Questions on bullets and powder

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Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-19-2019

My wife just bought me the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic kit and it qualifies for the 500 free bullets. The only 6.5 option is the 129gr SP. Does anyone have any experience using this bullet in 6.5 Grendel for deer and hogs or is it better suited for plinking? Also, I see many here like CFE 223. I?ve seen videos with people saying it is very temperature sensitive. Here in the South, I?ll be sighting in and hunting in temp ranges from 90 to 30 degrees. Has anyone experienced negative results with this powder in similar situations? Thanks for your input.

Questions on bullets and powder - Bigs28 - 12-19-2019

I use cfe223 in Florida. It has run great in 110g- 123g bullets for me shooting at temps from 50-90+. I don't know anything about the 129s sorry.

Questions on bullets and powder - FLshooter - 12-19-2019

Hornady interlock 129gn SP(spire point)is a hunting bullet.Yes you can use CFE223 powder.

Questions on bullets and powder - Laman - 12-19-2019

I have killed at least a couple of dozen whitetails with that 129 Hornady SP in a 6.5x55. It was always a very good performer, place it behind the deer's, shoulder watch it run a few yards than go get it. The cfe223 I can't comment on.

Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-19-2019

FLshooter Wrote:Hornady interlock 129gn SP(spire point)is a hunting bullet.Yes you can use CFE223 powder.

Thanks for the response. I guess my post was lacking in regard to my question. I realize its a hunting bullet, just wasnt sure 18 inch bbl Grendel velocities would achieve good expansion.

Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-19-2019

Bigs28 Wrote:I use cfe223 in Florida. It has run great in 110g- 123g bullets for me shooting at temps from 50-90+. I don't know anything about the 129s sorry.

Thanks for the info

Questions on bullets and powder - VASCAR2 - 12-19-2019

From what I’ve read CFE223 looses around 1 FPS per degree. Even if it was 1.5 FPS per degree I don’t think you’d loose enough velocity at sea level to hurt expansion to at least 200 yards with 129 grain soft point. Comparing CFE223 powder to powders like Winchester 748, H-335, TAC, BLc2 your likely to get more velocity with CFE223 to still have higher velocity than possible with some other powders. Two other more temperature stable powders recommended are AR Comp and IMR8208XBR. I have not tested any IMR4895 or H4895 but I’ve read it is more temperature stable than some ball powders like CFE223.

Questions on bullets and powder - A5BLASTER - 12-19-2019

I wouldn't have a problem useing cfe223 or leverevolution under that bullet. In fact I would start with leverevolution and if it didn't workout then I would try the cfe223.

Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-20-2019

VASCAR2 Wrote:From what I’ve read CFE223 looses around 1 FPS per degree. Even if it was 1.5 FPS per degree I don’t think you’d loose enough velocity at sea level to hurt expansion to at least 200 yards with 129 grain soft point. Comparing CFE223 powder to powders like Winchester 748, H-335, TAC, BLc2 your likely to get more velocity with CFE223 to still have higher velocity than possible with some other powders. Two other more temperature stable powders recommended are AR Comp and IMR8208XBR. I have not tested any IMR4895 or H4895 but I’ve read it is more temperature stable than some ball powders like CFE223.

Thanks, this is very helpful info. The vids I have been watching got good results with AR Comp and the XBR. This will be my first try at reloading so it should be fun and interesting to learn.

Questions on bullets and powder - FLshooter - 12-20-2019

6.5 Grendel load data I got off a site to give you an idea

129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 27.9gn. 2214
Remarks:
129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 29.1gn. 2315
Remarks:
129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 30.4gn. 2416
Remarks:
129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 31.7gn. 2517
Remarks: maximum load

Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-20-2019

A5BLASTER Wrote:I wouldn't have a problem useing cfe223 or leverevolution under that bullet. In fact I would start with leverevolution and if it didn't workout then I would try the cfe223.

Thanks, I will see if I can find either locally and give them a try.

Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-20-2019

FLshooter Wrote:6.5 Grendel load data I got off a site to give you an idea.

129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 27.9 2214
Remarks:
129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 29.1 2315
Remarks:
129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 30.4 2416
Remarks:
129 Hornady IB, SST or SP Hodgdon CFE 223 31.7 2517
Remarks: maximum load

Thanks for posting this info. I assume those velocity numbers are for a 24 inch bbl?

