08-23-2022, 03:42 PM
I started loading Grendel this summer. I am working with factory starline brass and 123 grain SSTs fired out of a 20" BCA upper. I have been working with the powders I could get, namely TAC and H335. My goal is a 350 to 400 yard load for deer on a piece of land where there is little cover and shots might be quite long (could not get closer than 400 yards last year with a rifle that was good for 200). I have been loading to a couple thousandths over the Hornady book min of 2.245" and ran through a couple rounds of ladders to arrive at a couple of good loads. The best TAC load was 27.0 grains with ES of 21 and SD of 8 and average velocity of 2358. The best H335 load was 27.4 grains with ES of 30, SD of 14 and average velocity of 2401. I am running out of time to do load testing, so I decided that the H335 load would have to do and loaded up 3 boxes for the Fall. So at least for now, I am going to run with what I have.
My question is where do I go from here? Hornady Black chrono'd at 2525 FPS out of my rifle and is very accurate, so I imagine that I could do better velocity wise with the SSTs. I also would ideally like good temp stability from whatever powder I use, as the place I hunt can be below freezing or 90F in the Fall. Should I simply be looking for a more suitable powder? Based on what I have read on the boards, it sounds like 8208 or perhaps Accurate 2520 would fit the bill, assuming I can find them. Seat longer? I imagine I need to stay within the 2.26" for magazine purposes. Something else?
Has anyone tried the Hornady 120 grain CX bullet yet? Seems like a candidate for my application as well.
My question is where do I go from here? Hornady Black chrono'd at 2525 FPS out of my rifle and is very accurate, so I imagine that I could do better velocity wise with the SSTs. I also would ideally like good temp stability from whatever powder I use, as the place I hunt can be below freezing or 90F in the Fall. Should I simply be looking for a more suitable powder? Based on what I have read on the boards, it sounds like 8208 or perhaps Accurate 2520 would fit the bill, assuming I can find them. Seat longer? I imagine I need to stay within the 2.26" for magazine purposes. Something else?
Has anyone tried the Hornady 120 grain CX bullet yet? Seems like a candidate for my application as well.