01-18-2022, 05:15 AM
Well done SC.
there are typcially 5 key points to putting down big game animals. I think the first three are "shot placement" hahaha.... With good shot placement, 22LR has accounted for practically everything on the planet.
You've shown that with good shot placement, the 6.5 Grendel will do a lot of big game harvesting. You didn't mention how well the 6.5 Grendel does of downing big game if you hit them in the butt. you get the idea. Your shot placement is good so you give yourself large latitude on caliber choice. As long as you pick your shots with discernment and put the bullet where it needs to go the 6.5 Grendel will likely never disappoint.
I think one of the problems with predicting terminal performance is how do you model big game critters internals? Ballistic Gelatin probably is close to modeling muscle tissue. but there are bones, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, hide, hair, etc that don't fit the gel density or uniformity. I'm sure the engineers at Hornady could optimize terminal performance on Ballistic Gelatin. The big question is, does that translate to bullet performance on deer, elk, antelope, bear, etc?
Also you mentioned that the lower muzzle report of the 6.5 Grendel seemed to be an advantage. But, without a can, the shorter the barrel the louder the muzzle report. The statement of lower muzzle report seems contradictory to short barrels. Seems to me that without a can, the longer the barrel the lower the muzzle pressure at bullet exit and hence the lower the muzzle report. For that reason, among others, I prefer the 20" and up barrels, though the rifles wearing them will be heavier. Like everything, a tradeoff.
Thanks for your detailed reporting. And yes, if you can get the bullet into and through the vitals, big game expire. So whatever the formula, as you pointed out, that will accomplish that end, the results will be meat in the freezer.
Best of luck on all your future hunts for you and your family.
-tdbru
there are typcially 5 key points to putting down big game animals. I think the first three are "shot placement" hahaha.... With good shot placement, 22LR has accounted for practically everything on the planet.
You've shown that with good shot placement, the 6.5 Grendel will do a lot of big game harvesting. You didn't mention how well the 6.5 Grendel does of downing big game if you hit them in the butt. you get the idea. Your shot placement is good so you give yourself large latitude on caliber choice. As long as you pick your shots with discernment and put the bullet where it needs to go the 6.5 Grendel will likely never disappoint.
I think one of the problems with predicting terminal performance is how do you model big game critters internals? Ballistic Gelatin probably is close to modeling muscle tissue. but there are bones, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, hide, hair, etc that don't fit the gel density or uniformity. I'm sure the engineers at Hornady could optimize terminal performance on Ballistic Gelatin. The big question is, does that translate to bullet performance on deer, elk, antelope, bear, etc?
Also you mentioned that the lower muzzle report of the 6.5 Grendel seemed to be an advantage. But, without a can, the shorter the barrel the louder the muzzle report. The statement of lower muzzle report seems contradictory to short barrels. Seems to me that without a can, the longer the barrel the lower the muzzle pressure at bullet exit and hence the lower the muzzle report. For that reason, among others, I prefer the 20" and up barrels, though the rifles wearing them will be heavier. Like everything, a tradeoff.
Thanks for your detailed reporting. And yes, if you can get the bullet into and through the vitals, big game expire. So whatever the formula, as you pointed out, that will accomplish that end, the results will be meat in the freezer.
Best of luck on all your future hunts for you and your family.
-tdbru