Would you get into 6.5 Grendel in 2024?

[rlsmith1]

You can already do 2950fps with the 80gr Hammer from a 16” Grendel. 80gr does 3150fps from 24”.

Experiments with machined-down 75gr Hornady GMX (from 120gr GMX) yielded over 3000fps from 18” Grendel several years ago.

What we’re working on now will deliver well over 3300fps from a 12” Grendel without chasing pressure.

13.9” Grendel should be in the 3450fps (3400-3500fps) space.

I’m more excited about the 8.5”, maybe even 7.5”.

This is all part of a multiple technology path culmination, so the kinetic aspects of it are only one area of the overall system.

Think about a tiny little PDW that smokes legacy M16 musket size performance, with a bunch of other things that streamline ancillary systems.

Sheesh those are great speeds. ETA on something that’s ready to sell?

 

[putput30]

You can already do 2950fps with the 80gr Hammer from a 16” Grendel. 80gr does 3150fps from 24”.

Experiments with machined-down 75gr Hornady GMX (from 120gr GMX) yielded over 3000fps from 18” Grendel several years ago.

What we’re working on now will deliver well over 3300fps from a 12” Grendel without chasing pressure.

13.9” Grendel should be in the 3450fps (3400-3500fps) space.

I’m more excited about the 8.5”, maybe even 7.5”.

This is all part of a multiple technology path culmination, so the kinetic aspects of it are only one area of the overall system.

Think about a tiny little PDW that smokes legacy M16 musket size performance, with a bunch of other things that streamline ancillary systems.

Are we talking bimetal cases similar to the furry or black arc munitions?

 

[WindstormSCR]

You can already do 2950fps with the 80gr Hammer from a 16” Grendel. 80gr does 3150fps from 24”.

Experiments with machined-down 75gr Hornady GMX (from 120gr GMX) yielded over 3000fps from 18” Grendel several years ago.

What we’re working on now will deliver well over 3300fps from a 12” Grendel without chasing pressure.

Think about a tiny little PDW that smokes legacy M16 musket size performance, with a bunch of other things that streamline ancillary systems.

Since Sig and others refuse to do a shorty bufferless 6.5G I'm starting to seriously consider building my own with a superlative bleed-off gas block and an EWS bufferless carrier

 

[LRRPF52]

Are we talking bimetal cases similar to the furry or black arc munitions?

Nope. Normal Grendel brass, not chasing pressure. No need to chase pressure, just something that has been overlooked all these years.

 

[pangris]

 

[BJames]

You can already do 2950fps with the 80gr Hammer from a 16” Grendel. 80gr does 3150fps from 24”.

Experiments with machined-down 75gr Hornady GMX (from 120gr GMX) yielded over 3000fps from 18” Grendel several years ago.

What we’re working on now will deliver well over 3300fps from a 12” Grendel without chasing pressure.

13.9” Grendel should be in the 3450fps (3400-3500fps) space.

I’m more excited about the 8.5”, maybe even 7.5”.

This is all part of a multiple technology path culmination, so the kinetic aspects of it are only one area of the overall system.

Think about a tiny little PDW that smokes legacy M16 musket size performance, with a bunch of other things that streamline ancillary systems.

Damn! Did you guys mix up some ground unicorn horn with African black rhino horn, covered in dried Sasquatch jizz?

Can’t wait to see it. Also, is whatever you guys are cooking up going to be available to us, the public?

 

[pangris]

The question remains - should I totally divest of the 300 BO?

 

[LRRPF52]

The question remains - should I totally divest of the 300 BO?

The main advantage I see with 300 Whisper is shoot house training where you want to minimize overpressure events contained in rooms, shooting subs. 5.56 suppressed isn’t that bad though.

 

[LRRPF52]

Damn! Did you guys mix up some ground unicorn horn with African black rhino horn, covered in dried Sasquatch jizz?

