6.5 Grendel

[Snuby642]

Well Snuby642 is a happy boy.

Ordered at 1AM Monday morning.
Delivered at 1Pm Tuesday.
That's 36 hours and it started in the wee hours, not normal buisiness hours.

I am impressed.

Looky looky.

Allready shopping for more things on thier site.

 

[Monmouth]

Well Snuby642 is a happy boy.

Ordered at 1AM Monday morning.
Delivered at 1Pm Tuesday.
That's 36 hours and it started in the wee hours, not normal buisiness hours.

I am impressed.

Looky looky.

View attachment 7683490
Allready shopping for more things on thier site.

Hi,
I'm one of the owners of Arm or Ally and we are very real. We started as Monmouth Brass years ago and have grown a bit throughout the years. Glad you received your order quickly and hope to have more inventory in stock soon.

 

[AZgeek]

Purchased from them many times. Fast shipping and really good pricing. They are GTG!

 

[bobke]

+1 for Arm or Ally. Multiple purchases and excellent service.

 

[Toney198]

Got these in last night….

 

[AZgeek]

Started load development with the 129 ABLR a while back. Not complete, but noticed its high BC results in nearly the same elevation adjustment as a faster, lighter 120/123gr bullets at 600 yards. High hopes this bullet for both LR and hunting.

 

[AZgeek]

I was testing these two bullets. Average velocity was nearly identical (coincidence) yet the elevation adjustment was slightly less with the ABLR at 558 yards:

120 Gold Dot	0.457	2.250	8208 XBR	28.0​	Avg=2511	Shaw 20"	330 yds 1.9 mils 558 yds 3.9 mils
129 ALBR	0.530	2.260​	CFE223	31.0​	Avg=2512	Shaw 20"	558 yds 3.6-3.8 mil

 

[Toney198]

Please share any load information you have for ABLR! I’m hoping I can get down to moa. It is my son’s hunting round, pretty decent round with little recoil for the 8 year old.

I also “might” play around with it some……

 

[A&8's]

Well Snuby642 is a happy boy.

Ordered at 1AM Monday morning.
Delivered at 1Pm Tuesday.
That's 36 hours and it started in the wee hours, not normal buisiness hours.

I am impressed.

Looky looky.

View attachment 7683490
Allready shopping for more things on thier site.

Yep, got mine, too.

Order on Wednesday and received on Friday.

500pcs of Starline 6.5 Grendel getting ready to be converted to 6mmARC.

 

[AZgeek]

Please share any load information you have for ABLR! I’m hoping I can get down to moa. It is my son’s hunting round, pretty decent round with little recoil for the 8 year old.

I also “might” play around with it some…..

The above ABLR load was right at the Hodgdon max charge of 31.0 grains of CFE223. I did not have a chance to ladder test CFE223 to find an accuracy node. I also tested 27.0 grains of IMR 8208. My notes indicate decent accuracy, but slower at 2422 fps out of a different Grendel rifle. Again I did not complete load development, but rather had just started. I do need to get off my ass and finish this! Both rifles have 20" barrels.

 

[Toney198]

The above ABLR load was right at the Hodgdon max charge of 31.0 grains of CFE223. I did not have a chance to ladder test CFE223 to find an accuracy node. I also tested 27.0 grains of IMR 8208. My notes indicate decent accuracy, but slower at 2422 fps out of a different Grendel rifle. Again I did not complete load development, but rather had just started. I do need to get off my ass and finish this! Both rifles have 20" barrels.

Mine is also 20in

 

[A&8's]

Yep, got mine, too.

Order on Wednesday and received on Friday.

500pcs of Starline 6.5 Grendel getting ready to be converted to 6mmARC.

@Snuby642 , why the angry face at my comment?!?!

 

[Snuby642]

I wont be posting any more brass links for 6.5g here knowing it's being raided by 6 arc guys.

They are why I had a hard time getting grendel brass.

Leaches.

 

[A&8's]

I wont be posting any more brass links for 6.5g here knowing it's being raided by 6 arc guys.

They are why I had a hard time getting grendel brass.

Leaches.

Well, just so you know, I seen them before I seen you posted. In fact, I made a thread asking if the company was legit, THEN came here and seen you ordered some, too. Check the date and time I made my thread and the time I comments on yours.

I guess, if you wanted more, you should have purchased more.

“leech” or not....my money. If I want to melt it down into brass balls, I will.

Until then....

 

[Snuby642]

Fuck you right back you 6mm leach.

 

[Gmac]

Looks like I'm going first.

