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6.5 Grendel Load Data Thread (Page 2 of 3)
| I will say I am relatively new to reloading and definitely new to the 6.5 Grendel cartridge. The H414 I bought on sale and figured why not just test it out. I also understand that some rounds like to be just a bit compressed. The 31.5 seems compressed but it didn’t feel too bad (I guess), but I will give it a shot. XBR and CFE223 will be others I test because I have them on hand too. I might adjust the charges downwards after I load the heaviest load. If it looks bad I will adjust down. Hopefully I will get a chance to test them soon. |
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I would never load H414 using the data from some other powder. That's just bad reloading practices. Very bad.
I also would not waste good powder that is too slow for the 6.5G just because I bought it cheap. There is a whole list of good to great powders for the 6.5G. No reason to pick a poor one to save a couple bucks. Find some 30-06 shooters and trade. |
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Shot a spread of 100 yard OCW groups yesterday and my best 4 shot group measured .44" avg, .66" extreme. That's the best that this rifle has ever shot for me. The load is 123gr SMK HPBT, 27.5gr AR-Comp, CCI #450, Hornady brass, 2.260" COAL. ETA: Finally found some published load data (Speer) for AR-Comp in a Grendel and it indicates that 25.3gr is a maximum charge for a 120gr bullet, so my load above is a greater than max load. The same document also indicates a 120gr load using Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR at maximum load has a muzzle velocity about 40fps faster than Hornady ELD-M ammo. It's a flattened spherical powder and will likely measure more accurately than AR-Comp. The overmax AR-Comp loads continue to shoot very well for me when I'm feeling risky (the primers are flattened). The groups on either side of this load (by .2gr at 2.250") were not quite as good with more vertical dispersion. Because I suspected that 27.5gr might be a sweet spot going in, I loaded three groups at that weight at 2.250", 2.255" and 2.260" and the longest was the clear winner with the least vertical dispersion. The primers were flattened but there were no other signs of over pressure, even up to 28.3gr. I'm going to run some more groups to experiment with COAL at that same charge but I believe that I'll run out of magazine room before I get to the lands. AR-Comp is an extruded powder and my Hornady measure wasn't throwing repeatable charges with it so I threw low charges and then trickled up to the target weight. There's an auto dispenser headed my way now. 18" Satern SST barrel, 1/8 twist. ETA: While this load continues to deliver precision for me, it shows flattened primers and an occasional ejector mark on the cases so it's too hot for most folks. There appears to be another accuracy node using AR-Comp centered around 26.8gr/123gr that is fairly wide (-/+ .25gr) which is as accurate and the primers appear normal after firing, and it should be little affected by varying temperature. This will likely become my go to AR-Comp load. 
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Originally Posted By muvef:
Sierra 6.5 Grendel Load Data |
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SATERN Cut Rifled 24" Bull barrel, 1:8.75 twist with their supplied headspaced bolt. Yes...a 'Grendel 2' chamber, FWIW. All shots chronographed with a Caldwell at 10 feet. Ambient Temperature 45 degrees, 40% relative humidity, barometer was 30.07". Elevation is 1148 feet above mean sea level. Brass: Hornady Primer: CCI BR-4 Powder: CFE223 29.7 grain up to 31.2 grain (Hornady published max is 31.7 grain for 129/130 grain bullets). 5 Shots at each interval of 0.3 grain Powder: BL-(c)2 28.3 grain up to 29.2 grain (Hornady published max is 29.7 grain for 129/130 grain bullets). 5 Shots at each interval of 0.3 grain BULLET: Berger AR Hybrid OTM, 130 Grain Seating Depth 2.260" OAL (Hornady OAL Ogive measurement Tool using 26 cal insert: 1.655") Runout was checked (and occasionally adjusted) with a Hornady Concentricity tool. All runouts within 0.001". Started with the BL-(c)2 loads. Velocity was not stellar but the ES and SD were VERY tight. Probably the most consistent ammo I've ever seen. 28.3 grain Group 2245 2253 2227 2248 2234 Avg: 2241, ES: 26fps! 1.1" center to center group. Very little vertical stringing. 28.6 grain Group 2252 2263 2259 2273 2251 Avg: 2259, ES: 22fps! 0.9" center to center group at 100 yards. Very little vertical stringing. 28.9 grain Group 2287 2313 2311 2296 2291 Avg: 2299.6, ES: 26fps. 0.5" center to center if you take out a flyer that I sent. Including the flyer? 0.8" center to center. All shots level (except the flyer). 29.2 grain Group 2329 2324 2332 2304 2320 Avg: 2321, ES: 28fps 0.75" center to center. Nice ragged little box of a hole. Good results, but not stellar. I've had better groups shooting Hornady Black with the 123 grain ELD-Match. |
