02-16-2014, 02:12 PM
I just ordered an 18" Bullberry Encore and had the same struggle -- their standard twist rate is 9" and I would have had to wait a few months to get a 9-twist.
I looked at calculated stability factors using the calculator available at JBM Ballistics and was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the bullets had comfortable stability factors. There might be some marginal stability with the 120 gr and heavier lead-free as well with very streamlined 130gr and heavier classic or bonded bullets.
The first step should be to run a box or so of factory 123gr SST through the rifle at 100 yards and at the longest range you plan to shoot at. If you are happy with the results, you are good to go with your plan!
Given that you're happy with the 123 gr SST factory load, one might ask "Why mess with something that works?" If you are like most of us the reloader's itch is darned near terminal, so looking at and trying other bullets is inevitable!
Looking at pages 33 & 34 of Volume II of the 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbook tells us that you will be good to go with 120 gr bullets for even the heaviest deer (330 lb) but that you can use 100 gr bullets for the lighter ones typically found in the southern tier states (CA, AZ, NM, TX, GA, AL, FL). You should be pleasantly surprised to find that the 100 gr Nosler Partition will also work for the heaviest deer while the 100 TTSX or 125 gr partition gives the rifle an Elk capability.
I looked at calculated stability factors using the calculator available at JBM Ballistics and was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the bullets had comfortable stability factors. There might be some marginal stability with the 120 gr and heavier lead-free as well with very streamlined 130gr and heavier classic or bonded bullets.
The first step should be to run a box or so of factory 123gr SST through the rifle at 100 yards and at the longest range you plan to shoot at. If you are happy with the results, you are good to go with your plan!
Given that you're happy with the 123 gr SST factory load, one might ask "Why mess with something that works?" If you are like most of us the reloader's itch is darned near terminal, so looking at and trying other bullets is inevitable!
Looking at pages 33 & 34 of Volume II of the 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbook tells us that you will be good to go with 120 gr bullets for even the heaviest deer (330 lb) but that you can use 100 gr bullets for the lighter ones typically found in the southern tier states (CA, AZ, NM, TX, GA, AL, FL). You should be pleasantly surprised to find that the 100 gr Nosler Partition will also work for the heaviest deer while the 100 TTSX or 125 gr partition gives the rifle an Elk capability.