Grendel load books?

[Nordy55]

[Sticks]

Both pretty much gas gun work.

Bolt guns were not that prolific when they were made (I am speculating), ergo the hunting volume is still based on Gas guns which the round was designed for - there is the key.

I am hoping that they will release a special edition volume covering bolt guns. I don't know if all of them (bolt gun mfgs) have longer mags for seating longer, I know the Ruger does not, and there is a chamber pressure question that needs an answer, since SAMMI is 52k IIRC. Not sure if a bolt gun can truly go higher, or if they were just built knowing that they would handle the 52k when in reality they can run higher.

Until that time, the forum is your best source for load info that YOU must use with caution and start LOW!!! I would also add that you had better get some pretty accurate measurements of your bore as to where the lands are.

[centerfire]

I bought both volumes and if I were to do it over I'd just buy volume two. I mainly wanted the load data and the library in 2 is much larger. Load data for the grendel is so spread out I think you need three or four sources just to get what is traditionally found at a single source for more popular cartridges. My recommendation, as a new Grendel handloader, is Volume 2 and the newest Hornady manual plus the publicly available data at Nosler, Hodgdon, and Sierra.

[Trueblue]

I bought both volumes as well. If I did it over again, I would not have bought either. No disrespect to those that put the books together, but at this point,You can find just as much information on the web.

[ricsmall]

Use the data in the handbooks as a starting point for your bolt gun. Pressure signs are read much easier in a bolt gun. My brass is showing no signs of pressure in bolt rifles, and I’m well above book with some powders, and a little below with others. That’s not to say my primer pockets aren’t suffering though.

[mdewitt71]

I bought both volumes but, being honest they are not that impressive to me especially the first volume... maybe for a total complete newbie or beginner it would have some value.
There is load data on the various powder and bullet websites and even on the net from other groups and forums for use.
Yes, it is nice spiral bound books but, the info was nothing new that I already had not collected or read from other websites and the forum.

[grayfox]

I bought both books, I have both AR style and bolt. While the load data were collected with AR styles (AFAIK), since every gun is different and every barrel has its own performance, likes and dislikes, IMO it's great for both. As with any load data you must start out low and work up. Just because you have even the SAME mfr-barrel as for the data presented, it is a different barrel.

Take even factory ammo with a stated MV of 2590; in one 18" barrel you might see 2510, another 18" barrel you might see 2590, and in a third you might see 2465, all AR's. Was the MV wrong? No, that was their result out of their test barrel. YMMV is the word of the day.

The main difference a bolt gun brings to the table is, if you wanted to, you could go above the SAAMI pressure limits and not worry about bcg lugs shearing off; bolt guns can take a higher pressure. Saying this is not a justification for doing that, I'm just saying that you could.
The load data will work for either style rifle in the same way

[1Shot]

I bought both books and like others say you can get basically the load data from other sources free THESE DAYS. But back when these books were put together you could not get data. Book 1 is basic information on the creation and use of the round which I had already found and being a reloader for 40 years gave me a heads up on most of the other information. Book two does have a lot of load data for gas guns and some bullet testing results as to velocity of what will work with certain bullets for expansion etc. for hunting purposes. But with any data you must work up what will be safe and work in YOUR rifle. For instance in the book 2 data given for the 130 Sierra Game King BTHP the loaded cartridge over all length (COAL) in the rifle tested. If I loaded for either of my rifles this COAL I would be 10 thousands in one and 14 thousands jammed into the lands. So you must know YOUR rifle. One thing I did get out of book 2 was some data that I could not find from powder or bullet manufactures for loads with LVR so No it was not a waste of money for the books but I really could have gotten by with just book 2.

[kmon]

I have been loading for 40+ years and purchased volume 2 shortly after joining the forum. Over all the guys/forum members that put these books together did a very good job IMO and you cannot have too much data, even if you never use some of it. I do not regret buying the book at all, matter of fact I would do it again in a heart beat if something happened to my book. There is more data out there than I will ever use (over 600 loads at one site) but it is interesting and educational checking data.

[Fredman]

I’m sure there was a lot of work putting those books together. Unfortunately since then a lot of 6.5 pills and new powders have come out.
Even the Vihtavuori reloading site doesn’t show loads for the 120L.
But, this large variety is one of the things that makes the Grendel great.

[hikfromstik]

Luckily my Hornady volume #9 manual had everything I needed to get started . Sierra blog is a good reference as is Speer and nosler.

[cwlongshot]

i have been loading for 40+ years and purchased volume 2 shortly after joining the forum. Over all the guys/forum members that put these books together did a very good job imo and you cannot have too much data, even if you never use some of it. I do not regret buying the book at all, matter of fact i would do it again in a heart beat if something happened to my book. There is more data out there than i will ever use (over 600 loads at one site) but it is interesting and educational checking data.

Gospel knoledge here!

We stop learning for two reasons... Choice and Death, we aint dead.

Cw