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Posted: 11/2/2012 1:04:01 PM EDT
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We have two new hunting projectiles announced for the 6.5mm, one specifically in response to the large number of shooters who have been using the 123gr Hornady AMAX on game (with a ton of success), and another from Nosler.
1st is the 123gr Hornady SST, slightly shorter than the 129gr SST. 123gr Hornady SST Announced 2nd is the 129gr AccuBond Long Range (ABLR), from Nosler. Advertised impact velocity threshold is 1,300fps...well beyond the capabilities of most hunters, as this thing will be over 1500fps at 700yds from a 2500fps muzzle velocity. G1 BC is .561 They also have a .277 150gr with a .626 G1 BC. Nosler ABLR |
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The thing is, there are already plenty of hunting bullets that work great in the Grendel. The 120gr NBT, while meant to explode on varmints at .260 Rem or .264 WM velocities, opens nicely at the moderate Grendel velocities. The same goes for the other 100-130gr standard cup and core 6.5mm bullets that have been around for a while, as well as the premium solids and bonded bullets:
100gr Nosler Partition .326 BC 100gr Hornady SP .358 BC 100gr Barnes TTSX .359 BC 120gr Barnes TSX .381 BC 120gr Remington Core-Lokt .323 BC 120gr Swift A-Frame .344 BC 120gr North Folk Soft Point Bonded Core 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip .458 BC 120gr Speer Hot Cor .433 BC 1.09" 120gr Sierra Pro-Hunter .368 BC 120gr Barnes TTSX .443 BC 120gr Hornady GMX .450 BC 125gr Nosler Partition .449 BC (1.17") 129gr Hornady SST .485 BC (1.30") 129gr Hornady Interbond .485 BC (1.25") 129gr Hornady Interlock Spire Point .445 BC (1.187") 130gr Nosler Accubond .488 BC (1.32") 130gr Berger Hunting VLD .552 G1/.282 G7 (1.389") 130gr Barnes TSX .365 BC (1.325") 130gr Swift Scirocco .571 BC (1.353") Those are just some of the hunting bullets in the 100-130gr weight range, not counting the new 123gr SST or 129gr ABLR, not counting the lighter varmint and pelt pills, or the 135-144gr pills either. People have also been getting excellent results with the 123gr AMAX, which is traditionally a target bullet. The 130gr Nosler AB Long-Range will offer just that: Long-Range expansion past 700yds, which I still wouldn't advocate but for the most accomplished of long-range shooters, using a 1/2 MOA-capable system, with a registered shot for the conditions. There are well over 20 different target bullets not even mentioned here. |
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Most 6.5 projectiles are designed for the low velocity generated in older military weapons when loaded to the original conservative safe working pressures. Or they are for longer ranges from the modern cartridges, allowing extended range. The Grendel fall happily into the velocity range for most all 6.5 hunting bullets with only few exceptions.
The nice thing about the 6.5 caliber is that a lot of bullets work at these velocities but they also penetrate exceptionally well as they have good sectional density You forgot to add the 100 grain and 115 grain Bergers |
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Most 6.5 projectiles are designed for the low velocity generated in older military weapons when loaded to the original conservative safe working pressures. Or they are for longer ranges from the modern cartridges, allowing extended range. The Grendel fall happily into the velocity range for most all 6.5 hunting bullets with only few exceptions. The nice thing about the 6.5 caliber is that a lot of bullets work at these velocities but they also penetrate exceptionally well as they have good sectional density You forgot to add the 100 grain and 115 grain Bergers I was thinking that the 100gr Berger is a Varmint/Target pill, while the 115gr Berger is a target pill. Is it a hunting VLD? |
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The current news is that the new Hornady 6.5mm 123gr SST will have a .500 G1 BC. Still waiting for updates on its mfg minimum recommended expansion threshold. At a minimum, it looks like another great 400yd-capable bullet, with only about 14" of drift at 400yds with a 10mph full value wind.
