Tweet
I'm trying to figure out which powder to start with on the Grendel. I'm looking for something that will give hunting type accuracy, decent velocity but not necessarily max, temperature stability, a clean burn, and reliable function of the RLGS when using 120 gr to 130 gr. I would also like the powder to perform well with 55 gr 223 and possibly with 75gr. I'm limited in what is available locally and I've purchased some CFE 223 and Varget but after reading more on these, CFE doesn't sound to be clean burning or temp stable and many don't recommend Varget. 8208xbr seems to be popular for 120 gr and I don't mind backing off from max velocity to use it in the 123gr or 130 gr. I'm waiting for the 6.5 Grendel manual to get here.
I was thinking about trying AR Comp but can't find any. I'm not opposed to H4895 because it's proven to be an acceptable choice with every cartridge I've ever tried it in, but I don't have any data for it in the Grendel. I have data for 4198 but I've been told that similar burn rate powders are way too fast.
The data available to me right now shows Benchmark and 8208xbr as being probably the best compromise. I've heard the 8208xbr gets spikey at the top end with the heavy bullets but like I said, I don't need a maximum charge so unless backing off is going to cause trouble in some way, I'm not ruling it out. I know that Benchmark is shown to be faster on the burn rate charts, but I've consistently gotten better accuracy with Hodgdon over IMR, which is what ALL my powder used to be. In the data I have available, both of these show to perform very close to the same across the board up to 123 gr, with Benchmark having a slight advantage in the 100gr area, and XBR having a slight advantage with 123. I don't have any published data over 123gr and I am considering the 130gr Sierra GK BTHP as a main hunting bullet.
One reason is so that it doesn't look like my 7.62x39 rounds loaded with SSTs to someone not paying attention. There's not a lot of options for the x39 and I'm stocked up on the SST because it works best in that round. I also have a ton loaded with 123SP and that looks very similar to the 120gr Sierra. I don't expect anyone to ever get the two confused and I have magazines labeled as well as ammo boxes, but they do look alike in a hurry to someone who might be in a hurry.
I know that this is a long post, but I'm 1200 miles from all my reloading books, all my equipment, etc and I have been for over a year. I'm not sure when I'll get back home and I don't want a ton of supplies to take back when I do, that's why I'm looking for a single powder for all. I appreciate all your help and information that you can share with me. I'm new to the Grendel and this is my first RLGS AR, all my others are carbines so I don't know what issues switching from one to the other will show. BTW, both the 223 and Grendel are sharing the rifle lower that I have with me while I'm here, but I will be sharing the 223 ammo with my carbine at home later. Thanks again for any and all help.
I was thinking about trying AR Comp but can't find any. I'm not opposed to H4895 because it's proven to be an acceptable choice with every cartridge I've ever tried it in, but I don't have any data for it in the Grendel. I have data for 4198 but I've been told that similar burn rate powders are way too fast.
The data available to me right now shows Benchmark and 8208xbr as being probably the best compromise. I've heard the 8208xbr gets spikey at the top end with the heavy bullets but like I said, I don't need a maximum charge so unless backing off is going to cause trouble in some way, I'm not ruling it out. I know that Benchmark is shown to be faster on the burn rate charts, but I've consistently gotten better accuracy with Hodgdon over IMR, which is what ALL my powder used to be. In the data I have available, both of these show to perform very close to the same across the board up to 123 gr, with Benchmark having a slight advantage in the 100gr area, and XBR having a slight advantage with 123. I don't have any published data over 123gr and I am considering the 130gr Sierra GK BTHP as a main hunting bullet.
One reason is so that it doesn't look like my 7.62x39 rounds loaded with SSTs to someone not paying attention. There's not a lot of options for the x39 and I'm stocked up on the SST because it works best in that round. I also have a ton loaded with 123SP and that looks very similar to the 120gr Sierra. I don't expect anyone to ever get the two confused and I have magazines labeled as well as ammo boxes, but they do look alike in a hurry to someone who might be in a hurry.
I know that this is a long post, but I'm 1200 miles from all my reloading books, all my equipment, etc and I have been for over a year. I'm not sure when I'll get back home and I don't want a ton of supplies to take back when I do, that's why I'm looking for a single powder for all. I appreciate all your help and information that you can share with me. I'm new to the Grendel and this is my first RLGS AR, all my others are carbines so I don't know what issues switching from one to the other will show. BTW, both the 223 and Grendel are sharing the rifle lower that I have with me while I'm here, but I will be sharing the 223 ammo with my carbine at home later. Thanks again for any and all help.
Comment