Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Hornady 6.5 123gr SST or AMAX

Just bought a Howa Mini in 6.5 Grendel. Will be used more for hunting than target. No long range stuff. I'm thinking the SST is a better hunting bullet. Yes?

They will both kill, but neither are strong bullets. If you are just using them for deer, then flip a coin. I would not use either. The standard 129 Interlock is a much better bullet for hunting.

I was looking at one of those to play around with....

But I admit, I'd be playing around with bullet weights from the 85 grain HP Sierra, up thru the 100 grain Ballistic Tip...

if I thought I need something heavier, the 120 grain ballistic tip would be it...

at the speeds possible ( really lack of it) in the 6.5 Grendel in a bolt action, the 85 grain HP, the 90 TNT and the 100 grain Nosler BTip. or 100 Sierra HP... are more than up to the Task of dropping Bambi and/or his big brother... 250 yds and closer with NO problem...

if ya have to use an A Max... don't overlook the 100 grain version... I sure wish Hornady hadn't canned the 100 grain SP... that would also have been a great Grendel bullet..

You may be OK with about anything due to the slower velocities. The SST may work real well for you at the speeds that you are dealing with and they are usually pretty accurate. I just am not a fan of them.

Reason I asked it currently I have no brass etc for the Grendel. In pricing brass and components I can purchase Hornady loaded ammo cheaper than I can buy the components. So figured it would be a cheap way to play with the rifle and get some brass. So it will take a quick trip to TX and probably take a small doe and hogs. Both from a blind and 125yds or less. Second time around I'll probably look to a lighter bullet.

I'm kind of gathering from what you are saying that for what I'm doing either SST or AMAX will work

ramrod check out the reviews on midwayusa. Lots of people hunting with the Grendel.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob

Wow can't believe I had gone to Midway several times and didn't read those reviews. Thanks.

Order 200 SSTs We will see how they work.

Wasn't the 123 designed for the Grendel? Should work just fine.

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Yep as far as I know the 123 was designed for the Grendel. I was just wanting some first hand experience with them before I bought a bunch. The reviews on Midway Bob pointed to were very helpful

I have good luck killing deer with the 123gr SST out to about 400 yds out of my Grendel. IME, the SST performs pretty well at the Grendel's lower velocities.

I have been using the 123 SST in my 6.5/06. So pushing it faster than the Grendel will. Of the four Whitetail that I have taken with it three of them were head or just behind the ear shots so almost any bullet would work there. The one that I shot behind the shoulder exited through the off side shoulder, it was not messed up as bad as I thought it might be. The same as the old 129 Interlocks have dune in that application. It is only a sample of one though. At the speeds the Grendel is capable of it should work well on deer and hogs.

how about the barnes 120gr ttsx?

i like em my creedmoor