05-11-2022, 10:32 PM (This post was last modified: 05-13-2022, 12:38 PM by gle3105.)
Not new to reloading Grendel, but new at the thought of using LVR. The supposed increased fps is attractive. All of my Grendels are AR platforms and various make 18 bbls. I focus on 120 to 130 gr pills. My go to has been 8208.
So thoughts?
And please no paper punching type target bullet info.
On another powder thought I saw Alliants PP 2000 MR / 120 gold dot load pushing 2600+ fps. 24bbl test data. Not even close in my 18bbls. Figured 30fps per inch loss..
gle3105 Wrote:Not new to reloading Grendel, but new at the thought of using LVR. The supposed increased fps is attractive. All of my Grendels are AR platforms and various make 18 bbls. I focus on 120 to 130 gr pills. My go to has been 8208.
So thoughts?
And please no paper punching type target bullet info.
On another powder thought I saw Alliants 2400 / 120 gold dot load pushing 2600+ fps. 24bbl test data. Not even close in my 18bbls. Figured 30fps per inch loss..
Alliant 2400 is a magnum pistol powder. Did you mean some other powder?
I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.
I also suspect he meant some other powder than 2400.
You should see more velocity from LeverRevolution over 8208 with the heavier bullets. That is unless you push the 8208 somewhere it shouldn't go. I've used quite a bit of 2520 for the 120/123 grain bullets in the past also.
I now use only 2 powders in the Grendel. 8208 for under 120 grains and LeverRevolution for 120/123 grains. Not sure why you mentioned the target bullet restriction but a 120 grain BT, 120 ProHunter etc will respond well to the extra velocity that LeverRevolution should provide. I've never hunted with the Grendel as I use other calibers for that but wouldn't feel undergunned if I were to use it.
05-12-2022, 03:15 AM (This post was last modified: 05-12-2022, 03:27 AM by Zeneffect.)
for the 120/123 im getting more consistent velocity across temperature ranges using xbr vs lvr by a significant margin, and on a cooler day xbr might/will net more velocity vs lvr. for the 123s I was running ~31gr of powder for LVR and ~28 for 2808 so the powder goes a little further as well. In target shooting, I have missed shots because ES/SD went to complete dog doo doo in the cold using LVR for a load I had worked up in 20F warmer weather and I wont use it again for anything that actually matters in the 123/120gr class of bullet. I know target, but this kind of consistency matters in hunting as well.
130 - lvr all the way, i dont even bother with any other powder honestly.
Sorry no LVR loads for me and only a few 8208 loads. I also included some AR Comp loads as well, all using Hornady brass and hunting projectiles.
I run an 18" Odin Works barrel AR and over years of 120-123 grain projectile load development it became clear I have an accuracy node around ~2400 fps so that is where I usually end up. These loads are what works for me, your mileage my vary.
120 Gold Dot,
28 grains of 8208 with an average velocity of 2422 fps.
2.241 COAL, 1.687 OTB.
123 SST,
27.7 grains of 8208 with an average velocity of 2424,
Coal 2.245, OTB 1.663
120 Nosler BT,
27.6 grains of AR Comp with an average velocity of 2416.
Coal 2.232, OTB 1.708
129 Nosler ABLR,
26.9 AR Comp with an average velocity of 2356,
COAL 2.265, OTB 1.644, 0.147 jump.
The only hunting load I use now is a little unorthodox. I got tired of losing my brass so I developed a load using wolf steel case with wolf primers. I pull the 100 grain projectile, dump the powder, chamfer the case mouth, added 29.2 grains of AA2520 and a 120 Gold Dot with the same COAL, OTB as listed above. It runs an average velocity of 2400 fps. Just recently I shot a .88" group at 170 yards (my zero). Must have been a good day for me because I'm not really a very good shot. I know these are good loads when I can shoot good groups, easily.
It was probably Alliant Power Pro 2000 MR powder which I havent tried. I think forum member mel had pretty good results with PP 2000 MR. Another Alliant powder, Power Pro Varmint has been used by forum members and Alliant AR Comp is popular.
Alliant has released 6.5 Grendel load data for Reloader TS 15.5 but Ive never seen any to buy. This powder is supposed to temperature stable.
When I started with the Grendel it was still kinda early and LeverRevolution was a new thing. 2520 was one of the heavier bullet powders and ARComp also a new thing (CFE223 wasn't out yet or at least wasn't written up for the Grendel I believe). The one thing I have noted is that different people with different rifles in different locations have different experiences. Being from SC my environment stays pretty consistent as hot then hotter. I never considered certain powders as temperature sensitive as I shoot during the summer and load for that. When winter rolls around we don't get really low temps even then and my dope changes little. My game for rifles is the 600 yard line and I spend little time at anything closer and nothing further.
I'm a huge fan of XBR8208 and would not be without it for the 223 or Grendel. My experience with LeverRevolution in my Grendel (we'll see what happens with my newest Grendel that hasn't been shot yet) is that it works well for 120/123 grain bullets with both velocity and accuracy but 2520 is great also. I should have finished my earlier post with what I used add at the end of a post. YMMV, my $.02 and all that....
If you have LeverRevolution, there isn't a good reason not to try it with your chosen bullet. I don't doubt you'll run those loads over a chronograph and then you'll know for sure. What I like about the Grendel (and ARC, 223, 223AI, etc) is that .2 grains can make a difference in accuracy.
05-13-2022, 12:39 PM (This post was last modified: 05-13-2022, 12:50 PM by gle3105.)
DHD, I did have the wrong powder listed. TY. I went and corrected. PP 2000 MR.
Having 11lbs on hand of 8208 I shouldnt even think about another powder,,,,but still. Lol
Got to experiment. Part of a reloaders DNA.
Yup will be chronod LVR and ladder.
Anyone try the Berger 130 VLD Hunting? With AR mag oal?
Nubi, are you losing brass while target shooting? I use when I can the Caldwell brass catcher. ( you probably know about it)
When I cant due to scope and or scope mount use the Caldwell I use a window screen clamped to the shooting bench. Pretty much zero brass loss.
Other. Off track a bit but while were here.
I have five Grendys. A Satern cut rifled, Satern Liberty,Faxon, Ballistic Adv. and BHW.
The cut rifled Satern is a dream barrel IMHO. Not bullet type sensitive and comes clean incredibly with three patches.
I use 29.5 gr of LVR and CCI 450s with 123gr Nosler Custom Competitions. It shoots pretty well with 123 gr SSTs too, but 27.0gr of 8208 was a bit better. 2430fps with the CCs and LVR from a 20". I've heard of others going as high as 31.0gr of LVR with 123gr bullets but I was getting pressure signs at that level and 29.5gr was most accurate and plenty fast.
FWIW I'm using H335 for light bullets because I have a bunch of it and 31.0gr with a Sierra 85gr HP (the one they discontinued??) and the Nosler 90gr. Varmegeddon shoot extremely well out of a 20" BCA I have. Sub-MOA if I do my part. 2760fps out of a 16". Haven't chrono'ed with a 20" yet.
I do use the caldwell while target shooting. It's hunting situations that I lose my brass. Sounds kind of cheesy worried about a few brass but I don't have that many cases to spare.
I have one of those and a Caldwell rail-mounted catcher. I actually like the Caldwell better because it was quieter while hunting. TacStar is a stiff material that made too much noise for me.
Looking on the Brass Goat site, they have the Brass Goat with a mini hopper. You can get the mini hopper separately as well. Product description says it holds 4 Grendel cases.
I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.
