6.5 Grendel - best deer bullet? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 6.5 Grendel - best deer bullet?

Posted: 12/24/2019 2:17:33 AM EDT

OK the set up....

Have a 243 Ruger bolt gun - very sweet - seen it take seven deer. The track record is three have ran about 50 yards. The other four were dropped in place.

I have set up a AR in the grendel with a 20 inch heavy barrel. Have a 5 to 25 FFP Scope - and want to have fun with the gun - it is a very sweet shooting rifle. and do love the bigger holes in the paper so far.

This is the round/gun that is pushing me to get into reloading. seems with some of the lighter 6.5 bullets you are almost getting 243 performance out of a standard AR platform - been looking hard at the 100 gr partitions in the 6.5. load data shows about 2600 yo 2700 FPS. The max shot that I would have on a deer that I would take is 225 yards.

Is that a good choice - what do you recomend better?

Red

Posted: 12/24/2019 6:39:11 AM EDT

[#1]

Not a reloader but for factory ammo, Hornady SST 123gr does a great job

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:05:15 AM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Not a reloader but for factory ammo, Hornady SST 123gr does a great job

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This is always the standard answer in all of the countless threads asking the same question.

I used an 18" last year, using a 12.5" this year. 123SST gets it done.

Posted: 12/24/2019 9:41:40 PM EDT

[#3]

My 20-inch Grendel doesn't like any bullet under 130 grains. It does shoot the Sierra 130 grain Game Changer extremely well. My load is 28.0 grains of W748, Starline case, Winchester or CCI standard small rifle primer, bullet seated to magazine length. This is five rounds. The first one was the upper right. I adjusted and shot four more rounds. Range is 100 yards. 3" dot.

My Grendel.

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:21:55 PM EDT

[#4]

I've shot plenty of hogs, deer and black buck with Hornady Black ELD and Hornady American Gunner (The original Hornady Black). For whatever reason the Hornady SST shoots like crap out of my PSA 12" and my older Ballistic Advantage 12"

Posted: 1/7/2020 4:11:56 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

This is always the standard answer in all of the countless threads asking the same question.

I used an 18" last year, using a 12.5" this year. 123SST gets it done.

View Quote

+1

Only downside is that the bullet will dump every ft/lb of energy into the deer and usually not exit the backside. If you like massive blood trails, the 123gr SST probably isn't for you.

If you like DRTs and can live with an animal occasionally running 50 yards after being hit, this is your bullet.

Posted: 1/12/2020 10:09:38 PM EDT

[#6]

A little too late to test this year, but I've got some 99gr hammer hunters in load development.

I can tell you the 123gr ELD's don't leave a good blood trail, but they do kill deer.

Posted: 1/13/2020 11:33:42 AM EDT

[#7]

Anyone shoot with the 120gr Fusions?

Quote History

Quoted:
I've shot plenty of hogs, deer and black buck with Hornady Black ELD and Hornady American Gunner (The original Hornady Black). For whatever reason the Hornady SST shoots like crap out of my PSA 12" and my older Ballistic Advantage 12"

View Quote

Since this is from a few weeks ago... @TX-Zen

I know you've shot a bunch of piggies. Do you see a big difference in hog-killing performance from any of those rounds? ELD, SST, or the Gunner stuff?

I'm kinda feeling on the fence about the SST right now. I've shot a lot of it and it's accurate in my 12" gun, but doesn't seem like it's doing huge damage on hogs. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe my placement is bad, whatever.

I'm about to start reloading and trying to decide on what bullet to start with.

Posted: 1/13/2020 3:35:36 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Anyone shoot with the 120gr Fusions?

Since this is from a few weeks ago... @TX-Zen

I know you've shot a bunch of piggies. Do you see a big difference in hog-killing performance from any of those rounds? ELD, SST, or the Gunner stuff?

I'm kinda feeling on the fence about the SST right now. I've shot a lot of it and it's accurate in my 12" gun, but doesn't seem like it's doing huge damage on hogs. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe my placement is bad, whatever.

I'm about to start reloading and trying to decide on what bullet to start with.

View Quote

I really don't see much difference in any caliber, or bullet. My wingman shoots 223 and I shoot typically 5.45 or 6.5g. We get the about the same number of kills each time we go out

Not claiming to be a ballistic expert but at the distances we shoot at (less than 100 yards) I'm just not seeing any obvious differences

Posted: 1/13/2020 9:14:11 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I really don't see much difference in any caliber, or bullet. My wingman shoots 223 and I shoot typically 5.45 or 6.5g. We get the about the same number of kills each time we go out

Not claiming to be a ballistic expert but at the distances we shoot at (less than 100 yards) I'm just not seeing any obvious differences

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Anyone shoot with the 120gr Fusions?

