6.5 Grendel

[jbmarshtx]

108 Scenar loaded to 2.28
27.8 grains Varget, light compression
Very accurate
2420 fps

130 Berger AR Hybrid loaded long 2.23
30.3 grains Leverevolution, plenty of room in case
Also accurate
2515 fps

26" barrel, bolt action used for high power silhouette. The 108s do not 'need' to go fast. They are shot at 200m, 300m, and 375m steel targets. The 130s need to go faster, and I have the space for it since I single load, but didn't have time for more load development. They are shot at 500m for 45ish pound mettalic rams. They may not knock them all down. These are loaded about 0.02 off the lands, and the nose shape of the bergers lets me load them longer, so I've got room for a lot more powder.

 

[Pootyng]

110 Controlled Chaos COL 2.265”
8208 xbr 29.5 gr. (2557 sd 10)
Fed 205 16” Hanson barrel that’s extremely accurate.
123 SST COL 2.265”
ARComp 27.8 gr. (2441 sd 7)
Same barrel

 

[Prebanpaul]

My Rifle loves the Hornady Eldm 123 black. It's a true 1/3 inch gun. Anyone have a load close to it. I am running an 18-inch Faxon match barrel.

 

[Pootyng]

My Rifle loves the Hornady Eldm 123 black. It's a true 1/3 inch gun. Anyone have a load close to it. I am running an 18-inch Faxon match barrel.

That same 27.8 gr. ARComp with 123 eldm blend gives me identical results as SST’s. That’s in my 20”BA barrel

 

[Wink's]

Anybody messed with the cutting edge 120gr mth or the Hammer Hunter 121 or 124’s? I just loaded up some 120gr cutting edge mth with ar comp for my 24” liberty 1:8. hopefully I’ll get to check them out tomorrow.

 

[sobrbiker883]

My Rifle loves the Hornady Eldm 123 black. It's a true 1/3 inch gun. Anyone have a load close to it. I am running an 18-inch Faxon match barrel.

27.6 AR Comp does the trick for me in my 18” Specialized Dynamics.

 

[bobke]

These are a few from 20” and 24” Satern barrels. Small square is .47”. Yes, threw a couple of shots-that’s on me, but these are indicative of Grendel potential, and more so for how consistent AR Comp has been performing in Satern cut rifled barrels. All are under .75”, with some exceptions wanting to go well under .5”. The shooter still has work to do, but these indicate current results.

 

[Prebanpaul]

Faxon 18 inch match grade barrel
Thunderbeast 30-p1
123 eldm
2.62 OAL
hornady brass
wolf magnum small rifle primer
cfe223 32.0 grains Do not do this unless you work up to it.

I loaded 5 rounds up to see if it functioned. It did perfectly I was put on a magnetto speed 2497-2500 flat where the speeds. SD of 2 not so bad. In the next couple of days, I will see if it groups.

 

[Elnino31]

Faxon 18 inch match grade barrel
Thunderbeast 30-p1
123 eldm
2.62 OAL
hornady brass
wolf magnum small rifle primer
cfe223 32.0 grains Do not do this unless you work up to it.

I loaded 5 rounds up to see if it functioned. It did perfectly I was put on a magnetto speed 2497-2500 flat where the speeds. SD of 2 not so bad. In the next couple of days, I will see if it groups.

Is that similar to the speeds you get with the Eldm black?

Also looking to for a load that will be the same as the Black Hornady, I’ve only put 40 rounds through mine, but it definitely groups well and had an SD of 2.2 at 2455 with my magneto

Wilson Combat 18” with a Wilson combat BCG

 

[Carlos Danger]

Think I found a decent node. Only been testing 123 AMAX's. Anyone have luck with lighter bullets?
24" ER Shaw bull barrel
Hornady brass

 

[Snuby642]

Well that is a nice node.
How many grains of 8208?

Have to redo my tests because of an overgassed upper.
Been using 8208 and hornady 123 sst but know there is more than 1 moa available.