Can’t wait to see it. Also, is whatever you guys are cooking up going to be available to us, the public?

80gr Hammer load data is open source, nothing exotic, already available.

 

[TN Shooter]

What kind of velocity can be expected from the Craddock 13.9 barrels with factory Hornady 123 ammo?

 

[Thomas Geistman]

What kind of velocity can be expected from the Craddock 13.9 barrels with factory Hornady 123 ammo?

Well I’m shooting a 14.5” barrel from Rexus and I get about 2356 fps on a 10 round average from Hornday SST if that helps. SD is around 15-16. So maybe a tad bit slower?

Handloading the same bullet in hornady brass using TAC I’m getting 2461 fps and SD of 8-9. I think the hornady loads are a little light myself.

 

[LRRPF52]

What kind of velocity can be expected from the Craddock 13.9 barrels with factory Hornady 123 ammo?

With 14.5” barrels, I’ve seen 123gr Hornady do anywhere from 2350-2420fps, depending on which SKU and lot.

123gr A-MAX was more toward that 2420fps region. They also have 123gr ELD-M which replaced it, 123gr American Gunner, 123gr BTHP Black, and 123gr SST Custom.

Alexander Arms has ballistics tables for the 14.5” Grendel:
90gr TNT: 2585fps (my 12” Grendel shooting Federal 90gr TNT spits it out at just under 2700fps)
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip: 2376fps
123gr Lapua Scenar: 2405fps
129gr SST: 2238fps

You won’t see a noticeable performance difference between 13.9”, 14.5”, 16”, and 18” Grendels downrange. It’s splitting hairs really. Even the 12” shoots just about like an 18” when you’re looking through the scope.

I take the 18” LaRue, 17.6” Lilja, and 12” Grendels out usually together.

 

[LRRPF52]

A guy in Alaska just killed a charging brown bear with a 14.5” Howa Mini, suppressed, using the 118gr Cavity Back MKZ.

Cavity Back Bullets 118gr MKZ
Shared with permission from customer Chris S.

Hello, just wanted to tell you that you have earned my continued business as my preferred choice of bullet from here on. Your bullet performed well enough to help save my life. It went through a charging bears skull. Please keep up the good work.
I was out hunting on Chichagof Island in Alaska and was carrying a 14.5" Howa mini action in 6.5 grendel with a rugged Alaskan 360 suppressor, Leupold 2.5-8x scope. I loaded your 118gr MKZ bullet to 2300ft/s out of my rifle. Had a bear pop its jaws and come out of the bush about 10-15yds away with its ears down, and began charging towards me. Shot it in the head once and it slumped over. Estimated 3 year old brown bear by the trooper.

 

[pangris]

With 14.5” barrels, I’ve seen 123gr Hornady do anywhere from 2350-2420fps, depending on which SKU and lot.

My 12.5" Noveske's run 2300-2350 with the Hornady - concur that there is some variability.

 

[BJames]

A guy in Alaska just killed a charging brown bear with a 14.5” Howa Mini, suppressed, using the 118gr Cavity Back MKZ.

Thanks for posting that. Building my Grendel to hunt Sitka black tail up here in AK. You always worry what’s going to happen if you pop a pissed off brownie in the head that close, in the alders. This guys story proves it can be done.

I’d rather have a 13.9” Grendel in my hands than my 10mm.

 

[LRRPF52]

2024 6.5 Grendel Factory Ammo List

AAC
123gr Saber Black Tip
123gr FMJ
123gr OTM
123gr FMJ 200rd box

Alexander Arms
120gr Barnes TSX HPBT
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
123gr Lapua Scenar HPBT
129gr Hornady SST
130gr Swift Scirocco

Ammo Inc
123gr SST

Barnaul
100gr FMJ
110gr FMJ

Barnes
115gr VOR-TX TTSX Boat Tail
120gr Precision Match

Cavity Back Bullets
105gr MKZ
118gr MKZ


Copper Creek
95gr Hornady V-Max
100gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Barnes TSX
120gr Barnes TAC-TX
120gr Hornady CX
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

