6.5 Grendel Preferred Loads

[LR1955]

Here is what I'm thinking at this point. I would like us to settle on a handfull of candidate loads, maybe five or six. Define these loads in detail, and then as many of us as are willing agree to test them all and report in a standard format the results. RickOshay has volunteered to collect and format this data.

I realize not everyone has a chronograph, or even the facilities to conduct a controlled test, but many of us do. These tests will cost money, to do it right is probably more than a hundred bucks each unless we have all the components laying around. But if you are like me your going to be shooting something anyway and it might as well be a coordinated effort to discover what works best.

So far, it appears we have the following candidates;
1. Hornady 123 A-Max factory load
2. 100 A-Max Bwild load, 34 grains CFE223
3. 108 Scenar to be proposed by Bill
4. 120 SMK to be proposed by Gene
5. 123 A-Max 28.5 grains IMR8208XBR
6. Perhaps a 123A-max factory duplicate if I or we can figure out what that would be.

Once these tests are defined fully, it would be wise to back off and work up to each load to be safe. I know that some have reported high pressure signs on loads that are safe in my rifles. So it may not be possible to test these by simply loading and firing the matrix. But that in itself could be useful information.

What are the rest of you thinking? Is there a load that you think is a stronger candidate than the ones I have listed?

Bob

Bob:

OK -- with the 120 Sierra go with 30 grains of 2520 or 28 1/2 grains of 8208 XBR, CCI 450 and what Alexander states is his oal. Can't remember it off hand.

If someone shoots either of these two loads through a variety of barrels and barrel lengths from their little 14" carbines through 28 inch rifles; from the ER Shaws of the world through the Kriegers; polyginal or not; DI or gas piston system; at 200, 300 and 500yards which I believe represents about 99% of all shooters in terms of ranges; over a variety of environmental conditions; my bet is that either of these loads using the 120 Sierra will be more consistently accurate any other bullet / ammo combination fired from a gas blaster.

The problem will be you stating a metric from which one can make a rational and quantitative assessment. We are talking 'better' in terms of distance, barrels, rifling types, and environmental conditions.

LR1955