Thread: Powder and project recommendations 16" Grendel

Hey Team,

Looking to start reloading for the Grendel. I have a 16" Howa Mini - though looking at data wish I chopped it at 18"
Looking for something solid to 300-350

Narrowed projectiles down to
120gr Speer gold dots
100gr or 120gr ELDMs
90gr TNTs

Be keen to hear powder suggestion. Done a lot of reading but keep going round in circles. BM2m 8208, lever evolution, cfe223, w748, varget, 2206h.

Looking for some guidance from the collective Grendel nuts.

Cheers

I just use the Lyman 50th edition or the ADI reloaders manuel for the proj I use....90gn TNT.
I shoot reds with this no worries out to 150yds ish (my old eyes aren't what they used to be) & they seem to go down ok when hit in the right spot.
I've never used the heavier 120s so can't comment on their performance but "'Carpus sus"" youtube channel seems to do ok on the pigs....& he shoots some big ones with it too....although a few with multiple shots.
I use 7.62x39 steel cases converted to the Grendel as the cost for brass is getting too high. It does the same job, accuracy I found is good, & you don't have to worry about picking up the ""brass"" when in a situation that you're on the move...eg shooting feral goat mobs.
Because I have Berdan primers for the steel cases that's another $$$$ saving, & it's fun & relaxing reloading up 50 or so rounds knowing they're going to bring home the meat with them.
Phil.

Originally Posted by Tararua Phil

I just use the Lyman 50th edition or the ADI reloaders manuel for the proj I use....90gn TNT.
I shoot reds with this no worries out to 150yds ish (my old eyes aren't what they used to be) & they seem to go down ok when hit in the right spot.
I've never used the heavier 120s so can't comment on their performance but "'Carpus sus"" youtube channel seems to do ok on the pigs....& he shoots some big ones with it too....although a few with multiple shots.
I use 7.62x39 steel cases converted to the Grendel as the cost for brass is getting too high. It does the same job, accuracy I found is good, & you don't have to worry about picking up the ""brass"" when in a situation that you're on the move...eg shooting feral goat mobs.
Because I have Berdan primers for the steel cases that's another $$$$ saving, & it's fun & relaxing reloading up 50 or so rounds knowing they're going to bring home the meat with them.
Phil.

OBTW. In regards to the steel case conversion; You can buy the x39 steel non corrosive ammo reasonably cheaply & when pulling them down to convert you can also use the factory powder....another cheap way of using the 6.5 Grendel.
Cheers Phil.

Originally Posted by Tararua Phil

OBTW. In regards to the steel case conversion; You can buy the x39 steel non corrosive ammo reasonably cheaply & when pulling them down to convert you can also use the factory powder....another cheap way of using the 6.5 Grendel.
Cheers Phil.

@Tararua Phil ; how hard is resizing the x39 steel case?


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I'm running 120 targex with 8208 in hornady brass. Been up to 29grains and it's getting hot. Hitting 2480fps. 14.5" barrel.
Why you with you had 18"?

@robhughes-games ; your velocities give me hope. Thought I may have chopped it short. Will give the gold dots a go. It sprays sst’s. wasn’t happy with the results from factory loaded sst


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Originally Posted by liam_s

@Tararua Phil ; how hard is resizing the x39 steel case?


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Easy as. No different than using brass. I use a little more lube, that's all. Just put the x39 case through the 6.5 die to take it down in diameter. The lengths & other dimensions are basically the same.
If you need any factory primed steel cases I still have a lot left.... Norinco non corrosive.

Cheers,
Phil.
OBTW, If you're worried about steel on steel die wear, the steel is a very low grade, about the same as brass itself. There's a youtube channel that a guy did a test on the Brunel hardness of the steel case compared to brass & it appears to be the about the same hardness. I'll see if I can find it & post it here.

Originally Posted by Tararua Phil

Easy as. No different than using brass. I use a little more lube, that's all. Just put the x39 case through the 6.5 die to take it down in diameter. The lengths & other dimensions are basically the same.
If you need any factory primed steel cases I still have a lot left.... Norinco non corrosive.
Attachment 271702
Cheers,
Phil.
OBTW, If you're worried about steel on steel die wear, the steel is a very low grade, about the same as brass itself. There's a youtube channel that a guy did a test on the Brunel hardness of the steel case compared to brass & it appears to be the about the same hardness. I'll see if I can find it & post it here.

Found Youtube site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBAh_8usXBI
Cheers.

CFE223 and 123gr ELD M

found some specific bolt gun data on the Sierra site that may be of interest
https://sierrabullets.com/content/lo....5-grendel.pdf

except that for a long barrel!

123 ELDM and Lever Evolution. Getting 2300 out of a 12" barrel, and still some case capacity left to push for more.
What I did find is that most of the published loads are pretty weak, and designed for the AR platform. Bolt action rifles can take a lot more pressure, so you will be in unpublished territory chasing a reasonable velocity.
Good info from the Sierra bolt gun specific loads is the pressure they are loading for - 62,000psi. Bad info is that it's in a 24" barrel, and who realistically uses a 6.5 Grendel in a barrel that long?

Just a side note:

rifles with barrels 16" or less are often referred to as "pistols" in the us (has something to do with their legislation afaik)...

so might pay to look for "pistol load data" if available.

2219 powder would be another contender. faster than 8208. and should work very well for short barreled stuff.

Try this guy, he has a series of videos loading the 6.5 Grendel in the AR platform with various barrel lengths, https://youtu.be/V5ax8kYvYRw

I was using 8208 and 123 Eldms. Velocity 2400 from a 16” I tried cfe223 but accuracy was better with the 8208. Dropped deer at 150y but didn’t try further out. Sold the rifle when I needed cash, now I’m hoping to afford another one by the end of the year. Amazing little cartridge.