6.5 Grendel update.

[kilotanker22]

So I finally got some dies for the grendel. I was was pleasantly stunned with the results from the following load.

First, I am shooting the 95 grain v max. for multiple reasons. lightweight frangible bullet to prevent over penetration.

I am using Power Pro Varmint 30.75 grains.
That Vmax bullet seated about .030" from the lands.

I did not weigh a single charge. I got my RCBS Uniflow Measure set to the right place and just dropped all of the charges. With that fine ball powder a run of 20 charges had an extreme spread of only .06 grains, Not .6, .06. So I feel there is no need at all to weigh each charge.

Anyway, My barrel is an 18" stainless barrel from PSA. The part that really stunned me was this: Across a ten round string for velocity testing.

Avg 2599 fps
ES 12 fps
SD 4 fps

No pressure signs to speak of and the brass looks great. I could push these bullets harder for sure, but probably won't since my velocity spread is so low. Tough call for me really. I would be willing to bet that I can get that bullet closer to 2750, I just don't want the velocity spread to fall apart.

The only load data I could find with that powder was from Sierra. I used the Data from their 100 grain hollow point since it is pretty close in weight to the 95 grain v max

 

[mel80]

i think u can get those alot faster im shooting 90g tnts out of my 20 at 3050fps with 32.5g of ppv.
id imagine u can get that 95g to 2800 safely if they stay accurate

 

[lordmorgul]

Hearing about 6.5G bolts not fairing well with higher pressures, any thoughts on that? Maybe more than a safety concern but reliability and longevity.


Andrew - Lancaster, CA
NRA Life Member, CRPA member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / FPC / CCRKBA / GOA / NAGR / NRA-ILA contributor, USCCA member - Support your defenders!

 

[kilotanker22]

I will load a couple up a little higher. As far as accuracy I don't know for sure. My red dot is 3 moa and ai don't have a magnifier.

I can hit an 8 inch plate Everytime at 100 yards and an 16 inch plate 9 out of ten times at 300 yards

 

[kilotanker22]

I tested loads for velocity up to 32 grains of PP Varmint. I was able to attain a little over 2700fps, but my velocity spread fell apart. I went from an extreme spread of 12 fps to a SD of 12 fps and an extreme spread of 30 fps. I mean inside 400 yards is the 100 fps even gonna matter? In the same respect. Inside 400 yards I don't believe that an extreme spread of 30 fps will make any difference. Especially since I am only using a red dot and cant really engage targets effectively past 400 yards or so. So I am torn, use the hotter load for more energy on target? Or use the more consistent load?

 

[std7mag]

Let us know when you put an actual scope on it, and take it out to some distance.

Very accurate with a 3 MOA dot indeed...

 

[kilotanker22]

Let us know when you put an actual scope on it, and take it out to some distance.

Very accurate with a 3 MOA dot indeed...

For permanent purposes the red dot will be the primary sight for this rifle. Although I have considered putting my Vortex Viper HST on it temporarily to test for accuracy.

 

[std7mag]

Please do!

 

[kilotanker22]

The only problem is I don't really want to spend the money on a good 30mm mount for my AR when I won't be keeping a scope on that rifle

 

[std7mag]

Stagpanther probably has 3 of them in a bag at the back of a drawer he forgot he had...

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Every rifle shooter who does any sort of precision work should have a spare set of 30mm rings, and probably 1" as well. You are going to use them, so you might as well have them.

 

[kilotanker22]

I have several sets of spare 30mm and one inch rings. None of which are high enough to mount my 50 mm objective on my AR rifle.

 

[ocharry]

Kilo...maybe you could get a cheap riser for your AR for the time being and use your 30mm rings...just a thought

Ocharry

 

[std7mag]

If your rings don't fit your gun, time to trade in on a new gun that they will.

 

[kilotanker22]

Well I never I tended to need rings for this gun and only need them temporarily. If I was gonna leave a scope on it I would have bought the appropriate mount.

 

[kilotanker22]

At the range now waiting for some guys to get done hanging steel so I can sight in and test the Grendel. I put my Viper HST on it for the day

 

[kilotanker22]

Well the load that had the really tight velocity spread didn't shoot that well. Between 1.5 and 2 moa for all the 5 round groups.

Got to go buy more bullets to load and I will t at the hotter loads for accuracy.

Although, I wasn't rock solid stable and my two stage trigger breaks around 5-6 pounds. I shot 3 1.5-2 moa groups at 100 yards and two 2 moa groups at 300 today with the same load.

I guess it is a distinct possibility that this rifle just won't shoot better than that with this bullet. I will report back after testing the hotter loads

 

[kilotanker22]

I think that I found my load. Interestingly enough, as mel80 stated. I was able to get them up to 2800 or so. I never had any pressure signs until my very last load. A slight ejector mark, that's it. Average Velocity was 2796, ES 16 fps and SD 7 fps. 1 moa 5 round groups.

Put the red dot back on it and took that Viper HST off of it. Too heavy with the scope to fit the MO I want for this rifle. Still able to hit at 100 and 300 yards with the 3 moa dot. Just doing it 200 fps faster.

 

[mel80]

id buy a cheap 3-9 or something to put on it
those 90g are awesome

and a video here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztlFy1_mJjY

 

[kilotanker22]

If I put any scope on it, it would be like a 1-8 or something really lightweight. I have other rifles to hunt varmints with. This gun is meant to be a lightweight defense/shtf rifle.