Well, I'm currently gathering parts for a 6.5 Grendel build to be used for F-class shooting. I tried searching for some load data, but I haven't found anything really outstanding. Mostly just load data for a 14.5" barrel. I'll be using a 24" barrel so I was hoping someone would have something they've worked up already that I could use as a starting point. Also any tips or anything like that would be great.
- Thread starter meyersa88
- Start date
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
There are a lot of bullet options for the grendel for reloading. What bullet and distance are you wanting to shoot?
There are a lot of bullet options for the grendel for reloading. What bullet and distance are you wanting to shoot?
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
The Grendel would not be the best choice for longer distances, unless you are restricted to fit in an AR magazine. Even then, the .243 LBC (necked down to 6mm from 6.5mm) would be worthwhile to consider.
6.5/6 Creedmoor, 6.5-284, 7mmWSM, etc. give better velocity.
I guess it depends if you are going to reload.
The Grendel would not be the best choice for longer distances, unless you are restricted to fit in an AR magazine. Even then, the .243 LBC (necked down to 6mm from 6.5mm) would be worthwhile to consider.
6.5/6 Creedmoor, 6.5-284, 7mmWSM, etc. give better velocity.
I guess it depends if you are going to reload.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
Let me know what bullet your wanting to use & ill try to help you out.
Let me know what bullet your wanting to use & ill try to help you out.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
I've read that the Grendel really only does well with bullets lighter than 130, so I was looking at the Hornady 123 gr. A-max.
I plan to shoot this at anywhere from 600-1000 yards. I have a .223 that I used in an FTR match last month, and I also have a 300 Win. Mag. so this would be mine in-between cartridge so to speak. I'm in no way restricted by an AR, but that is what I've chosen since I wanted a long range AR-15 platform. I'll make sure I go and check 65grendel.com to see what they have as well.
Edit: Yes, I will be reloading my own ammo.
I've read that the Grendel really only does well with bullets lighter than 130, so I was looking at the Hornady 123 gr. A-max.
I plan to shoot this at anywhere from 600-1000 yards. I have a .223 that I used in an FTR match last month, and I also have a 300 Win. Mag. so this would be mine in-between cartridge so to speak. I'm in no way restricted by an AR, but that is what I've chosen since I wanted a long range AR-15 platform. I'll make sure I go and check 65grendel.com to see what they have as well.
Edit: Yes, I will be reloading my own ammo.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
The Grendel, or one of the knock off's of it like the 243 LBC, or the 6mmx45 will all work much better than the 5.56, and will easily make it out to 1000 yards.
My 123 Scenar Grendel load doesn't go transonic until 1300-1400 yards depending on atmospheric, and environmental conditions.
The 65Grendel website used to have a list of lots of great loads for the Grende. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll find something for you. I have an old coffee mug stained copy around here.
The Grendel, or one of the knock off's of it like the 243 LBC, or the 6mmx45 will all work much better than the 5.56, and will easily make it out to 1000 yards.
My 123 Scenar Grendel load doesn't go transonic until 1300-1400 yards depending on atmospheric, and environmental conditions.
The 65Grendel website used to have a list of lots of great loads for the Grende. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll find something for you. I have an old coffee mug stained copy around here.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
Here is my load for the grendel. Drop a grain & work up.
123gn amax - 28.7 gn of IMR 8208, OAL 2.262
95 gn vmax - 30.5 gn of tac, OAL 2.121
Im using a 18" satern barrel & getting 2500 fps with the 123 amax, you will get alittle more with a 24" barrel.
I have a few other loads if needed
Here is my load for the grendel. Drop a grain & work up.
123gn amax - 28.7 gn of IMR 8208, OAL 2.262
95 gn vmax - 30.5 gn of tac, OAL 2.121
Im using a 18" satern barrel & getting 2500 fps with the 123 amax, you will get alittle more with a 24" barrel.
