Budget Grendel Shoots!

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!

You better run out and purchase a lottery ticket right now. To be able to get two BCA barrels that will shoot that good right out of the gate God has smiled on you. Your velocity seems a bit too low for your load and barrel length. Out of my 20" BCA 5R barrel with 28 grs IMR 8208, Hornady case, CCI 450, Nos. 100 BT, COAL 2.275 I average 2629 fps. and just over 1". I found a better load with the 100 BT at 29.8 IMR 8208, CCI 450, Hornady case, COAL 2.240 average 2804 fps ES 34 SD 13 and just under 1". Another good load I found with the 100 BT was with 30.7 grs WW 748, Hornady Case, CCI 450, COAL 2.275 average 2700 fps ES 19 SD 8 and just under 1". I use a light Lee Factory Crimp on all loads. Mine also shoot really well with 28 grs. IMR 8208 with 120 Speer Gold Dot bullets, Hornady Case, CCI 450 and average 2550 fps and 3/4" groups.
I went back and re-read your post and forget about what I said about your velocity. I was thinking your stated velocity for the group was from the 20 barrel. You are about average for an 18" barrel.

RT, you might be getting a tiny bit more velocity with the crimp...not sure how much a guy can gain from a light crimp. But it has to help.

The two barrels combined cost less than a single match grade barrel and these two will out shoot me. Not that I'm a real dead eye, but that's all I can ask for. Someone who is good behind the trigger would beat my groups I'm sure!

I don't have my ogive length in front of me right now, but I'm running everything mag length. The 107's the tip might have been touching the inside of the mag.

I just got a box of Speer Gold Dot, but didn't have any empty bras to put it in. But I bought them to try in my wife' 6.5 Creedmoor. They are a bonded bullet and I was thinking they need more speed to get the best out of those bullets.

In my experience with bonded bullets is that they will expand to a certain point at the same velocities as regular cup and core bullets but they just hold together and penetrate instead of shedding their jacket and core. At least this is what the Nosler Accubond has done for me. I will know more about the 120 Gold Dot in the Grendel after the up coming deer season. I will be using it in my 20" BCA upper barrel rifle. I will try to pick my first shot and make it a broadside high front shoulder shot. That way I can see the results of expansion and if it does not expand as I expect it to then I will not have to do a long track because this shot will get the spine even with a FMJ. I have a unique place in NC to hunt and the shot will most likely either be at 111 yards or 87 yards where deer cross a dirt road that runs between two cut overs. I have a shooting house with good shooting rest built on the side of this road where I can see 125 yards one direction and 200 yards in the other. I place ear dried corn at these spots to stop the deer so I can get a good shot. It is legal to bate deer in NC. I use ear corn to keep the turkeys from eating it all up. If you used shelled corn it will be gone in 24 hrs but turkeys will not fool with corn on the ear. I guess they are like a lot of folks that don't want to work for a meal. Right now I plan on using the 120 Sierra Pro Hunter in my 18" Oden Works barrel. I have not had time to shoot this rifle as much as I have the BCA because it seems to shoot most anything you put in it 1 1/2" and under. 28.5 grs IMR 8208, Hornady case, CCI 450, COAL 2.250 with the light Lee crimp will shoot 1/3rd inch ragged hole if I do my part. The BCA barrel has been a problem getting it to shoot well but it has come around now. I will have both rifle dialed in before hunting season. I want to do some bullet seating depth testing with the BCA with the 120 GD now that I have found the powder combo it likes. Right now I have it loaded as long as will just work through a ASC/AR Stoner mag. It is too long for an Elander mag. I want to see if it will shoot backed off more. As you probably have noticed the GD has a long taper from the slightly rounded nose back to the ogive which is way down the bullet. Loaded at the max mag length the ogive is 75 thousands off the lands in my rifle so the bullet does like to jump. I have use the .264s for a long time on deer 6.5x55, 260 Rem., 264 Win mag. I did crop damage control for 15 years and learned a lot about bullets. 120 Sierra Pro Hunter, Ballistic tip are deer hammers. 130 Accubond has been a GREAT bullet out of my 264 Win mag even at a little over 500 yards where it has slowed down to velocities comparable with your 6.5 Creedmoor. This bullet would be my one bullet do it all from elk on down in my 264 Mag 9 twist barrel if I ever get the chance to elk hunt.