129SST Pet Load

[65Whelen]

WI deer hunting coming up so I took the Grendel out to the range to make sure everything is as it should be and once again the Grendel exceeded my expectations. Shoots a 5-shot group Sub-MOA at 200yrs. I built this for my brush gun, 100yds tops. So when it shoots good at 200 I'm tickled.

The gun:
14.5" Sabre barrel
Leopold 1.25-4x20 VR-X
Geissele SSA-E

Pet Load:
129SST
26g XBR 8208
COL 2.245
CCI-450
Hornady brass
Averaging 2128fps

[Kilco]

I dig your build! I've killed alot of game with the 95gr SST in a 243 win. I have lots of faith in that bullet. Loops like your Grendel is a shooter!

[LRRPF52]

You'll have expansion out to just over 200yds with that load, assuming 1800fps expansion for 129gr SST at 59* F temp.

Actual BC is .495 G1 (Litz).

If that was a 129gr ABLR, you would have expansion out to over 675yds at the same speed.

[65Whelen]

Will check it out, thanks.

[LRRPF52]

8208XBR is really fast for 129gr in 6.5 Grendel. As long as you keep it sane like you did, you won't get near excessive pressure, but you can get better performance from the 129gr SST with CFE223 or LVR. 26.2gr of 8208XBR is the max load listed by Hornady for the 129gr SST in a SAAMI chamber with 2.245" COL.

A 14.5" barrel with 31.0gr LVR will get you between 2279 and 2378 feet per second. Work up to it.

That would give you expansion out past 325yds. It also gives you a 225yd Point Blank Range with a 200yd zero.

[65Whelen]

I tried CFE223 but the accuracy wasn't there. Been seeing a lot of good results with the LVR, will need to pick-up a # and give it a try. Always looking for a new combo, the 129 ABLR & LVR could be a winner. I also have on hand H-322 and H-335 any experience with those and the ABLR? This will be a good winter project.