6.5 Grendel with new 123gr SST, .500 G1 BC, 2500fps mv, 200yd zero, 10mph wind, 2.7" optic height Range Velocity Energy Trajectory TOF Drift |
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We have two new hunting projectiles announced for the 6.5mm, one specifically in response to the large number of shooters who have been using the 123gr Hornady AMAX on game (with a ton of success), and another from Nosler. 1st is the 123gr Hornady SST, slightly shorter than the 129gr SST. 123gr Hornady SST Announced 2nd is the 129gr AccuBond Long Range (ABLR), from Nosler. Advertised impact velocity threshold is 1,300fps...well beyond the capabilities of most hunters, as this thing will be over 1500fps at 700yds from a 2500fps muzzle velocity. G1 BC is .561 They also have a .277 150gr with a .626 G1 BC. Nosler ABLR What twist is optimum for the 129 gr. ???? |
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The current news is that the new Hornady 6.5mm 123gr SST will have a .500 G1 BC. Still waiting for updates on its mfg minimum recommended expansion threshold. At a minimum, it looks like another great 400yd-capable bullet, with only about 14" of drift at 400yds with a 10mph full value wind. The Hornady site lists the G1 BC of the 123gr SST as .510, which is identical to the 123gr Amax's BC. |
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The current news is that the new Hornady 6.5mm 123gr SST will have a .500 G1 BC. Still waiting for updates on its mfg minimum recommended expansion threshold. At a minimum, it looks like another great 400yd-capable bullet, with only about 14" of drift at 400yds with a 10mph full value wind. The Hornady site lists the G1 BC of the 123gr SST as .510, which is identical to the 123gr Amax's BC. Yeah I just saw that today. Won't really change trajectory and wind within practical ranges, kinda like there isn't a huge difference between a .485 and .510 BC at 400 yards. |
| Don't overlook the new 123 grain Nosler Custom Competition bullets with their .510 B.C. They have the thin J4 jackets that supposedly expand well in game, but I've never shot anything with them. . . . . .yet. I have shot them out to 700 yards and they're plenty accurate, and I've even got first round hits on balloons at that range. |
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I've pushed the copper fouling 130 Scirocco to over 2500 fps in an 18 inch 264 ARP.
The Nosler 129 ABLR, bring it on!! The Grendel does have some good bullets, but these 2 might be VERY exceptional in the G. I still love the 108 scenar, and I'd love to see a couple lighter weight hunting bullets. 108 to 123 could be the sweet spot, and the 123 Amaxs fly we'll for me. Thanks Hornady and Nosler |
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They have a factory load of the 123gr SST which will be out next year. We did a group buy of 123gr SST projectiles through the Grendel forum. I think 16,000 of them.
Hornady 123gr SST 6.5 Grendel |
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They have a factory load of the 123gr SST which will be out next year. We did a group buy of 123gr SST projectiles through the Grendel forum. I think 16,000 of them. Hornady 123gr SST 6.5 Grendel What is the projectile length of the 123gr. SST ? |
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They have a factory load of the 123gr SST which will be out next year. We did a group buy of 123gr SST projectiles through the Grendel forum. I think 16,000 of them. Hornady 123gr SST 6.5 Grendel What is the projectile length of the 123gr. SST ? 1.232-1.235 - .010 shorter than the Amax. |
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The 1.35" OAL of the Nosler ABLR is going to seriously encroach into the case which has none too much powder capacity as it is. http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/reloading/375698-new-nosler-accubond-long-range-bullets.html There are already 2 factory loads for the 130gr Nosler Accubond right now. The existing 130gr Nosler AB is 1.325". The Berger 130gr VLD is also 1.350"-1.358" depending on meplat deformation. They all take up a lot of case capacity in the Grendel. If you figure a 2350fps mv, it's still an impressive load for the Grendel. It seems geared for the extreme long-range hunters who like 6.5x284, .260 Rem, or even 6.5 Creedmoor, but with a 1300fps expansion threshold, it exceeds the capability of most hunters by a factor of 3 times the range most can even make an ethical shot, as it's going over 1300fps past 800yds when launched at 2350fps. Precision Firearms lists 2400fps for their 130gr Nosler Accubond out of a 24" tube. There's a guy on the Grendel Forum who has a J&T 24" barrel, and he has run the 130gr Norma Golden Target up to 2700fps with CFE and loaded to 2.305" from a modified polymer mag. You can get way more COAL with the VLD-type bullets in the Grendel. |
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They have a factory load of the 123gr SST which will be out next year. We did a group buy of 123gr SST projectiles through the Grendel forum. I think 16,000 of them. Hornady 123gr SST 6.5 Grendel What is the projectile length of the 123gr. SST ? 1.232-1.235 - .010 shorter than the Amax. Thanks, looks like it will replace the 123gr. SMK for the 6.5mm PCC for that weight class/VLD role. Hornady's really shoot well in the 6.5mm PCC AR barrels... |
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The 123gr SST might make a great pill for the 6.5 PCC. Once I get some of this first group-buy batch, if the profile data isn't out by then, I'll post what the bearing surface to meplat distance is.
