What 6.5 Grendel loads to you guys use for deer? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What 6.5 Grendel loads to you guys use for deer?

Posted: 11/11/2020 10:55:00 AM EDT

I decided to make the switch from my typical Magnums I like using to a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel as my main deer gun. The reality is where I hunt I rarely get a shot over a couple hundred yards, and the Grendel is supposed to be good on deer out to about 400 yards so it's more than enough. I typically used to use a 300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag with monos but realized they're overkill when I'm in the woods and my shots are mostly under 200 yards. I got rid of all of my Magnums aside from my 416 Rem which is for bison/moose/bear, etc. I'll get another one sometime later on like a 338 Win Mag for elk and use that if I am hunting deer in a field, but I have no plans to do that right now.

So I have stuck with the Grendel and am wondering what loads you guys like for deer? My CZ has a 25.6" barrel so it'll get some solid velocity out of the round. All I have on hand right now are Fort Scott 123gr monos which are all I could find in stock before the season starts, and they should work fine this year. And also what's the heaviest weight I can go up to in the Grendel? Most ammo seems to be in the 90-130gr range.

Posted: 11/11/2020 11:06:33 AM EDT

[#1]

123 SST or ELD-M. Both work well, so use the one that shoots the best or you can find. I currently use Leverevolution powder but CFE223 and AR-Comp work well if you can find them.

I have not had good luck loading 129/130 weight bullets. Your barrel may like them better. My load data is not interchangeable with your rifle because I am shooting an AR.

They flat mess up the insides of the deer but don't leave HUGE 300WM holes on the way out.

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Posted: 11/11/2020 11:10:12 AM EDT

[#2]

120 gr nosler e-tips over H322....nighty night.

Posted: 11/11/2020 11:25:05 AM EDT

[#3]

Been so busy I haven't had time to reload much so will be using factory Hornady 123 ELD-M this year. I like to load SST 123s over FE223, works great. I use CCI #41 primers.

I use an AR, Odin Works barrel, BCG, and adjustable gas block, very accurate.

Posted: 11/11/2020 12:17:13 PM EDT

[#4]

Thanks gentlemen. Is it possible to go up to 140+ grain rounds in the Grendel? I figure it is but velocity probably tanks as I am sure there is a reason most manufacturers seems to stick with 130gr or less bullets.

Posted: 11/11/2020 12:24:49 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks gentlemen. Is it possible to go up to 140+ grain rounds in the Grendel? I figure it is but velocity probably tanks as I am sure there is a reason most manufacturers seems to stick with 130gr or less bullets.

View Quote

120/123 seems to be the sweet spot.

Posted: 11/11/2020 12:48:17 PM EDT

[#6]

I load 123 SST. Have not killed a deer with them yet but have dropped a half dozen big hogs in their tracks.

Posted: 11/11/2020 1:16:18 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks gentlemen. Is it possible to go up to 140+ grain rounds in the Grendel? I figure it is but velocity probably tanks as I am sure there is a reason most manufacturers seems to stick with 130gr or less bullets.

View Quote

Not sure, might check the reloading forum about that.

I religiously follow my Hornady loading book and I believe 129/130 are the top end. I think with 143s it would be too long to fit in an AR mag. If you go beyond 129, I would do some serious research on powder, bullet depth, pressures, etc.

As was said, 123 really appears to be the sweet spot. My two Grendels will shoot sub-MOA with the SSTs and ELD-M.

Posted: 11/11/2020 1:37:13 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
123 SST or ELD-M. Both work well, so use the one that shoots the best or you can find. I currently use Leverevolution powder but CFE223 and AR-Comp work well if you can find them.

I have not had good luck loading 129/130 weight bullets. Your barrel may like them better. My load data is not interchangeable with your rifle because I am shooting an AR.

They flat mess up the insides of the deer but don't leave HUGE 300WM holes on the way out.https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/255381/495DC832-71A1-4F2A-BF06-F45F4C32A341_jpe-1679354.JPG

View Quote

@eriks How’s your accuracy with Leverevolution loads?

Posted: 11/11/2020 2:28:14 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

@eriks How’s your accuracy with Leverevolution loads?

View Quote

Not as good as AR-Comp but plenty good enough for 250yd shots on deer.

1.3 MOA

AR-Comp gets me MOA or better. 50yd sight in.