Since this is from a few weeks ago... @TX-Zen

I know you've shot a bunch of piggies. Do you see a big difference in hog-killing performance from any of those rounds? ELD, SST, or the Gunner stuff?

I'm kinda feeling on the fence about the SST right now. I've shot a lot of it and it's accurate in my 12" gun, but doesn't seem like it's doing huge damage on hogs. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe my placement is bad, whatever.

I'm about to start reloading and trying to decide on what bullet to start with.

I really don't see much difference in any caliber, or bullet. My wingman shoots 223 and I shoot typically 5.45 or 6.5g. We get the about the same number of kills each time we go out

Not claiming to be a ballistic expert but at the distances we shoot at (less than 100 yards) I'm just not seeing any obvious differences

I was kind of hoping for a magic bullet

But thanks, I'm sure you're right.

Posted: 1/14/2020 8:44:30 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
+1

Only downside is that the bullet will dump every ft/lb of energy into the deer and usually not exit the backside. If you like massive blood trails, the 123gr SST probably isn't for you.

If you like DRTs and can live with an animal occasionally running 50 yards after being hit, this is your bullet.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

This is always the standard answer in all of the countless threads asking the same question.

I used an 18" last year, using a 12.5" this year. 123SST gets it done.

+1

Only downside is that the bullet will dump every ft/lb of energy into the deer and usually not exit the backside. If you like massive blood trails, the 123gr SST probably isn't for you.

If you like DRTs and can live with an animal occasionally running 50 yards after being hit, this is your bullet.

I used a Grendel for the 1st time this past season, 123 gr SST.

Shot a 6 point, quartering away, no exit, he went about 70 yards. Turned his lungs into goo.

It would have been a very difficult blood trail if not for the snow.

If I stick with the Grendel, I'll be using a different bullet.

Posted: 1/14/2020 9:48:55 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

I used a Grendel for the 1st time this past season, 123 gr SST.

Shot a 6 point, quartering away, no exit, he went about 70 yards. Turned his lungs into goo.

It would have been a very difficult blood trail if not for the snow.

If I stick with the Grendel, I'll be using a different bullet.

View Quote

Yeah, those 123 SSTs really liquify the vitals.

No exits on big deer though so not much blood to trail.

I have had a really high percentage of DRTs with them.

When they do run a bit, you better be watching where they go because you’re not going to find much blood.

Posted: 1/15/2020 4:17:17 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yeah, those 123 SSTs really liquify the vitals.

No exits on big deer though so not much blood to trail.

I have had a really high percentage of DRTs with them.

When they do run a bit, you better be watching where they go because you’re not going to find much blood.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

I used a Grendel for the 1st time this past season, 123 gr SST.

Shot a 6 point, quartering away, no exit, he went about 70 yards. Turned his lungs into goo.

It would have been a very difficult blood trail if not for the snow.

If I stick with the Grendel, I'll be using a different bullet.

Yeah, those 123 SSTs really liquify the vitals.

No exits on big deer though so not much blood to trail.

I have had a really high percentage of DRTs with them.

When they do run a bit, you better be watching where they go because you’re not going to find much blood.

This is just as I found him. Next to nothing for blood.

Better view of the entrance wound. There wasn't an exit.

Posted: 1/16/2020 2:28:45 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

This is just as I found him. Next to nothing for blood.

https://i.imgur.com/D88vuNu.jpg

Better view of the entrance wound. There wasn't an exit.

https://i.imgur.com/LXNbEV8.jpg

View Quote

Yeah, I am yet to see an exit wound on any of the deer I have shot with the 123 SST.

Small entrance hole, no exit and completely jellied boiler room.

It is one hell of a devastating bullet. It just doesn't exit.

Posted: 1/16/2020 5:19:49 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yeah, I am yet to see an exit wound on any of the deer I have shot with the 123 SST.

Small entrance hole, no exit and completely jellied boiler room.

It is one hell of a devastating bullet. It just doesn't exit.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

This is just as I found him. Next to nothing for blood.

https://i.imgur.com/D88vuNu.jpg

Better view of the entrance wound. There wasn't an exit.

https://i.imgur.com/LXNbEV8.jpg

Yeah, I am yet to see an exit wound on any of the deer I have shot with the 123 SST.

Small entrance hole, no exit and completely jellied boiler room.

It is one hell of a devastating bullet. It just doesn't exit.

Shooting the 243 - I love the Hornaday Interlock - I always get an exit.

I Wish they made an Interlock in the 6.5 - I just do not see it.

