Hornady 129g SST

[FLshooter]

[Kswhitetails]

From my experience, velocities from the 129SST are dissapointing to say the least. However, it's a hunting bullet, and anything inside 250 even with a slow 129 is a goner if the shot is well placed.

My testing showed usable performance with BLC-2, ARComp, and Lever. CFE got hot sooner and before velocities materialized. The H335 was my next on the list, but I never bought any.

I can't blame you for the price.

Midway has 120 Gold Dots on sale still, I've bought some and hope to make that my hunting bullet. I think the 120s are about the perfect hunting projos for Grendel's powder column, and the higher bc heavier bullets are better slightly for ranged target/training.

Your 129SST will do both well. If I remember right, I liked Lever best for these.

[LRRPF52]

I like CFE223 and LVR under the 129gr SST.

Hornady was the first to publish CFE223 data under it. They list 31.7gr as a max load but I would work up since lots have changed, and basic reloading practices help keep you away from excess pressure.

What rifle are you shooting from?

[ricsmall]

What 52 said. CFE and Lever. Also what KSW said, lever got me more velocity without showing pressure

[grayfox]

CFE for me, in a 20" barrel, is about 2450 ft/s, and accurate, so a good choice IMO. I was under that 31.7 for sure.

[FLshooter]

I like CFE223 and LVR under the 129gr SST.

Hornady was the first to publish CFE223 data under it. They list 31.7gr as a max load but I would work up since lots have changed, and basic reloading practices help keep you away from excess pressure.

What rifle are you shooting from?

I have an AR15 platform.BCA 24” SS barreled upper.Looked in the Hornady 10th Edition manual I own.I’ll go with the CFE223 starting with 10 rds of ea. 30.5g 31g 31,5g
I’ll get back with results tomorrow
And the good thing about these 129 grainers is that if they don’t work well in the Grendel,I can use what I have left to load for my 6.5CM

[Lemonaid]

I would start back at about 28 grains of CFE 223 and work up from there. My experience with 130 Sierra Game Changers in a 24 BCA barrel showed excess pressure and velocity at 29.5 grains of CFE 223.

[FLshooter]

I went to the range @8 am today while it was cool out(80 degrees?).And good thing,because I got a call to start a job tomorrow.Afternoons have been 100 degrees.I won’t shoot after work till September.
Anyway my 24” BCA SS upper likes the 129g SST w/CFE223 powder.It shot moa w 31g.31.5 g did just as well,but was getting ejector marks.I will probabably load 50@ 31.2 and chronograph them next outing.
Thanks for all your advise.Sorry I did not get pics.My work phone was blowing up.And right now keeping myself and my sm crew busy is no1 priority(shooting is no1 secret priority!LOL!).

[jbmarshtx]

I like CFE223 and LVR under the 129gr SST.

Hornady was the first to publish CFE223 data under it. They list 31.7gr as a max load but I would work up since lots have changed, and basic reloading practices help keep you away from excess pressure.

What rifle are you shooting from?

I did a brief search, but what was the factory powder under the Hornady 129 SST or 123 AMAX? I pulled a bullet and got 30.0 grains of what looked like, to the nake eye, a powder similar to LVR. Does CFE look the same?

I haven't crono'd my loads, but I'm shooting 29.6 grains LVR under a 123 Scenar at 2.28 for silhouette in a bolt gun. From 375m to 500m I have 5 MOA of elevation.

[ricsmall]

I did a brief search, but what was the factory powder under the Hornady 129 SST or 123 AMAX? I pulled a bullet and got 30.0 grains of what looked like, to the nake eye, a powder similar to LVR. Does CFE look the same?

I haven't crono'd my loads, but I'm shooting 29.6 grains LVR under a 123 Scenar at 2.28 for silhouette in a bolt gun. From 375m to 500m I have 5 MOA of elevation.

Hornady most likely uses a blended canister powder to their specs

[LRRPF52]

I have an AR15 platform.BCA 24” SS barreled upper.Looked in the Hornady 10th Edition manual I own.I’ll go with the CFE223 starting with 10 rds of ea. 30.5g 31g 31,5g
I’ll get back with results tomorrow
And the good thing about these 129 grainers is that if they don’t work well in the Grendel,I can use what I have left to load for my 6.5CM

I recommend loading in .3gr (1% case volume) increments, not .5gr (came from .30-06 load approach, which is 1% of -06 loads at ~50gr of powder).

Especially with the 129gr and a ~30gr capacity case like the Grendel.

[Cereal Thriller]

I have some that I have been tinkering with trying different seating depths and powder charges using XBR. I have 3 test loads done up for my next shooting session, problem is working from out of town and having time to get to the range when its not 100 deg. out.