I have a few other loads if needed
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
FWIW Here are some 6.5 G loads
Bullet Primer Powder Starting Load Maximum Load (24")
Weight Type Manufacturer C.O.L. (in) Manufacturer/Type Weight (grains) Velocity (fps) Weight (grains) Velocity (fps)
90 TNT Speer 2.200 CCI#200 Hodgdon Benchmark 30.0 2800 30.3 2880
100 Scenar Lapua 2.260 CCI#200 Viht N133 27.0 2640 27.3 2710
Viht N135 27.2 2600 28.1 2720
Viht N530 27.0 2633 27.3 2729
Accurate 2460 27.5 2614 30.0 2810
Hodgdon H335 29.2 2786
107 Match King Sierra 2.260 CCI#200 Western Tac 29.3 2730
Viht N135 27.0 2536 27.1 2605
Viht N140 27.2 2443 28.4 2520
Viht N530 25.7 2554 26.0 2590
Viht N540 27.9 2488 29.7 2610
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.8 2730
H335 28.0 2541 28.6 2650
Accurate 2640 29.0
123 Scenar Lapua 2.265 CCI BR2 Viht N140 26.5 2310 27.7 2430
Viht N540 28.0 2360 28.4 2470
Hodgdon H4895 27.0 2423 27.5 2450
Hodgdon Varget 28.0 2358 28.1 2400
Win 748 30.0 2475 30.2 2590
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2570 31.6 2545
Accurate 2520 30.5 2630
Lot X6370 30.6 2620
123 Sierra Match King 2.260 CCI BR2 Lot X6370 30.7
Lot X6370 30.7 2650
Viht N140 26.5 2310 27.7 2430
Viht N540 28.0 2360 28.4 2470
Hodgdon H4895 27.0 2423 27.5 2450
Hodgdon Varget 28.0 2358 28.2 2400
Win 748 30.0 2475 30.3 2590
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2570 31.6 2545
Accurate 2520 30.5 2630
120 Sierra Match King 2.220 CCI#200 Lot X6370 30.5 2660
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2540 31.5 2570
Accurate 2520 30.4
Western Tac 27.5 2436 28.6 2560
Viht N135 26.2 2410 26.1 2430
Viht N140 26.5 2325 27.8 2431
Viht N540 28.0 2300 28.4 2475
120 Berger Match Tactical 2.240 CCI#200 Western Tac 28.1 2430 28.3 2515
Win 748 27.7 2402 29.8 2525
BL-(C)2 29.8 2516
120 Ballistic Tip Nosler 2.245 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2540 31.5 2570
Accurate 2520 30.4
Western Tac 27.5 2436 28.5 2560
Viht N135 26.2 2410 26.1 2430
Viht N140 26.5 2325 27.7 2431
Viht N540 28.0 2300 28.4 2475
120 FMJ BT Norma 2.250 CCI#200 Accurate 2520 30.7 2649 30.8 2670
Western Tac 27.5 2440 28.6 2562
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2578 31.6 2602
Lot X6370 30.7 2700
129 SST Hornady 2.260 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 29.0 2300 30.8 2467
130 HPBT Norma 2.265 CCI BR2 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 28.8 2400
Lot X6370 28.5 2510
130 Scirroco Swift 2.260 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 29.0 2310 29.2 2398
Viht N540 27.2 2278 28.2 2410
Win 748 28.0 2300 28.8 2380
Hodgdon Varget 26.0 2235 26.7 2312
Western Big Game 28.0 2163 29.8 2350
Viht N140 26.3 2251 27.0 2310
130 VLD Berger 2.265 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 28.8 2370
Lot X6370 28.5 2492
140 Lapua Naturalis 2.300 CCI#200 H4895 26.0 2100 26.2 2240
Varget 27.0 2175 27.6 2220
FWIW Here are some 6.5 G loads
Bullet Primer Powder Starting Load Maximum Load (24")
Weight Type Manufacturer C.O.L. (in) Manufacturer/Type Weight (grains) Velocity (fps) Weight (grains) Velocity (fps)
90 TNT Speer 2.200 CCI#200 Hodgdon Benchmark 30.0 2800 30.3 2880
100 Scenar Lapua 2.260 CCI#200 Viht N133 27.0 2640 27.3 2710
Viht N135 27.2 2600 28.1 2720
Viht N530 27.0 2633 27.3 2729
Accurate 2460 27.5 2614 30.0 2810
Hodgdon H335 29.2 2786
107 Match King Sierra 2.260 CCI#200 Western Tac 29.3 2730
Viht N135 27.0 2536 27.1 2605
Viht N140 27.2 2443 28.4 2520
Viht N530 25.7 2554 26.0 2590
Viht N540 27.9 2488 29.7 2610
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.8 2730
H335 28.0 2541 28.6 2650
Accurate 2640 29.0
123 Scenar Lapua 2.265 CCI BR2 Viht N140 26.5 2310 27.7 2430
Viht N540 28.0 2360 28.4 2470
Hodgdon H4895 27.0 2423 27.5 2450
Hodgdon Varget 28.0 2358 28.1 2400
Win 748 30.0 2475 30.2 2590
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2570 31.6 2545
Accurate 2520 30.5 2630
Lot X6370 30.6 2620
123 Sierra Match King 2.260 CCI BR2 Lot X6370 30.7
Lot X6370 30.7 2650
Viht N140 26.5 2310 27.7 2430
Viht N540 28.0 2360 28.4 2470
Hodgdon H4895 27.0 2423 27.5 2450
Hodgdon Varget 28.0 2358 28.2 2400
Win 748 30.0 2475 30.3 2590
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2570 31.6 2545
Accurate 2520 30.5 2630
120 Sierra Match King 2.220 CCI#200 Lot X6370 30.5 2660
