Just got back from a two day deer hunt in Wisconsin. To be exact I was a sponsor for a fine young man participating in the Wi youth hunt. I provided the rifle, an AR style 6.5 Grendel. He was using 120 grain Gold Dots. In total this load was used to harvet three deer. Performance was perfect. Two shots were through and throughs. One was more diagonal and didn't exit. All shots were within 50 yards, so didn't get to see how it would perform at extended range. Load was 31.4 grains of LeverEvolution, CCI 450 primer and 120 Gold dot. Velocity was 2574 over my chrograph at 10 ft. 20" BCA barrel. This load was extremly accurate in my rifle. Pressure was fine in my rifle, your milage may vary. Not recommending this load, just reporting my experience.
1st deer shot at an angle. Hit the near side lung and passed through liver and exited. Deer traveled about 60 yards. Massive internal damage.
2nd deer shot broadside. Hit the near side shoulder and passed through both lungs. Deer was drt.
3rd deer shot diagonally. Hit near side lung and passed back through lungs and intestines. No exit. Didn't really search for bullet. Deer made one jump and collapsed.
These were the first shots at game animals with this rifle. I didn't have any experience with the Grendel as a hunting cartridge. It performed very well. I was very pleased with it and highly recommend it as a deer cartridge. Especially for a young hunter out to a couple hundred yards at least. Very pleased with the 120 Gold Dot as far as accuracy and penetration.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19205[/ATTACH] Shot prone at 95 yards off a bipod by the youth.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19206[/ATTACH] Couple deer that were harvested
P.S. If you ever have the opportunity to be a sponsor for a young boy or girl to take them on a deer hunt, do it. Especially if they don't have a father. It is really fun, and may help change a life.
1st deer shot at an angle. Hit the near side lung and passed through liver and exited. Deer traveled about 60 yards. Massive internal damage.
2nd deer shot broadside. Hit the near side shoulder and passed through both lungs. Deer was drt.
3rd deer shot diagonally. Hit near side lung and passed back through lungs and intestines. No exit. Didn't really search for bullet. Deer made one jump and collapsed.
These were the first shots at game animals with this rifle. I didn't have any experience with the Grendel as a hunting cartridge. It performed very well. I was very pleased with it and highly recommend it as a deer cartridge. Especially for a young hunter out to a couple hundred yards at least. Very pleased with the 120 Gold Dot as far as accuracy and penetration.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19205[/ATTACH] Shot prone at 95 yards off a bipod by the youth.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19206[/ATTACH] Couple deer that were harvested
P.S. If you ever have the opportunity to be a sponsor for a young boy or girl to take them on a deer hunt, do it. Especially if they don't have a father. It is really fun, and may help change a life.
Im hoping to take a Whitetail soon with my How and a 120 gr Gold Dot .