Took off from work just to get back to the range. This was the first trip to the range for the 20" 5R 6.5 Grendel barrel. And first time to run any hand loads through the 18" budget $75.00 barrel. To say I was in shock after the first group I shot is an understatement! I do have to admitt I bought Sabre drop in trigger that is a huge improvement over the milspec originally in the lower.
5 shots at 100yds using 28.3gr of IMR 8208 powder ushing 100gr Nosler BT's. Running at 2483 averge FPS. This load shot almost as good out of the 20" $99.00 Classic Firearms barrel. This load averaged 70FPS faster.
Also ran some Hornady 123 SST with IMR 8208 that grouped just over 1" (1.197" to be exact). The heavier bullets were a little slower. I was being conservative with my loads. Having never loaded for a gas gun...I was a little nervous about a hot load.
Also ran the same bullets in front of H335. The groups were all about the same size and velocity was close too. Which I intended to do...again nervous of over pressuring a gas gun.
I'm sure I can bump up the charges and get some more speed out of this little 6.5.
The accuracy of both of these barrels have exceeded expectations. If I didn't even didn't tweek any of these loads I'd feel confident to head shoot hogs out past 100yds with any of the loads I shot today.
Speaking of pushing the range...I took both out to 400 yds and rang some steel with both 6.5's. I'm not sure I will try to hit a deer with either one at that range. But it' fun to bang on the steel with them!
5 shots at 100yds using 28.3gr of IMR 8208 powder ushing 100gr Nosler BT's. Running at 2483 averge FPS. This load shot almost as good out of the 20" $99.00 Classic Firearms barrel. This load averaged 70FPS faster.
Also ran some Hornady 123 SST with IMR 8208 that grouped just over 1" (1.197" to be exact). The heavier bullets were a little slower. I was being conservative with my loads. Having never loaded for a gas gun...I was a little nervous about a hot load.
Also ran the same bullets in front of H335. The groups were all about the same size and velocity was close too. Which I intended to do...again nervous of over pressuring a gas gun.
I'm sure I can bump up the charges and get some more speed out of this little 6.5.
The accuracy of both of these barrels have exceeded expectations. If I didn't even didn't tweek any of these loads I'd feel confident to head shoot hogs out past 100yds with any of the loads I shot today.
Speaking of pushing the range...I took both out to 400 yds and rang some steel with both 6.5's. I'm not sure I will try to hit a deer with either one at that range. But it' fun to bang on the steel with them!