Hornady 129 grain Interlock SP and RL-15/Varget Load Recipe

[jewski_brewski]

Hello all,

I'm new to shooting/reloading for 6.5 Grendel and recently picked up a PSA 18" 1:8 twist upper for my AR. I'm planning on using this upper for deer/hog hunting, and recently received a box of Hornady 129 grain Interlock SP bullets in the mail from a Hornady rebate. I also have brand new Starline brass, CCI 400 primers, Federal Gold Match AR primers, RL-15, and Varget on hand. I'm looking to put together a hunting load using components I already have, since powders are pretty hard to come by right now. I downloaded the Hornady 10th Edition manual for 6.5 Grendel which lists charges for RL-15 and Varget, but I'd prefer not to do a ladder load since these are going to be hunting rounds used within 100-200 yards. I'm looking for load recipes with good results any of you may have with this bullet and RL-15 or Varget powders. Thanks in advance!

[VASCAR2]

You can use Varget and RL-15 in the 6.5 Grendel but you won’t get very good velocity. The burn rate is to slow for optimum useage in the 6.5 Grendel size case. I don’t use standard small rifle primers in the AR-15 because of the floating firing pin design. The Federal GM Match AR primers are gtg as are CCI 41, CCI 450 or BR4 and Remington 71/2 Match primers as they have thicker cups.

The current trend for temperature stable powders in the 6.5 Grendel are AR Comp, H4895, IMR8208XBR (I use it for lighter bullets).

[jewski_brewski]

Yeah, I couldn't find many 6.5 Grendel load recipes that use RL-15 or Varget, and I figured there's a reason for it. Like I said, it's what I have on hand and powders are so hard to come by right now so I'd like to use what I have and save as much powder as possible by not doing ladder loads. I just need these rounds to be able to reliably kill game at short(er) distances. Thanks for the primer tip, I'll be sure to use the Federal GM ones.

[VASCAR2]

Part of the issue is both powders are bulky and you can’t get enough powder into the case to get decent velocities. The 129 grain interlock isn’t as long as some bullet designs but still the length tends to take up space in the case reducing powder capacity.

[1Shot]

Like has been said Varget and RL15 will not give you very good velocity especially out of a 18" barrel. You will be between 2100 and 2200 fps at best and that does not provide enough velocity at impact to get very much expansion so be very aware of that. Don't get sucked into the thought that many do when they see figures stating that bullet X will expand down to a certain velocity which is usually 1800 fps. This means ANY expansion and that is normally just barely flattening the nose a little. Most of the load data that you find is done using 24" barrels and you loose quite a bit dropping down to 18".

[jewski_brewski]

The Hornady Manual says maximum load for RL-15 and Varget will get 2,300 fps with that bullet and better powders will only get 2,350 fps. Based on that data, it seems like the powder isn't the issue so much as the bullet weight. This bullet is very tried and true though, and like I said they were free. Also, Hornady did their testing with an 18" barrel.

[JASmith]

If you haven’t already, you should check the Grendel Reloading Handbook and ammoguide.com for a wider variety of loads.

TAC does not, by far, give the fastest velocities, but I have done a lot of shooting with the 129 gr over 27.7 gr. Pressures are mild and I get a tad over 2300 fps out of an 18” barrel with that load.

[Happy2Shoot]

The Hornady Manual says maximum load for RL-15 and Varget will get 2,300 fps with that bullet and better powders will only get 2,350 fps. Based on that data, it seems like the powder isn't the issue so much as the bullet weight. This bullet is very tried and true though, and like I said they were free. Also, Hornady did their testing with an 18" barrel.

Page 106 says it is good down to 1600 muzzle velocity for hunting deer? I had excellent luck target shooting (half MOA 5 round group) with Varget and 130gr Berger Hybrid OTM.

[jewski_brewski]

If you haven’t already, you should check the Grendel Reloading Handbook and ammoguide.com for a wider variety of loads.

Thanks for the suggestions. I already bought one manual, and I'll admit that I'm looking for free load data at the moment. If you'd be willing to send some screenshots or links from those resources, it would be much appreciated.

[Lemonaid]

Link to Nosler 129 loads https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/65-grendel/
I have had good results with RL15 in the 120 grain bullets and have not had to use compressed loads, your mileage may vary.

[JASmith]

Thanks for the suggestions. I already bought one manual, and I'll admit that I'm looking for free load data at the moment. If you'd be willing to send some screenshots or links from those resources, it would be much appreciated.

Sorry — sending screenshots from copyrighted sources is both unethical and illegal.