6.5 Grendel Preferred Loads
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This is a sticky topic.
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At 2.260" OAL I'm still more than .050" off the lands with 123gr ELD-M bullets. I run out of mag length (@2.296") before I can get into the lands. I shot a spread of bullet seating depths to fine tune the load, and surprisingly 2.260" OAL (1.690" to the ogive) had the least vertical dispersion.
Something I'm still scratching my head over is that I also reset the bullets in a box of Hornady Black ELD-M factory ammo with the seating depth on my die unchanged, and the rounds all came out .010" shorter (OAL and to the ogive) than the rounds I had just loaded with the exact same bullets. I'd be surprised if there was that much variation between runs of these bullets but I'm coming to believe that must be the case.Last edited by Crusty; 12-27-2017, 12:40 PM.I'll be yer Huckleberry.
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Crusty the tips on A-Max and other match bullets have quite a variation on length and is noticeable when seating. A more precise way is to measure off the ogive of the bullet instead of the tip. Once I started measuring off the ogive I saw that the bullet seating depth was consistent and the nose of the bullet varied. I watch the overal length of the bullet’s tip to ensure my rounds fit in the mag but tend to focus more on the ogive length.
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Originally posted by Crusty View PostNow that's better - when I start seeing ejector marks I start sweating. I hate to give AR-Comp up completely because it's performed so well for me, and I'll load some up at that weight and try again.
18" JP barrel
20" PF bartlien barrel
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Originally posted by Crusty View Post...Something I'm still scratching my head over is that I also reset the bullets in a box of Hornady Black ELD-M factory ammo with the seating depth on my die unchanged, and the rounds all came out .010" shorter (OAL and to the ogive) than the rounds I had just loaded with the exact same bullets. I'd be surprised if there was that much variation between runs of these bullets but I'm coming to believe that must be the case.
The 2.242 COAL from factory got slower the shorter I went (stopped at 2.220). Lost about 10 fps for each depth.Sticks
Catchy sig line here.
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Folks,
New to forum. New to 6.5 Grendel. Not new to handloading. I recently purchased a new CZ-527 6.5 Grendel and mounted a Leupold VX-R 3-9x40 scope. After reasonable break-in, I could not get a group under 2", with most groups at 2.5". I tried the Wolf and Hornady 123 ELD factory loads. After that, I tried a few loads at both ends of the bullet weight spectrum (new Hornady brass and WSR primers): 85 Sierra HP + 29.5 - 30.5 Benchmark and 129 Hornady SST + 25 - 26.8 Varget. I was able to get 1.5" groups with the 85 and 30.5 Benchmark and 129 SST and 25 Varget. Definitely not satisfying. In frustration, I found this forum and thread. It was very informative and I thank everyone who has contributed to it. On the experience of others here, I loaded 123 ELD and 30, 30.5, 31.2 CFE233 (a favorite powder of mine for 223) and a COAL of 2.260. The attached picture is a 5 shot group with 31.2 CFE223 at 100 yards. No signs of overpressure on the primers. I sunk the first two through the same hole up top. So, 4 + 1 flier. Unfortunately, I left my chronograph at home. Altitude 341 ft, Barometer 30.5, Temperature 28 degrees, relative humidity 32%, 9 MPH wind.
Thanks again to everyone who has posted their load data. Happy New Year.
IMG_5381-3.jpg
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Hey guys
I see that CFE 223 seems to be one of the preferred powders. I did see mention of AR-Comp early in this string and then it just kind of stopped. I was at my local shop and they had 8# of AR-Comp for 125.00 a and I couldn’t resist. I load for an AR-10 in 308 as well as a 15 in 7.62x39 and I can use it for them.
Are most of you using 223 only and is the AR-Comp a reasonable alternate?
Thanks
JG
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Originally posted by Jgilesg View PostHey guys
I see that CFE 223 seems to be one of the preferred powders. I did see mention of AR-Comp early in this string and then it just kind of stopped. I was at my local shop and they had 8# of AR-Comp for 125.00 a and I couldn’t resist. I load for an AR-10 in 308 as well as a 15 in 7.62x39 and I can use it for them.
Are most of you using 223 only and is the AR-Comp a reasonable alternate?
Thanks
JG
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Originally posted by cb4017 View PostAR-Comp is a great powder in the Grendel. It has become my favorite. A sweet spot seems to be around 27.6 grains behind a 123 gr bullet. Shoots sub MOA in my Grendels.Last edited by ErikS; 01-22-2018, 07:56 PM.#shareyourspare
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27.5gr was a good accuracy node with AR-Comp in my rifle but it showed significant pressure signs (flat primers, ejector indentations, extractor wipes, etc.) so be cautious (like maybe don't go there). I'm going to explore HBN coated bullets and 27.6gr of AR-Comp could be just right with coated bullets.
I've seen reports from others who found an accuracy node around 26.8gr/123gr/#450 which didn't show pressure signs and that's where I'm going next, after a failure with Power Pro 2000-MR (a flier in every group and significant temperature sensitivity). Once the node is found I'll introduce the HBN coated bullets and look for the node again.I'll be yer Huckleberry.
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