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Then I started the CFE 223 groups. Velocity had a HUGE improvement. 29.7 grain Group 2426 2417 2447 2405 2402 Avg: 2419.4 fps, ES: 45fps. Group was about 1.2" center to center at 100 yard. Yuck. 30.0 grain Group 2433 2459 2462 2447 2449 Avg: 2450 fps, ES: 29fps. Group size was 0.8" center to center at 100 yard. Better! 30.3 grain Group 2458 2484 2497 2466 2460 Avg: 2473 fps, ES: 39fps. Group size was 0.75 center to center at 100 yard. Start of a node? I think so! 30.6 grain Group 2466 2516 2489 2497 2515 Avg: 2496 fps, ES 50fps. Group size had a flyer 1" away from the group (my bad). discarding that guy it was hoverng around 0.8" center to center 30.9 grain Group 2520 2548 2528 2519 2548 Avg: 2532.6 fps, ES 28 fps!!! This group was a small cloverleaf. Bullets appear to like going faster and this showed a center-to-center group of 0.3". This little tiny wallowed out hole and it was hard to determine which were centers. NODE!!! 31.2 grain Group 2551 2599 2578 2610 2580 Avg: 2583 fps, ES 59 fps. She opened up a bit and I had my first hints of pressure signs on the primers; but only on a couple cases. This group was center to center 0.45". |
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Follow-up Post to my Berger 130 OTM test results above.
Just built a few rounds to try for a 300 yard Ladder Test. Starting below my initial commence point and went up. My prior was using CFE223 from 29.7 to 31.2 in 0.3 grain steps. I have now tightened it up to 0.2 grain steps from 29.6 to 31.4. Max published is 31.7 but as indicated the first hit of pressure came on at 31.2. Correction on seating depths, my initial post said 2.260” was 1.655 Ogive. It’s actually 1.657” with the Hornady bullet comparator. I also built five extra rounds at the Node discovered at 30.9 grains. Going to use those to get on paper at 300 and then run the ladder, If I can only get a day without 20+ mph winds... Playing with a ballistic calculator, if my Node holds up the transonic range for this bullet is 1198 yards at this altitude and density (1148 feet msl). At 1100 yards even, the bullet will still have 400 ft-lb of energy. My longest range available here is 1000. After refining the loads a bit, I’ll certainly see what we can do at range, so far I’ve stopped at 852 yards with factory 123grain ammo. |
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Tried the 300 Yard Ladder test on that ammo. Confirmed two nodes. One centering at 29.6 grains and another centered at 31.0 grains. Just like in 308 with the Berger 185 Juggernauts, the 130 OTM AR Hybrid in 0.264" appear to do best loaded as long as possible. In my rifle mags (C-Products), I can get away with going a bit over 2.260, more like 2.263 to 2.264. Going to push it out to 600 and beyond on the next couple range sessions. -Aaron |
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Originally Posted By patchouli:
Anybidy find any data on 135 classic hunters from Berger and leverevolutuon? I can't find much on that bullet at all. But I have a box I want to try |
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Originally Posted By pointman66:
Has anyone had any success loading for a Larue Grendel? I tried some Sierra 120 BTHP with CFE 223 and didn't have much luck. I'm planning on trying some of the Hornady ELD-M bullets next. My early load was 2.265"col but I went out to 2.267"col with no issues. Attached File The only thing I noted back then was Nosler seemed to use a different jacket alloy(?), because switching back to Sierras always screwed up the Sierra groups for 6-7 rounds until it settled down again. Could be wrong/full of crap, but experienced it repeatedly. |
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Tried some 135 grain berger classic hunters , with oal at 2.290.
