6.5 grendel cfe223 vs leverevoultion

[john 800]

I have been testing some loads for two 6.5 Grendel ar15s for deer hunting, 18”barrels if it matters. Mostly with 120 tipped gamekings. In ladder testing and a few groups I had 3 that were very promising. shooters world match rifle, cfe223, and ArComp all looked very good. Tac was probably usable, bit didn’t look quite as good. I ended up settling on loading this years deer hunting rounds with cfe 223.
Now to my question. Being that leverevoultion is available is it worth trying? Or is cfe 223 close enough that it would be a waste of componants? From what I understand leverevoulution is very close, and alot of guys are having good luck with it in the Grendel.
Reloading is kind of like fishing. Do I cover more water? Or do I spend more time and not miss a potential honeyhole?

 

[lb-ft]

Unless you’re concerned about running out of CFE, I’d just go with the load you’ve developed. Yes LVR is great in Grendel but I think you’d just be splitting hairs.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I agree with the above statement. Especially for the purpose of deer hunting. If you enjoy the reloading process and shooting for groups in general, I would recommend getting yourself a second upper to play with.

 

[284winner]

I have been testing some loads for two 6.5 Grendel ar15s for deer hunting, 18”barrels if it matters. Mostly with 120 tipped gamekings. In ladder testing and a few groups I had 3 that were very promising. shooters world match rifle, cfe223, and ArComp all looked very good. Tac was probably usable, bit didn’t look quite as good. I ended up settling on loading this years deer hunting rounds with cfe 223.
Now to my question. Being that leverevoultion is available is it worth trying? Or is cfe 223 close enough that it would be a waste of componants? From what I understand leverevoulution is very close, and alot of guys are having good luck with it in the Grendel.
Reloading is kind of like fishing. Do I cover more water? Or do I spend more time and not miss a potential honeyhole?

LE is probably going to get you more velocity from my experience. Other than that, you should find equal accuracy. I'm gonna try some AR comp next. I'm using XB 8208 currently. I'm happy but want to try 2-3 powders in case some become extinct.

 

[HandgunHTR]

LE is probably going to get you more velocity from my experience. Other than that, you should find equal accuracy. I'm gonna try some AR comp next. I'm using XB 8208 currently. I'm happy but want to try 2-3 powders in case some become extinct.

I am in the same boat with my 2 Grendels. Both are using 8208XBR, and fortunately, I have 6 pounds of it and the Grendel is a little case, but now that I have two nephews who are shooting and hunting, I am going through a few hundred rounds every 3-4 months, so I am not sure if it will be available when I need it again. If not, I will probably try some LVR as my AR-Comp is dedicated to my 6.8SPC.

 

[misser]

leverevoulution has become my goto powder ,using 95 gr hornady . also using it with 120 s

 

[284winner]

I am in the same boat with my 2 Grendels. Both are using 8208XBR, and fortunately, I have 6 pounds of it and the Grendel is a little case, but now that I have two nephews who are shooting and hunting, I am going through a few hundred rounds every 3-4 months, so I am not sure if it will be available when I need it again. If not, I will probably try some LVR as my AR-Comp is dedicated to my 6.8SPC.

AR Comp and LE I've heard offer the best velocities but not sure if accuracy is as good

 

[john 800]

AR Comp and LE I've heard offer the best velocities but not sure if accuracy is as good

Ar comp is one that I will revisit after hunting season. It shot produced several bughole groups in testing, but they were all in the lower or of the range. Normally I would just shoot that load, but for this cartridge, I would take some extra speed if I can find it.

 

[searcher]

Shooting 123-grain bullets out of my 6.5 Grendel A/R, I tested quite a few powders. The 29.1 grns. CFE23 shot .380" MOA (velocity was 2,475) and had the lowest SD (8).

H4895 1/2"
LT32 .410"
H322 .264"
N140 .275"
Varget .401"
Tac .372"
8208 XBR .225" (shot with Lapua Scenars)

If you want to use your rig double-duty n varmints, your CFE223 might like 95-grain V-Max in your rifle, as it does mine. .380" with 30.00 grains 2,600 fps.

I came to the conclusion that, aside from velocity being much better with CFE, all were plenty accurate for deer. Those Grendels seem to not be as "powder picky" as many cartridges. My prior rifle in 6.5 Grendel was very similar, though not quite as accurate with anything.
I shoot a 24" heavy barrel

 

[284winner]

Ar comp is one that I will revisit after hunting season. It shot produced several bughole groups in testing, but they were all in the lower or of the range. Normally I would just shoot that load, but for this cartridge, I would take some extra speed if I can find it.

Yesterday I ran 8208 in mine with a 28 grain load with 123 ELDMs. Velocity was right at 2400 fps. I wasn't super impressed with that but groups were amazing. 200 yard groups were an inch. I'll take it for sure for a rifle I won't use last 200 yards. Still like to try the AR Comp.

 

[john 800]

Yesterday I ran 8208 in mine with a 28 grain load with 123 ELDMs. Velocity was right at 2400 fps. I wasn't super impressed with that but groups were amazing. 200 yard groups were an inch. I'll take it for sure for a rifle I won't use last 200 yards. Still like to try the AR Comp.

8208 is one powder I have not come across lately

 

[Oso]

CFE223 and LeverEvolution are top velocity and don't have pressure spike issue when used with heavy bullets.

Even though they aren't same powders (different formulas, not just relabeling), H4895 and ARComp are identical is performance. They hit same velocities and accuracy within 0.1gr of each other... one of those cool examples of "several ways to skin a cat". Depending upon availability, I use either for loading 123gr SST. Velocity is just a tad slower than CFE or LeverEvolution, but definitely better than 8208XBR.

 

[284winner]

8208 is one powder I have not come across lately

I think Hodgdon has it in stock

 

[Turpentine]

I got very good velocity with lever but the accuracy was not there. My go to powder for several years for Grendel with 123 grain bullets has been AR Comp. Generally anywhere from 27.5 to 27.9 grains will give acceptable accuracy while 27.7 gives the best ES and SD. I've shot that load in several rifles and they all have done well.
With 130 grain bullets 26.7 grains is very good.

 

[Downhill]

I have been running IMR 4198 under a 95 VMax. 24.5 grains yields a hair over 2700 fps from a 20 inch barrel. Groups average about 3/4 inch. Hits feral pigs like a hammer.

 

[jbmarshtx]

I mostly use H4895 for the 130 class in my bolt action. Fortunately, I have part of an 8 pounder of it. For lighter than 130, it depends on what speed you want. N140 and Varget are on the slower side for velocity. I used lever for the 130s, it was fast and accurate enough. H4895, Varget, and Lever have been my primary powders...I would not hesitate to use lever if you are looking at another option since it is available and since Hodgdon lists it in their load data now.

 

[mtnman31]

I've had great results with LeverEvolution. With 120 grn bullets I get fantastic groups at 100yds. The groups are comparable to what I get with 8208. That said, the 8208 holds a tighter group as the distance stretches out. From 200-600 yds, the LeverEvolution groups aren't keeping up with the 8208. Not a big difference but noticeable when you are trying for optimal performance. I still use LeverEvolution quite a bit. For the past few years 8208 has been hard to find .

 

[X-Caveman]

Anyone been successful with 123s and Alliant MR-2000? I'm putting together a pig popping upper and have about 9# of it that I don't have much other use for. Seems like it should work, but if others have tried unsuccessfully, I'll start elsewhere.