6.5 Grendel Build

[Jake TN]

There are 25 different loads in the 6.5 Grendel Handbooks for the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, 6 from Alexander Arms, 4 from Western Powders, and the rest from various forum members.

For TAC, start at 27.5gr and work up to 28.8gr.
For CFE223, start at 29.5gr and work up to 31.2gr. This one will run your gas system pretty hard if you don’t choke the gas and spring it stiffly.
For H322, Nosler has some very conservative data, which is lumped in with the 120gr E-Tip monolith, so I’m not sure what the actual top end is for H322 under the 120gr Ballistic Tip.

Of all those powders, I think you might like TAC the best.

How do you have your 12.5” configured?
Gas port diameter?
Recoil spring length?
Buffer type/weight?
Carrier?
Gas block?

Thanks for the load data. I have 8lbs of TAC so I will probably start there for the 120BT. Will save the H322 for 5.56 and lighter Grendel loads.

How do you have your 12.5” configured? 12.5 inch lilja from Rebby
Gas port diameter? .073. Carbine length
Recoil spring length? Gen 1 JP silent capture (honestly don’t remember if it was the standard or H2. I have always used an adjustable gas block when possible)
Buffer type/weight? Same as above
Carrier? JP full mass
Gas block? Wojtek adjustable

It will have the dead air sandman short as the can. With my 18 inch upper it was a little to front end heavy for stable non-supported shots with the suppressor, hence the SBR upper build. My hope was that the 120 BT will still expand within 200 yards. If I hunt further than that, I will just take the 6.5 creed out. 99% of my hunting is within 150 yards.