6.5 Grendel Bolt Action. What's your experience?

[LoonWulf]

I managed to scrounge an additional magazine. Tough as I couldn't find them in stock anywhere. The project will be to cut it down like this. Should hold 4+1.

View attachment 1177436

I have a 243/308 mag done like that. Chop saw took about a Min.

 

[Legionnaire]

Back to the range this morning to shoot the initial test rounds. I could not find any data for the 105 Blitzkings, so started with data for Sierra's 107 grain TMKs. I replaced the 3-9X Leupold with a Vortex Viper HST 4-16X44, which helped me hold tighter. The Labradar worked well, but did drop one shot at 29.4 grains. Here are the results.



My observations.

• There is clearly a low node, but I'm not content driving the 105 grain Blitzkings under 2500 fps. I can get that speed with bullets in the 120-123 class.
• There is likely a high node around 31 grains.
• No signs of pressure, so next time out I'll run some tests a bit higher.
• Shots really scattered between 29.7 and 30.6 grains, but lower and higher the groups were sub-MOA.

So it looks like I should be able to develop a good, sub MOA load with the Blitzkings and Accurate 2520.

 

[wesmonster]

I have a 6.5G Ruger Predator 22" AR mag version as well, I'm happy with the performance, very low recoil.
But my one complaint is ammo availability. Not an issue if you're reloading but when I built my first 6.5Grendel AR I quickly found out that every gun shop & sporting goods place carried 6.5 Creedmore and no one carried Grendel. Not a big issue but with cheap steel 6.5G no longer being imported everything else got pricier.

Ruger 3lug action is not the smoothest and the AR mags don't make it better but it's a 100% reliable setup.
I also have a Ruger Ranch .300bo 16" and that's a much lighter/handier package.

 

[Legionnaire]

@wesmonster, I hear you on the ammo. I hand load for most things and I'm down to one 20-round box of factory Hornady Black in 6.5 Grendel. I have a couple hundred Hornady cases at this point, as well as several hundred Starline cases, all intended for the AR. My Lapua cases are reserved for the Howa.

 

[Legionnaire]

So my spare magazine arrived today, thanks to a guy on another board. Straight to the workbench. Rather than spend a lot of time sanding, I broke out the Dremel with a cutoff wheel and went to work. Took me about an hour with careful fitting, cutting, filing, and finish sanding, but the final product is really sweet. Clicks in solidly with almost no play, holds four rounds, and cycles smoothly. Looks good and feels much better in the hand. My thanks to RockWarrior over on 6.5 Grendel Forum for the excellent instructions and photos. My only deviation is that I didn't cut the spring.

 

[Laphroaig]

@Legionnaire you did a great job with that rifle! Classy looking and just right for a field rifle. I'm anxious to see how your load workup works out. It looks like its a shooter too!

I've been shooting 120's in my predator. BT's and Matchburners mainly. Recently the groups have opened up some as I've been cheating on my seating depth to get mag length for my AR. I think my rifle likes seating with less jump, if any at all. I got a Forster Micro seater for my Midway birthday deal recently and have some loads to test out. I'll give the deer hunters some time to get sighted in before I do that.



ETA: That previous group was already posted. What started me on 120's was my success with Nosler 120 BT factory ammo that I got when I bought my rifle. I just acquired some 107 SMK's that I'm going to try next range trip.

 

[Legionnaire]

I've been shooting 120's in my predator. BT's and Matchburners mainly. Recently the groups have opened up some as I've been cheating on my seating depth to get mag length for my AR. I think my rifle likes seating with less jump, if any at all. I got a Forster Micro seater for my Midway birthday deal recently and have some loads to test out. I'll give the deer hunters some time to get sighted in before I do that.

I've shot 105 grain Match Burners in my .243 Ackley. I'll have to watch for a good deal on some .264 120s. Most of the .264 bullets I have are 140 class for my .260 and .260 Ackley. I need to stock up on some 120 class.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to "discover" the 6.5 Grendel. It really is a great round! I think my historic lack of interest in ARs made me overlook the cartridges designed for them.

ETA: Found some 120 Match Burners at Bruno Shooters Supply. Ordered a couple hundred.

 

[horsemen61]

I've shot 105 grain Match Burners in my .243 Ackley. I'll have to watch for a good deal on some .264 120s. Most of the .264 bullets I have are 140 class for my .260 and .260 Ackley. I need to stock up on some 120 class.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to "discover" the 6.5 Grendel. It really is a great round! I think my historic lack of interest in ARs made me overlook the cartridges designed for them.