123gr ELD-M
125gr Nosler Partition
127gr Barnes LRX
129gr Hornady Interlock
129gr Hornady SST

130gr Hornady CX
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr Berger VLD Hunting
130gr Berger Hybrid
130gr Hornady ELD-M
6.5 Grendel load development pack Stage I
6.5 Grendel load development pack Stage II
Starline load development pack
Lapua load development pack brass
Hornady Load development pack brass
Norma load development pack brass

Custom Reloads of Dallas (This is new manufactured ammo with new brass loaded on single stage press using a Sartorius to within .02gr.)
90gr Nosler Varmageddon
95gr V-Max
120gr ELD-M
123gr SST
123gr Scenar
123gr Hornady BTHP
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr ELD-M
140gr BTHP


Defender Ammunition
105gr Blitzking
107gr Tipped SMK
123gr SMK

Druid Hill Armory
95gr V-Max
95gr Maker Tipped Rex
123gr SST
123gr ELD-M
140gr ELD-M

Federal
90gr TNT American Eagle
120gr Match American Eagle
120gr Fusion
130gr Berger OTM Gold Medal Match

Fort Scott Munitions
123gr TUI

Hendershot's
95gr Hornady V-MAX
100gr ELD-M
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Nosler Partition
100gr Sierra HP
100gr Barnes TAC-TX
100gr Barnes TTSX

107gr Sierra Matck King
107gr Sierra Tipped Match King

120gr TTSX
120gr TAC-TX
120gr Berger Match TGT
120gr Hornady ELD-M
120gr Hornady GMX
120gr Lapua Scenar-L
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

123gr Hornady ELD-M
123gr Nosler Custom Competition
123gr Hornady SST
125gr Nosler Partition

130gr Berger VLD Match Hunting
130gr Berger AR Hybrid Tactical
130gr Nosler Accubond

Hornady
100gr ELD-VT (New for 2024)
123gr SST Custom
123gr ELD-M Black
123gr FMJ Frontier

HSM
107gr SMK
120gr Sierra Pro Hunter
123gr SMK
130gr Berger Match Hunting VLD Trophy Gold

Maker Bullets Ammunition
85gr Overwatch Field TREX
95gr Overwatch Field TREX
110gr Overwatch Field TREX

Nemo
120gr PPU FMJ-BT

Nosler
90gr Varmageddon
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
123gr Custom Competition
129gr Accubond Long Range Trophy Grade

Precision Firearms
95gr V-Max
100gr A-MAX
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr Lapua Scenar HPBT
107gr Sierra Match King HPBT
108gr Lapua Scenar
110gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos

120gr A-MAX
120gr PPU HPBT
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
120gr Barnes TSX
120gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Nosler E-Tip
120gr Lapua Scenar-L

123gr Hornady ELD-M
123gr Sierra Match King HPBT
123gr Lapua Scenar HPBT

123gr Hornady AMAX
123gr Hornady SST
123gr Nosler Custom Competition
123gr Lapua Silver Scenar

127gr Barnes LRX
129gr Nosler Accubond Long Range

130gr Berger VLD Hunting
130gr Berger VLD TGT
130gr Sierra Tipped Match King

PPU/Prvi Partizan
110gr FMJBT
120gr HPBT

Sellier & Bellot
124gr FMJ

Underwood Ammo??
105gr Match Solid Flash Tip
110gr Controlled Chaos

Remington
120gr HPBT
130gr Premier Match OTM Berger (replaced 120gr Premier Match)

Wolf
100gr FMJ (steel case)
120gr Performance

 

[stello1001]

2024 6.5 Grendel Factory Ammo List

AAC
123gr Saber Black Tip
123gr FMJ
123gr OTM
123gr FMJ 200rd box

Alexander Arms
120gr Barnes TSX HPBT
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
123gr Lapua Scenar HPBT
129gr Hornady SST
130gr Swift Scirocco