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2540 31.5 2570
Accurate 2520 30.4
Western Tac 27.5 2436 28.6 2560
Viht N135 26.2 2410 26.1 2430
Viht N140 26.5 2325 27.8 2431
Viht N540 28.0 2300 28.4 2475
120 Berger Match Tactical 2.240 CCI#200 Western Tac 28.1 2430 28.3 2515
Win 748 27.7 2402 29.8 2525
BL-(C)2 29.8 2516
120 Ballistic Tip Nosler 2.245 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2540 31.5 2570
Accurate 2520 30.4
Western Tac 27.5 2436 28.5 2560
Viht N135 26.2 2410 26.1 2430
Viht N140 26.5 2325 27.7 2431
Viht N540 28.0 2300 28.4 2475
120 FMJ BT Norma 2.250 CCI#200 Accurate 2520 30.7 2649 30.8 2670
Western Tac 27.5 2440 28.6 2562
Hodgdon BL-(C)2 31.5 2578 31.6 2602
Lot X6370 30.7 2700
129 SST Hornady 2.260 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 29.0 2300 30.8 2467
130 HPBT Norma 2.265 CCI BR2 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 28.8 2400
Lot X6370 28.5 2510
130 Scirroco Swift 2.260 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 29.0 2310 29.2 2398
Viht N540 27.2 2278 28.2 2410
Win 748 28.0 2300 28.8 2380
Hodgdon Varget 26.0 2235 26.7 2312
Western Big Game 28.0 2163 29.8 2350
Viht N140 26.3 2251 27.0 2310
130 VLD Berger 2.265 CCI#200 Hodgdon BL-(C)2 28.8 2370
Lot X6370 28.5 2492
140 Lapua Naturalis 2.300 CCI#200 H4895 26.0 2100 26.2 2240
Varget 27.0 2175 27.6 2220
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
While we're on this topic...
Does anyone have the low and high ends for the new Xterminator powder with a 120gr Barns HPBT? (Laupa brass & Fed205 primer)
While we're on this topic...
Does anyone have the low and high ends for the new Xterminator powder with a 120gr Barns HPBT? (Laupa brass & Fed205 primer)
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
I have a 264 LBC chamber in a 24" bbl. I use Hdny 123 Amax in Lapua case, CCI small rifle mag primer, 28.3 grains of XBR and load to mag lenght. Load is well under 1/2 moa at distance. 2600 fps. Shots on a 5" steel target at 800 are boring, if my wind call is correct. I tried it to 1100 and it did not do so hot. Seems it went sub sonic and lost stabiltiy, and hence lost accurracy. Guess at 1100 it was out of gas. Less than 1000 it is stupid accurrate and a blast to shoot. At 800, with the low recoil of the Grendel, I can get 3 shots off and line up for the 4th before the first hits the target.
I have a 264 LBC chamber in a 24" bbl. I use Hdny 123 Amax in Lapua case, CCI small rifle mag primer, 28.3 grains of XBR and load to mag lenght. Load is well under 1/2 moa at distance. 2600 fps. Shots on a 5" steel target at 800 are boring, if my wind call is correct. I tried it to 1100 and it did not do so hot. Seems it went sub sonic and lost stabiltiy, and hence lost accurracy. Guess at 1100 it was out of gas. Less than 1000 it is stupid accurrate and a blast to shoot. At 800, with the low recoil of the Grendel, I can get 3 shots off and line up for the 4th before the first hits the target.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
I have had good luck with the following load in 6.5 CSS, 6.5 Grendel rifles.
30.3 grains of W846
CCI 450 primer
Lapua cases
123 Grain Scenar
2.260 COAL
Work to it though, as 30.5 is the max load. The above load has worked well in all my Grendel type rifles, and in my friend's Grendel's as well.
I have had good luck with the following load in 6.5 CSS, 6.5 Grendel rifles.
30.3 grains of W846
CCI 450 primer
Lapua cases
123 Grain Scenar
2.260 COAL
Work to it though, as 30.5 is the max load. The above load has worked well in all my Grendel type rifles, and in my friend's Grendel's as well.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
I have had very good luck with LeverRevelution. To the tune of 31.4, 450's, 123 Scenar/SMK, mag length or slightly less (my barrel will let me jam most bullets, but not either 107 or 123 SMK's), and AA brass. The 120 Berger BT is fantastic with the same recipe, but pricey, and the 120 SMK is almost as good.
Look for 2650 fps so with a 24" barrel. Mine is a 24" Satern 5r.
I average 1/2" when I don't screw it up.
If I had to pick a bullet for my rifle, it would be the 120 SMK. It shoots very well with just about any powder and has always given consistent numbers on the chronograph.
YMMV.