Yes I believe when you spoke of getting one on here I said I highly recommend it now you see why lol

 

[Laphroaig]

I've shot 105 grain Match Burners in my .243 Ackley. I'll have to watch for a good deal on some .264 120s. Most of the .264 bullets I have are 140 class for my .260 and .260 Ackley. I need to stock up on some 120 class.

.264 bullets are pricey now. Every so often you see a deal. Keep looking.

I have a bunch of 140;s too. I think they would be too heavy, but I suppose that it would be worth a try.

 

[Legionnaire]

Sierra has just introduced a new 120 grain Tipped GameKing that looks interesting. They say it's designed for 6.5 Grendel velocities. On sale right now on Sierra's website.

ETA: The techs at Sierra said one can use the 120 grain MK data for this bullet.

 

[Laphroaig]

I always check out Midway Factory Seconds:

Bullets for Sale - Reloading | MidwayUSA

Shop reloading bullets at the best prices. We carry all calibers of bullets from 223, 308, and 6.5 bullets. From brands like Hornady, Sierra, Nosler, and Berger!

www.midwayusa.com

I bought 300 120 HPBT's some time back, and have been shooting those in my AR. They were about $27/100, wish I had bought more. I'm thinking that they are Sierra's.

The 123 Tipped Boat tails look interesting in this batch. Probably Hornady 123 ELD-M's. I have a name brand box of those to try out.

 

[horsemen61]

Sierra has just introduced a new 120 grain Tipped GameKing that looks interesting. They say it's designed for 6.5 Grendel velocities. On sale right now on Sierra's website.

ETA: The techs at Sierra said one can use the 120 grain MK data for this bullet.

Interesting thank you for the info something to look into

 

[Legionnaire]

Well, today's outing was a bit of a bust. The good: the Labradar worked perfectly. The low velocity spread in each group suggests I'm doing my part at the reloading bench. But, six groups averaged 1.191 inch with only one sub-MOA. Details and results below. Hunting accurate, but not what I'm looking for from this rifle. Looking like the Howa doesn't like the 105 Blitzkings and Accurate 2520. Think I'll switch to 120 grain ELD-Ms or TGKs and TAC.

The other "bust" is that I also had a batch of test loads ready for the PSA AR-15 (on the left) ... but I left the magazines (and my coffee) sitting on the bench while I pumped up the tires of my wife's bicycle and I forgot to pick them up.

 

[Laphroaig]

^That's a great looking spreadsheet. I should do something like that.

 

[LoonWulf]

The other "bust" is that I also had a batch of test loads ready for the PSA AR-15 (on the left) ... but I left the magazines (and my coffee) sitting on the bench while I pumped up the tires of my wife's bicycle and I forgot to pick them up.

I did the same thing with my dads grendel today. Single feed is fine for getting zero'd but it gets.....tiresome.....

 

[westernrover]

The issue I have with mini actions is that the front scope ring is going to interfere with the turret preventing the scope from being mounted far enough forward for the eye relief that scopes are made with which is the appropriate amount of eye relief for long and short actions. I was not able to find an offset ring for the CZ receiver and I did not want to mount a rail that would both raise the scope and encumber the rifle that should be minimalist.

I found nothing lacking in the 6.5 Grendel cartridge from a 24" barrel. With Barnes TTSX, it would hunt anything I'm likely to ever attempt within the ranges I'm likely to want. I can't think of why I would need anything else. The rifle served well for the purpose for which I bought it -- as my boys first deer rifle. They've both taken bucks with it. I'm certainly keeping it, but everything being short and the fact that I already had another rifle before it means it won't get much more use until the grandkids come. I would reiterate: the cartridge is not a "first" cartridge for "junior" -- I would have it as my lifetime cartridge, esp. with the 24" barrel. (You know in a 16" AR it's going to be a compromise, but still probably one of the better choices for hunting with that action and barrel length.)

The mini action is mini. Besides coming short for eye relief, the length of pull is short as well. What I get out of my long action is about 1000 fps more muzzle velocity that I don't actually need. It does extend MPBR another 75 yards, but I'd rather not attempt shots that long. It also gets me another 2 pounds of weight that is only welcome the second that I'm actually firing. What I actually appreciate is that the front scope ring is far enough forward that the scope's eye relief can be correct. Otherwise, the Grendel bolt action has a lot going for it. That's my experience.