Barnaul
100gr FMJ
110gr FMJ

Barnes
115gr VOR-TX TTSX Boat Tail

Cavity Back Bullets
105gr MKZ
118gr MKZ


Copper Creek
95gr Hornady V-Max
100gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Barnes TSX
120gr Barnes TAC-TX
120gr Hornady CX
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

123gr ELD-M
125gr Nosler Partition
127gr Barnes LRX
129gr Hornady Interlock
129gr Hornady SST

130gr Hornady CX
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr Berger VLD Hunting
130gr Berger Hybrid
130gr Hornady ELD-M
6.5 Grendel load development pack Stage I
6.5 Grendel load development pack Stage II
Starline load development pack
Lapua load development pack brass
Hornady Load development pack brass
Norma load development pack brass

Custom Reloads of Dallas (This is new manufactured ammo with new brass loaded on single stage press using a Sartorius to within .02gr.)
90gr Nosler Varmageddon
95gr V-Max
120gr ELD-M
123gr SST
123gr Scenar
123gr Hornady BTHP
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr ELD-M
140gr BTHP


Defender Ammunition
105gr Blitzking
107gr Tipped SMK
123gr SMK

Druid Hill Armory
95gr V-Max
95gr Maker Tipped Rex
123gr SST
123gr ELD-M
140gr ELD-M

Federal
90gr TNT American Eagle
120gr Match American Eagle
120gr Fusion
130gr Berger OTM Gold Medal Match

Fort Scott Munitions
123gr TUI

Hendershot's
95gr Hornady V-MAX
100gr ELD-M
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Nosler Partition
100gr Sierra HP
100gr Barnes TAC-TX
100gr Barnes TTSX

107gr Sierra Matck King
107gr Sierra Tipped Match King

120gr TTSX
120gr TAC-TX
120gr Berger Match TGT
120gr Hornady ELD-M
120gr Hornady GMX
120gr Lapua Scenar-L
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

123gr Hornady ELD-M
123gr Nosler Custom Competition
123gr Hornady SST
125gr Nosler Partition

130gr Berger VLD Match Hunting
130gr Berger AR Hybrid Tactical
130gr Nosler Accubond

Hornady
100gr ELD-VT (New for 2024)
123gr SST Custom
123gr ELD-M Black
123gr FMJ Frontier

HSM
107gr SMK
120gr Sierra Pro Hunter
123gr SMK
130gr Berger Match Hunting VLD Trophy Gold

Maker Bullets Ammunition
85gr Overwatch Field TREX
95gr Overwatch Field TREX
110gr Overwatch Field TREX

Nemo
120gr PPU FMJ-BT

Nosler
90gr Varmageddon
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
123gr Custom Competition
129gr Accubond Long Range Trophy Grade

Precision Firearms
95gr V-Max
100gr A-MAX
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr Lapua Scenar HPBT
107gr Sierra Match King HPBT
108gr Lapua Scenar
110gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos

120gr A-MAX
120gr PPU HPBT
120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
120gr Barnes TSX
120gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Nosler E-Tip
120gr Lapua Scenar-L

123gr Hornady ELD-M
123gr Sierra Match King HPBT
123gr Lapua Scenar HPBT

123gr Hornady AMAX
123gr Hornady SST
123gr Nosler Custom Competition
123gr Lapua Silver Scenar

127gr Barnes LRX
129gr Nosler Accubond Long Range

130gr Berger VLD Hunting
130gr Berger VLD TGT
130gr Sierra Tipped Match King

PPU/Prvi Partizan
110gr FMJBT
120gr HPBT

Sellier & Bellot
124gr FMJ

Underwood Ammo
105gr Match Solid Flash Tip
110gr Controlled Chaos

Remington
120gr HPBT
130gr Premier Match OTM Berger (replaced 120gr Premier Match)

Wolf
100gr FMJ (steel case)
120gr Performance

A lot of this stuff is unobtainium or discontinued.

