6.5 Grendel AR at 800 yards

[robbin]

Finally got the Grendel out to 800 yards. It’s a 4 shot group because I lost the first shot, not sure what I did wrong. I think I didn’t check the level. In any case, I missed the steel so I stopped and setup again, checked my numbers, dialed, checked the level and put 4 in a 5.01 inch group at 800. I over comped for the wind and hit about a half MOA left.
I set my zero stops for 200, my main zero for 400 and dialed from the 400 yard setting. 140 grain Berger VLDs and the powder was A2520.
Not bad for an AR!

 

[15Tango]

AA2520 sure amazes me in that cartridge, I know I can hit velocities with it safely that I can't with any other powder. It also amazes me how I can get single digit SD out of that cartridge without doing any brass prep other than FLS and not weighing charges. It's an accurate little cartridge to be sure.

What make of upper and what configuration?

Wayne

 

[spclark]

Yes, the Grendel can shoot. That's a good group on the steel. I've shot my CSS Long Range upper at 1000 yards using the Norma Black Diamond 130 grain with pretty good luck. I have a 30" Broughton chambered in 6.5 Grendel & that's the only Grendel I still shoot. Some testing late this year in other cartridges makes me want to try IMR 8208XBR next. Very high density stuff & intended to work with cartridges both smaller & larger than the Grendel.

 

[15Tango]

XBR8208 didn't impress me in the Grendel. If you're going for straight up accuracy it'll probably be good but it didn't work well for me in terms of velocity and pressure spiked up fast. Other powders/bullet combos gave higher velocity with less pressure. For some reason I only kept notes from one load I tested with XBR8208, sorry.

100 gr Varminter, 30.7 gr XBR8208=2690 fps (16" barrel), nearly pierced the primer.

If you try it and find it works well post it, I'm always interested in seeing what other Grendels do, especially one with a 30" barrel.

Wayne

 

[spclark]

Thanks, that's useful info. I was impressed by it in a popular 6mm cartridge using lighter (Berger 105VLD) bullets at 600 - 1,000 yards. Yes it does get pretty peaky rather quick; I had three loads made up for testing & never fired the third when the second began to show pressure signs.

The first worked well for my needs (sling, irons mostly) producing 2 strings of five shots each grouped under 1/2 MOA at 600 yards (vertical dispersion of one about 1-1/2") on a Very Windy day. Avg. velocities 3134/3143 SD 4 for both.

AA 2520 was what I'd used in the 6.5 Grendel 26" upper too. Great stuff but when you find a batch that works go back and BUY MORE because it's reported to vary some from batch to batch.

 

[robbin]

My gun is a Tactical Rifles SVR. I got my custom dials for the NF NXS that's on top of it. I'll put them on this weekend. I've got custom dials on all my rifles. It's very nice to dial a yardage and have it be dead on.

 

[jonbearman]

Robbin that is excellent shooting of the ar.It doesnt surprise me that this platform does so well.They are accurate in stock form to begin with,and adding good components is icing on the cake.