Hornady brass. Leverevokution powder Rem 7 1/2 primers and federal ar match primers Horrible accuracy. 1.5 to 2.2" (had just shot sub moa with 123smk) 24" satern liberty bbl Primers still round. Some ejector marks but I seem to get those with a lot of loads. 
Probably won't mess around with those anymore . Too oddball. |
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Nosler seemed to use a different jacket alloy(?), because switching back to Sierras always screwed up the Sierra groups for 6-7 rounds until it settled down again. Could be wrong/full of crap, but experienced it repeatedly.
Me too. In the 6.5g and in 5.56. My rule, if I am shooting Noslers and other stuff, shoot the other stuff first. Otherwise, it seems to take a few shots before the weapon settles down. I thought it was all in my head for a while. |
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I pulled my second shot on the left target.
18" JSE barrel. 48* out today and a little windy. Edit: I actually shot these yesterday. No signs of pressure. Hornady brass, Rem 7 1/2's with Power Pro Varmint. COAL 2.256". I'm also getting good groups with the 120 gr SMK's and the 29.3 gr load. Velocities were 2447 fps with the Sierra's. My gun hates the 123 gr SMK's. I tried TAC, 8208 XBR, CFE, PPV, Reloader 15 and Benchmark.  " />
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Originally Posted By CapnCrusty:
Shot a spread of 100 yard OCW groups yesterday and my best 4 shot group measured .44" avg, .66" extreme. That's the best that this rifle has ever shot for me. The load is 123gr SMK HPBT, 27.5gr AR-Comp, CCI #450, Hornady brass, 2.260" COAL. ETA: Finally found some published load data (Speer) for AR-Comp in a Grendel and it indicates that 25.3gr is a maximum charge for a 120gr bullet, so my load above is a greater than max load. The same document also indicates a 120gr load using Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR at maximum load has a muzzle velocity about 40fps faster than Hornady ELD-M ammo. It's a flattened spherical powder and will likely measure more accurately than AR-Comp. The overmax AR-Comp loads continue to shoot very well for me when I'm feeling risky (the primers are flattened). The groups on either side of this load (by .2gr at 2.250") were not quite as good with more vertical dispersion. Because I suspected that 27.5gr might be a sweet spot going in, I loaded three groups at that weight at 2.250", 2.255" and 2.260" and the longest was the clear winner with the least vertical dispersion. The primers were flattened but there were no other signs of over pressure, even up to 28.3gr. I'm going to run some more groups to experiment with COAL at that same charge but I believe that I'll run out of magazine room before I get to the lands. AR-Comp is an extruded powder and my Hornady measure wasn't throwing repeatable charges with it so I threw low charges and then trickled up to the target weight. There's an auto dispenser headed my way now. 18" Satern SST barrel, 1/8 twist. ETA: While this load continues to deliver precision for me, it shows flattened primers and an occasional ejector mark on the cases so it's too hot for most folks. There appears to be another accuracy node using AR-Comp centered around 26.8gr/123gr that is fairly wide (-/+ .25gr) which is as accurate and the primers appear normal after firing, and it should be little affected by varying temperature. This will likely become my go to AR-Comp load. https://www.hangoutstorage.com/banjohangout.org/storage/photos/medium/83/83540-155331123122017.jpg YRMV |
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I tried several loads today and found the best load was with 120gr SMK, 28.5gr Varget, 2.25” OAL, Hornady brass, Rem 7 1/2 primer.