 

[rothgyr]

A lot of this stuff is unobtainium or discontinued.

I'm not a guy who buys factory ammo pretty much ever unless it's pistol - do people buy factory online a lot compared with in the stores? I usually see Hornady black and maybe 2 other hunting/plinking stuff on the shelves these days.

 

[hlee]

Underwood no longer lists a 6.5 Grendel offering...

 

[hlee]

I'm not a guy who buys factory ammo pretty much ever unless it's pistol - do people buy factory online a lot compared with in the stores? I usually see Hornady black and maybe 2 other hunting/plinking stuff on the shelves these days.

Hornady Black is about the only 6.5 Grendel I see in local stores- maybe some PPU once. As a result, I'll buy on line if the stars align. But, I've resigned to reloading for this cartridge...

 

[sloporsche]

A guy in Alaska just killed a charging brown bear with a 14.5” Howa Mini, suppressed, using the 118gr Cavity Back MKZ.

i shot an elephant in my pajamas once , i have no idea how he got into them though .......it was NJ too

 

[LRRPF52]

A lot of this stuff is unobtainium or discontinued.

Other than Underwood, I’m not seeing that. Everything else seems to be current.

 

[LRRPF52]

I'm not a guy who buys factory ammo pretty much ever unless it's pistol - do people buy factory online a lot compared with in the stores? I usually see Hornady black and maybe 2 other hunting/plinking stuff on the shelves these days.

I order most online, but also like to keep LGSs in business.

 

[keenedge]

I'm not a guy who buys factory ammo pretty much ever unless it's pistol - do people buy factory online a lot compared with in the stores? I usually see Hornady black and maybe 2 other hunting/plinking stuff on the shelves these days.

I buy almost all ammo online, in bulk orders, for the main calibers. Once I have a vetted factory load I stock up on it and LGS never has enough, nor enough variety.

 

[hlee]

$2+/cartridge is a tough pill for Grendel.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

The main advantage I see with 300 Whisper is shoot house training where you want to minimize overpressure events contained in rooms, shooting subs. 5.56 suppressed isn’t that bad though.

I think 300 whisper (l caught that by the way, and appreciate it, fuck AAC) makes a very effective HD round. Run a short barrel with a can and you can either run subs which is like chucking .45ACP slugs or run supers for better penetration. Either way against unarmored intruders its much easier to shoot accurately than a pistol, with more mag capacity.

My issue is cross contamination. I have so many 556 guns and magazines that I know I would get shit mixed up and blow a barrel. For that reason I have shyed away from it, even though I use 350 legend and 6 ARC/6.5 G. Since neither of those are HD guns, chance of mixing stuff up is much less. Especially under stress.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

$2+/cartridge is a tough pill for Grendel.

Oh the days of $120 boxes of 200 rds Hornady Black 123s.

 

[stello1001]

Other than Underwood, I’m not seeing that. Everything else seems to be current.

You listed 3 skus for defender. Their website only shows 2 options. Out of those 2, only 1 is available.

All of the federal offerings are discontinued. Shame because those were some of the best. The TNT offering was awesome, the fusion with the 120 gold dot as well, and the fgmm has always been a gold standard.

Custom reloads of Dallas does not have all of those from your list available either.

And most of these other boutique type ammo makers, Dallas included, are charging 2 to 3 bucks per round for whatever they do have available for grendel.

I'm not trying to throw shade on you or the grendel. I've seen you contribute a lot to the grendel discussions across here and other platforms so I respect you for that. You seem to be very knowledgeable on the topic. But the grendel does not have as much ammo availability as you say.

