14.5” 6.5 Grendel expectations

[Frog05]

im looking into building a 14.5” 6.5 Grendel for coyote hunting/brush gun, has anyone ran that setup and if so what can I reasonably expect out of it as far as m.v., and energy at distance. I know I’m giving some up because of the shorter barrel length but I’m willing to give some to get a lighter more maneuverable setup. Looking forward to your input

 

[Rootshot]

I can't comment on 14.5", but my 16" Grendel gets 2425 fps from the following load:
Lapua 6.5 Grendel Brass
120 Barnes TTSX
Wolf 223 primer
28.0gr IMR 8208XBR
OAL 2.285"

I'm assuming you may lose 30-50fps with he shorter barrel.

 

[White Mamba]

with 123 amax I was running around 2440 with my Sabre defense midlength.

 

[Frog05]

Thanks for the replies, I was guessing I would be in the low 2400’s load depending.

 

[SLG]

I have a 16", and though everything is personal preference, I would not want to go shorter than that in a 6.5G. Pretty slow as is, and 16" is still very maneverable.

Really just depends on the distances you intend to hunt at. A buddy of mine runs a 14.5 on hogs, and he's happy out to 200 yards. A hunting buddy of his runs a 12.5", and it doesn't seem to do as well at that distance.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

I can't comment on 14.5", but my 16" Grendel gets 2425 fps from the following load:
Lapua 6.5 Grendel Brass
120 Barnes TTSX
Wolf 223 primer
28.0gr IMR 8208XBR
OAL 2.285"

I'm assuming you may lose 30-50fps with he shorter barrel.

You ever tried the Barnes LRX's?

 

[Rootshot]

I use the LRX bullets in my 6.5 SAUM and 6.5 Creedmoor. For the ranges I use my 16" grendel, the flat base TTSX is fine.

 

[White Mamba]

Ive killed hogs, bear and deer out of my 14.5". Killed deer out to 600yrds and a lot of hogs at 300yrds. You wont have any problem with the 123 amax at 2450fps, it should stay supersonic in the worst conditions to 800yrds .
I enjoy the 14.5" with a pinned muzzle break so my rifle makes the legal 16" limit. The size is just barely short enough to squezze in most packs and bags if I separate the upper and lower. If packabilty isn't a issue 16" and 18" are great

 

[Frog05]

Thank you again for all the replies! I was definitely going to go with a 6.5grendel until I talked to Paul at Craddock Precision, needless to say I am easily persuaded lol. I am going to have him spin me up a 16” Criterion .224 Valkyrie, medium contour, rifle length gas, 1-7 twist.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

I've been using a 12.5 Grendel and it has slowly been replacing a 10.5" 300blk for hog erradication. 2275fps with Hornady 123eld black

 

[FCS]

Not fully tested / rang out yet but 6.5 Grendel with 14.5" bbl, mid gas with 120 Berger Match is looking pretty promising at 2360 fps.

 

[ddavis]

My 12.5" Grendel gets 2300 with factory Hornady SST's. It blows the 300 BLK out of the water for both mid range shooting and overall killing ability. My longest shot was a pig at 320 yards. Shot from a kneeling position, hit a little low, it ran at me and I hit it again at 260 yards with a solid lung shot. I couldn't have pulled off that shot with even supersonic rounds out of my 300 BLK and a 5.56 would have just poked a little hole at that range. It's a great shooting gun. I think a 14.5" would be a great choice you wouldn't regret. FWIW the original barrel length was 16" and original velocity was 2415 FPS. So for losing almost 4" I gave up 115 fps. Not bad.

 

[White Mamba]

Not fully tested / rang out yet but 6.5 Grendel with 14.5" bbl, mid gas with 120 Berger Match is looking pretty promising at 2360 fps.

You should easily be able to pick up 100fps with 8208.
I see 2360 in 14.5" carbine length gas systems

 

[Huckleberry75]

Thank you again for all the replies! I was definitely going to go with a 6.5grendel until I talked to Paul at Craddock Precision, needless to say I am easily persuaded lol. I am going to have him spin me up a 16” Criterion .224 Valkyrie, medium contour, rifle length gas, 1-7 twist.

Care to enlighten us as to what swayed your resolve? Feel free to send it via PM if you prefer to not muddy up the thread. Thx in advance.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

I use the LRX bullets in my 6.5 SAUM and 6.5 Creedmoor. For the ranges I use my 16" grendel, the flat base TTSX is fine.

How did/do they perform for you and how would you rate/compare them vs. whatever other various projo's you've used in same/similar circumstances/range on hogs, deer, etc whatever other game you've used em on?
Thanks so much sir!

 

[Raffica762]

14.5” Grendel would be great hunting rig