We need a sticky for the Grendel Reloading Handbooks

[Kswhitetails]

Tasteless plug on my part for the manuals. I know the publisher is a mod here on the board, and I also know he’s not the kind of man to do this on his own. So, let me be the one to call for a board sticky to put these books on the first page of the appropriate section(s).

I’ve seen so many posts recommending them to new board members, and those of us that use them can attest to their value and usefulness. I’m constantly referencing mine, and find myself re-reading even the informational sections out of nothing more than refreshing the what’s and whys behind it.

This resource seems to me like it would be in its own sticky as a generally recommended initial investment for anyone interested in building and loading for their own Grendel - if one of it’s authors wasn’t a moderator here. The sheer numbers of Post’s recommending them in an effort to help answer good questions about the Grendel speak for their quality and importance to any owner.

I can assure that anyone that wants to know their Grendel intimately should own and reference these books to take advantage of the information contained therein. I can attest to their usefulness, clarity, and the obvious research that was conducted to compile them. If you’re looking for a copy for yourself, they can be had at http://www.AR15buildbox.com.

Also, refer to http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...nt-Updates for additional information from the authors thread.

Ok, advertising over. Seriously though, these seem to have earned their place at the top, I just thought I’d step out to call for it.

[ricsmall]

+1. Invaluable resource to grendel shooters new and seasoned alike

[grayfox]

Agree wholeheartedly.

[rmrvtr]

+1. I just received Volumes 1 and 2 last week and my eyes have been glued. When reading before bed, my wife commented "what book are you reading? It must be a pretty good read." Then when I showed her that it was on reloading I got the look.

[LRRPF52]

Thanks for the positive feedback. These Handbooks were really a group effort between several of us:

R. Stokes
JASmith
RickOshay
Me

Bill Alexander, Janne Pohjoispää, J. Hanka, Hodgdon's, Western Powders, Vihtavuori, and many other forum members really helped contribute to the effort that I pitched back in 2012. JASmith was one of the only ones willing and able to dedicate his time and resources to the project, and RickOshay came in to help out with the formatting and design, page layout, and printing for Volume I. He also did all the Terminal Ballistics testing for Volume II, which is one of the most valuable things about Vol II for me personally and much appreciated.

What we wanted was something the 6.5 Grendel owner could hold in their hands and use on their desk or loading bench. We also wanted to provide as much useful information to the non reloader who can also benefit from data about setting up the AR15 for 6.5 Grendel, the layman just looking to understand the cartridge's potential, and the hunter who wanted to know their ethical capabilities and limitations with this cartridge with as wide of a projectile selection as possible.

That's why there is so much barrel length data in both handbooks, as well as expected performance with many of the common hunting projectiles.

On the old forum, we used to have separate sections for each barrel length so forum members could post their real world results as references, and I really enjoyed that feature of the site. I was just a member like everyone else, came here to look up available data from people who were actually loading for and shooting the cartridge. I found the site to be very free from drama you see on other forums, very professional, polite, with many members who were experienced and informative, especially Bill A. himself (who never had anything directly to do with the creation of this forum by the way).

This was before Hornady introduced their factory ammo even. We had the spread of options from AA, Wolf Gold 123gr Soft Point, and a limited run of Black Hills 123gr at the time. So much has changed since then, especially SAAMI approval, multiple sources of brass, over 50 factory ammunitions loads, Wolf Steel case (took 7 years to make that happen), Elander mags, Federal's 4 factory loads including Gold Medal Match 130gr Berger, several AR15 manufacturers including LaRue, and now bolt gun manufacturers (Howa, CZ, Ruger), with the future looking very bright.

These handbooks have been a labor of love for us that took a lot of time, resources, and endless hours over 2 years. We were very pleased when we got the first pre-print samples of Volume I, because it turned out so much better than we anticipated. Volume II was even better, and although I've spent many days and nights going over the editing, proof-reading, 4 print runs of Volume I, and 2 print runs of Volume II, I still reference the Handbooks quite regularly. None of us could have pulled these off alone, and the result was greater than the sum of the parts.

We hope that everyone enjoys them and finds them useful, and apologize for any typos we inevitably have made. (In Volume II, the Hornady shell holder should be #6, not #16, for example.)

[Kswhitetails]

I did not mean to omit the attributions, I regret not having included them. I did not know about RickOshay, I haven’t been around as long and just didn’t know. I have seen his load data, among others included in the books.

