Purchased a Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel recently. I have zero knowledge of this cartridge. Need to purchase brass and dies. I have numerous powders and bullets for . 264. Looking forward to moving forward on this project for a lightweight short treestand woods rifle. It's a barreled(20" heavy) action from Brownells. I'm purchasing a Stockys Howa mini carbon nextgen lightweight stock for it. Looking like it'll be a 7.0 lb scoped rifle. It's an 8 twist barrel but have no idea what bullet would be work best (solid or jacketed). Any Grendel shooters shooting a similar bolt gun that could weigh in with their own suggestions ?
6.5 Grendel
- Thread starter 284winner
- Start date
I also bought a Howa mini action and now waiting for my MDT chassis to arrive. Have numerous gas Grendels. Been reloading Hornady brass I had accumulated from shooting my Grendels over the years. Just recently started hunting with it.
I have a contender with a 14" SSK barrel that I have been impressed with. I have killed two deer, one with hornady 123 sst's through the lung and this year I killed one with 100 grn partitions through both shoulders.
I have also worked up loads with 90grn varmageddons that shot well.
By shooting well, if I can shoot moa with the contender I am pleased.
I have a muffler on it and it is a blast to play with.
I have also worked up loads with 90grn varmageddons that shot well.
By shooting well, if I can shoot moa with the contender I am pleased.
I have a muffler on it and it is a blast to play with.
I bought the Brownell's barreled action with the "heavy" barrel contour, which is more like a medium sporter profile by everyone else's nomeclature. I upgraded the trigger to a Timney, and bedded the action in a B&C stock. It shoots the Hornady 123gr ELD Match factory ammo in a tiny group. It shoots my reloads (123gr SST bullet) just as accurately. I've never had a factory rifle perform this well. Its a Unicorn... I didn't bother chasing other bullet combos.
Starline has brass pretty frequently that can be backordered. I have some, but I have not loaded it up yet. I used Lapua previously. I think the cartridge was built around the 120 or so grain bullets. It will shoot 130s as well. I had a Howa that could be loaded long depended on the magazine.
Varget is a bit slow. H4895 works well for the heavier bullets. 8208 is a top choice as well, but I have not used it. Leverevolution also works well. I shoot 108 scenars, 130 Berger AR OTM, and 130 ELDmatch for high power metallic silhouette.
Varget is a bit slow. H4895 works well for the heavier bullets. 8208 is a top choice as well, but I have not used it. Leverevolution also works well. I shoot 108 scenars, 130 Berger AR OTM, and 130 ELDmatch for high power metallic silhouette.
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
Mine also loves 8208 xbr and 120-123 gr bullets. It shoots Hornady Black very well also. Only thing I have killed with it is a bobcat and it did a great job. No recoil and very accurate in both the Howa Mini and the AR. H335 worked great in the 85-90 gr bullets
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
Since you will be using it as a tree stand hunting rifle, good bullet choices would include 90-123 grain jacketed lead-core hunting bullets or monolithic hunting bullets like Barnes TSX. If you go with the monolithic bullets, you can go to the lower end of that range, with lead core, go to the higher end of the range. I'd not go lighter than that to maintain good penetration, nor heavier - as not needed, assuming you will be shooting deer-sized critters. I'd use thick-cupped primers like CCI 450's, Military type 41 primers, or Remington 7 1/2 or Federal A/R Match primers as a few good examples. That IMR 8208 XBR powder works very well in most Grendels with bullets in this range. Enjoy your new rig.
Excellent info. Thanks. Looks like a cartridge I'll need different powder and primers for that I don't currently use.
Why do you prefer the magnum primers? Just curious.
For those who are curious and want real data then I recommend spending $50 to buy the 6.5 Grendel Reloading Manual (Vol 1 & 2).
https://www.ar15buildbox.com/shop/c/p/65-Grendel-Reloading-Handbook-Combo-Volumes-1-2-x9555123.htm
https://www.ar15buildbox.com/shop/c/p/65-Grendel-Reloading-Handbook-Combo-Volumes-1-2-x9555123.htm
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
The Grendel cartridge is one which runs best at higher pressure. While many run these in A/R's (which should always use a thick-cupped primer), the thicker cups also benefit running them in bolt guns as well. If in a bolt gun and running loads on the lower end of the spectrum- they are surely not needed. But that is definitely what I would run.
Last edited:
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
I listed that 8208 XBR powder as what worked best by far in four different Grendels I have worked up data for. There are other powders that can work very well too. some I tried and got good accuracy from were Tac, N140, CFE223, Accurate LT32, Varget and H4895. (best accuracy in that order) These all shot 123's 1/2" or less in my current A/R. The XBR was just a bit better. If you have any of these powders, you might not have to make any additional powder purchases if your rifle favors them.
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
I’m using H335 with the Sierra 85 gr HP and STOMP442 is correct that it shoots real small. Don’t understand why bullet manufacturers discontinue such good bullets.
I use 450's in my ar's. I use 400's in my Contender. I am near max listed loads so should I look for signs of pressure on the primers?
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.