Trauma Diaries #33 wraps up the details on the 125gr Partitions pretty well. They need more speed than we had powder for. Future tests are planned when a better powder becomes available again.
I killed a young Virginia buck two years ago using my 6.5 Grendel Howa Mini loaded with the 129gr ABLR. The shot was 100yds and the deer ran in a circle from inside the field to inside the woods and back out to the field where it dropped no more than 30ft from where it was shot. My velocity is 2300+fps.
This is why, me, as a new to the Grendel for hunting, is asking... So, what all bullets have you tested ? With where I live, and the low odds of me drawing, a coues deer might be about the only "big game" I'd point it at, so a proper performing bullet is what I'd need. Sounds like my 125 grain partitions aren't that bullet.
That can happen with ANY bullet. I try to judge big game bullets after taking more than one animal--usually several.
There are several 6.5 cartridges in the same general velocity range of the Grendel, including the ancient 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer. The only one I wouldn't use again is the 160-grain Hornady round-nose. Have seen it fail to reach the far side of the chest on average deer with behind-the-shoulder shots--and break both shoulders and exit at the same range.
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Really like the Idea of your gold dots out to 200 yards, perhaps a bit more.
Not sure Id go for any bullet for hunting purposes from any 18 " 6.5 Grendel barrel out to 400 yards, though some will come closer than others. Ballistic tip mentioned earlier would get a serious look.
Just bought 100 Gold Dots, plus I have 40. I didn't have good luck with sst's grouping too well. I do have a box of 123 grain A Max's. (Discontinued) I'll play with what I have, and see what I can get to shoot the best. Range toy, unless I can draw something next year, but depends on what, as I may (probably) take something more appropriate.
I run Sierra 85g jhp and speers 90g bullets in my 6.5G ar15 and Ruger predator bolt gun, both accurate, drops deer, goats, coyote easy from 100 to 400 yds.
I run Sierra 85g jhp and speers 90g bullets in my 6.5G ar15 and Ruger predator bolt gun, both accurate, drops deer, goats, coyote easy from 100 to 400 yds.
I have also found these to be effective in my Ruger American Predator... at about 3000 fps... also 90 gr Varmaggeddons.
100 gr Ballistic tips and 100 gr SP Hornadys ( discontinued)... and 100 gr HP Sierras...
120 gr Ballistic Tips... 129 Hornady SPs...
first kill with mine? 140 grain SP Speer...2200 fps MV... blacktail 100 to 110 yds.. bang flop results.
Go To Powders.. W 748, 3031, AR Comp.. Benchmark, H 322...IMR 4895, RL 15...
actually have played with Blue Dot, Unique and Alliant Steel also.. mostly with the 85 to 100 gr bullets..
mine has has a couple thousand rounds down the barrel in like the 3 years I've had it.
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I have used 100 & 125 gr. Nosler Partitions as well as 120 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips to take deer at closer ranges than you’re potentially shooting. Of the bullets you listed I would use the 120 gr. Ballistic Tip. None of the deer I’ve taken with 6.5 Grendel none have gone more than about 40 yards - that one outlier was a death dash from heart/lung shot. Others either made a lunge and dropped or fell in their tracks. I have also taken a couple with Hornady 123 gr. SST factory ammunition which worked just fine.
Regrettably, I have yet to take a poke at anything with my Grendel yet, but 120gr Gold dots shot so well without futzing around that I’ve yet to break into the supply of 129gr ABLRS I have. Seems to me that for an Easterner, the Grendel does most of what folks want from a .243 with about 3/4 the powder and with a barrel life more like a .223. It does peter out a bit out past 2-300 yards, but those kind of shots just don’t happen for me, haven’t in 40-some years hunting in PA, VA, and my adopted home WV. Gonna pass on my .243 to my son for the grandkids where its barrel life won’t be an issue, and reduce the number of rifles that I feel obligated to have ready to go before deer season (self-induced stress!).