I got into grendel because I wanted a smaller cartridge with less recoil that could be had for cheaper, coming from CM and 308. The grendel does shoot softer. And because it is a much smaller case, with smaller bullets, and lesser powder, you would think it would be cheaper. But at the prices these places have, it doesn't make sense, it would probably just be better to shoot the CM.

Now, I still like my grendels, I have 2 and am starting to load for them. Just stating that the ammo availability isn't exactly there as it is with 308 for example. If I dig into the list more, I'm sure I am going to find way more stuff not available, i only skimmed through it.

 

[stello1001]

Oh the days of $120 boxes of 200 rds Hornady Black 123s.

And that was for CM which has a bigger case, bigger bullets (was loaded with 140s), and more powder.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

They had grendel and creed. It was a good time

 

[hlee]

If settle for the $26.99/20 on Hornady match 6.5 Grendel. It’s a travesty that Hornady discontinued that offering…

 

[sloporsche]

If settle for the $26.99/20 on Hornady match 6.5 Grendel. It’s a travesty that Hornady discontinued that offering…

it probably was not a big mover for them

 

[Bevo]

If settle for the $26.99/20 on Hornady match 6.5 Grendel. It’s a travesty that Hornady discontinued that offering…

Are you talking about the AMAX load?

 

[hlee]

Are you talking about the AMAX load?

It may have been AMAX, but I thought it was eld-m. Regardless, it was before the white match boxes. And, it was magical out of my match rifle…

 

[Bevo]

 

[pangris]

Way less than $2/rd.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-sabre-blade-black-tip-6-5-grendel-ammo-123-grain-20rd-box.html

Supposedly loaded by Hornady, I don't know to what specification or variability - I did pick some up and will shoot it side by side with my other stuff, hopefully Friday.

I shed a tear over Underwood not showing it on the menu - I only have a couple hundred rounds and it was way sub MOA in my guns.

 

[pangris]

I think 300 whisper (l caught that by the way, and appreciate it, fuck AAC)

Fuck the old AAC, the new AAC, or ?

I had mixed experiences with them and their products but they did come through on customer service when there were problems.

Currently on the wait list to uppgrayydd my SDN6's and M42K to the Ranger series, so this is the crux of my questions about how when and hard they need to be fucked?

Concur the 300 is probably the #1 CQB one way or another if you're in a house and using 8" bbl. Every time I'm ready to motherfuck it vs the Grendel et al - I recall that my 300s tend to be the most reliable things I have other than 556.

I do have some old AAC 300 factory rifles and they run like tops and shoot straight. Its just the rainbow trajectory that keeps them in being used by the children or for night

 

[stello1001]

Way less than $2/rd.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-sabre-blade-black-tip-6-5-grendel-ammo-123-grain-20rd-box.html

Supposedly loaded by Hornady, I don't know to what specification or variability - I did pick some up and will shoot it side by side with my other stuff, hopefully Friday.

I shed a tear over Underwood not showing it on the menu - I only have a couple hundred rounds and it was way sub MOA in my guns.

I think the new hornady with 100 eld-vt can be had for around $17ish per 20. I'd buy that first before I ever consider AAC with their ruptured cases in both 223 and CM and ES over 100 fps. I'm sure their grendel loads are no different.

**edit to add**

Found it. Here you go...

Hornady V-Match 6.5 Grendel Ammo 100 Grain Hornady ELD-VT Polymer Tip

This ammunition is custom-grade from the factory, loaded to stringent specifications to guarantee proper ignition and provide consistent, match-winning,...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[pangris]

Ahhh fuck. Live and learn. The 100 gr stuff seems great thus far.

 

[LRRPF52]

You listed 3 skus for defender. Their website only shows 2 options. Out of those 2, only 1 is available.

All of the federal offerings are discontinued. Shame because those were some of the best. The TNT offering was awesome, the fusion with the 120 gold dot as well, and the fgmm has always been a gold standard.

Custom reloads of Dallas does not have all of those from your list available either.

