6.5 Grendel

308Loader · October 23, 2021, 03:59 PM

Well, I messed around with the unused parts drawer and PSA website, made me a AR15 6.5 Grendel. Anderson lower and upper (nice fit) with a 20” PSA SS 6.5G 1/8 twist, various leftovers from other stuff. All I can find is wolf 100gr HP steel case to shoot for now. It seems to want to group, consistency sucks. I have dies in hand, plenty of primers, powder, and some bullets. Cant find brass to start loading for it. If and when I can find some brass, what do you all suggest I load for this one? Where is the “sweet spot” for this chambering? Primary purpose for this rifle will be whitetail inside of 200 and target to same or more.

hounddawg · October 23, 2021, 05:17 PM

the source for all things Grendel

https://www.65grendel.com/forum/

stagpanther · October 23, 2021, 05:25 PM

This is when you slap yourself on the forehead and say "I could have had a 6.8!"

tangolima · October 23, 2021, 05:47 PM

You can convert the brass from 7.62x29. A bit arduous but it works.

I wouldn't worry much if it is for hunting deers within 200yd. You probably don't need much of a sweet spot for that.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

105kw · October 23, 2021, 06:31 PM

You might want to try Alexander Arms for brass, last I checked they still had it.

ciwsguy · October 23, 2021, 07:48 PM

I bought some new brass cases from them about 6 months ago, placed an order for not in stock and received them about 2 months later.

hounddawg · October 24, 2021, 04:37 AM

@ ciwsguy about Alexander Arms

might just be me but I would have called or emailed them by now

[email protected]

Phone: (540) 443-9250

anyway for the OP, would be worthwhile to call them. Anything ammo related fo 6.5 Gr related has been hard to find for the last 18 months. I am surprised you found Wolf even

ciwsguy · October 24, 2021, 12:18 PM

Actually, I was talking about Starline Brass,not Alexander arms.
I built up a small supply of 6.5 Grendel ammo and the supplies to reload it over the past 3 years.

308Loader · October 24, 2021, 02:30 PM

Its official, I made it to the last page of the internet, no brass. SIGH... What bullet and powders are working well for you all? Maybe Ill start looking for those.

hounddawg · October 24, 2021, 04:20 PM

IMR 8208, AR Comp, Leverevolution all worked well with 120 and 123 gn HPBT bullets

according to Alexander Arms website they do have brass, but email or call first in the morning to make sure. I linked their contact info post #7

An expensive alternative for brass is

https://greenacressporting.com/produ...-20-round-box/

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperst....cfm/ID/181940

bobn · October 24, 2021, 05:53 PM

while i have a box of lapua brass i use resized 762x39 pmc brass. h335 powder and 140 gr bullets from privi priviastan intended for the swede. shoots 1/2 inch wide x 1 inch tall ten shot groups, fwiw. bobn

308Loader · October 25, 2021, 06:18 PM

I’ve been reading about converting 762x39 brass to 6.5 Grendel. Found a bag of new Winchester 762x39 at the local store for $23 think I will give it a go. Any advise? How much case capacity am I loosing? Expected brass life? Large primer vs small primer Grendel brass, difference? Fire forming with a light load? Case head dimension difference?

As I reread the list of things ending with “?” I feel like I need to do more home work.

Back to powder and bullet consideration. Have spear gold dot and Hornady 120?gr SP (not at my bench) to work with for bullets. Powders listed in Hornady book I have on hand cfe223, Varget, and blc-2 (Hornady 11th book 120gr). I see IMR4895 listed for the 130’s. I am surprised that I don’t not see IMR4064. Close burn rate to Varget if I remember correctly. This is disappointing because that is the powder I have the most of.

As always thanks in advance for any input.

tangolima · October 25, 2021, 06:51 PM

7.62x29 should work. If you don't do crazy performance shooting, the slight loss of capacity shouldn't matter much. No worries about primers and powders if you work up your loads. Again if you don't do crazy hot loads, brass life shouldn't differ much. I routinely get 10 - 20 loads, conversion or not.

Well conversion needs more work. Fire forming take extra primers and powder. That translates into 25 - 50 cents more per casing. But you do whatever it takes when you are desperate.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Chaparral · October 31, 2021, 04:34 PM

I use Hornady brass, powder is CFE 223 with 30.0 grains, Hornady 123 gr SST bullets. and a COAL of 2.247. I have had great results with this for myself and loading it for others. As always when taking any information on reloads from another shooter always watch what you are doing and check out their information for possible red flags. Let me know how it shoots.

308Loader · November 2, 2021, 04:47 PM

I converted 50 Winchester 762x39 cases, seems to have gone well. going to load them up with cci large rifle #200 and Hornady 11th start load 25.2gr of BLC2 caped off with 130gr ELD Match to fire form. Or, can I kill 2 birds and start working up a load?

kilotanker22 · November 2, 2021, 08:54 PM

I have used Hornady brass since that is all I was ever able to find. I found a couple powders to work well. Varget was a good all around performer. Alliant Power Pro Varmint was the best I tested. It worked especially well with the 95 grain Vmax bullet. Any of the 223/5.56 powders should work pretty well. I prefer the CCI 450 or #41 primer.

GeauxTide · November 5, 2021, 10:48 AM

I've had good luck with 123SST, 30gr of CFE223, and Hornady brass in my Alexander Arms upper with ER Shaw barrel. 5 shots in .3"! I did pick up some Starline when they were available. I never considered a 6.8 in the same vein as not choosing a 270. My 6.5-06 throws 129s at 3070. I'm a 6.5 Loony.

