07-07-2020, 09:27 PM
It appears that bolt quality has improved over the years, but I think that another part of the problem early in the Grendel's life was that handloaders routinely were loading to too high a pressure. It seemed to take a while for some to realize that the pressure spec of the Grendel was limited to 52K psi to assure good bolt life in an AR15-based platform. The case, on the other hand, could tolerate higher pressures, so loading until typical "pressure signs" were clearly visible meant that the bolt was overloaded. There is now quite a lot of good reloading information available for the cartridge and the experienced people on this site let newcomers know to stick to tested loads.
When the Grendel was new cartridge, I remember a discussions of WHICH overpressure signs to use. Bill Alexander quickly stressed that ANY overpressure signs indicated well over 52Kpsi.
When the Grendel was new cartridge, I remember a discussions of WHICH overpressure signs to use. Bill Alexander quickly stressed that ANY overpressure signs indicated well over 52Kpsi.