129gr SST 6.5 Grendel Workup!

[APynckel]

FINALLY I got my forum account activated so I can share some of my load progressions! Did a lot of research on this forum about powder types etc for this bullet. Here's what I got with CFE223 in my 24" Overwatch Shilen barreled AR15.

here are the results, pardon the format, it's how my Chrono program exports the info.

Pic of the rig



CFE223 30.4gr
String:,1
Date:,9/22/2013
Time:,2:31:31 PM
Grains:,129
Hi Vel:,2530
Low Vel:,2478
Ave Vel:,2498
Ext Spread:,52
Std Dev:,15
65grendel-304
Velocity,Power Factor,Ft/Lbs
2478, 319.662,1758.709
2530, 326.370,1833.295
2496, 321.984,1784.352
2501, 322.629,1791.508
2487, 320.823,1771.507
2510, 323.790,1804.425
2510, 323.790,1804.425
2496, 321.984,1784.352
2496, 321.984,1784.352
2478, 319.662,1758.709

30.5
String:,2
Date:,9/22/2013
Time:,2:31:51 PM
Grains:,129
Hi Vel:,2525
Low Vel:,2496
Ave Vel:,2511
Ext Spread:,29
Std Dev:,8
65grendel-305
Velocity,Power Factor,Ft/Lbs
2525, 325.725,1826.056
2506, 323.274,1798.678
2496, 321.984,1784.352
2506, 323.274,1798.678
2515, 324.435,1811.621
2515, 324.435,1811.621
2510, 323.790,1804.425
2520, 325.080,1818.831
2506, 323.274,1798.678
2520, 325.080,1818.831

30.6
String:,3
Date:,9/22/2013
Time:,2:32:12 PM
Grains:,129
Hi Vel:,2559
Low Vel:,2506
Ave Vel:,2531
Ext Spread:,53
Std Dev:,16
65grendel-306
Velocity,Power Factor,Ft/Lbs
2559, 330.111,1875.564
2530, 326.370,1833.295
2530, 326.370,1833.295
2506, 323.274,1798.678
2510, 323.790,1804.425
2554, 329.466,1868.242
2530, 326.370,1833.295
2530, 326.370,1833.295
2534, 326.886,1839.097
2534, 326.886,1839.097

30.7
String:,4
Date:,9/22/2013
Time:,2:32:27 PM
Grains:,129
Hi Vel:,2559
Low Vel:,2530
Ave Vel:,2541
Ext Spread:,29
Std Dev:,8
65grendel-307
Velocity,Power Factor,Ft/Lbs
2539, 327.531,1846.361
2539, 327.531,1846.361
2544, 328.176,1853.641
2534, 326.886,1839.097
2530, 326.370,1833.295
2539, 327.531,1846.361
2534, 326.886,1839.097
2549, 328.821,1860.934
2544, 328.176,1853.641
2559, 330.111,1875.564

30.8
String:,5
Date:,9/22/2013
Time:,2:32:46 PM
Grains:,129
Hi Vel:,2564
Low Vel:,2539
Ave Vel:,2554
Ext Spread:,25
Std Dev:,7
65grendel-308
Velocity,Power Factor,Ft/Lbs
2559, 330.111,1875.564
2554, 329.466,1868.242
2559, 330.111,1875.564
2554, 329.466,1868.242
2549, 328.821,1860.934
2539, 327.531,1846.361
2564, 330.756,1882.900
2559, 330.111,1875.564
2559, 330.111,1875.564
2544, 328.176,1853.641


Remember, ALWAYS work up your own loads!

[ricsmall]

Thanks for the info. Those are good numbers for a 129 grainer. BTW, welcome, good to have you.

[sneaky one]

APYn nice post. Welcome in also.

I have a 2 ranges that bark those notes out also..No to this, and that etc.. That's why I get only a few pics.. Whilst at the ranges. Nice rifle-break it down..

Any pressure signs?

[sneaky one]

RS., you have some awesome data on cfe now to work with ,, when those 129's show up at your spot.. Whelenon has them enroute.

Thanks APYn for all the data. Team effort-on the sidelines..

[Whelenon]

AP,
You definitely get my vote for the "Best First Post Award", nice work and welcome to the Horde.

Good velocities for a 129, same thought as Sneaky, any pressure signs? I'm also working with the 129 so any info is appreciated, Thanks.

[LRRPF52]

Welcome and excellent first post. This is one of the main reasons why I came to the forum, and what I look forward to. What COL are you loading to?

Hornady's 9th Edition lists 31.7gr as the max load with CFE223 in their equipment and testing, generating 2300fps from an 18" barrel. They started with 27.9gr, using a COL of 2.245".

Getting into the mid-2500's with a 129gr SST is pretty impressive, considering AA's 24" data with 31.0grs of BL-C(2) gave 2467fps at max load.

[APynckel]

Thanks guys. I've been waiting over a year to finally get authorized to post.

The rifle build is pretty custom. The upper was put together by an F class 1000yd shooter for competition. After he built it, he swapped over to a wildcat that he designed and this gun was only broken in with 50 rounds and never shot afterwards. It's a CTR-02 upper mated to the 24" Shilen barrel from the AA "Overwatch" upper. The builder lapped everything down to perfect threads so that everything would line up @ torque spec. I picked up the upper from him, looking for a "better" caliber than .223 and after 6.5 went SAAMI. Turned out to mate PERFECTLY to my YHM lower (takedowns are so tight you have to drive them out) and there is absolutely zero slop between the receivers. The lower is pretty basic minus a Timney 3# single stage, Magpul MOE grip, and a Magpul PRS stock. It's got a Leupold Mark AR 6-18 (fine duplex) for the glass and a LaRue scope mount. I had the barrel turned down to accept a 5/8x24 thread and profiled for my muzzle break suppressor adapter. To top it off, that's a 7.62 RSTA can from Hearing Protection LLC (otherwise known as griffen armament).

There was some MINOR marking on the head from the bolt, but no cratered primers or gas leaks around them. No more pressure sign than a 5.56 w/ 77 SMK's w 24 grs of varget.

I will have to say this, however, CFE is some DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY powder. Every case came out covered in soot. Also, with the can in place, getting puffed in the eye with gas makes my eyes water. Still trying to work out relieving that issue.

Ninja edit -

I was loading max length to mag length (2.260") or a little lower to match O-give across the load progression.

Also, my hat is off to BWild for his information regarding this powder in a 24" barrel w/ this bullet.

I will probably drop down to the 123gr SST after I am done with this last pack of 129's for their better BC.

More pics of rifle

[APynckel]

Since I posted it in the other thread, here's the target from this load progression. 5 shot groups 2 groups per charge weight, upper left to lower right.

[APynckel]

I don't denounce shooter inadequacy for the bad groupings :P

[bsdubois00]

Awesome info. And I know that range. Can't wait to finish my build.

[tx4guns]

What distance were the groups shot at?

[APynckel]

What distance were the groups shot at?

An unimpressive 100 yards.

[tx4guns]

I posted some load data for 129 sst bullets a few years ago. I've never put them through a chrony, but they are really accurate with BLC2. Search my posts, and you will find it. Not sure if you're looking for speed or accuracy, but yours are faster than mine are, and still tight enough to shoot big game. It's a great bullet.

[APynckel]

I posted some load data for 129 sst bullets a few years ago. I've never put them through a chrony, but they are really accurate with BLC2. Search my posts, and you will find it. Not sure if you're looking for speed or accuracy, but yours are faster than mine are, and still tight enough to shoot big game. It's a great bullet.

Again, it's more than likely shooter error.