Questions on bullets and powder - 1Shot - 12-20-2019

From the Vol. 2 Grendel loading book that I suggest you get from this web. site, it shows a work up for the 129 SST but this is the same bullet as the SP except it has the plastic tip. They use AR-Comp, Leverevolution, CFE 223, BL-C(2), Acctuate 2520. There is one load done in a 18" barrel with AR-Comp MAX LOAD 26.9 grs., case used is unknown, CCI 41 primer and 2318 fps was velocity. There is a MAX LOAD of Leverevolution 31.0 grs, CCI 450 primer, 2465 fps IN A 20" BARREL. All other loads are done in 24" barrel. Drop at least 10% below these loads because in my experience in my rifles they are too hot.
Now as to the bullet. They show a gelatin expansion test with the 129 SST and you can get acceptable expansion down to 1900 fps. So you can do the math as to what your velocity will be but if between 2300 and 2400 fps you should be OK out to 200 yards for good expansion on game.

Questions on bullets and powder - ported45 - 12-20-2019

I had some loaded up from the rebate program, but only used them to break-in and punch paper with my Hardened Arms upper. However, I was not able to use Hornady's COAL in their manual in my SAAMI chamber that accepted everything else. That was the stand-alone bullet I had to seat deeper to get it to not be in the rifling. I still have some bullets left and I have not tried them in my Ruger Predator yet.

Questions on bullets and powder - LRRPF52 - 12-20-2019

These will help out a lot with your hand-loading and reloading 6.5 Grendel:

[Image: 65grendelhandbookvol1_2.png]

Hornady's load data in Volumes 8, 9, & 10 includes 129gr SP along with 129gr SST and 129gr Interbond (IB).

Grendel Handbooks have the AA, Hodgdon's, Vihtavuori, Accurate, and Ramshot powders along with many other tested loads, in addition to terminal ballistics, load procedures, component selection, rifle set-up, detecting abnormal pressure signs, barrel length vs velocity, etc.

Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-22-2019

LRRPF52 Wrote:These will help out a lot with your hand-loading and reloading 6.5 Grendel:

Hornady's load data in Volumes 8, 9, & 10 includes 129gr SP along with 129gr SST and 129gr Interbond (IB).

Grendel Handbooks have the AA, Hodgdon's, Vihtavuori, Accurate, and Ramshot powders along with many other tested loads, in addition to terminal ballistics, load procedures, component selection, rifle set-up, detecting abnormal pressure signs, barrel length vs velocity, etc.

I plan to buy these after Christmas. Thanks for everyone?s help, I appreciate it.

Questions on bullets and powder - WVB4 - 12-31-2019

Thanks again for the info posted here and I have an update of sorts. I sent in the paper work for the 500 free bullets from Hornady, but they can take 8-10 weeks. So I bought some components to start out with that I?ll list below.

CFE 223 1lb
Leverevolution 1lb
WSR primers
100 count Hornady virgin brass
Nosler 100gr Custom Competition HPBT

I still need to mount the press to my bench and then I?ll be ready to begin. Quick question, is the Leverevolution suitable for 100gr bullets, or is it best for 120gr and above?

Thanks again.

Questions on bullets and powder - VASCAR2 - 12-31-2019

LeveRevolution is very similar to CFE 223 powder and Hornady data list loads for bullets weighing 95-100 grains with CFE223 powder. Some people suspect the biggest difference between LeveRevolution and CFE223 is there is no copper fouling eliminator in LeveRevolution powder

Questions on bullets and powder - 1Shot - 01-01-2020

The data out of the Hornady manual list a max load of 31.7 grs of CFE223 with the 129 gr and will do 2300 fps from a 18" barrel. So you should be ok as to having enough velocity to expand well out to around 200 yards. They list loads with AA2520, W748 & BLC-2 that achieved 2350 fps.

Questions on bullets and powder - Harpoon1 - 01-01-2020

WVB4 Wrote:Thanks again for the info posted here and I have an update of sorts. I sent in the paper work for the 500 free bullets from Hornady, but they can take 8-10 weeks. So I bought some components to start out with that I?ll list below.

CFE 223 1lb
Leverevolution 1lb
WSR primers
100 count Hornady virgin brass
Nosler 100gr Custom Competition HPBT

I still need to mount the press to my bench and then I?ll be ready to begin. Quick question, is the Leverevolution suitable for 100gr bullets, or is it best for 120gr and above?

Thanks again.

Of course every gun is different but, I have NOT had much success with the 100 gr Custon Comps. 4 different gas guns, 2 different bolt guns, different barrel lengths, multiple powders & primes, 2 different types of brass................it’s been a struggle, trying to get that projectile to fly.

So, what I’m saying is, don’t get discouraged using that bullet. Cool