20" Odin Works 1/8" twist barrel
CCI 450 primer
Hornady brass
28.8grs XBR8208
123gr Hornady SST
2582fps 2.1 SD
Sub .5 MoA

So I’m starting to reload 65 Grendel in once fired Hornady brass. No experience w other brass but heard stories that some Grendel brass requires lg rifle primers while others require sml. Also heard stories abt using sml rifle magnum primers instead of regular primers. Any advise/comments ur willing to offer are appreciated.

 

[Snuby642]

Have you seen a published load using small magnum primers?

4 reloading books and several online manufacturers sites and I have not seen it mentioned.

 

[bobke]

Have used CCI 41’s extensively in Grendel, and lucked upon 2k of 450’s the other day. That said, using 7 1/2’s at the moment with VG results. Check on 65Grendel.com under favored loads and also member load data-you should find quite a bit to review between the two threads.

 

[Gmac]

The magnum primer got some notice when Bill Alexander said they shot better with those primers. The 6.5 Grendel pretty much originated with him, so people paid attention.

In testing, I didnt see much difference. The load was a little faster, but I had better SDs with regular SRPs. I suspect it will vary from one load to the next. But it certainly isn't the clear and obvious choice.

I've never seen a Grendel with a LRP.

Copy that. Thnx!

 

[Snuby642]

Reloading Brass: Pistol Brass, Rifle Brass, & Shotshell Brass

Browse 300+ Reloading Brass Products including Pistol Brass, Rifle Brass, & Shotshell Brass from premium brands including Nosler, Winchester, Hornady, and more!

www.brownells.com

 

[warnera1102]

https://www.brownells.com/reloading...21_08_29_Reloading&utm_content=Reloading[/URL

http://Grendel Brass? Did I already miss it?

 

[Snuby642]

Before this batch last time I found grendel was at 2 AM.

You sleep you loose.
Midnite till 5 AM is time to shop.
There was starline grendel.

 

[Nipper Dog]

Hornady Brass
Remington Benchrest Primers or CCI Br 4
31.5g Varget
85g Sierra Varminteer's

 

[NCHillbilly]

Hornady Brass
Remington Benchrest Primers or CCI Br 4
31.5g Varget
85g Sierra Varminteer's

Do the light-weight pills work good for you? I've not tried anything lighter than 123 grs so far.

 

[Nipper Dog]

I have killed plenty hogs and a few deer with them

Do the light-weight pills work good for you? I've not tried anything lighter than 123 grsar.

 

[Nipper Dog]

I have killed plenty hogs and a few deer with them

Also my rifle is bolt action left/left

 

[AZgeek]

The magnum primer got some notice when Bill Alexander said they shot better with those primers. The 6.5 Grendel pretty much originated with him, so people paid attention.

In testing, I didnt see much difference. The load was a little faster, but I had better SDs with regular SRPs. I suspect it will vary from one load to the next. But it certainly isn't the clear and obvious choice.

I've never seen a Grendel with a LRP.

The early Wolf brass ammo used LRP's. Not sure about the current crop.

 

[Nipper Dog]

I resized some 7.62 x ???? to 6.5 Grendel only because I had some LRP , but didn't shoot accurate enough for me

 

[glock63]

Do the light-weight pills work good for you? I've not tried anything lighter than 123 grs so far.

The 100 grain ballistic tip and the 100 grain eld m are both lights out with 30.2 grains of 8208. The 95 grain vmax loves 31 grains. I prefer them to the heavies. They shoot flatter within my typical distance for this rifle.

 

[AZgeek]

I like the light weight bullets as well. Did some preliminary testing with the Nosler Varmageddon 90gr back when you could actually get them. My notes using a 20" barrel:

COAL 2.240	8208 XBR	30.4gr​	Avg FPS=2864	Dope: 330 yds= 1.5 mils 427yds=2.7 mils 558yds=3.9 mils	Light pressure signs. Can probably go to 30.6 max.

 

[Fat Dark Earth]

Anyone got any good load suggestions for a 12.5” barrel?
I think I saw one as I was reading through all 5 pages.

Currently have a Franken-AR
Type 2 chamber Craddock barrel
Shooting Hornady Black and Hunter in 123 Eldms and Ssts at about 1.2”@100y

Hoping to try my 120 ballistic tips now that I have my dies.

 

[warnera1102]

Anyone got any good load suggestions for a 12.5” barrel?
I think I saw one as I was reading through all 5 pages.

Currently have a Franken-AR
Type 2 chamber Craddock barrel
Shooting Hornady Black and Hunter in 123 Eldms and Ssts at about 1.2”@100y

Hoping to try my 120 ballistic tips now that I have my dies.