 

[Legionnaire]

@westernrover, thanks for the experience. It sounds more positive than not. I haven't seen the scope mounting problem you describe. I started with a Leupold VXR and switched to a Vortex HST for load development (the VXR will go back on when the load development is done). I didn't have any trouble with clearance or eye relief using Talley lightweights. Similarly, the LOP is primarily a stock issue, and that's fixable.

The 6.5 Grendel isn't my only 6.5. I shoot a couple of .260 Ackleys and a 6.5 PRC as well, so there is more horsepower available when needed. But I think I'll like the Grendel when I figure out a load the Howa likes. Thanks again.

 

[mongoslow]

@westernrover, thanks for the experience. It sounds more positive than not. I haven't seen the scope mounting problem you describe. I started with a Leupold VXR and switched to a Vortex HST for load development (the VXR will go back on when the load development is done). I didn't have any trouble with clearance or eye relief using Talley lightweights. Similarly, the LOP is primarily a stock issue, and that's fixable.

The 6.5 Grendel isn't my only 6.5. I shoot a couple of .260 Ackleys and a 6.5 PRC as well, so there is more horsepower available when needed. But I think I'll like the Grendel when I figure out a load the Howa likes. Thanks again.

try the PPU Rifle Line 120 gr BTHP, my 16" Ruger Ranch shoots it as tight as the Hornady 123gr ELD-M

 

[Legionnaire]

Next set of test loads for the Howa. Sierra's new 120 grain Tipped GameKing (TGK), supposedly designed for 6.5 Grendel velocities.

 

[LoonWulf]

Next set of test loads for the Howa. Sierra's new 120 grain Tipped GameKing (TGK), supposedly designed for 6.5 Grendel velocities.

Real curious about those, i got my hands on a couple k of SRPs probably going to get my ARC or failing that another Grendel.

 

[Legionnaire]

I got my hands on a couple k of SRPs probably going to get my ARC or failing that another Grendel.

Are you looking at a bolt action 6 ARC? That would be cool. I put together an AR with a 24-inch 6 ARC barrel; it's a shooter ... but a tale for a different thread.

 

[LoonWulf]

Are you looking at a bolt action 6 ARC? That would be cool. I put together an AR with a 24-inch 6 ARC barrel; it's a shooter ... but a tale for a different thread.

Yeah, i considered building an AR to run it in, but decided id rather have a bolt gun. Probably going to get a Howa Mini

 

[Legionnaire]

Got to the range again this afternoon, testing the Sierra 105 BlitzKings and 120 Tipped GameKing over TAC.

Looks like I have a node around 29.3 grains of TAC under the BlitzKings. Velocity at 2,626 and a group of 0.420. Ran the loads up to 30.5 grains and was rewarded with a 0.763 group ... and a sticky bolt. Decided to pull the 30.8 grain loads.

My full spread of loads with the 120 grain TGKs was under 1.5 inch with three groups sub-moa, the best was 0.722. Looks like the node may be around 28.2 grains at 2,488 fps. That's where I'll focus next time out.

Thus far, hunting accurate, but I continue to hope for better.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Got to the range again this afternoon, testing the Sierra 105 BlitzKings and 120 Tipped GameKing over TAC.

Looks like I have a node around 29.3 grains of TAC under the BlitzKings. Velocity at 2,626 and a group of 0.420. Ran the loads up to 30.5 grains and was rewarded with a 0.763 group ... and a sticky bolt. Decided to pull the 30.8 grain loads.

My full spread of loads with the 120 grain TGKs was under 1.5 inch with three groups sub-moa, the best was 0.722. Looks like the node may be around 28.2 grains at 2,488 fps. That's where I'll focus next time out.

Thus far, hunting accurate, but I continue to hope for better.

I’ve got loads ready for the mini with similar charges of #2520. Like you, I didn’t get best accuracy with my 20” BCA upper. It’s a 20” heavy barrel with helical flutes. Still too heavy to carry still hunting.
I’ve gotten best accuracy from H335. IMR8208 gives excessive pressures with published loads others like. Velocities run low too. I’ve also loaded up some with mid level loads of LVR. It reportedly is the velocity King in the Grendel.

Funny how this drifted into a “Grendel” thread…. I do like my .260. If it wasn’t so darned accurate with bullets 95-125gr, I’d have dumped it. It really is a meaningful improvement over the ancient .257Roberts, which I also adore.

 

[Legionnaire]

… Funny how this drifted into a “Grendel” thread…. I do like my .260. If it wasn’t so darned accurate with bullets 95-125gr, I’d have dumped it. It really is a meaningful improvement over the ancient .257Roberts, which I also adore.

This is a Grendel thread.