04-04-2011, 05:33 PM
I realize that this subject was discussed extensively on the old site, but I haven't seen anything about it recently.
I have been handloading for 24 years. In all that time I have never had the seating depth problems that I have with the Grendel in the last couple years. I load for three different rifles, two with AA barrels/bolts, and a CSS. With all three, using published cartridge OAL, I cannot seem to keep the bullets from getting stuck in the rifling. I keep seating deeper and deeper. Then when I finally think I have found the length that will fully chamber and easily extract, another one (or three) rounds will manage to get jammed up in the lands.
I use a Wilson case headspace gauge (I know the problem is not case headspace), a PTG bullet comparator, standard Redding dies and a Lee Factory Crimp die. I've used Sierra 120 Matchkings, Speer 120 HotCor, 139 gr PMC, 120gr Remington Corelokt and most recently Hornady 95 Gr V-Max. The only one of those that haven't been jammed is the 120 Remington and I'm not even sure about that. Maybe I didn't try to extract any of those, can't remember.
I loaded the Hornady 95s yesterday. I carefully chambered and extracted (with difficulty) a loaded round and the rifling marks came all the way to the case mouth! Yes, I know the V-Maxes are known to have seating issues with the Grendel.
So, finally, I have almost decided to order a 6.5 throat reamer from Brownell's. All I want is to be able to seat any (reasonable) bullet to magazine length and not have it jam in the rifling. That being said, I'm willing to listen to any advice from some of the more experienced Grendel loaders on here. Tell me why I shouldn't cut some more throat in all three of these barrels. I do not shoot from a bench. These are for hunting and self-defense, so not being able to extract a loaded round is not acceptable. So if someone tells me that I'll lose ½ MOA, oh well, big deal. However, if I'm going to end up with a 4 MOA rifle, then I'll rethink my options.
Thanks,
Will
I have been handloading for 24 years. In all that time I have never had the seating depth problems that I have with the Grendel in the last couple years. I load for three different rifles, two with AA barrels/bolts, and a CSS. With all three, using published cartridge OAL, I cannot seem to keep the bullets from getting stuck in the rifling. I keep seating deeper and deeper. Then when I finally think I have found the length that will fully chamber and easily extract, another one (or three) rounds will manage to get jammed up in the lands.
I use a Wilson case headspace gauge (I know the problem is not case headspace), a PTG bullet comparator, standard Redding dies and a Lee Factory Crimp die. I've used Sierra 120 Matchkings, Speer 120 HotCor, 139 gr PMC, 120gr Remington Corelokt and most recently Hornady 95 Gr V-Max. The only one of those that haven't been jammed is the 120 Remington and I'm not even sure about that. Maybe I didn't try to extract any of those, can't remember.
I loaded the Hornady 95s yesterday. I carefully chambered and extracted (with difficulty) a loaded round and the rifling marks came all the way to the case mouth! Yes, I know the V-Maxes are known to have seating issues with the Grendel.
So, finally, I have almost decided to order a 6.5 throat reamer from Brownell's. All I want is to be able to seat any (reasonable) bullet to magazine length and not have it jam in the rifling. That being said, I'm willing to listen to any advice from some of the more experienced Grendel loaders on here. Tell me why I shouldn't cut some more throat in all three of these barrels. I do not shoot from a bench. These are for hunting and self-defense, so not being able to extract a loaded round is not acceptable. So if someone tells me that I'll lose ½ MOA, oh well, big deal. However, if I'm going to end up with a 4 MOA rifle, then I'll rethink my options.
Thanks,
Will