And most of these other boutique type ammo makers, Dallas included, are charging 2 to 3 bucks per round for whatever they do have available for grendel.

I'm not trying to throw shade on you or the grendel. I've seen you contribute a lot to the grendel discussions across here and other platforms so I respect you for that. You seem to be very knowledgeable on the topic. But the grendel does not have as much ammo availability as you say.

I got into grendel because I wanted a smaller cartridge with less recoil that could be had for cheaper, coming from CM and 308. The grendel does shoot softer. And because it is a much smaller case, with smaller bullets, and lesser powder, you would think it would be cheaper. But at the prices these places have, it doesn't make sense, it would probably just be better to shoot the CM.

Now, I still like my grendels, I have 2 and am starting to load for them. Just stating that the ammo availability isn't exactly there as it is with 308 for example. If I dig into the list more, I'm sure I am going to find way more stuff not available, i only skimmed through it.

Federal runs ammo production on a schedule, so they go in Lots at different times on a cycle. They sell that 90gr TNT load really fast, especially since it comes in 50rd boxes.

There is more Grendel ammo availability now more than ever. I went through the list in Dec 2023 for most of those, so sorry for ones I missed that are sold out.

If you look at Ammoseek, you will find plenty of economical prices for Grendel.

The smaller shops or premium loads from big companies will be in upper price points based on brass type and projectile most of the time.

 

[LRRPF52]

123gr A-MAX was replaced with 123gr ELD-M. Main thing that changed was the tip to standardize their polymer with the newer, harder tips. With all the 123gr ELD-M Black I have shot, it’s as accurate as the 123gr A-MAX. Same AMP jacket, basically the same bullet with updated tip. Both loads have been great.

Hornady also had a 120gr A-MAX for a brief time that they discontinued due to the ogive shape of it jamming the lands. So many people were killing animals with the 123gr A-MAX that they developed the 123gr SST specifically for Grendel factory ammo.

The most affordable Hornady ammo was the Sportsman’s Warehouse specific 200rd ammo can for $140. But we’re seeing those prices again with AAC and 100gr ELD-M.

 

[msgriff]

snip... But we’re seeing those prices again with AAC and 100gr ELD-M.

Might not be for long, The guy that owns AAC just posted this elsewhere:

"Right now we are limited on production due to the powder shortage. We have heard about it for a year but it actually started about 3 weeks ago. Until we get that figured out we won’t be able to offer anymore bulk options. We do plan to offer them once the powder shortage is sorted out."

 

[pangris]

"Right now we are limited on production due to the powder shortage."

I keep hearing about it but I haven't seen many real world consequences - but - I do wonder how much of that is because the general public is spending less on "luxury" items.

 

[LRRPF52]

I think that’s in reference to the 200rd ammo can SKU they have listed.

 

[keenedge]

@LRRPF52 great list thanks for keeping it updated. Really useful. Couple of additional comments.

Ran across an additional Barnes load I didn't see in the list, currently available at online retailers like Midway.

Barnes Precision Match 6.5 Grendel 120gr Match Burner JHP

Also, though I'm a 6.5G shooter and fan, I agree with the comment made earlier that most of the loads in the list are from "boutique" or smaller ammunition loaders, not from the major ammo companies. Realistically, when I get ammo online or at LGS, the commonly available options from major ammo makers are the loads from Federal, Hornady, Prvi Partizan. Maybe we could add Nosler and AAC in that group, but both are smaller scale. Maybe Wolf too, but often hard to find. Most everything else in the list is small-company loaders like Alexander Arms and Precision Firearms. It may be great ammo but tends to be expensive per round, is hard if not impossible to get in large quantities, and also harder to find any particular load consistently in stock in my experience. None of this makes me want to get rid of my 6.5 rifles. And it's important to remember that 6.5G factory ammo availability is actually excellent compared to other relatively niche cartridges including 6 ARC that run in small-frame ARs (which is the main point). But for new folks getting into 6.5G, they should still realize if they don't reload, there are going to be limited factory ammo options. And realistically, by the time you find some that shoot well in your uppers, you'll be down to a pretty small list of "widely available, and affordable, factory ammo." It can be done--I don't reload anymore got tired of it, and I shoot only factory ammo these days. But 90%+ of my 6.5G shooting is limited to whatever loads I can find from Federal, Hornady, and Prvi Partizan. I give up some precision in doing that, but I have other bolt guns for precision shooting, and the way that I shoot with 6.5G, these loads give me everything I need.

