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I've been looking at A LOT of reloading data for the 6.5 Grendel.
My Grendel is a 22" Howa mini. I found a great deal on Hornady cases (.40 each for 200) and 123gr SST's (.18 each for a batch of 500). I haven't even fired it yet, I'm waiting for the rings I ordered to arrive. I am really hoping I can get this bullet to shoot well in this barrel. If not, I'll have a bunch for sale, lol. I have a couple of boxes of Hornady factory ammo that I will use for barrel break in, and to establish base line velocity data.
I'm about to begin load development, and I am wondering if 2600+, with acceptable hunting accuracy (preferably sub m.o.a., as tiny groups are a great confidence booster) is a safe, achievable goal for this rifle/bullet combo? I've seen max loads posted using LVR/CFE 223 that suggest that this is possible, but none of the data included accuracy results. I know that I can safely run higher pressures with a bolt action than I can with an AR, but how much will accuracy/brass life suffer?
I plan on using this Howa mini to replace my HEAVY old Ruger M77 7rem mag as the primary deer/antelope rifle that I've been using for the last 20+ years. It kills deer like they were struck by lightning with 139gr. Interlocks, and it shoots them moa or under, but after realizing that the majority of my shots have been 200yds or less, I decided I don't need to carry that extra weight, burn loads of powder, or deal with the heavy recoil. And that load WRECKS meat. Too many shoulders have been pulverized. You can't smoke a whole deer shoulder if it has a fist sized hole through it, and the rest is bloodshot to hell.
When hunting big game, I set a limit of about 300yrds. If the shot is too long, I stalk closer. Only perfect conditions and a HUGE buck will have me attempt a shot much farther, and only if the terrain prevents me from getting closer. At that range I don't have to calculate much bullet drop or windage. I only squeeze the trigger when I'm confident of a clean kill.
The Grendel carries enough energy and velocity at that range, and shoots reasonably flat. Combined with the SST, I expect decent results. I AM working on a 162gr load for my old Ruger that I will still use for Elk. I need to kill a few deer with the little Grendel before I trust it for Elk. Elk are tough critters.
I'm not a major tinkerer when it come to reloading. I like to find one load, with an adequate bullet for the task, that shoots well enough, and load a supply. I do my tinkering up front, then leave it alone.
My concerns are temp sensitivity with loads on the hot side, and reliable accuracy. I want to load bulk.
Where I hunt in Idaho, at 6-9k ft above sea level, it can sometimes be 0 degrees before the sun comes up, and 65 degrees in the afternoon during the rifle deer season in October.
Any insights or suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks for reading.
My Grendel is a 22" Howa mini. I found a great deal on Hornady cases (.40 each for 200) and 123gr SST's (.18 each for a batch of 500). I haven't even fired it yet, I'm waiting for the rings I ordered to arrive. I am really hoping I can get this bullet to shoot well in this barrel. If not, I'll have a bunch for sale, lol. I have a couple of boxes of Hornady factory ammo that I will use for barrel break in, and to establish base line velocity data.
I'm about to begin load development, and I am wondering if 2600+, with acceptable hunting accuracy (preferably sub m.o.a., as tiny groups are a great confidence booster) is a safe, achievable goal for this rifle/bullet combo? I've seen max loads posted using LVR/CFE 223 that suggest that this is possible, but none of the data included accuracy results. I know that I can safely run higher pressures with a bolt action than I can with an AR, but how much will accuracy/brass life suffer?
I plan on using this Howa mini to replace my HEAVY old Ruger M77 7rem mag as the primary deer/antelope rifle that I've been using for the last 20+ years. It kills deer like they were struck by lightning with 139gr. Interlocks, and it shoots them moa or under, but after realizing that the majority of my shots have been 200yds or less, I decided I don't need to carry that extra weight, burn loads of powder, or deal with the heavy recoil. And that load WRECKS meat. Too many shoulders have been pulverized. You can't smoke a whole deer shoulder if it has a fist sized hole through it, and the rest is bloodshot to hell.
When hunting big game, I set a limit of about 300yrds. If the shot is too long, I stalk closer. Only perfect conditions and a HUGE buck will have me attempt a shot much farther, and only if the terrain prevents me from getting closer. At that range I don't have to calculate much bullet drop or windage. I only squeeze the trigger when I'm confident of a clean kill.
The Grendel carries enough energy and velocity at that range, and shoots reasonably flat. Combined with the SST, I expect decent results. I AM working on a 162gr load for my old Ruger that I will still use for Elk. I need to kill a few deer with the little Grendel before I trust it for Elk. Elk are tough critters.
I'm not a major tinkerer when it come to reloading. I like to find one load, with an adequate bullet for the task, that shoots well enough, and load a supply. I do my tinkering up front, then leave it alone.
My concerns are temp sensitivity with loads on the hot side, and reliable accuracy. I want to load bulk.
Where I hunt in Idaho, at 6-9k ft above sea level, it can sometimes be 0 degrees before the sun comes up, and 65 degrees in the afternoon during the rifle deer season in October.
Any insights or suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks for reading.
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