2500fps from 18" or 20" barrels?

Thanks
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20". Pretty much any 6.5 140gr class bullet, and lighter, will fit in a Grendel case without being below the ogive at mag length. The heavy for class bullets just generally take up too much case capacity and why mentioned the 130TMK velocity and not the 140TMK. If you aren't concerned with the 52kPSI pressure ceiling, you can push 130TMK with AA2520 to pretty decent speeds.

Then again, if you aren't letting pressure get in your way, 107TMK loaded titts-hot flies flatter than 130TMK. It just doesn't hit with much authority past 700 yards though.

All are in stock if you feel like finding out for yourself.
 
#514
Cascade Hemi said:
20". Pretty much any 6.5 140gr class bullet, and lighter, will fit in a Grendel case without being below the ogive at mag length. The heavy for class bullets just generally take up too much case capacity and why mentioned the 130TMK velocity and not the 140TMK. If you aren't concerned with the 52kPSI pressure ceiling, you can push 130TMK with AA2520 to pretty decent speeds.

Then again, if you aren't letting pressure get in your way, 107TMK loaded titts-hot flies flatter than 130TMK. It just doesn't hit with much authority past 700 yards though.

All are in stock if you feel like finding out for yourself.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I don't have or want to buy 130 TMK but I do have a bunch of 130 AR hybrids which are competitors to the 130 TMK. I also have a bunch of 107 SMK & 107 TMK. I just need to make some time to go do some testing.

I've got a few of the 107s loaded up, just gotta go out and try them.
 
#515
I need to take a few animals with this guy and report back with pics.
I’ve had this 12.5 Noveske barrel for a few years now and keep changing the configurations of the setup.
When I go to shoot groups I keep accidentally getting the occasional .5 minute results. The thing is definitely a shooter.
DF2BA406-3AEA-4DBE-A531-F67CD8E3B00B.jpeg
 
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#517
Bakwa said:
I need to take a few animals with this guy and report back with pics.
I’ve had this 12.5 Noveske barrel for a few years now and keep changing the configurations of the setup.
When I go to shoot groups I keep accidentally getting the occasional .5 minute results. The thing is definitely a shooter.
View attachment 8613709
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it looks like someone found a Mk12 and used the "midget maker 5000" on it :ROFLMAO:
 
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#518
WindstormSCR said:
it looks like someone found a Mk12 and used the "midget maker 5000" on it :ROFLMAO:
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Even a little 10.5” Grendel will out-perform a Mk.12.

11.5” to 12” Grendel isn’t really fair to the Mk.12 or a 20” 5.56 either when you look at muzzle energy and BC.

The Mk.12 feels much smoother to shoot though due to a bit less recoil and its RLGS with nice plug dwell time. Great bipod-prone stick to learn on where you’re able to self-spot, but they’re better when chambered in 6.5 Grendel or 6mm.

My 12” Grendel is dialed-in nicely with the Bootleg carrier set to fully suppressed position, with TBAC Ultra 5.

I noticed it’s really quiet shooting 100gr ELD-VT and 110gr PPU as well. It just coughs vs barking with 123gr, so muzzle exit pressure must be different with the lighter bullets being punted out.
 
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#519
LRRPF52 said:
Even a little 10.5” Grendel will out-perform a Mk.12.

11.5” to 12” Grendel isn’t really fair to the Mk.12 or a 20” 5.56 either when you look at muzzle energy and BC.

The Mk.12 feels much smoother to shoot though due to a bit less recoil and its RLGS with nice pig dwell time. Great bipod-prone stick to learn on where you’re able to self-spot, but they’re better when chambered in 6.5 Grendel or 6mm.

My 12” Grendel is dialed-in nicely with the Bootleg carrier set to fully suppressed position, with TBAC Ultra 5.

I noticed it’s really quiet shooting 100gr ELD-VT and 110gr PPU as well. It just coughs vs barking with 123gr, so muzzle exit pressure must be different with the lighter bullets being punted out.
Click to expand...
Do you hog hunt? If yes, what distance would you feel comfortable taking hogs with a 11-14.5 inch Grendel? Ive been using an 18 inch proof CF spitting CBB 105's at 2700fps and it works well but I have 14.5 and 11.5 and been thinking of trying them. The scope is a Reap IR 35 gen 2 and shots could be out to 350yds.
 
