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+--- Thread: Best powder for Grendel (/showthread.php?tid=10646)
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Best powder for Grendel - Old Soldat - 01-20-2016
The Grendel has been around long enough that we should have an ideal of the best performing powder. I know on the 6.5 Creedmoor forum the overall favorite is H4350. I have searched this forum (Grendel) and have not found any one particular powder that is preferred above all the rest. I have a 24" barrel and prefer 123gr. SMK.
Best powder for Grendel - Fredman - 01-20-2016
8208 for me. N140 a close second for accuracy not speed.
Best powder for Grendel - SG4247 - 01-20-2016
I now voting for CFE 223.......
Best powder for Grendel - bwaites - 01-20-2016
Most people shoot 130-140 grain bullets in the Creedmoor, (a variation of less than 10% in weight) so a single powder makes a lot of sense. In the Grendel, we shoot bullets from 85-140 grains, (a variation of greater than 50%) and finding a single powder that shoots all of those well is tough. For the bullets under 120 grains, I use XBR 8208, and for bullets above I use CFE 223. However, I had GREAT groups with BLC2 with both 100 grain Nosler BT and 120 grain Nosler BTs. The only reason I switched was that it was dirty in comparison, and it became unobtainable for a while. I also used 2520 and TAC before they became scarce, and had good luck with both.
Best powder for Grendel - jonny rotton - 01-20-2016
some of us live in areas with four seasons. so i need a powder that is not/less effected by temperature.
Best powder for Grendel - joker31 - 01-20-2016
I se XBR...it seems the best for my use and even though it costs more here locally I think it allows me to feed my 308's and my 223's also
Best powder for Grendel - SG4247 - 01-20-2016
People say that CFE is temp sensitive.
But, I've shot it from 25F to 105F with no loss of accuracy, and a barely noticeable change in POI.
Easy to clean as well. Doesn't require chiseling and grinding the carbon off - like some of the extruded powders do.
CFE is the most accurate powder I have used for the 120 weight class bullets.
Best powder for Grendel - 1911man - 01-20-2016
SG4247 Wrote:People say that CFE is temp sensitive.
But, I've shot it from 25F to 105F with no loss of accuracy, and a barely noticeable change in POI.
Easy to clean as well. Doesn't require chiseling and grinding the carbon off - like some of the extruded powders do.
CFE is the most accurate powder I have used for the 120 weight class bullets.
I have not seen any difference in accuracy with change in Temp on CFE, my 100 yard groups were still around 1MOA from 95+ degrees down to the 40-50 degree temp range. However I did see a pretty dramatic drop in velocity on my chronograph when going from one temperature to another. That will effect your DOPE at the longer ranges.
Best powder for Grendel - 1911man - 01-20-2016
Old Soldat Wrote:The Grendel has been around long enough that we should have an ideal of the best performing powder. I know on the 6.5 Creedmoor forum the overall favorite is H4350. I have searched this forum (Grendel) and have not found any one particular powder that is preferred above all the rest. I have a 24" barrel and prefer 123gr. SMK.
I believe I just responded to another thread with this topic a week or so ago and my answer is still the same. As bwaites said earlier there are different factors such as bullet weight and desired velocity to consider when loading for the Grendel. However, based on what I have tested in my rifle and what I have discussed with others I think XBR is he most versatile powder for Grendel. There are plenty of guys getting good velocites and accuracy out of 120/123 grain projectiles which has been my experience. There are also numerous guys getting good results with projectiles in the 100 grain range with XBR as well. Results will vary from barrel to barrel but it seems most people have a load that shoots well in their gun with XBR.
Best powder for Grendel - 65Whelen - 01-21-2016
CFE223 and 8208XBR work best for me. Other powders I've tried are, H233, Varget and couple others that I don't remember off hand.
Best powder for Grendel - Old Soldat - 01-21-2016
Thanks for replies. I too use IMR8208XBR-I buy it in the 8lb jug. It is my primary powder for the AR15 rifles. I'll try some CFE223.
