6.5 Grendel Preferred Loads

[Gswamp]

My experience...after reading this thread, I proceeded to work up a load with H335 powder for one of my AR Grendels with 20” ss bbl; original new Lapua brass, Hornady 123gr SST, CCI 450 primer, 2.25 OAL, starting load: 27.5gr H335,#2: 27.8gr, #3: 28.1gr, #4: 28.4gr, #5: 28.7gr. The first shot with 28.4gr blew the 5rd mag apart and out of the rifle! The 27.5gr was the only load that functioned properly...the remaining loads did not pick up from the mag. although they seemed to fire ok, all 5 shot groups were under an inch.
The moral of this experience...NEVER USE OTHERS LOADS, ALWAYS use Published starting and MAX loads when working up a new load in a new firearm! (I have been reloading since 1968...THIS was my first experience with a blown stuck case.) ALWAYS USE PUBLISHED PRINTED LOADS WHEN WORKING UP NEW LOADS.

I recently did a ladder with 120 Speers and H335. Loads were 27 to 28.8 grains in .2 grain increments. I stopped the test at 28.2 grains because of excessive pressure.