October 23, 2021, 03:59 PM	#1
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	6.5 Grendel Well, I messed around with the unused parts drawer and PSA website, made me a AR15 6.5 Grendel. Anderson lower and upper (nice fit) with a 20” PSA SS 6.5G 1/8 twist, various leftovers from other stuff. All I can find is wolf 100gr HP steel case to shoot for now. It seems to want to group, consistency sucks. I have dies in hand, plenty of primers, powder, and some bullets. Cant find brass to start loading for it. If and when I can find some brass, what do you all suggest I load for this one? Where is the “sweet spot” for this chambering? Primary purpose for this rifle will be whitetail inside of 200 and target to same or more. __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

October 23, 2021, 05:25 PM	#3
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,792	This is when you slap yourself on the forehead and say "I could have had a 6.8!" __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

October 23, 2021, 07:48 PM	#6
ciwsguy Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: KY Posts: 302	Try Starline brass I bought some new brass cases from them about 6 months ago, placed an order for not in stock and received them about 2 months later.

October 24, 2021, 02:30 PM	#9
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	Its official, I made it to the last page of the internet, no brass. SIGH... What bullet and powders are working well for you all? Maybe Ill start looking for those. __________________ Just a dude with stuff. Last edited by 308Loader; October 24, 2021 at 02:43 PM.

October 24, 2021, 04:20 PM	#10
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	IMR 8208, AR Comp, Leverevolution all worked well with 120 and 123 gn HPBT bullets according to Alexander Arms website they do have brass, but email or call first in the morning to make sure. I linked their contact info post #7 An expensive alternative for brass is https://greenacressporting.com/produ...-20-round-box/ https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperst....cfm/ID/181940 __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

October 23, 2021, 05:17 PM	#2
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	the source for all things Grendel https://www.65grendel.com/forum/ __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

October 23, 2021, 05:47 PM	#4
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,828	You can convert the brass from 7.62x29. A bit arduous but it works. I wouldn't worry much if it is for hunting deers within 200yd. You probably don't need much of a sweet spot for that. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

October 23, 2021, 06:31 PM	#5
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 415	You might want to try Alexander Arms for brass, last I checked they still had it.

October 24, 2021, 04:37 AM	#7
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	@ ciwsguy about Alexander Arms might just be me but I would have called or emailed them by now [email protected] Phone: (540) 443-9250 anyway for the OP, would be worthwhile to call them. Anything ammo related fo 6.5 Gr related has been hard to find for the last 18 months. I am surprised you found Wolf even __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

October 24, 2021, 12:18 PM	#8
ciwsguy Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: KY Posts: 302	Actually, I was talking about Starline Brass,not Alexander arms. I built up a small supply of 6.5 Grendel ammo and the supplies to reload it over the past 3 years.

October 24, 2021, 05:53 PM	#11
bobn Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 1,105	while i have a box of lapua brass i use resized 762x39 pmc brass. h335 powder and 140 gr bullets from privi priviastan intended for the swede. shoots 1/2 inch wide x 1 inch tall ten shot groups, fwiw. bobn

October 25, 2021, 06:18 PM	#12
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	I’ve been reading about converting 762x39 brass to 6.5 Grendel. Found a bag of new Winchester 762x39 at the local store for $23 think I will give it a go. Any advise? How much case capacity am I loosing? Expected brass life? Large primer vs small primer Grendel brass, difference? Fire forming with a light load? Case head dimension difference? As I reread the list of things ending with “?” I feel like I need to do more home work. Back to powder and bullet consideration. Have spear gold dot and Hornady 120?gr SP (not at my bench) to work with for bullets. Powders listed in Hornady book I have on hand cfe223, Varget, and blc-2 (Hornady 11th book 120gr). I see IMR4895 listed for the 130’s. I am surprised that I don’t not see IMR4064. Close burn rate to Varget if I remember correctly. This is disappointing because that is the powder I have the most of. As always thanks in advance for any input. __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

October 25, 2021, 06:51 PM	#13
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,828	7.62x29 should work. If you don't do crazy performance shooting, the slight loss of capacity shouldn't matter much. No worries about primers and powders if you work up your loads. Again if you don't do crazy hot loads, brass life shouldn't differ much. I routinely get 10 - 20 loads, conversion or not. Well conversion needs more work. Fire forming take extra primers and powder. That translates into 25 - 50 cents more per casing. But you do whatever it takes when you are desperate. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

October 31, 2021, 04:34 PM	#14
Chaparral Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Posts: 264	I use Hornady brass, powder is CFE 223 with 30.0 grains, Hornady 123 gr SST bullets. and a COAL of 2.247. I have had great results with this for myself and loading it for others. As always when taking any information on reloads from another shooter always watch what you are doing and check out their information for possible red flags. Let me know how it shoots.

November 2, 2021, 04:47 PM	#15
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	I converted 50 Winchester 762x39 cases, seems to have gone well. going to load them up with cci large rifle #200 and Hornady 11th start load 25.2gr of BLC2 caped off with 130gr ELD Match to fire form. Or, can I kill 2 birds and start working up a load? __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

November 2, 2021, 08:54 PM	#16
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I have used Hornady brass since that is all I was ever able to find. I found a couple powders to work well. Varget was a good all around performer. Alliant Power Pro Varmint was the best I tested. It worked especially well with the 95 grain Vmax bullet. Any of the 223/5.56 powders should work pretty well. I prefer the CCI 450 or #41 primer. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

November 5, 2021, 10:48 AM	#17
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I've had good luck with 123SST, 30gr of CFE223, and Hornady brass in my Alexander Arms upper with ER Shaw barrel. 5 shots in .3"! I did pick up some Starline when they were available. I never considered a 6.8 in the same vein as not choosing a 270. My 6.5-06 throws 129s at 3070. I'm a 6.5 Loony. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.