H2 buffer and + power flat wire spring still over gassed.

New agb in waiting before wasting more powder.

 

[Carlos Danger]

Well that is a nice node.
How many grains of 8208?

Have to redo my tests because of an overgassed upper.
Been using 8208 and hornady 123 sst but know there is more than 1 moa available.

H2 buffer and + power flat wire spring still over gassed.

New agb in waiting before wasting more powder.

26.9g

 

[Snuby642]

Thanks @Carlos Danger
I guess I missed the big black marker on the target. Lol

 

[Painless300]

I know most of you are running longer barrels in your Grendels, does anyone have any good loads for 12" barrel?
What is the best powder for the shorter barrels?

 

[Carlos Danger]

Had my buddy laser engrave muh barrel proper yesterday....

 

[G22OneShot]

I know most of you are running longer barrels in your Grendels, does anyone have any good loads for 12" barrel?
What is the best powder for the shorter barrels?

I have a load that I have been running for a short time that I'm am pretty happy with but I have to admit I haven't done much in the way of experimentation with other powders and bullets yet. Also this load is right under MOA in my PSA pistol so with better quality barrels/builds it should perform great. I also went with a lighter bullet because of the short barrel length.

1:8 12" PSA Barrel
95gr Hornady V-Max
33.0gr CFE223
CCI 450 Primers
1.667 (ogive)
0.027 off the lands (actually fits in a mag)
2436 fps

Lots of guys say 8208 is hands down the best for accuracy. I went with CFE as that was all I could get at the time.

 

[Painless300]

Thanks One Shot. 8208 is tough to find, I have read the same thing. I keep searching in the mean time I may try the CFE.

 

[Jkedsnake]

Just finished loading 50 rounds, will shoot them mid week and will post the results next weekend.

RIFLE: AR15 - NOVESKE MATCHED SET
BARREL: ATHERIS RIFLE CO. 416 S.S. HEAVY, FLUTED 20" 1:8 TWIST, 5R RIFLING./MATCHED NIB BOLT AND BCG.

CARTRIDGE O.A.L. : 2.280 ± .003 (LONG ENOUGH TO FIT MAG.)
BRASS: HORNADY
BULLET: BERGER 130 G. VLD HUNTING (ALL WEIGHTED 130/129.9)
PRIMER: FEDERAL GM205M

LOADS: 5 WEIGHTS, 5 SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS.

POWDER: CFE-223 (INTERNET WISDOM DATA)
29.1
29.4
29.7
30.0
30.3

VIHTAVOURI N540 (VIHTAVOURI WEBSITE DATA)

26.2
26.7
27.2
27.7
28.5

PICTURES OF RIFLE AND LOADED ROUND COMPARED TO A HORNADY A.G. 123 BTHP

 

[sprad05]

18" Tbox Barrel

Just getting started on loads but its looking like

Hornady Brass and 123 SST
27.6 GR AR-COMP
2.245 OAL
2455 FPS 6 SD 16 ES

.6MOA

 

[army_eod]

This photo is my Grendel Hunter/Satern upper. I am planning to do some hand loads following Sierra data. Only thing is I will be trying Barnes 120 TSX bullets and TAC powder. Will post results when I get some made.
Target is 100 yards, 20 inch Satern bbl using Hornady Black 123 ELD Match.

 

[Mblackmon4]

This photo is my Grendel Hunter/Satern upper. I am planning to do some hand loads following Sierra data. Only thing is I will be trying Barnes 120 TSX bullets and TAC powder. Will post results when I get some made.
Target is 100 yards, 20 inch Satern bbl using Hornady Black 123 ELD Match.