I stand by the call for a handbook sticky, these are worth plastering up top, for posterity (and to beat with a “refer to the thread...” stick). We could and do use the other threads as such, but a sticky holds its own special brand of importance.

I personally started at the stickies when I began reading here, before I joined and took the plunge. Others may well do the same. It took a little while for me to dig through the board, and since I can’t remember exactly how I learned of them, someone probably had to refer me to them as well. A sticky with testament to their prowess would be great for the newer arrivals that may not even realize what they are.

[Drillboss]

I did not mean to omit the attributions, I regret not having included them. I did not know about RickOshay, I haven’t been around as long and just didn’t know. I have seen his load data, among others included in the books.

I stand by the call for a handbook sticky, these are worth plastering up top, for posterity (and to beat with a “refer to the thread...” stick). We could and do use the other threads as such, but a sticky holds its own special brand of importance.

I personally started at the stickies when I began reading here, before I joined and took the plunge. Others may well do the same. It took a little while for me to dig through the board, and since I can’t remember exactly how I learned of them, someone probably had to refer me to them as well. A sticky with testament to their prowess would be great for the newer arrivals that may not even realize what they are.

RickOShay = Greg Luli

I'll agree with the need to "sticky" things like this. Everything on the forum, and the answers to most of your questions, can be found with the search function and extended research, but it's a lot like going through a pile of encyclopedia's with the covers torn off.

Anyone else remember encyclopedias?

[Kswhitetails]

I still have a set, and I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly. Though, digging into that pile usually leads me to learning more than I ever thought to starting out-SQUIRREL!

[Drillboss]

LOL.

Really.

[grayfox]

Beauty of the hard copy Encyclopedias is internet screwer-uppers (for lack of a better word) cannot secretly change them or block you from using them. I too still have a set of World Books...
This Grendel info is invaluable and as you can see many newbies are coming on board and they all ask the same questions....... which these books could and do address very well.
Anyway kudos to all of you involved!!! We are in y'all's debt to be sure.
The books really set the standard high for any other caliber to match up to.

[JethroBodine]

Great idea Kswhitetails!

If we're taking a poll or voting put me down as a +1.

[Sticks]

Even a new forum section called "Resources" having the link to the reloading manuals, accurizing an AR, Bedding and other approved mods to the Howa Rifles (mag shortening, mag release shortening, ect,)...

Select threads from the various sub sections that have proven to be very valuable, and frequently inquired.

I dare say a tool loan thread as well for lapping, reamers, head space gauges...

[Wafavre2]

Even a new forum section called "Resources" having the link to the reloading manuals, accurizing an AR, Bedding and other approved mods to the Howa Rifles (mag shortening, mag release shortening, ect,)...

Select threads from the various sub sections that have proven to be very valuable, and frequently inquired.

I dare say a tool loan thread as well for lapping, reamers, head space gauges...

Great ! This would be welcome news.

[cb4017]

I bought my set early on, even before I had a barrel. The information in them has been invaluable and has helped keep me on the right track.

[Lakeray]

I love the books. Without them I would have wasted a lot of time and powder looking for the right loads!!!

[Schrambo]

Yep, first 6.5 Grr things I bought... I have a fear of explosives near my face...

Even though I'm an IT guy, I prefer books for this kind of data...

As always, start low and work up...

[trapjack]

Trying to decide whether I need Vol 1 or Vol 2 or both of the Grendel reloading handbooks. What is in each of the volumes? From what little I've seen it sounds like Vol 1 is more on the development of the cartridge and Vol 2 on reloading data and ballistic and terminal velocity/energy data.

[grayfox]

TJ, get both, you'll eventually thank us for saying it!

Hello Mods, what about Sticks' idea for a Resources Section, or sub-forum or whatever it should be grouped under...

While I think of it, another forum had a running thread on various load testing, and eventually set up links and re-organized all the comments by bullet mfr/wt/style, so you could click on the one link and it took you to, ie, all the 123-sst comments on loads and data... Put those links as the first couple of thread comments at the head of the "favorite loads" thread as a traffic guide... just a thought you know?

[maxxmojo]

Vol II is the meat and potatoes if you're looking for specific reloading info and results, but I've found myself constantly flipping back and forth between both volumes looking for info. I'd recommend getting both.

[NVhntr]

Where is the best place to buy these? Saw AA had volume 1 for $12 and change with shipping adding $14 and change. Passed.