I took the first two deer with Grendel using SST-based handloads doing 2400FPS out of the muzzle. No complaints on terminal performance - even at 325 yards the big doe went down immediately with a chest cavity hit. However, the bullet is clearly on the soft side. I found a piece or two, but it definitely came apart on the longer shot. The shorter shot was a spine shot followed with a head shot as a finisher, so no surprise at explosive terminal performance.
What I would like to look into is whether there is something better out there. In bigger calibers, I either use a cast projectile (can generally eat right up to the hole(s)), or something relatively hard like a partition in 30-06. These won't work well for my application in Grendel as I need high BC bullets to get the 350+ yard range I might need. A bonded bullet that will open well down to lower velocities would seem to be ideal. Is the mythical Nosler ABLR the only game in town? Can't find them anywhere, but as components come back on the shelf it would be one to look for. Is there such a thing as a bonded 123 grain high BC bullet made for the Grendel?
Hey, if there is nothing much better, SSTs do great. It would just be nice to see if I can do better.
What I would like to look into is whether there is something better out there. In bigger calibers, I either use a cast projectile (can generally eat right up to the hole(s)), or something relatively hard like a partition in 30-06. These won't work well for my application in Grendel as I need high BC bullets to get the 350+ yard range I might need. A bonded bullet that will open well down to lower velocities would seem to be ideal. Is the mythical Nosler ABLR the only game in town? Can't find them anywhere, but as components come back on the shelf it would be one to look for. Is there such a thing as a bonded 123 grain high BC bullet made for the Grendel?
Hey, if there is nothing much better, SSTs do great. It would just be nice to see if I can do better.
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