load recommendations for my new 6.5 G build, accuracy & hunting

[BL2551]

I just put together my first 6.5 grendel AR build after years of wanting and waiting to do so. My purpose is mainly for hunting deer, but I would also like to be able to ring steel at distance on occasion. As of now I am shooting factory load Hornady Black with the 123 gr ELD match bullets. My first range trip I was getting groups slightly larger than MOA (about 1 3/8" at 100 yds), which is not quite as tight as I would like. Not sure if it needs to break in, the barrel isn't capable of much better, the loads just aren't right for my gun, or if I'm just shooting that poorly. I reload for several other calibers, and plan to start loading for the 6.5 as well. My build is an AR platform, with a 16" Faxon match barrel. What loads would you guys recommend for maximum performance out of this rifle? I may stay with the eld-m bullet for hunting, because I have heard good things about its performance on whitetail at grendel velocities, but maybe even that could be discussed.

[grayfox]

Welcome to the forum! My First recommendation is that you get the Grendel handbooks (2 vols) in the AR15 build box section of industry partners here on the forum. It has a wealth of info, as well as pages of Grendel loads. Effective ranges, gel tests, lots of bullet info. There isn't a book around that excels like these. Also has an effective MV conversion chart, so you can extrapolate your 16" barrel MV from other listed MVs, very helpful.
As for hunting rounds, every barrel has its likes and dislikes, the only way to find that is to try some. Same thing for powders. You have a lot of choices from say 100 gr to 123, even the 129 Ablr. Powders from H335, 8208 xbr, AR comp, H4895 (if you can find it lol!), Cfe223, leverevolution. These might be on your shelf already if you handload.
I've found loads for the 120 Nosler ballistic tip, 123 SST, 100 gr ttsx, 110 Maker (lead free) tipped (this guy makes grendel-specific lead-free's).
For rack grade, Faxon barrel is an ok barrel, should be fine for hunting and steel. Most guys (me included) will say that barrel, trigger, optics are your top three as far as accuracy goes, that's where to put your money.
Example load, for a nosler 120/SST 123, or similar 120 class bullet, AR comp somewhere 27.2-28.2 (depends on your lot#) would give you about 2415 ft/s from a 16" barrel. 100 gr ttsx, H335 or xbr- 2600+ ft/s somewhere close to their max grs.
As always you need to work up from lower.
Use a chrony, it is indispensible to find accuracy nodes.
Hodgdon has online loads, Hornady has them in their book, so does Nosler, but the Grendel handbooks will show you a lot of load data across several powder mfrs, and bullets.

I've found that faxon barrels can benefit from a 50-100 round break in, but not an absolute necessity.
1-3/8" for hornady factory loads is about par for the course, again, whatever trigger and optics you have, can improve that possibly. Esp if using a 4-5# mil-spec trigger, it's harder to get more accuracy than that, imo.

[Bob R]

You did not mention what you have on your rifle for a Scope, or what power it is.
Also no mention of what Trigger you have in it either.
Also what you have for scope mounts. To include how they attach to the Rail.
What Handguard are you using?
All the above make a difference in Group Size.

When I am doing Load Development on something new, I like to start out with a scope of at least 20X so that I can see well enough to shoot Small Groups. I go to a lot of trouble making sure that the Scope is as perfectly straight up and down as possible. On an AR, which is normally not real front sand bag friendly, I will use a Harris Bipod for a front rest, and a rear sand bag under the butt. As mentioned above the Trigger is also important in shooting groups. I have JP, Jewel, and Stern Defense Triggers. I also have a couple with Bone Stock Triggers that are both way better than normal, or I would have replaced them.
grayfox mentioned 50-100 rounds could be required to break in the barrel. You need to do a lot of cleaning during barrel break in. I normally consider 50 rounds with a cleaning every 5 Rounds to be pretty much where I start cleaning after each Range Trip.
After seeing what the rifle is capable of doing, you can switch back to your every day carry optical sight.

You mentioned that you reload. I am amazed that you did not start out shooting your own custom loads. I have several rifles that have never had a factory round fired in them.
Reloading I like the 120-123 ELD-M 6.5 Bullets fairly well.
You should have a powder on hand that the 6.5 Grendel will like reasonably well.
Start working up loads and see what it will do.

Bob R

[BL2551]

Thanks grayfox. Thats alot of helpful info. I'll definitley need to pick up the handbooks. I actually have some H4895 at my brothers house where I do my loading, but can't remember how much I have. Thats what I use in my 223 with 62 gr hollow points and that sucker is super accurate. Interesting about the 50-100 rd break in. Hopefully as I keep shooting it the groups tighten up some. I tried some of the SST bullet Hornady factory loads, but the group was noticeably larger. I'm not sure if that is just the factiry load or if my barrel doesn't like them as much as the ELD match, but I've heard that is not unusual.
I'm using a pretty decent 2 stage trigger, 4.5# total & I believe 2# 2nd stage, so it shouldn't hold back my groups too much. I was also using a 1-6x vortex scope, so on the the 3" dots I'm aiming at it's harder to "aim small", so maybe I should be pretty happy with my 1 3/8" group.

[BL2551]

Bob R
I'm using a vortex 1-6x scope on this rifle, since it will be a hunting rifle for use usually well inside 200 yds. Trigger is a 2 stage (4.5# total, 2# 2nd stage), and pretty smooth. scope mount is a 1 piece Vortex brand torqued to spec.

I too like to have higher magnification for load development, so maybe I am asking too much to shoot better than my 1 3/8" group. I'll probably have to wait until after deer season to do any load development, since it's going to be my go to for rifle season this year. That'll give me plenty of time to break it in with some trips to the range between now & then.

Other rifles I have started out shooting my custom loads, but with this rifle I needed to get it up & running quickly... less than a month to deer season! Also figured I would get it broken in and get some brass from the factory loads. The only powder I have that sounds like a great option is H4895. Not sure how much I have, but I'm sure I have enough to do some preliminary testing with. I don't want to use too much of it, since it's my go to for my 223 loads.

[LRRPF52]

[Konocti's Wigwam]

I was looking at this page on Sportsman's Warehouse and I can see how they list 6.5 Grendel for large game up to 100 yards, and medium size game for farther. 300 blackout is medium size game up to 100 and small game farther. Certainly it's relative as people shoot boar all the time with 300 blackout, and either are really capable of taking care of boar...

https://www.sportsmans.com/6-5-grendel-vs-300-blackout

Pretty subjective though, 8"x8" is MOA, but even 2-4 MOA will probably drop move game out to 300 yards. A deer more so.


That's gonna drop game for certain.

Those do as well.