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#520
smarcus said:
Do you hog hunt? If yes, what distance would you feel comfortable taking hogs with a 11-14.5 inch Grendel? Ive been using an 18 inch proof CF spitting CBB 105's at 2700fps and it works well but I have 14.5 and 11.5 and been thinking of trying them. The scope is a Reap IR 35 gen 2 and shots could be out to 350yds.
Click to expand...
For hogs any distance you can plug a hole in them is fine lol. I’ve shot a lot though with a 14.5 grendel and the closer the better if you’re looking for devastating terminal performance.
 
#521
No one will ever accuse me of being an innovator, but I just finished a 6.5 Grendel build. I’ve only shot it at 100 yards, but so far I’m very impressive with the soft recoil and nearly no muzzle rise shooting 120 grain Scenars. I’m very much looking forward to load development and hopefully at least 800 yards.
 
#522
thedude824 said:
No one will ever accuse me of being an innovator, but I just finished a 6.5 Grendel build. I’ve only shot it at 100 yards, but so far I’m very impressive with the soft recoil and nearly no muzzle rise shooting 120 grain Scenars. I’m very much looking forward to load development and hopefully at least 800 yards.
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Specs on your build? The last parts are on the way for mine, 13.9” sbr build. Have been following all the Grendel threads closely.
 
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#523
smarcus said:
Do you hog hunt? If yes, what distance would you feel comfortable taking hogs with a 11-14.5 inch Grendel? Ive been using an 18 inch proof CF spitting CBB 105's at 2700fps and it works well but I have 14.5 and 11.5 and been thinking of trying them. The scope is a Reap IR 35 gen 2 and shots could be out to 350yds.
Click to expand...
I hunt but haven’t hunted hogs yet. Mainly Roe Deer in Europe, Moose, and Elk.

There are a lot of thermal videos of hog-hunting with 6.5 Grendel. The Cavity Back bullets have gotten very good results.

Before taking shots with any caliber past 200yds, I would train with that rifle/ammo combo and get predictable hits, since hog vital zones are pretty small.
 
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#524
LRRPF52 said:
Even a little 10.5” Grendel will out-perform a Mk.12.

11.5” to 12” Grendel isn’t really fair to the Mk.12 or a 20” 5.56 either when you look at muzzle energy and BC.

The Mk.12 feels much smoother to shoot though due to a bit less recoil and its RLGS with nice plug dwell time. Great bipod-prone stick to learn on where you’re able to self-spot, but they’re better when chambered in 6.5 Grendel or 6mm.

My 12” Grendel is dialed-in nicely with the Bootleg carrier set to fully suppressed position, with TBAC Ultra 5.

I noticed it’s really quiet shooting 100gr ELD-VT and 110gr PPU as well. It just coughs vs barking with 123gr, so muzzle exit pressure must be different with the lighter bullets being punted out.
Click to expand...
I'm looking forward to Otter Creek making the teased OCM6, I've told myself I'll make a 6mm arc mk12 build when that happens
 
#534
BJames said:
Specs on your build? The last parts are on the way for mine, 13.9” sbr build. Have been following all the Grendel threads closely.
Click to expand...
I’ve been trying, but I’m sure I’ve missed some. My build is a little different.
San Tan receiver set
Craddock RTR 18” barrel RLGS
Superlative Arms piston kit
Geissele MK4 15” handguard
Geissele SDE trigger
BCM MK2 buffer system
JP enhanced spring
Radian Raptor CH
Radian Talon ambi safety
NightForce NX8 2.5-20 in ADM Recon mount
HUXWRX flash hider
HUXWRX FLOW 762 suppressor

Started with a T0 buffer, but I’m seeing signs of the BCG outrunning the mag. Extraction is right at 3 or 330. I’m going with a T1 buffer
IMG_0798.jpeg
 
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#537
LRRPF52 said:
Those are both best-suited for lighter bullets like the 90gr TNT, 95gr V-MAX, and 100gr cup and core bullets.

100gr monoliths and 105-123gr cup and core bullets do better with slower-burning powders like AA2520, BL-C(2), CFE223, and LVR.
Click to expand...