I have bought the 125 gr partitions to start with and see where it ends up.

Red

Posted: 1/16/2020 5:23:30 PM EDT

[#15]

I've DRT killed a deer with 120 Nosler Ballistic tip, no exit

Killed a bunch of hogs with the 123 SST, don't get a lot of exits either

Posted: 1/16/2020 5:24:20 PM EDT

[#16]

No result yet, but I'm collecting Nosler 129gr AccuBond Long Range bullets to reload. That seems pretty ideal for the Grendel in my eyes.

Posted: 1/17/2020 8:34:37 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
No result yet, but I'm collecting Nosler 129gr AccuBond Long Range bullets to reload. That seems pretty ideal for the Grendel in my eyes.

View Quote

I wish someone would offer that from the factory.

Posted: 1/17/2020 8:51:53 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
No result yet, but I'm collecting Nosler 129gr AccuBond Long Range bullets to reload. That seems pretty ideal for the Grendel in my eyes.

View Quote

I can't get them to shoot well. I wish they had it in 123gr.

Posted: 1/17/2020 9:04:04 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

I can't get them to shoot well. I wish they had it in 123gr.

View Quote

Are they a touch too long?

Is it a barrel twist issue?

Posted: 1/18/2020 1:21:52 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

Are they a touch too long?

Is it a barrel twist issue?

View Quote

I suspect it is twist related in my 16in bbl.

I don’t think I can get them fast enough for my 1/8 twist to work well. 123gr get a bit faster so they do well. I have heard some Grendel barrels are going 1/7.5 for this reason.

Posted: 11/10/2021 11:13:28 AM EDT

[#21]

Posted this in your other thread, Red:

Have ya made one yet?!

16" Faxon Gunner and YHM Resonator suppresses super nice. 123 Black doing its thang.

Posted: 11/11/2021 9:57:13 PM EDT

[#22]

Love 129 interlocks in my 16" 6.5cm.

1of1 blood trails with a 123sst in a 12" grendel. 180yards.

Attached File

Posted: 11/11/2021 10:32:12 PM EDT

[#23]

Best I have found is 100 gr barnes tac tx.Barnes only makes these bullets in 120 gr now.I have not tried the 120's yet.My son ended up shooting his deer with a 95 gr vmax this year , and as expected the deer died very quickly, but no exit wound.
All in all , I was very impressed with the vmax.The deer was kinda quartering away, and the bullet ended up destroying a lung, half of the liver, and lodged under the hide just in front of the hip.I am sure if the shot was straight broadside, we would have had a pass through. The bullet remarkably was a very nice mushroom, and the jacket wasn't separated.

My views have changed alot on bullet performance lately.I used to think you didn't want pass through's so the animal took all of the bullet energy.After hunting with a 300 BO, I now believe having a pass through with a nice size exit wound is preferable. I believe with velocity, the animal will die either way, but a pass through is way better for blood trails.
.

Posted: 11/11/2021 11:52:04 PM EDT

[#24]

My 12” XCR shoots the 123 SST s very well. Two bucks taken with it last year. Both DRT. No exits.

Attached File

Posted: 11/12/2021 1:18:08 AM EDT

[#25]

The 120 Gold Dot is the best hunting bullet you can run in Grendel. It expands easy but is bonded and tough. Seen it pile up a bunch of deer last season alone.

SST is a fine alternative, but something about that Gold Dot is magical. They both shoot lights out.

Posted: 11/12/2021 1:21:55 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

Shooting the 243 - I love the Hornaday Interlock - I always get an exit.

I Wish they made an Interlock in the 6.5 - I just do not see it.

I have bought the 125 gr partitions to start with and see where it ends up.

Red

View Quote

Pretty sure the 129 Interlock is available just not in factory ammo.

Posted: 11/19/2021 11:38:50 AM EDT

[#27]

The 123 SST's are definetly not universally loved by some barrels, my faxon is about 1.5 to 2 moa, lilja is about .5"moa and my Odin about 1.5moa. Haven't found a round my lilja doesn't seem to like which is like stepping into the lucky gene pool.

Posted: 2/2/2022 1:16:03 AM EDT

[#28]

I've tried a bunch of bullets, mostly 100grs as I favored getting a little more velocity. My favorite by far has been the Nosler 100gr Ballistic Tip; it's given me the best combination of accuracy and terminal performance.

Posted: 2/2/2022 2:32:36 AM EDT

[#29]

I shoot a 6.8, but I would suggest looking at Cavity Back. I used their 120gr MKZ to kill a bull elk this season. I would think their 6.5 would be basically the same .

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 6.5 Grendel - best deer bullet?

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