Grendel Bolt Action loads

[adamjp]

If anyone has some load data for a non-automatic, traditional bolt action, 6.5 Grendel, I would be interested if you could send it to me by PM or email.

My Grendel is finally finished and is built on a Zastava m85 action (aka Mini Mauser).

FWIW Lapua cases are $115 per 100 here in Australia, Hornady cases are $65 per 50! I just bought another hundred Lapua cases.

[hm2 clark]

I load my CZ 527 bolt action Grendel with Blc (2). I compress my loads well over "recomended" loads I have done this with many different 120gr loads and 129/130 grain loads. They seem to get more accurate the hottter the loading. I have not had pressure problems in < 80 degree F temps. above 90 degrees I blows a primer now and then.

[stokesrj]

Well, since you are in Australia, you might as well use Australian powder, my rifle likes 28.5 grains of IMR8208XBR behind the 130 grain Berger Hunting VLD bullet. It also does very well with the 129 grain A-Max and 125 Nosler Partition all with the same powder charge.
Bob

[adamjp]

Well, since you are in Australia, you might as well use Australian powder, my rifle likes 28.5 grains of IMR8208XBR behind the 130 grain Berger Hunting VLD bullet. It also does very well with the 129 grain A-Max and 125 Nosler Partition all with the same powder charge.
Bob

Grrrrrr....

Bob, if only it was that easy. Whilst much of the Hodgdon product line is made in Australia, including IMR 8208, IMR 8208 is NOT available for us here in Australia. I am presented with the ridiculous situation of having to import 8208 through Winchester Australia (distributor of Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester) from the USA. It will end up costing nearly $80 per pound. What really gets us going is that Americans can buy 4895 (AR2206H), Varget (AR2208), Benchmark (BM2), 4350 (AR2209) and 4831SC (AR2213SC) or any other ADI powder for less then we can. I live less than 250 miles for the damn factory and a pound bottle costs me $40AUD (~$42USD).

I've been working with AR2206H (or 4895) but it isn't fast enough (~ 2850fps) as the case is FULL and there is pressure to spare yet. I worked on some loads with BM2 and BM1 (not available in the USA) last night and they look promising, with the BM1 under a 100gn NBT topping out at 2970fps from a 21in barrel. Going by the primer condition, there is still room to grow there.

Any exact data would be welcome. PM or email probably best as using boltgun loads in an AR will be a short and painful shooting session. I wouldn't want someone to grab the data without reading the context of the data.

Cheers,

Adam.

[AFRO408]

I just fired a couple of test shots today to find the safe max in my Stevens 200 bolt gun. NOT FOR AR TYPES!!!
100g Speer HP x 26.5g of ADI 2207. Extracted easily, was slightly bulged at the web, CCI BR4 primer flattened slightly and showing machine marks from bolt face.

[adamjp]

How accurate was it?

OH, and IMR 8208 is now available for sale in the country in which it is made. I've managed to lay hands on a bottle and will get around to using it over the next month or so.

[JASmith]

...Extracted easily, was slightly bulged at the web, CCI BR4 primer flattened slightly and showing machine marks from bolt face.

It looks like three pressure indicators were observed. Two of them would suggest that the load is OK for the rifle and case.

The bulged case, however, should evoke further checking.

• If so, was the bulge actually just above the web? In other words, more than 4.15 mm (.163 in) above the base?
  
• Safest bet to get the actual location is to use a drill rod or other suitable measuring probe to get the actual length from the mouth to the top of the base.
  

A bulge just above the web that does not get bigger with subsequent shots likely reflects the true chamber diameter at that point.

A visible bulge at the web could be an indicator of significant pressure unless your eyes can pick up a gentle bulge of less than a few thousandths of an inch.

[BjornF16]

Adam, can you post a pic of the bulged case?

[adamjp]

Adam, can you post a pic of the bulged case?

Not my case. AFRO is your man for this answer.

Based on my experience with fast powders under 100gn bullets his load is quite reasonable. AR2207 is sold in the USA as H4198.

[AFRO408]

Yeah, mea culpa
I should have been more specific. I meant slightly bulged at the inner base/ sidewall transition area. Where most shells get a bulge when fired.
The case head was not expanded at all and the primer pocket is just as tight as new.
The combination of my chamber and the Lapua cases that I bought, is a very neat fit. Just enough clearance for easy chambering and minimum slop. Happy days! )