I need to check on the charge weight but Im using 8208 with a 123eldm and 110 Makers and its shooting .5-.6" group at 100 yards using starline brass out of a 12.5" faxon.

 

[bobke]

Any Grendel handloaders have a clue as to why Hodgdon dropped the 6.5 Grendel from their 2022 loading manual? Any Hodgdon reps here care to step out and explain what seems to have been a rather significant oversight? Surely we are a more significant market than those loading for the 5.7x28 or 9x18 Makarov!

 

[FuhQ]

Any Grendel handloaders have a clue as to why Hodgdon dropped the 6.5 Grendel from their 2022 loading manual? Any Hodgdon reps here care to step out and explain what seems to have been a rather significant oversight? Surely we are a more significant market than those loading for the 5.7x28 or 9x18 Makarov!

No idea, but that's bullshit. I guarantee the flash-in-the-pan Cornady 6mm ARC is in there. And the perpetually on life-support 6.8 SPC...

I'm actually rebuilding my custom 6.5 Grendel right now. Just removed the 24" stainless 5R match heavy barrel on it, but it was WAY too long and heavy once I stuck the Nomad-LT on the end. So I'm dropping down to one of those Faxon Match 5R stainless fluted 20" 6.5 Grendel barrels (I hear great things). Should be a long-overdue improvement to be more lightweight & functional for suppressed hunting.

 

[Snuby642]

Have you got a barrel from faxon?

Seems Like out of everything worth a damn I want.

1000 barrels advertised about a dozen in stock last time I checked .

 

[FuhQ]

Have you got a barrel from faxon?

Seems Like out of everything worth a damn I want.

1000 barrels advertised about a dozen in stock last time I checked .

Supposed to be here tomorrow...Well, it's after midnight so I guess today (Sat).

I bought mine from Rainier Arms... They had 2 left, and I bought one. But now they're sold out again.

All of these show in stock for the same barrel I bought...

Faxon Match Series Barrel AR-15 6.5 Grendel 1 8 Twist 20 Heavy Contour

The Faxon Match Series Heavy 5R Rifled Barrel for the 6.5 Grendel is manufactured 100% in-house from cradle-to-grave. The barrel is machined from...

www.midwayusa.com

Faxon Match Series 20", Heavy Fluted, 6.5 Grendel, Rifle-Length, 416-R Stainless QPQ Nitride, 5R, Nickel Teflon Extension AR-15 Barrel

Faxon Firearms barrels are the pinnacle of value. You won't find quality for this price anywhere else. This 20 inch 6.5 Grendel barrel is just one example.

faxonfirearms.com

Faxon Firearms 20in, Heavy Fluted, 6.5 Grendel, Rifle-Length 15BG8R20FHQ-5R-NP3 Color: Black Nitride, Finish: Nitride, Includes Blazin' Deal w/ Free S&H

Shop Faxon Firearms 20in, Heavy Fluted, 6.5 Grendel, Rifle-Length | 4.1 Star Rating on 10 Reviews for Faxon Firearms 20in, Heavy Fluted, 6.5 Grendel, Rifle-Length Blazin' Deal + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

Firearms AR-15 20'' Match Series Heavy Fluted, 6.5 Grendel, Rifle-Length, 416-R QPQ

Firearms AR-15 20' Match Series Heavy Fluted, 6.5 Grendel, Rifle-Length, 416-R QPQ

www.joeboboutfitters.com

 

[Huckleberry75]

Any Grendel handloaders have a clue as to why Hodgdon dropped the 6.5 Grendel from their 2022 loading manual? Any Hodgdon reps here care to step out and explain what seems to have been a rather significant oversight? Surely we are a more significant market than those loading for the 5.7x28 or 9x18 Makarov!

It is still in the on-line manual. I just looked to be sure.

Reloading Data Center

www.hodgdonreloading.com

 

[Snuby642]

Beat me to that.
I came up with 40 loads listed.

One very interesting I never noticed before.

123g pills with H335.
Has anyone tried any H335?

I ended up with 8lb jug and not found a good 223 load yet. I think backing way off from max and trying again.

 

[waveslayer]

Beat me to that.
I came up with 40 loads listed.

One very interesting I never noticed before.

123g pills with H335.
Has anyone tried any H335?

I ended up with 8lb jug and not found a good 223 load yet. I think backing way off from max and trying again.

I did once years ago but it didn't perform like XBR or CFE. Shooting the 123 gr. Amax, sst. Nor the 120 SMK's

 

[Snuby642]

Ya 8208 is about ran out and the cfe223 is ok.

Have recently got some varget but use mainly for the 308 that seems to be on a strict diet.