I don’t have exact velocities yet but, out of my suppressed howa I just loaded up 27.3 grains of tac with 120gr Hornady gmx blems from midway and saw excellent results. Measured at 7/8” at 100yds. Coal 2.24

 

[army_eod]

My first Grendel handloads info.
Velocity only 2366
Thought I would be faster than that.
Loading 120 Barnes TTSX over 27.6 grains of TAC.
I was looking for around 2500 fps.
I based my calculations on Speer load chart, but the Speer chart used a Speer 120 grain HPBT bullet. So I used a different bullet.
Either way, now I will test for accuracy. Loads were consistent.

 

[Painless300]

12.5" Bartlein Barrel
123 ELD
CCI 41
28.5g XBR 8208
COAL 2.24
MV - 2390
Very accurate 3/8" - 1/2" groups

 

[FCS]

My first Grendel handloads info.
Velocity only 2366
Thought I would be faster than that.
Loading 120 Barnes TSXX over 27.6 grains of TAC.
I was looking for around 2500 fps.
I based my calculations on Speer load chart, but the Speer chart used a Speer 120 grain HPBT bullet. So I used a different bullet.
Either way, now I will test for accuracy. Loads were consistent.

How long is barrel?
My bad, looked further up and see it is a 20" barrel.

https://www.barnesbullets.com/assets/data/grendel/6.5_Grendel_2.5.20.pdf

Might want to try a slightly faster burn rate powder with the 120 TSX or go up some with TAC if there are no pressure signs. Typically, I've found that TSX does better in AR when used with a step faster powder.

YMMV

 

[Birddog6424]

My first Grendel handloads info.
Velocity only 2366
Thought I would be faster than that.
Loading 120 Barnes TTSX over 27.6 grains of TAC.
I was looking for around 2500 fps.
I based my calculations on Speer load chart, but the Speer chart used a Speer 120 grain HPBT bullet. So I used a different bullet.
Either way, now I will test for accuracy. Loads were consistent.

I would give XBR8208 a try.

I run the 123gr ELDM at 2570fps in a 20" barrel. Thats 28.4grs. Start at 27 and work up in .2s.

 

[towerofpower93]

I would give XBR8208 a try.

I run the 123gr ELDM at 2570fps in a 20" barrel. Thats 28.4grs. Start at 27 and work up in .2s.

I'll second the 8208XBR.

Finished up my load dev with 123gr ELD-Ms and my 18" Larue upper with an SDN-6 on the end loves them at mag length over 28.5gr (book max) lit by a Rem 7.5 primer.

 

[Mblackmon4]

My first Grendel handloads info.
Velocity only 2366
Thought I would be faster than that.
Loading 120 Barnes TTSX over 27.6 grains of TAC.
I was looking for around 2500 fps.
I based my calculations on Speer load chart, but the Speer chart used a Speer 120 grain HPBT bullet. So I used a different bullet.
Either way, now I will test for accuracy. Loads were consistent.

I noticed that my velocities were about the same, with 27.5gr of TAC but the accuracy was too good. Kinda disappointed by the speed so I’m gonna try some 100gr Barnes bullets to see what I can get,

 

[BoDuke80]

I know there's a lot of you guys loaded 10s of thousands of rds to my 1 so wanna see if this makes sense. I have been working up loads with all the stick powders on hand. I still have some good stuff there's better but ArComp Benchmark n135 n140 Varget and h4895. For the most part no matter the listed data 28g +/- .2 is right on the money with a 123ncc. Hornady and Starline brass loaded to 2.260. Yes the ones with larger sticks have more volume density so they are on the low end 27.6 .8 and the finer cuts 28 28.2. In not so many words a full case just to the point of compression gives more consistent sd. Just spit ballin

 

[BoDuke80]

I'll second the 8208XBR.

Finished up my load dev with 123gr ELD-Ms and my 18" Larue upper with an SDN-6 on the end loves them at mag length over 28.5gr (book max) lit by a Rem 7.5 primer.

Any you guys know where to get any 8208 I'll let you have my baby. Hit or miss and even that's slim pickins

 

[Mblackmon4]

I’ve been having to use Tac and solid copper bullets

 

[Rog2069]

28.3gr 8208 loaded to mag length
Lapua brass
Fed primers
Satern 24” bull barrel
.5-.75moa

 

[towerofpower93]

28.3gr 8208 loaded to mag length
Lapua brass
Fed primers
Satern 24” bull barrel
.5-.75moa

What bullet?

