6.5 Grendel Reloading Issues

[eleaf]

Been trying to reload for the 6.5 Grendel tonight with new Alexander Arms brass (Lapua) and Lapua 123 scenars and I can't get a single one to cycle.

I have loaded them to the exact length of the AA factory ammo (2.260") and no dice.

I have the Lee Die Set which has the seater and factory crimper. I've tried tighter and looser crimping, all to no avail. They simply will not chamber correctly and get stuck. All of them.

I've ordered the Redding set which has a crimping ring in the seater to eliminate a step, but I'd like to figure out what I need to do in order to get this ammo to cycle with my current dies.

The factory ammo cycles like butter.

I'll make it known that I have never loaded for a gas gun before and surely it is not the equipment, but actuator error. It's very likely something to do with the crimp, but I don't really know.

What I do know is that the round chambers, but the bolt does not go all the way forward and the round is stuck. It sounds like a length issue, but these are the exact same length as the factory ammo. New Lapua brass. It could be that I'm not applying enough crimp or that I'm over crimping, but Alexander Arms, in their load data, specifically says not to apply too much of a crimp, and, to be honest, I have no idea what "too much crimp" really is (being a newbie to crimping).

Any help/tips would rule!

 

[doc76251]

Re: 6.5 Grendel Reloading Issues

I dare say your problem has less to do with crimp and more to do with resizing than anything else. I would recommend turning the resize die in 1/8th of a turn and make another UNLOADED round. Keep doing this on a different piece of brass until one chambers. Then resize the rest of your brass.

Get some headspace gauges so that you will know what you really have.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[MrSwede]

Re: 6.5 Grendel Reloading Issues


Been there and done that with a Grendel. Turn the die in in increments while sizing.
When you've hit the sweet spot, the sized cases will feed like butter.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: 6.5 Grendel Reloading Issues

Get your dies set up correctly and do not crimp them.

You may have Alexander Arms "Compound Throat" barrel. Do you have a AA barrel or Sabre Defense 6.5 Grendel bbl?

The Compound throat has very little to no free bore. It seems to "fool" all bullets to be touching the lands. Supposed better accuracy but seems to be a pain in the ass. Google it and you will find some stuff about the "Compound throat". Satern bbls do not have the compound throat.

I had your same problem.

What I did:
I got my dies set up correctly.

Do not crimp any rounds.

Used Hornady OAL guage and checked OAL of a couple bullets going shoot. Then seated just off lands or just touching.

Seated to correct listed OAL.

Now this Grendel shoots Sub-MOA! lol

Should not have to do this for a gas gun but but it helps and the gun shoots very accurate.

If the Grendel forum was up there was a TON of threads with this type of problem.

I seat my 123gr, Lapua Scenars at 2.255" w/ 29.8gr. of Win748 is VERY accurate load for me.

Get everything set up correctly and you will be surprised how well the Grendel shoots and it will hold it out to distance also. I love Grendel bullet!

<span style="font-weight: bold">Here is my Grendel:</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">5-shot Sub-MOA group @ 100yrds.:
This group was with 123gr. Scenars and 29.0gr. Win748- Lapua Brass -CCI #450 Primer OAL- 2.255"
</span>

When a gas gun can hold a 5-shot group thats smaller then a dime @ 100 thats accurate enough for me!

 

[eleaf]

Re: 6.5 Grendel Reloading Issues

Methinks that the load data provided by Alexander Arms is wrong insofar as they say I needn't resize factory new brass.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: "Alexander Arms Reload Data"</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Please note that factory new brass does not require resizing before use.</div></div>

Bullshit.

It <span style="font-weight: bold">does</span> require resizing. It is in more than 1 full turn from when it touches the shell holder.

I also had to screw the decapping pin back because it is the large pin and will get stuck in the small flash holes of the Lapua brass.

I've already ordered the Redding die set (with overnight shipping - ouch!) but I don't mind having two sets. Plus, it comes with a small diameter decapping pin for those small flash holes (I can't even find a replacement for the Lee die decapper) I imagine that the theory is the same when using those dies? Set the resizer, then turn it 1/8 turn until they cycle.

Thanks. I never would have figured this out without some guidance.

Boy do I wish the 65grendel forums were still up.

 

[eleaf]

Re: 6.5 Grendel Reloading Issues

Ammo is cycling like butter right now.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Rootshot]

Re: 6.5 Grendel Reloading Issues

Consider investing in a Wilson case gauge for the Grendel. It takes the guesswork out of die-adjustment. It's also a good QA check on loaded rounds - if they fit in the gauge, they will chamber in the rifle. Last, but not least, it gives you an indicator for neck length / when you have to trim.

--Rootshot