.70” at 100yds from my PSA 20” stainless 1:8 twist A2 profile barrel. In the picture are my other three loads and the associated groups. Attached File |
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US Air Force (Retired)
1989 - 2010
Distinguished Rifleman - Presidents 100 - NRA Life Member - Texas State Rifle Association Life Member
| I suspect that the difference is due to specific barrel manufacturing tolerances and I'm guessing that my barrel has a tighter bore than most. Above 27.0 gr I'm definitely seeing over pressure signs but there's a nice node for me at 26.8 gr so it's a done deal there for me. |
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I think I found a good load for my Grendel. I was only doing 3 shot groups for load development. Time to load up some more and confirm. 18” LaRue Barrel with 10x scope. 1x fired Hornady brass 123 gr ELD-M 28.0 gr IMR 8208 XBR Remington 7.5 primer 2.255” COAL Average 2480 fps. Factory ELD ammo averages about 2450. (Magnetospeed chrono) 100 yds Attached File 300 yds Attached File Attached File |
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I just realized I don't have the Hornady #8 and #9 manuals, I have #7 and #8. I am looking for published data for the 123gr ELD with CFE223 which apparently is in #9 and #10. I believe max is 31.1gr from those manuals? Is that correct and what is the starting load? I have read of some getting to 32+ grains of CFE with the ELDs or AMAXs but I just want to start in the published data range for now. What I want to achieve is the most accurate load that is closest to simulating the factory Hornady Black 123gr load. I have new Hornady brass and the 123gr ELDs, CCI 41 primers, and CFE223. Was thinking of starting in the 28 to 29gr range and working up in 0.3 or 0.4gr increments. Does this sound like a good plan or am I starting too low? Rifle is a PSA 18" SS with rifle gas. |
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Originally Posted By kingston_fisher:
I just realized I don't have the Hornady #8 and #9 manuals, I have #7 and #8. I am looking for published data for the 123gr ELD with CFE223 which apparently is in #9 and #10. I believe max is 31.1gr from those manuals? Is that correct and what is the starting load? I have read of some getting to 32+ grains of CFE with the ELDs or AMAXs but I just want to start in the published data range for now. What I want to achieve is the most accurate load that is closest to simulating the factory Hornady Black 123gr load. I have new Hornady brass and the 123gr ELDs, CCI 41 primers, and CFE223. Was thinking of starting in the 28 to 29gr range and working up in 0.3 or 0.4gr increments. Does this sound like a good plan or am I starting too low? Rifle is a PSA 18" SS with rifle gas. |
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Originally Posted By kingston_fisher:
I just realized I don't have the Hornady #8 and #9 manuals, I have #7 and #8. I am looking for published data for the 123gr ELD with CFE223 which apparently is in #9 and #10. I believe max is 31.1gr from those manuals? Is that correct and what is the starting load? I have read of some getting to 32+ grains of CFE with the ELDs or AMAXs but I just want to start in the published data range for now. What I want to achieve is the most accurate load that is closest to simulating the factory Hornady Black 123gr load. I have new Hornady brass and the 123gr ELDs, CCI 41 primers, and CFE223. Was thinking of starting in the 28 to 29gr range and working up in 0.3 or 0.4gr increments. Does this sound like a good plan or am I starting too low? Rifle is a PSA 18" SS with rifle gas. Edit to add the above figures were with 123 grain ELD-Ms. |
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Originally Posted By Derek45:
I am very surprised to hear your seeing temperature sensitivity with 8208 Edit: I suppose it could also be in part to 8208's tendency to pressure spike unexpectedly with near-max loads using heavier bullets in the Grendel (which means it is better suited for the lighter pills). Probably a result of both this and temp. In any case my gun gives best accuracy using between 27.0-27.5 grains. I'm more than willing to give up a little velocity for greater accuracy. |
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Originally Posted By Sean124:
I think I found a good load for my Grendel. I was only doing 3 shot groups for load development. Time to load up some more and confirm. 18” LaRue Barrel with 10x scope. 1x fired Hornady brass 123 gr ELD-M 28.0 gr IMR 8208 XBR Remington 7.5 primer 2.255” COAL Average 2480 fps. Factory ELD ammo averages about 2450. (Magnetospeed chrono) 100 yds https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/341181/39213344-3C48-43B6-9D22-A39528717BB1_jpeg-899673.JPG 300 yds https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/341181/31971B46-B3A0-4BCF-B90B-321A12855FD4_jpeg-899675.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/341181/BE49341B-2210-4B09-9649-9679EF5EC5F3_jpeg-899677.JPG I was very pleased with the performance all the way to 1000 yards. Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Aubie1:
Wanted to bump this thread. Anyone have loads for the following bullets/powder. MidSouth Monster Match 123gr Speer Gold Dot 120gr Hornady ELD 123gr Hornady 123gr BTHP I have a lot of CFE powder on hand. |
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Originally Posted By Aubie1:
Wanted to bump this thread. Anyone have loads for the following bullets/powder. MidSouth Monster Match 123gr Speer Gold Dot 120gr Hornady ELD 123gr Hornady 123gr BTHP I have a lot of CFE powder on hand. |
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Originally Posted By kingston_fisher:
I just realized I don't have the Hornady #8 and #9 manuals, I have #7 and #8. I am looking for published data for the 123gr ELD with CFE223 which apparently is in #9 and #10. I believe max is 31.1gr from those manuals? Is that correct and what is the starting load? I have read of some getting to 32+ grains of CFE with the ELDs or AMAXs but I just want to start in the published data range for now. What I want to achieve is the most accurate load that is closest to simulating the factory Hornady Black 123gr load. I have new Hornady brass and the 123gr ELDs, CCI 41 primers, and CFE223. Was thinking of starting in the 28 to 29gr range and working up in 0.3 or 0.4gr increments. Does this sound like a good plan or am I starting too low? Rifle is a PSA 18" SS with rifle gas. Keep in mind that they include the 120gr A-MAX, 120gr GMX monolithic solid, and 123gr A-MAX for all the 120-123gr load data. That 120gr GMX really should have its own separate load table since it behaves nothing like any of the 120-123gr cup/core bullets. As a result, they set the top limit at 31.2gr for all of them using an 18" AA SAAMI-chambered AR15 test rifle. 8th Edition used a 14.5" AA Grendel AR15. Then you go up to all their 129gr cup/core bullets and you see that they maxed out at 31.7gr of CFE223, .5gr higher than the 120-123gr bullets, which is solely because of the GMX. The 129gr SST and Interbonds are much longer than the 120 and 123gr A-MAX bullets (since replaced with the ELD-M line). We asked them about this and confirmed it wasn't a typo, and due to the GMX monolith. They don't do separate load table for the GMX because it would make the page count increase to an unacceptable number for the manuals from what I understand. Work up in .3gr increments, but recognize that the PSA barrels don't have a compound throat chamber, so you might want to consider loading as long of a COL as your mags will allow without binding the cartridge stack. With CProducts Defense mags, I've been able to load pretty long, in the 2.275"-2.285" region. I just can't load those COLs in Elanders. |
AR15/AR10 student since 1980s
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
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Originally Posted By muvef: Check out Johnny's Reloading Bench on youtube. He tested a couple powders with the 135 gr hunter. He's getting great accuracy out of them with both the Grendel and CM. I believe he liked PP Varmint. |
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Originally Posted By LRRPF52:
I have both #8 and #9 Hornady Manuals. #9 is where they introduced CFE223. Keep in mind that they include the 120gr A-MAX, 120gr GMX monolithic solid, and 123gr A-MAX for all the 120-123gr load data. That 120gr GMX really should have its own separate load table since it behaves nothing like any of the 120-123gr cup/core bullets. As a result, they set the top limit at 31.2gr for all of them using an 18" AA SAAMI-chambered AR15 test rifle. 8th Edition used a 14.5" AA Grendel AR15. Then you go up to all their 129gr cup/core bullets and you see that they maxed out at 31.7gr of CFE223, .5gr higher than the 120-123gr bullets, which is solely because of the GMX. The 129gr SST and Interbonds are much longer than the 120 and 123gr A-MAX bullets (since replaced with the ELD-M line). We asked them about this and confirmed it wasn't a typo, and due to the GMX monolith. They don't do separate load table for the GMX because it would make the page count increase to an unacceptable number for the manuals from what I understand. Work up in .3gr increments, but recognize that the PSA barrels don't have a compound throat chamber, so you might want to consider loading as long of a COL as your mags will allow without binding the cartridge stack. With CProducts Defense mags, I've been able to load pretty long, in the 2.275"-2.285" region. I just can't load those COLs in Elanders. Originally Posted By LRRPF52:
Originally Posted By kingston_fisher:
I just realized I don't have the Hornady #8 and #9 manuals, I have #7 and #8. I am looking for published data for the 123gr ELD with CFE223 which apparently is in #9 and #10. I believe max is 31.1gr from those manuals? Is that correct and what is the starting load? I have read of some getting to 32+ grains of CFE with the ELDs or AMAXs but I just want to start in the published data range for now. What I want to achieve is the most accurate load that is closest to simulating the factory Hornady Black 123gr load. I have new Hornady brass and the 123gr ELDs, CCI 41 primers, and CFE223. Was thinking of starting in the 28 to 29gr range and working up in 0.3 or 0.4gr increments. Does this sound like a good plan or am I starting too low? Rifle is a PSA 18" SS with rifle gas. Keep in mind that they include the 120gr A-MAX, 120gr GMX monolithic solid, and 123gr A-MAX for all the 120-123gr load data. That 120gr GMX really should have its own separate load table since it behaves nothing like any of the 120-123gr cup/core bullets. As a result, they set the top limit at 31.2gr for all of them using an 18" AA SAAMI-chambered AR15 test rifle. 8th Edition used a 14.5" AA Grendel AR15. Then you go up to all their 129gr cup/core bullets and you see that they maxed out at 31.7gr of CFE223, .5gr higher than the 120-123gr bullets, which is solely because of the GMX. The 129gr SST and Interbonds are much longer than the 120 and 123gr A-MAX bullets (since replaced with the ELD-M line). We asked them about this and confirmed it wasn't a typo, and due to the GMX monolith. They don't do separate load table for the GMX because it would make the page count increase to an unacceptable number for the manuals from what I understand. Work up in .3gr increments, but recognize that the PSA barrels don't have a compound throat chamber, so you might want to consider loading as long of a COL as your mags will allow without binding the cartridge stack. With CProducts Defense mags, I've been able to load pretty long, in the 2.275"-2.285" region. I just can't load those COLs in Elanders. |
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Originally Posted By sparkyD:
@LRRPF52 Have you played with a longer COL with the Howa Bolt action with the 129-130gr bullets? I have been thinking about the 129gr to increase penetration. And what's the length to ogive in the Howa? Originally Posted By sparkyD:
Originally Posted By LRRPF52:
Originally Posted By kingston_fisher:
I just realized I don't have the Hornady #8 and #9 manuals, I have #7 and #8. I am looking for published data for the 123gr ELD with CFE223 which apparently is in #9 and #10. I believe max is 31.1gr from those manuals? Is that correct and what is the starting load? I have read of some getting to 32+ grains of CFE with the ELDs or AMAXs but I just want to start in the published data range for now. What I want to achieve is the most accurate load that is closest to simulating the factory Hornady Black 123gr load. I have new Hornady brass and the 123gr ELDs, CCI 41 primers, and CFE223. Was thinking of starting in the 28 to 29gr range and working up in 0.3 or 0.4gr increments. Does this sound like a good plan or am I starting too low? Rifle is a PSA 18" SS with rifle gas. Keep in mind that they include the 120gr A-MAX, 120gr GMX monolithic solid, and 123gr A-MAX for all the 120-123gr load data. That 120gr GMX really should have its own separate load table since it behaves nothing like any of the 120-123gr cup/core bullets. As a result, they set the top limit at 31.2gr for all of them using an 18" AA SAAMI-chambered AR15 test rifle. 8th Edition used a 14.5" AA Grendel AR15. Then you go up to all their 129gr cup/core bullets and you see that they maxed out at 31.7gr of CFE223, .5gr higher than the 120-123gr bullets, which is solely because of the GMX. The 129gr SST and Interbonds are much longer than the 120 and 123gr A-MAX bullets (since replaced with the ELD-M line). We asked them about this and confirmed it wasn't a typo, and due to the GMX monolith. They don't do separate load table for the GMX because it would make the page count increase to an unacceptable number for the manuals from what I understand. Work up in .3gr increments, but recognize that the PSA barrels don't have a compound throat chamber, so you might want to consider loading as long of a COL as your mags will allow without binding the cartridge stack. With CProducts Defense mags, I've been able to load pretty long, in the 2.275"-2.285" region. I just can't load those COLs in Elanders. I also found that the Howa Mini will take really long COL with 140gr A-MAX, VLD, etc. I windowed the mag for it to be able to do that, but it will only hold 2-3 rounds IIRC at those longer COLs (well past 2.400"). Honestly, every time I broke the trigger on the Howa, I asked myself, "Why isn't it loading itself?" I'm so used to Grendel in the AR15 that it just felt wrong to me, and I'm a gas gun nazi at heart, so I sold it here in the EE. Still a great little Mini Action bolt gun that I wish I had growing up, but I just like gas guns. |
