Thread: 6.5 grendel for hunting

I have a Howa Mini in Grendel, bought it new a few years back and had it cut down to pretty much minimum oal which only left about 10" of barrel. I struggled to get good groups from factory ammo but thanks to some friends have sorted a load out that works very well in it with Amax projectiles, nailed 3 goats with it last week and was very happy with the terminal performance. It lives in a modified plastic Howa stock but it's going to be upgraded sometime, the idea for me was a sub 300y rifle and I think it does the job well.

Originally Posted by Mintie

I have a Howa Mini in Grendel, bought it new a few years back and had it cut down to pretty much minimum oal which only left about 10" of barrel. I struggled to get good groups from factory ammo but thanks to some friends have sorted a load out that works very well in it with Amax projectiles, nailed 3 goats with it last week and was very happy with the terminal performance. It lives in a modified plastic Howa stock but it's going to be upgraded sometime, the idea for me was a sub 300y rifle and I think it does the job well.

Attachment 194568

Shit thats short.
What velocities are you getting?

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Shit thats short.
What velocities are you getting?

Cant remember off the top of my head, need to check these new loads anyway so will report back. Think it was around 2250 fps with the factory loads

Originally Posted by Mintie

I have a Howa Mini in Grendel, bought it new a few years back and had it cut down to pretty much minimum oal which only left about 10" of barrel. I struggled to get good groups from factory ammo but thanks to some friends have sorted a load out that works very well in it with Amax projectiles, nailed 3 goats with it last week and was very happy with the terminal performance. It lives in a modified plastic Howa stock but it's going to be upgraded sometime, the idea for me was a sub 300y rifle and I think it does the job well.

Attachment 194568

So you find it still does the job ok with the short barrel @Mintie ?
That is an option I have been considering as the velocities do not appear to drop off drastically as some rounds do and still appears to carry a fair amount of energy out to the 250-300 mtr mark , enough for reds even with proper shot placement .
No regrets cutting it that short ?
It will probably come down to which stock I go with as to where it gets the chop . I got an excl lite stock with it which I would consider cutting back and removing the bendy fore-arm if going short-short barrel , maybe 12" I was thinking , or take it off at 16 if I can find some funds for a carbon stock . The 308 bushy I would use knowing I am targeting reds , But for general bush duties (and for the kids to use who don't like to shoot longer ranges) at what for me are generally close range (sub 100 ), usually goats or fallow or the odd pig (or piglet lately .. lol ) I like the idea of a super short lightweight rig , but a little worried I would lose to much power and I would regret cutting it short when that red deer steps out at 250 . But the AR guys in the states seem to think the short barrel is the ducks nuts and does not drastically limit performance at realistic ranges .... 250/300 mtrs .
What's your take on it after running yours in the super short set-up ??
Or anyone else who has given theirs a short barrel .....

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...s3qydsyhd.jpeg

barrel length vs velocity for anyone interested .... don't know if it will work though .