I ordered 500 of them. I think Hornady is starting to pay more attention to how popular the Grendel is becoming and offering the 123gr SST. They also have a 123gr SST load for the 7.62x39, and a 120gr SST for the 6.8 SPC. If the 123gr 6.5mm SST is shorter than the 123gr AMAX, that's going to allow more powder capacity, depending on the profile. |
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I have taken dozens of animals on 5 African safaris with a 6.5-.284 using 120gr Barnes triple shocks. They work. Many European hunters didn't get the memo that their 6.5x55 Swede's wouldn't be enough gun to kill most African game, including elephants. The 120gr TTSX is a great bullet in the Grendel, as are Barnes bullets in general. You can cut off about 200yds of effective range from the .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, or 6.5x284 when comparing the Grendel to them as a general rule. |
| Don't have the Grendel, but do have a 6.5 PCC and am interested in this as well. I did notice that any of the bullet lengths over 1.000" in length had a detrimental effect on the amount of case capacity in the little .223 case. That said, this one may be more like the 120 gr Barnes TTSX in that regard. What would really shine in both cases, Grendel and PCC, would be a 123 gr flat based soft point. That would give the much needed powder for more energy at the moderate distances that we can effectively use in these cartridges. Just a few observations from my testing with the PCC and am diligently waiting on some hard numbers for this bullet. Good luck and stay safe. |
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The 123gr SST might make a great pill for the 6.5 PCC. Once I get some of this first group-buy batch, if the profile data isn't out by then, I'll post what the bearing surface to meplat distance is. I ordered 500 of them. I think Hornady is starting to pay more attention to how popular the Grendel is becoming and offering the 123gr SST. They also have a 123gr SST load for the 7.62x39, and a 120gr SST for the 6.8 SPC. If the 123gr 6.5mm SST is shorter than the 123gr AMAX, that's going to allow more powder capacity, depending on the profile. I too have some of the 123 sst's ordered on the group buy. so i will be able to try them out in the 6.5 pcc and grendel. that is when my upper gets back. |
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We have two new hunting projectiles announced for the 6.5mm, one specifically in response to the large number of shooters who have been using the 123gr Hornady AMAX on game (with a ton of success), and another from Nosler. 1st is the 123gr Hornady SST, slightly shorter than the 129gr SST. 123gr Hornady SST Announced 2nd is the 129gr AccuBond Long Range (ABLR), from Nosler. Advertised impact velocity threshold is 1,300fps...well beyond the capabilities of most hunters, as this thing will be over 1500fps at 700yds from a 2500fps muzzle velocity. G1 BC is .561 They also have a .277 150gr with a .626 G1 BC. Nosler ABLR I like that AccuBond! Good numbers on it! |
| The Sierra 120 grain pro hunter is very accurate in my 6.5 Grendel and the shorter for weight of this bullet seems ideal for the 6.5 PCC. It doesn't have as high BC but it should do really good as a hunting bullet out to 300 to 350 yards whether Grendel or PCC. |
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Knew about the SST but hadn't heard about the Accubond. 6.8 covered. 6.5 covered. Now if they could manage to squeeze the Accubond in .223 65gr+ bullet and .308 120 - 130-ish gr bullet. I would like an AccuBond in .224, but I'm not sure they'll make one. Never know, though! |
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Some pics of the growing collection. I'm still missing about as many as you see here. Midway alone lists 87 .264" pills, and there are a bunch of small shop pills in addition to that. There are only 59 in these pics I think. Midway just got the new 123gr SST as well, and mine are on the way soon from a group order for 16,000 that we filled in 2 days on the Grendel Forum. I also don't have the new 129gr Nosler Accubond Long Range yet, with its 1300fps expansion threshold.
6.5 Grendel Projectiles 
Hunting Projectiles: 
Target Projectiles: 
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The Barnes solids are solid brass, they may be ok for hunting Rhino or Cape buffalo but not really a good idea to shoot a whitetail with it.
The new 123SST and Nosler may turn out to be the best hunting rounds avail for american game along with the 100 TTSX. I wouldn't waste time on anything heavier than a 139-142 out of the Grendel/264 case, they are too slow in my opinion. I've already heard reports that the 123SST shoot just as well as the 123 AMAX with the exact same loads, the jackets peel back about 50% giving full expansion at 2000fps. |
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