 

[Rog2069]

What bullet?

Whoops, 123amax. My apologies

 

[towerofpower93]

Whoops, 123amax. My apologies

All good. Figured it was something in the 120gr class.

 

[Rog2069]

All good. Figured it was something in the 120gr class.

I’ve yet to use anything heavier due to having a 47L also.
I will say this is my third Grendel barrel but best by far. The first was a turd. The second was very finicky but a shooter under perfect conditions. This one is a hammer thank goodness. I was about to give up on a Grendel for my needs.

 

[Davesnothere]

Anybody loading 129 Hornady? What propellant?

 

[jambau]

When I first started messing with the Grendel I was part of a blind crowd trying to make it perform like a 260 rem. Guys were pushing it to the limits and ruining equipment in the process. Finally I settled on 27.2 gr of AR Comp, 120gr SMK, CCI400 primer, OAL between 2.19 and 2.20". I never chronographed it and I dont care to. It shoots 3/4 MOA to 600

 

[Davesnothere]

When I first started messing with the Grendel I was part of a blind crowd trying to make it perform like a 260 rem. Guys were pushing it to the limits and ruining equipment in the process. Finally I settled on 27.2 gr of AR Comp, 120gr SMK, CCI400 primer, OAL between 2.19 and 2.20". I never chronographed it and I dont care to. It shoots 3/4 MOA to 600

I am saving the 129s fo my Creedmoor.
Going to load some 100 gn partitions next.

 

[jambau]

I am saving the 129s fo my Creedmoor.
Going to load some 100 gn partitions next.

You may find success with the light weights. I also had a terrific load with the 95 grain Vmax that shot 1/4 MOA but opted for the heavier bullet for the longer ranges. Let us know what you come up with.

 

[FCS]

129 SST in Grendel wouldn't be my first choice. 100 TTSX, 100/120 Nosler BT or even 100 Amax on deer / antelope size game has worked well.

100 / 120 Nosler BT, 100 / 120 Berger Match BT (100 was discontinued but dang was it a sweet bullet for Grendel), 120 Scenar, 120 SMK, 120 Amax
All work really well in Grendel.

123 SMK, 123 Amax / ELD, 123 Scenar (>11 radius ogive) in my experience has always been more difficult to make shoot as well as the 8-10 radius ogive bullets listed above. Longer ogive so bullet deeper in case, which limits case capacity and causes a propellant change unless lower velocity is acceptable, which for many the lower velocity is an issue. I base that off all the complaints I've heard about "Accuracy is there but it is SO SLOW, what is the point?" when what I'd tested for a "generic" load was as much velocity as possible with best possible accuracy.

Longer gas system, smallish port size, heavier buffer, stiffer spring are all very helpful if you want to push heavy bullets. 120s at 2550 from a 20" barrel with 1/2 MOA or better accuracy is all one can really expect for velocity.
I'm an extruded, single base powder kinda guy but in Grendel, you'll give up velocity vs a ball powder.

 

[BoDuke80]

129 SST in Grendel wouldn't be my first choice. 100 TTSX, 100/120 Nosler BT or even 100 Amax on deer / antelope size game has worked well.

100 / 120 Nosler BT, 100 / 120 Berger Match BT (100 was discontinued but dang was it a sweet bullet for Grendel), 120 Scenar, 120 SMK, 120 Amax
All work really well in Grendel.

123 SMK, 123 Amax / ELD, 123 Scenar (>11 radius ogive) in my experience has always been more difficult to make shoot as well as the 8-10 radius ogive bullets listed above. Longer ogive so bullet deeper in case, which limits case capacity and causes a propellant change unless lower velocity is acceptable, which for many the lower velocity is an issue. I base that off all the complaints I've heard about "Accuracy is there but it is SO SLOW, what is the point?" when what I'd tested for a "generic" load was as much velocity as possible with best possible accuracy.

