6.5 Grendel load data/pet loads

[Sniper338]

I shoot 123s and a compressed load of RL15. Lapua brass.

 

[SPQR70AD]

there are two different perspectives on loading this cartridge

In an AR-15, there are platform imposed limitations due to weakness in the bolt that significantly limits the operating pressure of loads that can be used. Further, the AR15 places a COL limitation of 2.255 inches so you loose powder capacity with bullets shoved in the case.

In a bolt gun, so much depends on what chamber you are using Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel AR15 chamber, the 6.5 CSS chamber or the 6.5 PPCX chamber.

The 6.5 PPCX chamber throws the AR15 book out because you are no longer bound to the 2.255 restriction. For example, in my 6.5 PPCX,,, the 108 Lapua is seated to a OAL of 2.365 inches and the base of the boat tail sits at the neck shoulder junction. Needless to say, that opens a lot of powder capacity that is lost shoving bullets back in the case in an AR. Also, the 6.5 PPCX is running only a .292 neck vs the .300" neck of the AA chamber or the .295 neck of the 6.5 CSS.

I have used the 6.5 PPCX for many many years and still use it today all the way to 1000 yards in f-class. My two preferred long range loads use either the 108 Lapua Scenar or the Cauterucio 114 VLD on top of VV powders. I don't publish these loads because they are suited ONLY to quality bolt guns, not to the AR15, and I dont want people taking these loads and stuffing them in an AR.

I will share my bolt gun loads with individuals who keep them for the personal use in bolt guns. There is a picture floating around here somewhere of a 1.18" group shot at 660 yards in my bolt gun using the Lapua 108.

Feel free to email me if you want to discuss your bolt project.

CCMG makes an AR called the mutant where they use a beefier bolt not hogged out like a 5.56 bolt .I wonder if they do it for the 6.5. grendal.

 

[2506]

Most everybody makes a completely different bolt for the 6.5 Grendel that is SAMMI specification. In the stated post there is a misconception that the BOLT of the AR is weak. It is not the bolt that is weak it is that the whole platform of the AR-15 rifle is designed to operate at a certain pressure that is lower than what you can achieve with another type of action like a bolt action. If you run these higher pressures in the AR sooner or later something is going to wear out or brake no matter the caliber.

 

[searcher]

I have a heavy Krieger-barreled A/R I assembled that shoots everything pretty well, especially the 123 Scenars with CFE223, H4895, N140, Varget, TAC and H322. But the really smoking load in mine is the 123 Scenar, AA brass, CCI450 primer, 26.8 grns 8208XBR. Shoots under 1/3" MOA 5-shots when calm.

Great hunting load is the 120 Barnes TTSX, CCI450, 24.4 to 25.0 H322

 

[muzzle223]

I have a heavy Krieger-barreled A/R I assembled that shoots everything pretty well, especially the 123 Scenars with CFE223, H4895, N140, Varget, TAC and H322. But the really smoking load in mine is the 123 Scenar, AA brass, CCI450 primer, 26.8 grns 8208XBR. Shoots under 1/3" MOA 5-shots when calm.

Great hunting load is the 120 Barnes TTSX, CCI450, 24.4 to 25.0 H322

Mine likes the H322 as well.

 

[lb-ft]

Perhaps not the ideal thread to post this, but what have been people's experiences with shorter barrel lengths? I'm toying with the idea of an MGM barrel in the 16.25 - 18" range. Wish they weren't so expensive though.

Thoughts on shorter barrel lengths?

 

[searcher]

Thoughts on shorter barrel lengths?

Could do another thread on this subject. In short - unless you are building a "plinker" or home self-defense, I'd not go with less than a 20" barrel. A 20" inch is a good compromise to keep relatively compact, keep the weight manageable and not lose too much velocity. For a gun used off the rest for varminting, etc. - I'd go 24" minimum and heavy barrel. Aside from decreased sight picture after the shot, the shorter barrels have more muzzle blast, are louder and slower. Depends on your use as to whether makes sense.