 

[waveslayer]

Ya 8208 is about ran out and the cfe223 is ok.

Have recently got some varget but use mainly for the 308 that seems to be on a strict diet.

Powder valley had XBR yesterday

 

[bobke]

If you can source AR Comp, highly recommend in 18-24” barrels for both accuracy, temp stability and consistency.

 

[FuhQ]

Just rebarrrled my old 6.5 Grendel with a Faxon 20” Match 5R 6.5 Grendel barrel & matching headspaced bolt.

The old 24" Satern Match 5R barrel shot great, it just was too long and heavy for hunting with my Nomad-LT hanging off the end, and I really want to take a deer with my 6.5G. Now it's light enough and short enough that it's not unwieldy. I've been wanting this barrel for a long time, I hope she's accurate. I'll find out this upcoming weekend.

Before & After

 

[Carlos Danger]

Just rebarrrled my old 6.5 Grendel with a Faxon 20” Match 5R 6.5 Grendel barrel & matching headspaced bolt.

The old 24" Satern Match 5R barrel shot great, it just was too long and heavy for hunting with my Nomad-LT hanging off the end, and I really want to take a deer with my 6.5G. Now it's light enough and short enough that it's not unwieldy. I've been wanting this barrel for a long time, I hope she's accurate. I'll find out this upcoming weekend.

View attachment 7766464
View attachment 7766466

Before & After

View attachment 7766465

Thanks for reminding me. Thought I had one of these kickin around in the safe. Was trying to figure out my next build.

 

[LRRPF52]

Beat me to that.
I came up with 40 loads listed.

One very interesting I never noticed before.

123g pills with H335.
Has anyone tried any H335?

I ended up with 8lb jug and not found a good 223 load yet. I think backing way off from max and trying again.

H335 is pretty common in 6.5 Grendel. Hodgdon’s has data for it for every bullet weight from 85gr up to 123gr. In their data, it was almost always the highest velocity-producing powder with one exception where it was within 4fps (120gr Barnes TSX).

For 123gr cup and core, don’t exceed 28.7gr at a mid-range COL and you’ll likely be under 50,000psi.
Start load under a 123gr cup and core is 26.0gr according to Hodgdon’s.

When Bill Alexander did his testing with it, he stopped at the 110gr Barnes Banded Solid (discontinued/ATF ruled AP) when working with H335.

 

[LRRPF52]

 

[LRRPF52]

129gr ABLR
17.6” Barrel
Red line is where I identified the cut-off doing pressure ladders with 129gr ABLR and CFE223 trying out longer COLs.

If you’re loading to 2.260” or less, I wouldn’t go over 30.4gr working up in .3gr increments (1% case capacity).
These velocities were all 15ft from the muzzle over a Chrony Beta. You can see where velocities departed the trend.

Look how the 2.271” COL stayed very predictable as charge weight increased, whereas 2.284” was all over the place.

This is from an actual SAAMI chamber with the compound throat.

I had already done pressure ladder work before with 2.260” COL starting at 29.0gr.

Lapua Brass
Rem 7 1/2 BR SRPs

 

[LRRPF52]

If I was headed to the load bench right now to mass-produce a load, it would be 31.2gr CFE223 under 123gr A-MAX, but I’m running out of A-MAXs so I would substitute ELD-M after working it up again.

I know that CFE223 isn’t the best for temp stability, but it has shot well for me. I like it loaded to 2.272”, which runs in CProducts mags fine, but not in Elanders. Elanders came out later and have a very strict maximum COL with a little clearance over 2.260” in all the ones I have, but they have a more smooth surface coating and run well with ammo at those COLs.

123gr A-MAX
31.2gr CFE-223
Lapua brass
Rem 7 1/2 Small Rifle Primer
2.272” COL

Here is a rapid 9rd group at 2.267” COL:

 

[glock63]

Have you loaded the 129 ablr with 8208? I dont stock cfe223.

 

[Huckleberry75]

H335 is pretty common in 6.5 Grendel. Hodgdon’s has data for it for every bullet weight from 85gr up to 123gr. In their data, it was almost always the highest velocity-producing powder with one exception where it was within 4fps (120gr Barnes TSX).

For 123gr cup and core, don’t exceed 28.7gr at a mid-range COL and you’ll likely be under 50,000psi.
Start load under a 123gr cup and core is 26.0gr according to Hodgdon’s.

When Bill Alexander did his testing with it, he stopped at the 110gr Barnes Banded Solid (discontinued/ATF ruled AP) when working with H335.

Sounds like h335 would be good under a 105 Cavity Back