Longer gas system, smallish port size, heavier buffer, stiffer spring are all very helpful if you want to push heavy bullets. 120s at 2550 from a 20" barrel with 1/2 MOA or better accuracy is all one can really expect for velocity.
I'm an extruded, single base powder kinda guy but in Grendel, you'll give up velocity vs a ball powder.

Yeah I noticed that very thing yesterday. I had 25 rds of 123g eldm over 28.2 TAC and 120s over 28.5. The 120s were outstanding the 123s not so much. Both punched paper within a moa but when I took em out to distance 20 of 25 120s rang steel at 500 the 123s just wouldn't shoot consistent. 10 out of 25 was luck. The 120s are flirting with 2700 fps

 

[G22OneShot]

You may find success with the light weights. I also had a terrific load with the 95 grain Vmax that shot 1/4 MOA but opted for the heavier bullet for the longer ranges. Let us know what you come up with.

jambau,

Care to share ur 95 VMax load? I’ve been using these pretty exclusively and am always open for a recipe that can shrink the groups. My current runs right at 1 MOA;

95gr VMax
33.0 CFE223
CCI450
Hornady Case
2436fps
PSA 12.5” Suppressed

 

[jambau]

jambau,

Care to share ur 95 VMax load? I’ve been using these pretty exclusively and am always open for a recipe that can shrink the groups. My current runs right at 1 MOA;

95gr VMax
33.0 CFE223
CCI450
Hornady Case
2436fps
PSA 12.5” Suppressed

No problem.

95 gr. Vmax
H335/30.2 gr
CCI 450 primers
OAL 2.19

95gr. Vmax
H4198/24.5gr.
CCI 450 primers
OAL 2.26

No idea of velocity but both held 3/4 MOA

 

[sprad05]

jambau,

Care to share ur 95 VMax load? I’ve been using these pretty exclusively and am always open for a recipe that can shrink the groups. My current runs right at 1 MOA;

95gr VMax
33.0 CFE223
CCI450
Hornady Case
2436fps
PSA 12.5” Suppressed

I've been wanting to try some light bullets but heard they're tricky

 

[6.5SH]

The dirty secret on Grendel seems to be the throat. Unless you have a bore scope you won't be able to tell if you have a true SAAMI chamber or not, which includes the compound throat. The majority of Grendel barrels do NOT have a true SAAMI chamber+throat.

 

[jambau]

Alexander Arms is the designer and holds the patent for the Grendel. Others have developed copies and gave them different names i.e. 6.5 Sporter. Which does not have the exact chamber/throat. Mine is a 6.5 Sporter and it shoots many combinations with exceptional accuracy especially the lighter bullets. Just gotta give them a try.

 

[Festeraxp]

Has anyone out there used other brass to make 6.5 grendel brass? If you have what are you using? Thanks.

 

[Eric_F]

129 gr Nosler ABLR
26.4 gr 8208XBR
18" AA Lite barrel
2345 fps @ 65 F, 2319 fps @ 34 F
Pic compared to 6 BRA with 105 Hybrid, and Labradar readings. The slow shot read out to 100 yds, which is consistent with a G7 BC way over the advertised 0.267 (would be over 0.30).

I've taken five deer with this 6.5G load, all passed through completely and none went farther than 20 yds.

 

[Festeraxp]

129 gr Nosler ABLR
26.4 gr 8208XBR
18" AA Lite barrel
2345 fps @ 65 F, 2319 fps @ 34 F
Pic compared to 6 BRA with 105 Hybrid, and Labradar readings. The slow shot read out to 100 yds, which is consistent with a G7 BC way over the advertised 0.267 (would be over 0.30).

I've taken five deer with this 6.5G load, all passed through completely and none went farther than 20 yds.

 

[Festeraxp]

What brass are you using?