Re: Best Factory Load for Precision in 6.5 Grendel?
I have alternately used:
123 grain Scenar
29.5 grains of W748
CCI 450 Primer
Lapua cases
C.O.A.L. 2.260
Or
123 grain Scenar
30.4 grains of AA2520
CCI 450 Primer
Lapua cases
C.O.A.L. 2.260
I used to have a load using TAC powder, but can't seem to find the data for it. The interesting thing about the TAC load is that both it, and the W748 load shot to the same point of impact.
All three loads seem to work well in either of my Grendels. I have one built by AA with a 19.5 inch barrel, and another one that I built using an 18 inch Lothar Walther barrel.
There doesn't seem to be a tremendous amount of accuracy difference between the two rifles, and although each rifle seems to have a wee bit of preference for one load or another, that preference isn't large enough that I'm willing to keep different loads for each rifle.
If all is going well, the rifles usually shoot around .75 inch at 100 yards. Sure, I occasionally get groups around half inch, and very frequently get groups of .65 inch. But, I wouldn't bet money on those groups....I would bet on groups of .9 inch from either rifle using the same loads.
Both rifles are set up a little different..
18 inch rifle has a 2-7X33 scope and vertical front grip/bi-pod
19.5 inch rifle has a 3.5-10 Mark 4 with TMR reticle and harris bi-pod
Both rifles have aftermarket triggers...one is a 2 lb Jard, the other is a 3 lb.
I think the Grendel is a fabulous cartridge as long as velocity is kept reasonable. The biggest problem is people trying to get excessive velocity out of what is really a "mid range" cartridge. Even my 2550 FPS loads don't go transonic until 1100-1200 yards, and that is plenty for me. If I want to shoot further, I'll use a full sized cartridge designed for that job.
As always, work up loads so you don't hurt anything.
Excess pressure always finds a way out, and it is usually either expensive, or painful...often both.