Would you say staball match can be added to the group of slower burning for heavier pills?

I know it's somewhere closer to varget in burn rate. But varget suffers from not being able to pack enough of it into the case due to its geometry. I'm guessing staball match, being a ball powder, will be viable.
 
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#539
Cascade Hemi said:
What bullet? Slow burning ball powder works best unless you load 130gr. Then bulky stick powder started to become more viable. 8208 is the exception due to density.

TAC, 2520, 2200, LvrE, etc works with 100gr and up.
Click to expand...

Typical bullet weights. 107s up to 123s. I know benchmark works with 120 class bullets in bolt guns. I've seen it all over the internet, people doing it successfully. I just don't know how it works in comparison to n133. Maybe n133 will be just as good, maybe not.
 
#540
stello1001 said:
Would you say staball match can be added to the group of slower burning for heavier pills?

I know it's somewhere closer to varget in burn rate. But varget suffers from not being able to pack enough of it into the case due to its geometry. I'm guessing staball match, being a ball powder, will be viable.
Click to expand...
Staball Match 6.5 Grendel loads and results
 
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#542
stello1001 said:
Would you say staball match can be added to the group of slower burning for heavier pills?

I know it's somewhere closer to varget in burn rate. But varget suffers from not being able to pack enough of it into the case due to its geometry. I'm guessing staball match, being a ball powder, will be viable.
Click to expand...
I’ve had good luck with benchmark powder and 107’s
 
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#545
stello1001 said:
Typical bullet weights. 107s up to 123s. I know benchmark works with 120 class bullets in bolt guns. I've seen it all over the internet, people doing it successfully. I just don't know how it works in comparison to n133. Maybe n133 will be just as good, maybe not.
Click to expand...

There's plenty of load data for Benchmark in the bullet weights you listed. I did a work up with it and didn't get the accuracy I wanted. It's a better fit for lighter bullet weights but can work with everything you listed.
 
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#546
Cascade Hemi said:
There's plenty of load data for Benchmark in the bullet weights you listed. I did a work up with it and didn't get the accuracy I wanted. It's a better fit for lighter bullet weights but can work with everything you listed.
Click to expand...

I've seen data, it's out there. I was just trying to see if I could get first hand info from people who have shot it.

Fuck it though, I think I'm just gonna go for it whenever I find some and do some testing myself. I know it's better suited for light bullet because you'll reach pressure faster with heavier ones. However, in my bolt rifles, it should be able to take just a tad more pressure than ARs. After all, most if not all the data published by manufacturers is for ARs.
 
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#548
stello1001 said:
I've seen data, it's out there. I was just trying to see if I could get first hand info from people who have shot it.

Fuck it though, I think I'm just gonna go for it whenever I find some and do some testing myself. I know it's better suited for light bullet because you'll reach pressure faster with heavier ones. However, in my bolt rifles, it should be able to take just a tad more pressure than ARs. After all, most if not all the data published by manufacturers is for ARs.
Click to expand...

When I was starting with Grendel I bought every powder with data and tried it. There's guys that really like Benchmark and is worth trying.
 
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#549
Today was a memorable day and my head is still spinning a bit. That rarely happens.

Just had an extended visit with Alpha Munitions in SLC. Their reject brass is better than any top tier brass I’ve ever seen.

Their processes and robotic inspection stations exceeded my expectations by orders of magnitude.

I expected to see Optical Comparators, but not Laser tomography on every neck, throat, and case heads.

I knew they were A Players in this space, but just did’t realize what level they have taken brass-manufacturing to.

I’m still trying to process everything, but today was a game-changing moment in time for me.

I’m almost afraid to see what velocities I get from 8.5” and 12” Grendels.
 
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#550
Just curious if Alpha holds their unfired brass to the same base to shoulder measurement as Lapua and Starline at 1.179-1.180. That’s quite a bit of case stretch when most of my chambers run 1.1895-1.1905 ish. Hate having to burn 100 rounds in the fire form process, and don’t quite understand why otherwise quality brass is so short as new. I’d take another .005-.006 unless there’s a solid reasoning for it coming from factory as is.
 
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