I have had very good luck with LeverRevelution. To the tune of 31.4, 450's, 123 Scenar/SMK, mag length or slightly less (my barrel will let me jam most bullets, but not either 107 or 123 SMK's), and AA brass. The 120 Berger BT is fantastic with the same recipe, but pricey, and the 120 SMK is almost as good.
Look for 2650 fps so with a 24" barrel. Mine is a 24" Satern 5r.
I average 1/2" when I don't screw it up.
If I had to pick a bullet for my rifle, it would be the 120 SMK. It shoots very well with just about any powder and has always given consistent numbers on the chronograph.
YMMV.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
6.5 Grendel 24" Lilja barrel
450 CCI primer
2.261 OAL
H-4895 27.0 grains
123 gr Scenars
Lapua Brass
5 shot groups that you can cover with a dime .290
Tried CCI BR primers and group opened up dramatically...
Fred
6.5 Grendel 24" Lilja barrel
450 CCI primer
2.261 OAL
H-4895 27.0 grains
123 gr Scenars
Lapua Brass
5 shot groups that you can cover with a dime .290
Tried CCI BR primers and group opened up dramatically...
Fred
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
Thanks everyone for all the information that you posted, I appreciate it. Now I'm just torn between going with my original plan on the 24" barrel and a muzzle brake or to go with a 20" barrel so that I can eventually put a suppressor on it without it being ridiculously long.
Thanks everyone for all the information that you posted, I appreciate it. Now I'm just torn between going with my original plan on the 24" barrel and a muzzle brake or to go with a 20" barrel so that I can eventually put a suppressor on it without it being ridiculously long.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
When compared to my father-in-law's 20", my 24" gets about 250-FPS more for the same load.
When compared to my father-in-law's 20", my 24" gets about 250-FPS more for the same load.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
Is that with the same brand barrel? I'm looking at the Satern 20 and 24 inch barrels.
Is that with the same brand barrel? I'm looking at the Satern 20 and 24 inch barrels.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: meyersa88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is that with the same brand barrel? I'm looking at the Satern 20 and 24 inch barrels. </div></div>
Yes we had our rifles built at the same time by the same guy and have all of the same brand/type parts. The single only difference is that I chose a 24" and he wanted 20" but it's all the same stuff other than the extra 4". Even the flash hiders and Badger charge handles are the same.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: meyersa88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is that with the same brand barrel? I'm looking at the Satern 20 and 24 inch barrels. </div></div>
Yes we had our rifles built at the same time by the same guy and have all of the same brand/type parts. The single only difference is that I chose a 24" and he wanted 20" but it's all the same stuff other than the extra 4". Even the flash hiders and Badger charge handles are the same.
Re: 6.5 Grendel Help
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tactrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 264 LBC chamber in a 24" bbl. I use Hdny 123 Amax in Lapua case, CCI small rifle mag primer, 28.3 grains of XBR and load to mag lenght. Load is well under 1/2 moa at distance. 2600 fps. Shots on a 5" steel target at 800 are boring, if my wind call is correct. I tried it to 1100 and it did not do so hot. Seems it went sub sonic and lost stabiltiy, and hence lost accurracy. Guess at 1100 it was out of gas. Less than 1000 it is stupid accurrate and a blast to shoot. At 800, with the low recoil of the Grendel, I can get 3 shots off and line up for the 4th before the first hits the target. </div></div>
That's my exact load as well that I shoot out of a .264LBC 18" barreled MK12 Mod 0. I get bugholes at 100, and my personal best is 2.4" for five shots at 652 yards, four of them into 1.4". Now if I could only do that on demand! ETA: my velocity is 2486 - 2500 depending on summer/winter out of a Les Baer barrel.
Don't shy away from Nosler's new 123 grain Custom Competiton bullets; I've taken them out to 700 yards with no problems, and they come in handy 250 round packs.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tactrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 264 LBC chamber in a 24" bbl. I use Hdny 123 Amax in Lapua case, CCI small rifle mag primer, 28.3 grains of XBR and load to mag lenght. Load is well under 1/2 moa at distance. 2600 fps. Shots on a 5" steel target at 800 are boring, if my wind call is correct. I tried it to 1100 and it did not do so hot. Seems it went sub sonic and lost stabiltiy, and hence lost accurracy. Guess at 1100 it was out of gas. Less than 1000 it is stupid accurrate and a blast to shoot. At 800, with the low recoil of the Grendel, I can get 3 shots off and line up for the 4th before the first hits the target. </div></div>
That's my exact load as well that I shoot out of a .264LBC 18" barreled MK12 Mod 0. I get bugholes at 100, and my personal best is 2.4" for five shots at 652 yards, four of them into 1.4". Now if I could only do that on demand! ETA: my velocity is 2486 - 2500 depending on summer/winter out of a Les Baer barrel.
Don't shy away from Nosler's new 123 grain Custom Competiton bullets; I've taken them out to 700 yards with no problems, and they come in handy 250 round packs.
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