Updated Selection of Projectiles for the Grendel

[LRRPF52]

The thing is, you can still load and shoot 140gr no problem, but it won't be at velocities anywhere near 2600fps with a standard AR15 set-up. It is possible in a bolt gun, and maybe an AR with a larger bolt that can take higher pressures and the resulting bolt thrust.

The thing is that a lot of slow-burning powders have really large kernels, and that doesn't jive well with a case limited to 35gr of water/31gr of powder.

[bwaites]

90 Speer TNT (added)
95 Hornady VMax
100 Berger
110 Barnes Banded solid
120 Berger 120 Norma FMJ
120 Barnes TSX
123 Sierra MK
125 Nosler Partition

[txgunner00]

The thing is, you can still load and shoot 140gr no problem, but it won't be at velocities anywhere near 2600fps with a standard AR15 set-up. It is possible in a bolt gun, and maybe an AR with a larger bolt that can take higher pressures and the resulting bolt thrust.

The thing is that a lot of slow-burning powders have really large kernels, and that doesn't jive well with a case limited to 35gr of water/31gr of powder.

I can think of some cases where a heavier, slower bullet would be beneficial. Thick brush hunting is one of them. It wouldn't hurt to include the heavy projos IMO.

[JASmith]

Including the full span of bullets, especially with comments where each is most useful, will help illustrate the flexibility and utility of the Grendel.

[bobke]

Don't have any more information to offer than that in most current issue of Handloader, but see that Federal will be introducing a 120gr Fusion bullet for reloaders. No experience to offer, but another to add to the mix.

[LRRPF52]

Here's what I have now, thanks to bwaites & fanofflyn:

90 Speer TNT
95 Hornady VMax

100 Barnes original X
100 Berger
100 Nosler BT

107gr Sierra Match King
110 Barnes Banded solid

120 Norma FMJ
120 Nosler BT
120 Berger
120 SMK
120 SMK Moly
120 Barnes TSX

123gr Prvi SP
123gr AMAX
123 Sierra MK
123gr Lapua Scenar

125 Nosler Partition
127 Barnes LRX

129 Hornady SST
130 Berger VLD
130 Barnes TSX boattail
130 Swift Scirocco


140 Hornady AMAX
140 Barnes original X
140 Barnes Match Burner
140 Nosler Partition
140 BT polymer SP (Midway Repackaged Blem-Looks a lot like a Nosler BT)
140 Swift A-Frame
140gr SMK Factory Moly
142 Sierra Match King


156 Norma ORYX (I've seen this bullet perform, and it is devastating.)
160 Hornady RN

[LRRPF52]

I still need:

85gr Sierra Varminter

100gr Lapua FMJ
100gr Lapua FMJ
100gr Sierra Varminter
100gr Nosler Partition

100gr Lapua Scenar
100gr Hornady AMAX
100gr Hornady SP
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr Barnes Tipped TAC-TX

108gr Lapua Scenar

120gr Barnes TAC-X
120gr Remington Core Lokt
120gr Swift A-Frame
120gr North Folk
120gr Speer Hot Cor
120gr Sierra Pro Hunter
120gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Prvi HPBT (MPT I think loads this)

123gr Nosler Custom Competition

129gr Hornady Interbond
129gr Hornady Interlock SP
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr Norma Golden Target

[txgunner00]

I still need:

85gr Sierra Varminter

100gr Lapua FMJ
100gr Lapua FMJ
100gr Sierra Varminter
100gr Nosler Partition

100gr Lapua Scenar
100gr Hornady AMAX
100gr Hornady SP
100gr Barnes TTSX
100gr Barnes Tipped TAC-TX

108gr Lapua Scenar

120gr Barnes TAC-X
120gr Remington Core Lokt
120gr Swift A-Frame
120gr North Folk
120gr Speer Hot Cor
120gr Sierra Pro Hunter
120gr Barnes TTSX
120gr Prvi HPBT (MPT I think loads this)

123gr Nosler Custom Competition

129gr Hornady Interbond
129gr Hornady Interlock SP
130gr Nosler Accubond
130gr Norma Golden Target

I can provide the ones in red.

[Variable]

The 85gr. and 123gr Sierras will be mailed out either tomorrow morning or the next day (depending on when my off-duty supervisor can get to the post officeLOL).

[LRRPF52]

Thanks txgunner. Looks like Sierra just came out with a 130gr Hollow Point Game King too. Bill A. said it's chasing the rainbow to compile a comprehensive list of 6.5mm pills, since there are so many out there.

[LRRPF52]

The 85gr. and 123gr Sierras will be mailed out either tomorrow morning or the next day (depending on when my off-duty supervisor can get to the post officeLOL).

Thanks Variable. You guys are really bringing this together. I got 9 pills from bwaites at BoomerShoot, which was...a BLAST. With you guys moving this fast, we should have most of them for a photo by this summer. There are a ton of 120gr class bullets.

[JASmith]

Some of us like chasing rainbows!

In any event, seeing just how many different 6.5mm bullets are available is an eye-opener.

Even more interesting is the large fraction that can be used in mag-length Grendel loads!

For example, we have another thread addressing sub-sonic loads that will cycle the action. Most of this discussion has centered on the 160 gr Hornady round nose. That bullet may not be readily available over the longer term. The 156 gr Oryx may be a good substitute.

[LRRPF52]

Midway lists 83 6.5mm projectiles alone. The 156 Oryx I saw blew a 4" exit in a very large rabbit this winter in Finland at 100yds. It was a beautiful shot, and that rabbit was huge-like a small deer. The shooter used a 6.5x55 Swede, so I'm thinking the load was running no faster than 2300fps, especially since it was so cold that night with temps around -25 Celcius.

[txgunner00]

I can provide the ones in red.

I also have 140gr Hornady Interlock SP.

[fanofflyn]

I thought someone sent you a 100 grain Barnes TTSX. If not I'll mail you one of those too. What a nice collection this is becoming!