Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5 Grendel: Anybody kill stuff with it?

I posted a similar question on the Deer Hunting forum. One guy responded about killing some pigs.

What, if anything, have you put down with a Grendel? Appreciate any details about bullets, loads, factory ammo, etc.

Help an old fat man out.

Well, I was going to say I took a big old hog with mine but.

I had a Dakota Predator bolt gun built on a Nesika J action, SWEEEEET rifle but of course, I sold it. I would have NO problem shooting a deer, antelope with it. The Grendel is a GREAT round. I cant remember my load data but I believe it was a 120 grain bullet going 2700?

That sounds a little quick, based on the data I've seen. I ordered 100 rounds of Hornady 123gr SST ammo, and the reviewers on Midway seemed positive. It steps out at 2580 and at 300, the energy is about the same as ordinary 100gr .243 loads, almost 1200 footpounds. The Nosler calculator gives it a little more for some reason. The ammo was on sale for $20 a box, and isn't all that much more than rolling my own with new brass. Ought to hold me until I decide what dies to buy. I'm leaning towards a micrometer-type seater, since I like the one in the RCBS Competition die set I have for my .308, which I also have used for .30/06 loads.

BTW, your pig story is welcome. What bullet?

Nothing yet but will try to this year.....will likely use a 120-123 grain bullet of some sort but have a pile of 100 grain Nosler partitions also that should work just fine. Can't really imagine it not working well - similar to 250 Savage ballistics (have taken a bunch of game with this round and the old Nosler Solid Base Boattails) with a bullet that has a better BC and similar SD.

I been thinking of picking up a Grendel

Thinking is how I ended up with mine.

Actually, it makes a lot of sense as a general-purpose round. Low recoil, cheap on powder, easy on barrels, decent power- especially at extended range where the high-bc bullets show their stuff. Fits ARs and compact bolt guns.

My CZ has a 24" barrel and comes in at about 6 1/2 pounds, according to the spec chart. Good weight for toting and casual shooting, I'm thinking. Somehow, all my other deer rifles ended up being pretty heavy, which is no big deal for sitting in a tree, but gets old poking around in the hills we call mountains here.

I have shot a bunch of gallon jugs filled with water! I like both my Grendels and while velocities are not all that high it is way more out of an Ar platform than the 223 is. jug tests have shown me it has more penetration than the 243 and the expanded bullets end up in better shape and bigger. I carried my AR15 M4 Grendel copy last night on an all night hog hunt, didn't get a shot but it did carry easy. Hunting season is sneaking up on us so more will be known soon.

I like Horndy Black with their ELD-X bullet. When I reload, I will use Nosler 129gr bullet with IMR 4166.