 

[searcher]

Thoughts on shorter barrel lengths?

Also - the short gas systems can create problems with increased bolt wear and ejection problems sometimes as well.

 

[Rustytigwire]

I know the Sierra 85 hp are discontinued. Any pet AR loads as I have a couple hundred bullets?
Tac, Xterminator, 2460, LT32, 748, 8208, Reloder 10 15 16, H322 H335, ?
Appreciate.

 

[mac86951]

I know the Sierra 85 hp are discontinued. Any pet AR loads as I have a couple hundred bullets?
Tac, Xterminator, 2460, LT32, 748, 8208, Reloder 10 15 16, H322 H335, ?
Appreciate.

29.0 h335 did well

-Mac

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I know the Sierra 85 hp are discontinued. Any pet AR loads as I have a couple hundred bullets?
Tac, Xterminator, 2460, LT32, 748, 8208, Reloder 10 15 16, H322 H335, ?
Appreciate.

I had my Grendel barrel short throated for light weight bullets, 90gr. The best luck I have had with those is H335, Accurate 2230 or TAC.

 

[ncageneral]

I have had very very good results using AR Comp under 120 Gr Sierra Prohunters and Matchkings. During development I fired 50 Matchkings in 5 shot groups , one went over an inch. The one I settled on will on occasion print 5 into less than half. The rifle is just a franken rifle, 24" Satern. Not a bench rest shooter by any means , also I do not know how tight of a group you are seeking. Good luck. I only use it for coyotes and deer.

 

[Sandstorm]

Ramshot Tac in mine, however I only shoot the 123gr Senars, and SST's and they do real well
with Hornady brass and cci 450's or 400's ...20 inch and 24 inch barrels.
I do have a short 11 inch blaster that's no slouch either with H335

 

[stacy]

MY LITTLE MINI HOWA LOVES 90GR HP'S AND H-335 SHOOTS WELL OUT TO 400YDS FOR ME

 

[shootz]

Factory 123Amax were the best accuracy .

AR-Comp worked good
27.5gr with 108Lapua
25gr 120hpbt sierra

 

[JLT]

107 gr. Sierra Match King, 29.0 gr. IMR 8208XBR, Lapua brass and CCI 450s. Remarkable accuracy in an AR. 2,700 fps out of a 20" barrel.

 

[Dou8leD]

I have a Alexander Arms grendel upper, 20in barrel, It shoots lights out with 123 screners, elds and sst with 28.2gr xbr8208 and 450mag primer, and the bullets are .010 jump and still fit in mag well, barely

 

[Buzzsaw]

wow, I started this thread 10 years ago !!! Still a great round

 

[Sandstorm]

Damn..that 10 years went fast....musta been having a good time.

 

[Turpentine]

I know this is a very old thread but I figured I would post anyway. My favorite powder by far for the Grendel is AR Comp. I tried others including Lever but couldn't get the accuracy in Either of my 2 Grendel's. In 4 different Grendel's now (my 2 + a friends 2) I haven't seen one that didn't like between 27.5 and 28.0 grains Of AR Comp. But to narrow it down the OCW load in each of these has been 27.7 grains. Es and SD are very low. My chronograph shows a velocity of 2460 from a 20" AA barrel but I've always suspected that figure to be slightly low. Drop tables coincide with about 2500fps. I have shot under 3/8" groups at 100 in my 20" 1 in 9 AA barrel. My other 20 stays under MOA easily.
Projectile is either a 123 SST or 123 eldm. Doing depredation shooting the eldm hits 110-115 pound deer like a hammer with shoulder shots. They drop in their tracks. Behind the shoulder lung shots usually give a dead run of 30 to 60 yards.
26.7 AR Comp has also been very good with the 129 Nosler LRAB at 2360 velocity. I have not shot any animals with them however.