I have one as a Howa Mini lightweight profile for my 10yr old son for whitetail. I use XBR8208 and Nosler BT in 100 and 120gr. He didn’t get to shoot one with it yet but I did myself. Neck shot at 50yrds with the 100gr BT dropped it in its tracks and bullet exploded when it hit the neck bones. Did the job but worry about it if he hits the shoulder blade. I loaded up some 120 Barnes TTSX for this year. Either way the recoil is barely noticeable which is key for kids just starting out.
My daughter's deer was hit in the high shoulder. Exit wound was 2 fist size, but it went through both shoulders. Sons deer was lung shot and exit was about the size of a nickel with very good lung damage.
Possibly it’s due to a fortuitous combination of enough velocity to fully expand, but not ‘splode the c&c bullets most use, plus enough bullet weight to carry them on through. Mule Deer and some others have commented on how “ordinary” or “deer” bullets perform well when kept to sane speeds. The Grendel starts them out well within that window, and maintains enough speed to ensure expansion to some surprising distances. It also helps I suspect, when you use bullets like the 129gr ABLR and Speer 120gr GD. The ABLR is supposed to expand down to 1300fps, and the Grendel can deliver it at that speed waayyyyy out there.
Just swapped the 4.5-14 E1 on my Howa for a Weaver K6. Lost about 6oz and the balance seems improved. Had to remove the slip-on pad due to the scanty ER of the Weaver, but it still fits fine and passes the nose-bump test when worked from the shoulder.
No issues with the Burris, just wanted it for something that’s on its way here. I do wish they offered a standard duplex, but that ship has sailed. I’m totally satisfied with the passel of Philippine Burris scopes I’ve picked up over the last year.
Shot a 100 # ish pig at 220 yards today with my Howa. Picked up a couple of boxes of the old factory 123gr Amax last year. Quartering away - bullet entered back middle and exit opposite front shoulder. Went a couple yards. Not sure I connected with the others I took running shots at. Hate wasting those Amax.
Thinking about the 129 ABLR. Never too fast, yet still has the needed velocity out beyond way far enough, as you said, like (850) . For next year, at the rate I'm moving.
"I can't be canceled, because, I don't give a fuuck!" --- Kid Rock 2022
That is a damn respectable buck your son took there Skeen...
I see 'em like that here in Oregon, out of town...but normally shots need to be made quick, because two to three seconds, they are gone... downhill, or just disappear digitally into brush so thick, even the snakes have to slow thru it...
hope you son, mounts that one...it sure is a wall hanger, in my book..
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
Well now that I finally have winter routine setting in, especially with this covid crap, and living like 3 miles from the range...
I've got time to play with the Grendel over the next 3 or 4 months...
Since there are applications for the 300 Blackout, I am going to do some testing on the Grendel in that type of service, with the 160 gr RN, that I've picked up a couple of boxes of....
Powders I'll probably test after working with the 140 Speers, W 748, AR Comp and 2015 BR....
from times past working with 6.5 x 55 Swede and the old 160s, I know that leaving the Muzzle in the 1800 to 2000 or 2100 fps range, they are still a very viable deer round, in spots like heavy brush, or places like good old northern MN or No Wisconsin swamps...
also have found out with the two sets of dies I've picked up for the Grendel, they will reform 7.62 x 39 brass to be able to be useful in the Ruger Bolt Action Grendel... Put it into what I call 30/30 type of service parameters....
Got about 500 bullets coming, 85 Gr HPs from Sierra....with those and some 100 grainers I have, also plan on playing to see how it does with those bullet weights and Blue Dot....I operates real well, with bullets in the 1800 to 2400 fps MV range...
If I can get a moderator under Biden and Harris still, this is the rifle I can see a lot of use available for....
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
I'm surprised there haven't been more guys trying the 100 gr. TTSX in their grendels. you should be able to get them 2900+/- fps. they penetrate like nobodies business, and they are longer than most lead core 120 gr. pills.
I still have a few I purchased for my previous Grendel, a CZ. Don’t recall the details, but I ended up with 129gr ABLRs in that one before it left here. Might work up a couple in my Mini, but the GDs are easy and cheap. Gonna tote it until I get the Earn-a-Buck doe that puts me back in the buck business. Have a couple/three hundred ABLRs too.
A LH Grendel would be very welcome at my house for the boys to use. Unfortunately, I'm too poor or cheap to come up with one as I've never seen a factory option. For the distances we shoot on our place, I'd likely load the 100gr Partition.
My 12 year old got her personal best last weekend using the 6.5 grendel. 18" ballistic advantage barrel and 120 grain corelokt load from druid hill armory. I think the smile says it all.