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.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

I really enjoy the Grendel. I will say after moderating countless debates in the grendel Facebook groups the most common theme i see with the guys running 12" barrels is bragging about who's deer ran the least. It sounds like an archery debate.

If it were me I would probably try 123 eldm and 120 Nosler BT. Keeping shots close.

what Facebook groups do you moderate? Want to join a quality one or two

 

[flyfisher117]

what Facebook groups do you moderate? Want to join a quality one or two

None anymore. I left the one because as it grew the quality went away. It started turning into this weird mix of tactibros and fuddy duddys.

I am on the way out of the other as it's quality is dropping too. To much gun shop lore getting spread as absolute fact.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Yep I can understand that lol

 

[Buckhead]

I recently acquired a 16" upper in 6.5 Grendel. Currently don't handload, have only experimented with factory stuff. Only Hornady, so far. Per my chrono and shooting suppressed, obtained an average of 2,464 with Hornady 123 SST. Not surprising, given the 16" barrel. What did surprise me, were the results I was getting with the Hornady 100 grain ELDVT. I was actually getting the quoted Hornady velocity (2,731 fps). This was based on a 15 shot sampling. Not sure if this bullet is appropriate for deer hunting, but liking the velo of the lighter bullet. Going to try the new Hornady 90gr mono copper load advertised at 2,910 from a 24" barrel. Has a decent BC and because it is mono, will hold together and penetrate. Should be a good 200-250 yard load.

 

[Huntchic]

Well i tested a bunch of bullets before season and ended up with 3 i tried on white tail.
118 gr Cavity back, 123gr sst and 129gr ABLR. The 118 performed well on a high shoulder and was extremely accurate for me. The 123 was great on neck shots bit destructive in high shoulder. The 129 ABLR was best by far for Shoulders and neck shots. great pentation and always passed through. It wasn't too destructive and reminds me of a Partition bullet. ( I tried the Partition also) We took 10 white tails this year with 6.5 Grendels with 18" and 12" barrels. every one was a neck or high shoulder shot. None took a step, DRT. Going forward I will be sticking with the 129 ABLR for whitetails. I dont have to use a mono bullet but if i did i would be comfortable with the 118 CBB.

 

[mi650]

Blaming a Grendel for poor performance in whitetail is like a fat**s blaming their genes. You're not fat because of your genetics, you're fat because you lack the discipline and don;t put enough work in. If you can't reasonably drop a whitetail with a Grendel it's 10% bullet choice and 90% shooter inadequacy. A larger caliber is your ozempic. It's an easy button to cover up the real problem that will eventually get you if you don't do something about it. Get out and shoot.

Sample size of 1, so take that for what it's worth. I won't use the 123 SST on deer again.

Even with snow on the ground, the blood trail SUCKED!! The hit was good, but there was no exit hole. Slightly quartering away, 18" barrel, and it was about a 50 yard shot.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I have dropped multiple deer with 123g ELD-M out of 10.5”, 12”, and 18” Grendels. All dropped within 2-3 yards of where they stood.

This year, I accidentally brought SST. Hit a deer broadside that I thought I missed initially based on her reaction and lack of blood. She went about 30 yards. Still a good result.

Very small sample size, but everything I’ve seen with ELD-M has given me no reason to try anything else.

 

[Huntchic]

I understand guys. Just my personal experience this season. I like the ballistics and lower opening velocity of the 129.

 

[Huntchic]

That first picture was 2 deer both shot within couple seconds of each other . Shot one second one jumped went like 2 steps n stopped to look back.