Been lurking here a while, decided to post. I?ve got TC G2 Contender with a 13? MGM Custom stainless barrel in 6.5 Grendel. This is my first experience with this round but I?m in LOVE so far. I?ve completed the barrel break in process per MGM and I?m getting phenomenal accuracy from factory Hornady Black 123gr eld match...easily sub 1? groups at 100 yards from my hunting tripod rest with W-gear Claw bag when I do my part.
Anyone else shooting a TC in this fine caliber? I?m looking for suggestions on a factory load for eastern TN whitetails as this will be my primary deer gun this fall. I know typically the ?match? labeled ammo isn?t for hunting but I?ve read that the black 123gr eld-m works on deer? I?m also contemplating a muzzle brake for it, as I?m shooting a rifle scope on top. Thus far I haven?t gotten bit by the scope as I do have a lot of TC experience with rifle scopes, but in hunting situations I think I?d prefer to have a brake as an option (my barrel is threaded 5/8-24). Any brake suggestions?
Here?s a pic of my setup sitting on the claw bag prior to mounting my scope on top...
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I shoot Contenders in calibers ranging from 22lr to 45-70 but have never gotten a Grendel barrel, or lets say I have yet to get one one. As far as hunting ammo goes there are several options, but I have currently settled on handloads with the 129gr Nosler Accubond Long Range. PF loads for it and Nosler is bringing it out in a loaded round if it is not available already. They expand very well and yet hold together. I have not shot anything yet with the ELD-M but the old 123gr Amax is a killer in this cartridge.
Forgot to mention as far as breaks go I like one my gunsmith is making and selling now. https://www.liveoakaccuracy.com/muzzle-brakes/ Scott has worked for Cheytac and Stiller as a gunsmith and machinist before going into business for himself. His breaks I have shot on a friends rifles and that friend worked with him through several prototypes before the final design was done.
ELD-M work on deer. Well. They aren't bonded, but at the velocity of Grendel, that isn't much of an issue typically. Boiler house, dead. Done. No worries about hunting with them in my mind.
Nothing kills the incentive of men faster than a healthy sense of entitlement. Nothing kills entitlement faster than a healthy sense of achievement.
I have a 22 inch stainless MGM 6.5 Grendel barrel coming for the G2 Tender for my Wife. I really love it in my Mini MkX I had rebarreled several years ago.
I have an MGM Grendel barrel that i utilize for deer hunting. 22 inch barrel with a in 9 twist. I do reload all of my ammo that I shoot out of this setup. I have done a lot testing over the past 5 or so years with the G2 configuration. The 1 in 9 will stabilize the 123 grain SST Hornadys, no problem. Multiple accurate reloads with this combo. I settled on 100 grain bullets to hunt with. The Barnes 100 grain and the Nosler 100 grain BT. Both bullets with my hand loads are lethal on white tail deer. TContenders should never be pushed to maximum PSI. I may receive some negative feedback on this statement, 300 yards is my maximum range for shoooting game with the Grendel. A great round to shot, as long as you know the limitations of round and the individual that is behind the gun.
I have a 15" MGM Grendel barrel that I use for IHMSA unlimited any sight class. I got it in 2013 from them and have it on a G1 Contender. I shoot mostly cast bullets from it for matches, and jacketed for hunting. I have had great luck with it in matches over the years, as for hunting I have only used it on small varmints no large game. I think it is a good round out of a T/C and it is a shame there isn't more of them out there.
MGM "Match grade machines" makes GREAT barrels. I have a stainless 14" 30-30AI Contender barrel from them that is just down right accurate. I can push a 125 Nosler BT 2670 fps with sub MOA accuracy safely. This has been a DEER HAMMER. I have not shot any deer over 200 yards with it because of yardage limitation of where I hunt with it. I have lost count how many deer I have killed with it but it is 20+ we will say. Most shots have been between 75 and 110 yards. I have only had one buck take a step after the shot. It was all fired up chasing a doe in the rut. It stopped in my path about 90 yards away with a slightly right shoulder angle toward me broadside position. I placed the 125 BT in the center of the right shoulder. At impact the buck rocked back on his hind legs and jumped straight up in the air like a rocket taking off. At the peak of his jump he shook his head back and forth once sideways. Then he nosed over like someone diving into a pool. He hit the ground almost at the same time with his front hoofs and his nose because the right scapula was broken and continued on to his chest. He then pushed himself about 10 yards with his back legs nose plowing down the path before falling over dead. I wish I had a video of it.
Yep keep the pressure on the mild side with the 6.5 Grendel in a Generation 1 Contender especially and the frame will love you for many years. I have seen frames that have been stretched from people using too many high pressure loads. That is the reason that they came out with the G2 Contender frame which is a bit stronger but still they are in no way as strong as the Encore frame.
I have had and still do have a number of different caliber barrels and two G1 frames. Before I decided to go with the 30-30AI I was looking hard at something in .264. Had never heard of the 6.5 Grendel at that time. I was looking at 6.5JDJ and 6.5-30-30. Quickly discounted the 6.5JDJ because of the parent case being a 225 Win which is nearly impossible to find. I have a 6mm-225 Win. with enough cases to do me. Decided to go with the 30-30AI because of the cost difference of the dies. Custom 6.5-30-30 dies were $$$ compared to over the counter Lee 30-30AI which work just fine. Also you can fire regular 30-30 Win. ammo in the AI with good accuracy and you end up with a fireformed AI case.
I have too much money tied up in two ARs in 6.5 Grendel these days but who know maybe one of these days there might mysteriously appear a 6.5 Grendel Contender pistol barrel in my safe. LOL
Oh! About scopes. I have 3 Weaver 2.5 - 8 X 28 long eye relief pistol scopes that I have used for years hunting. For the money in my experience you can't beat them. Glass is clear and they are tough. I Have never had a problem with them and under deer hunting conditions I have never needed more scope.
As for factory ammo try some Hornady 123 SST but as has been said the 123 ELDM at especially pistol Grendel velocities should work just fine. I hand load for my ARs and the 120 Speer Gold Dot is my first choice for deer and the 120 Sierra Pro Hunter is second. I have not shot any deer with other bullets in the Grendel.
I just got off the phone with Troy at Bullberry Legacy(new owner of Bullberry). He will not build a 6.5 Grendel barrel for a Contender or G2 Contender. Bummer, I have a Contender.
Knowing everthing isnt as important as knowing where to find it.
I just got off the phone with Troy at Bullberry Legacy(new owner of Bullberry). He will not build a 6.5 Grendel barrel for a Contender or G2 Contender. Bummer, I have a Contender.
MGM will build you one custom to your likeing for under 400 bucks. For both the contender or encore frame.
I just got off the phone with Troy at Bullberry Legacy(new owner of Bullberry). He will not build a 6.5 Grendel barrel for a Contender or G2 Contender. Bummer, I have a Contender.
That is consistent with my understanding too. My suggestion was based on the Encore.
Apologies for creating a bit of confusion.
Even though I live California, Paul and I visited their shop in Hurricane a couple of times going to and from SHOT.
Troy is good people and, even though many of us congratulate Fred in retirement, I am happy he has picked up the reins.
A5, after my conversation with Troy I won’t risk damaging my contender. Troy feels the Grendel is just too close to the limit. Mine is a Contender; not G2 Contender.
Knowing everthing isnt as important as knowing where to find it.
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