I'd also say that any comments comparing 6.5G pricing and availability to the hugely popular and available calibers like .308 or .223/5.56, are comparing oranges to apples. Rather than compare 6.5G to huge, massively available calibers, it makes more sense to compare 6.5G to similar niche calibers that are trying to do the same thing: offer an improved option for small-frame ARs. When you look at it that way, focusing on factory ammo availability, 6.5G is one of the best calibers available outside of 223/5.56.

 

[LRRPF52]

Added the Ammo Inc 123gr SST and Barnes 120gr Precision Match. I wasn’t aware of either.

I mainly use Grendel for what I used to use .308 and .223 for in DM Courses, shooting steel from 200-1000yds.

I get sight picture more like .223 and impact more like .308, which is the best of both worlds without each of their drawbacks.

The main ammo I used to shoot for DM in 5.56 guns was 69gr, 75gr, and 77gr Match loads, which all cost about the same as Grendel, but with less hits per cost due to wind deflection.

So you end up spending more shooting 5.56 and .223 Match ammo just to have a lot of misses left and right, and really weak impacts when you do connect. Hits hard up close, but starts petering out the more you move past 300yds.

With .308 Match 168gr, 175gr, and 178gr, same thing on cost, only you don’t get to spot your own impacts and you need the different large frame action with all its penalties.

So looking at cost to effects ratio, at least for me, Grendel just works out much better. I have them all, multiple samples of trick 5.56 and large frame guns, but I just don’t shoot them much for this type of work anymore.

5.56 I mostly use for CQM.

 

[bfoosh006]

@LRRPF52

I have a friend that would like me to help him assm. a 6.5G, and I am more then willing to help... but, I would like to assist him with a better barrel choice.
His use, would be 95% bench shooting, for accuracy.
He bought a 18" CBC barrel. To my school of thought, that is quite possibly a waste of time and ammo to use that barrel.
And I don't know enough about current moderate priced accuracy minded barrels in 6.5G.

I would like to find something around a Criterion price range, up to 'ish $150+ dollars more.

Gas system length advice would also be appreciated.

Not a heavy profile barrel, since he isn't a large guy... is 18" even really "needed" ?
He also has little shooting skills, but like most of us, he has been bitten by the AR bug.

All suggestions are welcome from everyone.

Thanks ahead of time to all.

 

[Thomas Geistman]

If it’s a 95% bench gun, I would go with a 18” barrel and heavier profile. More speed and less stringing with heat after multiple shots.

 

[bobke]

There are many options in the mid tier range of barrel choices-Wilson Combat, Satern cut rifle, Rainier UM, Lilja, Craddock RTR, Proof SS, Precision Firearms Samurai, among a few. The barrel is the heart of the gun, and if you want your friend’s first AR experience to be a successful, long term relationship, spend some extra coin there.

Personally, I find a setup on the just a bit heavier side to be easier to shoot well than an ultralight rig, especially if a primarily bench gun. Others experience will vary, and we all have opinions. There’s mine.

 

[pangris]

If its a bench gun, why stop at 18"? I'm not exactly an advocate for a 24" Grendel, but if 95% of my application was off concrete I'd long long and thick.

I tend to default to shorter barrels all things being equal, and the average length of my Grendels is 14.3" - but my #1 go to daytime rifle is 20", and my #1 night rifle is 12.5".