Best powder for Grendel - mseric - 01-22-2016
2520 for me.
Best powder for Grendel - rball - 01-22-2016
CFE-223 and Ramshot TAC has been pretty good for me. I am shooting 120gr. Prvi HPBT, 120 gr. Hornady GMX, and 123 gr. Hornady AMAX propelled by CFE-223. As for temperature sensitivity, I have shot the following: 31.0 grs CFE-223, 120 Prvi HPBT, COAL at 2.255, 5 shots, 2507 FPS Avg. (20" Shilen, Win SR primers, Hornady Brass, Magnetospeed Chrony), temp at 78 degree F. However, at -2 degrees F, the same load comes in at a 5 shot avg of 2402 FPS. So there is some temp difference. Interestingly, using 29.2 grains of Ramshot TAC with a 107 SMK, same brass, primer mfg, and COAL at 75 degree F, 5 shot avg = 2649 FPS, at 35 deg. F = 2558 FPS, and at -2 deg F, a five shot avg = 2494 FPS. It would appear that not only is CFE-223 somewhat temp sensitive, so is Ramshot TAC.
Best powder for Grendel - 6.5 Grendel - 01-22-2016
For me right now it has to be Leverevolution with 123gr bullets.
Best powder for Grendel - Kendoist4162 - 01-22-2016
I'm using H335 exclusively at the moment and have great results with about 8 different bullets so far. My rifle didn't like the Hornady GMX though. Long bullet so prolly wasn't going fast enough for it. Still have to find nodes on one more bullet, then I'm chrono-ing the best loads. At the rate I'm going I should be done just in time to start all over in the summer and try them all again in higher temps... Work work work ;-)
Best powder for Grendel - Lazermule - 12-10-2018
Anyone have any advice on what powders work better with the shorter barrels (12 Inch). I would assume a faster powder would be better?
LM
Best powder for Grendel - grendelnubi - 12-11-2018
I have done a lot of testing with my 12.7 faxon group buy barrel using CFE, AR Comp, 8208, Ramshot X-Term, and AA 2550. If I were to choose only one particular powder, it would be 8208. Overall it shot tighter groups than the other powders I tested, just not the tightest group for a specific projectile. I would always seem to find a different powder that shot a little better but again, if I were to select one powder, it would 8208.
CFE is good but I believe I was trying to push it to hard in the heat of summer and did experience some pressure issues. I'm out of it now and I don't see any reason to try it again.
Bullet wise, my barrel likes any nosler over any hornady. Each barrel is different however.
Best powder for Grendel - Texas - 12-11-2018
I use 8208xbr, H335, BLc2, CFE223, and Varget. For 100 gr and less, I use H335, for 107-123 BLC2 or CFE223, 123-130 8208xbr. Varget is not real good in the velocity area, but a couple of my rifles shoot well with the 130 gr bullet and Varget.
Best powder for Grendel - Kilco - 12-11-2018
8208XBR has been the best all around regarding accuracy/velocity/temp stability with all of my Grendels.
I can find powders that can do one or 2 of those things better than 8208 but not all three. ARCOMP is a close second but I hate how much I have to compress charges. In a couple situations it has given me OAL variances. YMMV of course.
Alot of folks seem to like CFE223. I hate the stuff. In my 5.56s, 308s and Grendels I've found it inconsistent and dirty as hell. In my 204 Ruger bolt gun I popped a primer on a warm day with a load that showed no pressure signs at 60 degrees with CFE.
Best powder for Grendel - Lazermule - 12-11-2018
I am starting out with 123 grn Hdy SST and ELDM in this 12" AR. I do have a lot of Varget as I load it quite often in other rifles with great results. I'm sure this is a different animal certainly with this shorter barrel, but I'd like to find success with Varget. I loaded up some 123 grn SST's with some TAC yesterday and I should be able to test them in the next week so we'll see if that is a winner or not. I'll probably run some Varget loads as well to see how it works. I'll have to see what else I have, I don't think I have any 8208 or CFE.
LM