Hello from Germany

[PeteinGermany]

Hi Folks, i've been following this form for a little while and thought its about time i introduced myself.

Im Ex Britidsh Army, 10 years service. I grew up on a farm in the UK. In the Army i was an Armourer (weapons repair specialist) I also qualified as a Master Gunsmith with civilian qualifications. I worked 3 years in Defence Contracting after leaving the Army, then i worked for the European Space Agency for 8 years before starting my own Gunsmith business. Currently own a factory with 14 staff producing mostly suppressors but also some accessories and rifles. Based in North West Germany.

I own 2x 6.5 Grendels, both self built AR15's and i just started hand loading for them (and for a 350 Legend), I hope to gain knowledge of others experience and tips on the reloading front.

We have to achieve 2000 Joules (1475.1 Ft Lbs) energy at 100m here with a caliber of 6.5mm or larger to legally use on wild boar and larger deer. so i'm looking to tickle that out of the Grendel with and 18" barrel if i can.

Anyhow, glad to have found this forum and found it very interesting and valuable so far.

Best Regards Pete

[lazyengineer]

Welcome.

That energy spec is doable, but not easy. My 20" running very hot 107 SMK's gets within just a few ft-lb. Heavier bullets are going to be slower and tougher to hit that peak. Lighter bullets will bleed too much getting there. Shorter BBL is going to be tough.

Good luck!

[VASCAR2]

[VASCAR2]

[Pete in Germany]

Thanks guys, my current load is 29,8gr of N540. Winchester small rifle magnum primer, starline brass and a 120gr Nosler BT. I'm getting 2480fps with that and superb accuracy, well under 1/2 MOA repeatedly. That is a little faster than quickload says it should be, but verified with 2 different chronographs and i usualy find that barrels with 5R rifling are a little faster. Great load for our smaller Roe deer which don't have the 2000j limit.

The Hornady factory 123gr SST load is actually just over my 2000joules requirement, i've chrono values of 2526ms, which is pretty impressive from 18" but it doesn't group well.

I'm limited to what powders i can get my hands on here, Ive a tub of CF223 unopened. Im also looking at RS40 as i can get the Swiss Reload powders here.

[just_john]

Welcome to the clan, P-I-G ( sorry, couldn't help it ) , from the great nation of Texas! To your quest of 2000j, I think you'll get there, probably should carry an extra bolt. How do they qualify your load there? Can you just show 'em your chrono readings or do you have to go to a governmental proving ground and show 'em?

[biodsl]

Welcome, Pete.

Thanks guys, my current load is 29,8gr of N540. Winchester small rifle magnum primer, starline brass and a 120gr Nosler BT. I'm getting 2480fps with that and superb accuracy, well under 1/2 MOA repeatedly.

Nice. That's tough to beat. As VASCAR said, CFE223 is a bit temperature sensitive. My load that clocks 2520fps in the winter flies 2620 or more in the heat of summer (22" barrel). Sounds like you're in good shape with the N540, though.

[Double Naught Spy]

Wie gehts, Mate!

[sundowner]

Welcome to the horde from Wisconsin .

[LRRPF52]

[PeteinGermany]

Welcome to the clan, P-I-G ( sorry, couldn't help it ) , from the great nation of Texas! To your quest of 2000j, I think you'll get there, probably should carry an extra bolt. How do they qualify your load there? Can you just show 'em your chrono readings or do you have to go to a governmental proving ground and show 'em?

One of my nicknames is Piggy Pete, or over on snipers hide is used to be BoarBasher450, (back when i was using a Marlin 1895) ive done my share of reducing the European wild boar population.

Good question, personal ethics i guess, however a good bullet in the right place is worth more than a couple of hundred joules. I figure having Data on one load that achieves 2000 would suffice if ever one was checked. So i could just carry a box of Hornady 123gr with me

[PeteinGermany]

[Rivercityjeff]

Welcome Pete, Waidmannsheil!

[Pete in Germany]

Welcome Pete, Waidmannsheil!

Thankyou, Waidmannsheil.

[65Carcano]

Welcome to the forum! How common is 6.5 Grendel in Germany, and what factory loads are available? It's interesting to learn what's common/uncommon in other countries.