Well, I finally got some time away from the part of my life which pays the bills and finances my toys.
About a month ago, I assembled one of Mark Larue's 6.5 Grendel Ultimate Upper kits (just add lower receiver).
Without optic, this rifle came in just under 7.8 lbs., with an Aero Precision lower receiver.
First few shots, taken back in September, showed mixed results and a lukewarm appetite for 123 SSTs.
The rifle sat until last weekend, when I got the chance to run some of the new Hornady Black ammunition through it.
In short, this ammunition seems to suit the Larue quite well. Shown below are shots 46 through 60 of this barrel's young life. Mind you, these are real world, three shot groups, without cherry picking.
One thing I do need to do, though, is either add a cheek piece or change the butt-stock. With the current setup, I have to turkey neck the scope to get the reticle centered, causing a bit of movement in the scope.
As far as the Hornady Black is concerned, it looks to be a success, overall. My BHW 264 LBC definitely likes it, as seen below.
One last note, regarding the new polymer tips of these 123 ELD-M's: Upon ejecting a chambered round, I saw what I initially mistook for one of my Sierra 85 HP Varmint rounds. That is until I realized I had brought none to the range for this particular outing and also noticed the deep red center.
When I dropped the magazine, a small piece of red plastic fell on the table, providing the final clue.
The tip had broken off, and fallen inside the magazine. I don't know if it broke when I was loading the rounds, when chambering the round or when cycling the action. Alarmed, I spot checked several times throughout the remainder of the session, dropping the mag and ejecting the odd chambered round. No repeat or signs of damage to the tips.
All I can say is that I've never before seen this from any of the thousand+ Amax or SST rounds I've shot in this and other calibers. It makes me wonder if the new formulation is also a bit more brittle than the one previously used on the Amax / SST / Vmax.
About a month ago, I assembled one of Mark Larue's 6.5 Grendel Ultimate Upper kits (just add lower receiver).
Without optic, this rifle came in just under 7.8 lbs., with an Aero Precision lower receiver.
First few shots, taken back in September, showed mixed results and a lukewarm appetite for 123 SSTs.
The rifle sat until last weekend, when I got the chance to run some of the new Hornady Black ammunition through it.
In short, this ammunition seems to suit the Larue quite well. Shown below are shots 46 through 60 of this barrel's young life. Mind you, these are real world, three shot groups, without cherry picking.
One thing I do need to do, though, is either add a cheek piece or change the butt-stock. With the current setup, I have to turkey neck the scope to get the reticle centered, causing a bit of movement in the scope.
As far as the Hornady Black is concerned, it looks to be a success, overall. My BHW 264 LBC definitely likes it, as seen below.
One last note, regarding the new polymer tips of these 123 ELD-M's: Upon ejecting a chambered round, I saw what I initially mistook for one of my Sierra 85 HP Varmint rounds. That is until I realized I had brought none to the range for this particular outing and also noticed the deep red center.
When I dropped the magazine, a small piece of red plastic fell on the table, providing the final clue.
The tip had broken off, and fallen inside the magazine. I don't know if it broke when I was loading the rounds, when chambering the round or when cycling the action. Alarmed, I spot checked several times throughout the remainder of the session, dropping the mag and ejecting the odd chambered round. No repeat or signs of damage to the tips.
All I can say is that I've never before seen this from any of the thousand+ Amax or SST rounds I've shot in this and other calibers. It makes me wonder if the new formulation is also a bit more brittle than the one previously used on the Amax / SST / Vmax.
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