12” Grendel bullet

[Huntchic]

So far the only bullets I’ve tried in Grendel 18” has been 123 SST, ELDM , 125 partitions. I’ve gotten good accuracy loads for all 3 using TAC and CFE223. I’m looking Forward to finishing the 12” and finding loads for it. I did pick up today 4 boxes of 123 SST one box of ELDM and even though I said I wouldn’t I got 2 boxes of 129 grain ABLR. Found them on sale by accident at about 1/2 off many places. So I grabbed them.

 

[Taudisio]

I would only assume with the slower velocities from your short barrel, a softer bullet should even everything out. I still think you will get more fragmentation and vital organ destruction with the Vmax. I would at least do some testing if I were in your shoes. BC’s be damned under 200 yards. The SST should be nearly as soft, but you will lose some more velocity with the extra weight. The eld-v is also worth a look. The ABLRs will be a better match for your 18” barrel

 

[Huntchic]

Thanks for that. I ordered some 90 grain TNT and some 100 ELDM today too so I can play with them also. Heck half the fun is tinkering with hand loading bullets, powders n such. I’ve heard lots of good things about TNT’s and ABLR so I figured I would try heavy lighter and in between to see what happens.

 

[Taudisio]

Thanks for that. I ordered some 90 grain TNT and some 100 ELDM today too so I can play with them also. Heck half the fun is tinkering with hand loading bullets, powders n such. I’ve heard lots of good things about TNT’s and ABLR so I figured I would try heavy lighter and in between to see what happens.

The 100gr eldm is a solid choice. I enjoy my 210gr ABLRs but they are going 3030fps.

 

[Huntchic]

Shot some test loads today of 129 grain ablr’s with tack powder. Had 1 load that was excellent accuracy in both the new 12” build and in the 18”. Not really fast but crazy accurate.

 

[Taudisio]

Shot some test loads today of 129 grain ablr’s with tack powder. Had 1 load that was excellent accuracy in both the new 12” build and in the 18”. Not really fast but crazy accurate.

I would just run some ballistic calculators and check realistic distances you want to be able to shoot, and make sure the velocity is above the expansion threshold (1350fps)

 

[Huntchic]

I’ve run the numbers on them. As you said. The advantage that the 129 ablr has is the lower velocity it opens up at. The 120 and 123 class bullets actually have better numbers but don’t open up below 1800 fps mostly. I have a load using TAC with 125 partitions that shoots well but it doesn’t carry as far out or open as low as the ablr does.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Old thread but I’m messing with the same config for my kiddo to hunt with.

I’m at 2400fps with 120g bullets and handloads. I got 2525 with 100 eld-vt this week using CFE but it’s about 102% and I don’t like compacted loads. Trying 2460 and hoping to get a bit more out of it without compacting (2550 goal). That should be a good low recoil load that carries energy a good ways. Bullet should be “less” explosive at closer to 2000fps impacts too.

 

[sierracharlie338]

107 tmk is where I would be looking in a 12inch Grendel for anyone still looking

 

[The Guide]

107 tmk is where I would be looking in a 12inch Grendel for anyone still looking

 

[ACHILLES]

12” Grendel with 123eldms at 2280fps works fine most of the time out to 100yards. Some freinds and myself have shot a few hogs and a small Audad with it. They don’t exit. Entrance seals up and there’s not much blood. Animals run 50-100yards. Had one boar that was shot in the vitals from about 15yards. He ran off with no blood to follow. We tracked his hoof prints in the mud and found him in his den 100 yards away 30min later layed down still breathing barely with blood coming from the nose and mouth. My friend who had shot him crawled up in the tunnel to get to the main den on his hands and knees. The boar charged and he dumped the 10rd mag on him. He would had passed if we would have given him more time though. That one was 350lbs
I use the 97gr absolute hammer at 2500 fps for that gun now but I suspect a 107tmk going faster would out do the 123eldm regarding terminal performance at these velocities.