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Posted: 11/14/2020 4:21:34 PM EDT

[#10]

Hornady Black 123gr eldx out of my 16" Grendel.

Hornady 123gr SST out of my 12.5" Grendel.

Posted: 11/14/2020 6:33:50 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Not as good as AR-Comp but plenty good enough for 250yd shots on deer.

1.3 MOA

AR-Comp gets me MOA or better. 50yd sight in. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/255381/80BA5F05-A66D-4B26-8A73-8818E5307B85_jpe-1679554.JPG

View Quote

Nice!

Posted: 11/14/2020 7:30:01 PM EDT

[#12]

Lots of good information in here, thanks guys!

These Fort Scott 123gr Monos are nasty looking little fuckers. The tips are ridiculously sharp on them lol

Posted: 11/14/2020 8:15:18 PM EDT

[#13]

SST and ELD both work on hogs IME. I shoot 120gr Gold Dots for hunting, same bullet as Federal Fusion and they slam hogs and deer too. I use CFE223 and get the same velocity as factory Hornady SSTs.

Posted: 11/26/2020 10:25:19 PM EDT

[#14]

123 SST

Posted: 12/2/2020 6:34:29 PM EDT

[#15]

SST here as well. Works great.

Posted: 12/6/2020 10:28:36 PM EDT

[#16]

We killed three deer on our place the past two weeks. All shot with 123 SST hornady factory ammo. All dropped in their tracks. Shots were 25-75 yards.

Posted: 12/6/2020 10:50:28 PM EDT

[#17]

Another 123SST vote. CFE223 is my powder of choice as well; identical performance to the factory load in my 11” lilja ar and 18” howa bolt.

Posted: 12/8/2020 7:51:10 PM EDT

[#18]

I used 123 grain SST factory load and took a 90-pound (dressed) doe this past season. DRT @ 110 yards.

I shot it out of a 16" Grendel Hunter build. My extra ammo I played around on steel to 500. I'm sold on it lol.

Posted: 12/14/2020 12:13:26 PM EDT

[#19]

I’ve seen 3 deer hit with 120 Gold Dots and the report is much like others in this thread. Internals were strawberry jelly but minimal exit holes and ruined meat. All were inside 100 yards, and each deer took a single hop and landed dead.

If you’re pushing 2450+ then you should get superb performance from this little bullet. I’m really impressed by it.

Posted: 12/15/2020 10:03:17 AM EDT

[#20]

Midway has SST ammo in stock right now.

Posted: 12/19/2020 7:37:31 PM EDT

[#21]

I've had great luck with 123sst handloads this year, I used hornady black 123eld last year and they killed just as well. I usually opt for double lung/heart to spare the meat, so not usually many drt but they rarely go more than 15-20 yd and the blood trails are like a paint bucket. 4198 is not ideal, but it's what I keep around, I'm right around 2500 out of an 18" 5r match bbl and generally .75 moa with my lpvo scope. I've taken 8 deer the last 2 seasons with the grendel and I'm sold on the 123gr pills.

Dave

Posted: 12/19/2020 7:56:47 PM EDT

[#22]

Another vote for 123 SST.

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Posted: 12/29/2020 8:13:40 PM EDT

[#23]

123gr SST.

Hogs, deer and coyotes. Opens up and fragments quickly, so often there is no exit on deer. The blood trail isn’t great, but they never make it past 30 yards, so it’s not needed.

Posted: 12/31/2020 12:09:28 AM EDT

[#24]

I have a 20-inch barrel and it only likes the 130 grain Sierra Game Changer bullets.

Posted: 12/31/2020 12:35:41 AM EDT

[#25]

Handloader. Again, 123 SSTs

Have also used 120 Nosler ballistic tips on pigs and deer.

I've purchased some 123 ELDM which are supposed to be effective as well. I've got a few loaded but haven't had the chance to shoot them yet.

Posted: 12/31/2020 10:23:20 PM EDT

[#26]

I had loaded some 129 ablr for my 12" but just before taking it out this week I checked it and the accuracy was terrible. Dont know if it was a dirty barrel or what but I grabbed 5 of dads 123 sst handloads for this weeks season.
Took a doe at 180 yards tonight. Caught her low and a tad back but it put a 2" hole through her liver. She walked 25-30 yards and fell over.
Blood trail.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What 6.5 Grendel loads to you guys use for deer?

Outdoors » Deer Hunting

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