AR15/AR10 student since 1980s
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
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Originally Posted By LRRPF52:
Yes. I loaded a bunch of 129gr SSTs with LeveRevolution and got some pretty fast speeds. I also found that the Howa Mini will take really long COL with 140gr A-MAX, VLD, etc. I windowed the mag for it to be able to do that, but it will only hold 2-3 rounds IIRC at those longer COLs (well past 2.400"). Honestly, every time I broke the trigger on the Howa, I asked myself, "Why isn't it loading itself?" I'm so used to Grendel in the AR15 that it just felt wrong to me, and I'm a gas gun nazi at heart, so I sold it here in the EE. Still a great little Mini Action bolt gun that I wish I had growing up, but I just like gas guns. Originally Posted By LRRPF52:
Originally Posted By sparkyD:
Originally Posted By LRRPF52:
Originally Posted By kingston_fisher:
I just realized I don't have the Hornady #8 and #9 manuals, I have #7 and #8. I am looking for published data for the 123gr ELD with CFE223 which apparently is in #9 and #10. I believe max is 31.1gr from those manuals? Is that correct and what is the starting load? I have read of some getting to 32+ grains of CFE with the ELDs or AMAXs but I just want to start in the published data range for now. What I want to achieve is the most accurate load that is closest to simulating the factory Hornady Black 123gr load. I have new Hornady brass and the 123gr ELDs, CCI 41 primers, and CFE223. Was thinking of starting in the 28 to 29gr range and working up in 0.3 or 0.4gr increments. Does this sound like a good plan or am I starting too low? Rifle is a PSA 18" SS with rifle gas. Keep in mind that they include the 120gr A-MAX, 120gr GMX monolithic solid, and 123gr A-MAX for all the 120-123gr load data. That 120gr GMX really should have its own separate load table since it behaves nothing like any of the 120-123gr cup/core bullets. As a result, they set the top limit at 31.2gr for all of them using an 18" AA SAAMI-chambered AR15 test rifle. 8th Edition used a 14.5" AA Grendel AR15. Then you go up to all their 129gr cup/core bullets and you see that they maxed out at 31.7gr of CFE223, .5gr higher than the 120-123gr bullets, which is solely because of the GMX. The 129gr SST and Interbonds are much longer than the 120 and 123gr A-MAX bullets (since replaced with the ELD-M line). We asked them about this and confirmed it wasn't a typo, and due to the GMX monolith. They don't do separate load table for the GMX because it would make the page count increase to an unacceptable number for the manuals from what I understand. Work up in .3gr increments, but recognize that the PSA barrels don't have a compound throat chamber, so you might want to consider loading as long of a COL as your mags will allow without binding the cartridge stack. With CProducts Defense mags, I've been able to load pretty long, in the 2.275"-2.285" region. I just can't load those COLs in Elanders. I also found that the Howa Mini will take really long COL with 140gr A-MAX, VLD, etc. I windowed the mag for it to be able to do that, but it will only hold 2-3 rounds IIRC at those longer COLs (well past 2.400"). Honestly, every time I broke the trigger on the Howa, I asked myself, "Why isn't it loading itself?" I'm so used to Grendel in the AR15 that it just felt wrong to me, and I'm a gas gun nazi at heart, so I sold it here in the EE. Still a great little Mini Action bolt gun that I wish I had growing up, but I just like gas guns. |
Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Originally Posted By Genin:
The website 65Grendel has a wealth of load data. Snipershide.com also has lots of load data.  Snipershide is more forgiving. I can't wait to get time to play with the 129-130gr weights on killing a few critters. I've had the 123gr pills not make it through a coyote. I do have a few cases prepped and a waiting a bullet order.
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Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Originally Posted By Genin:
The website 65Grendel has a wealth of load data. Snipershide.com also has lots of load data. Mine 20" Proof, likes AR-Comp. 123 SMK and Noslers, 129g Accubond LR |
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Originally Posted By Aubie1:
Wanted to bump this thread. Anyone have loads for the following bullets/powder. Speer Gold Dot 120gr I have a lot of CFE powder on hand. It shoots well out of my 12.5 bbl |
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Originally Posted By Bruizer: I've had zero luck with CFE, my go to load for the gold dots is 27.8gr AR-Comp loaded to 2.275 Col (using ASC mags) It shoots well out of my 12.5 bbl |
Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
6.5 Grendel Load Data Thread (Page 2 of 3)
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