VASCAR2 Wrote:Barnes has 100 grain TTSX data using H-335 and IMR8208XBR plus other powders which should give you a safe starting point.


https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6.5-Grendel.pdf

Hornady 8th edition has CFE223 data for 100 grain soft point, start load 26.5 grains max load 30.3.

Nosler has load data online for 100 grain Nosler Partition and 100 grain Ballistic Tip.

Sierra has load data for their 100 grain varmint bullet which is a cup and core bullet but should give a safe starting pont. Sierra show good velocities with Power Pro Varmint but no data for CFE223 or LeveRevolution. Benchmark is a common powder recommended with 100 grain bullets and has decent temperature stability.

I used CFE 223 with 85 grain Sierra Varmint and got good accuracy and velocity. Most of my 85 to 107 grain bullets have been loaded with Accurate 2230, Xterminator, IMR8208XBR, TAC and H-335.

Koda Wrote:I'll be working up a load with the 97g Absolute Hammers. The powders I have on hand are A2520, CFE223, and Leverevolution (HLVR).

I know that Hammers have no published load data but I have some experience loading them and finding starting points with similar bullets from published data. Ive also consulted the Hammer load data spreadsheet...

I find very little on my bullet and powder selections except A2520 Ive managed to come up with a starting point.

If anyone has any info on CFE or HLVR id be grateful?

I do find some data on HLVR but those loading it favor the 123g bullets, is HLVR better suited for the heavier bullets and not so ideal for lighter bullets?

Quote: In the mean time I think the best powder I have on hand is the A2520, will finish that load up.
My guess is the HLVR is better for the heavier bullets....

Koda Wrote:for those interested, results of my first Grendel handloads.

6.5 Grendel, 20in bbl, 8 twist. AR15
97g Absolute Hammer
Accurate 2520 powder
Starline brass (unfired)
CCI 400 primer
COAL: 2.250
1/8t crimp, lee FCD

initial pressure ladder.
charge/velocity/notes:
29/2555
29.5/2585
29.8/2592
30/2621
30.3/2656
30.5/2669
30.7/2681
31/2701
31.2/2721
31.4/2759
31.6/2735
31.8/2767
32/2788

no pressure. As usual I started too low with Hammers again..

Harpoon1 Wrote:How many rounds per charge weight interval? It looks like 1? Here’s the problem. If you’re not interested in reading the whole article, scroll down to the last page, 13, and look at the graph! I was a Satterlee believer until I saw this! Just saying…………….

https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-33607572/documents/7f15a36e4a52403d9ac4e42ae6342116/The%20Tyranny%20of%20Statistics.pdf

Also, little heads up! The cci 400 are thinner cupped primers, designed for bolt action rifle! And not recommended in semi-auto AR-15 style firearm because they increase the likelihood of slam fires!

Did you run the new, unfired brass through a neck sizing mandrel before loading? Factory brass has wildly different neck tension! Without neck tension uniformity, respectfully, your observed data is suspect! For the record, I made the same mistake for years!

The Grendel is a great, versatile hunting choice, trying to save you from making the same mistakes I did! Lord knows, I’ve made them all but still try not to make the same mistake more than 3 times in a row! At least, that’s my current goal!

Welcome to the forum!

Harpoon1 Wrote:Did you run the new, unfired brass through a neck sizing mandrel before loading? Factory brass has wildly different neck tension! Without neck tension uniformity, respectfully, your observed data is suspect! For the record, I made that mistake for years!

SDW Wrote:Older thread I know. I saw this as I was browsing.

Probably a dumb question that I already know the answer to, but is there a chance that throwing a crimp on the rims would help with cases that have not been neck sized prior to loading?

Zinkin Wrote:Koda, are you still running these Hammers? I have a box of 129gn absolute hammer and 125gn hammer HHT and 80gn HHT in .264 to try in my 6.5 grendel and 6.5 PRC. Also bought a box of 200gn Power Hammer to try out in my .35 whelen. I do have a sortment of powders AA2520, 2808XBR, H4831sc, cfe223, N560, N565, N568, varget, Retumbo and 4350. I think I will try cfe223 and AA2520 first with these bullet first and work up a good hunting load. My PSA upper groups the AA129gr SST's pretty dang good. I also bought a couple of boxes of Barnes 100 and 120gn TSX and TTSX to try. How do these bullets group for you, like better slow, mid range or upper loads?

Zinkin Wrote:Koda, are you still running these Hammers? I have a box of 129gn absolute hammer and 125gn hammer HHT and 80gn HHT in .264 to try in my 6.5 grendel and 6.5 PRC. Also bought a box of 200gn Power Hammer to try out in my .35 whelen. I do have a sortment of powders AA2520, 2808XBR, H4831sc, cfe223, N560, N565, N568, varget, Retumbo and 4350. I think I will try cfe223 and AA2520 first with these bullet first and work up a good hunting load. My PSA upper groups the AA129gr SST's pretty dang good. I also bought a couple of boxes of Barnes 100 and 120gn TSX and TTSX to try. How do these bullets group for you, like better slow, mid range or upper loads?

SDguy Wrote:The Absolute Hammers thrive in faster burn rates. The minimal land area facilitates velocity that are rather surprising to me, anyways. Something between Rimshot Tac & H335 would be where I'd expect to find top performance. Big down side to the Absolute Hammers is that you have little reference data to work with & the credibility of the data available is a question mark. Rather few are comfortable going out on a limb to develop there own load data.