6.5 Grendel hunters?

[armadillo66]

I built an 18" upper for my AR in the Grendel. Accurate, flat shooting and hits the gong hard out at 600 yds.
I was going to try some Nosler 125 gr Partition handloads running as close to 2500 fps as I can safely push them out of the 18" barrel. Should be enough power for.most of my hunts, even Elk inside 200 yds

 

[Oldffemt]

I built an 18" upper for my AR in the Grendel. Accurate, flat shooting and hits the gong hard out at 600 yds.
I was going to try some Nosler 125 gr Partition handloads running as close to 2500 fps as I can safely push them out of the 18" barrel. Should be enough power for.most of my hunts, even Elk inside 200 yds

Sounds like a pretty good setup. I took my 18” Grendel for a hike in CO last fall. Didn’t get a shot at an elk with it but I think inside 200yds you’d be fine with good shot placement. You just have to have the mindset going in that you won’t take a marginal shot no matter what.

 

[cupp260]

I built an 18" upper for my AR in the Grendel. Accurate, flat shooting and hits the gong hard out at 600 yds.
I was going to try some Nosler 125 gr Partition handloads running as close to 2500 fps as I can safely push them out of the 18" barrel. Should be enough power for.most of my hunts, even Elk inside 200 yds

 

[cupp260]

Ok for deer inside 100 yds but please don't think it is an elk rifle. It just does not have the power needed for elk.

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[Mac7]

Ok for deer inside 100 yds but please don't think it is an elk rifle. It just does not have the power needed for elk.

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I'm sure it will work for elk within reasonable range, out to 200 yds he will be fine as long as the bullet goes in the right place.

 

[armadillo66]

I have hunted with a .243 for many years. I have Elk hunted with a 45 Colt handgun before. I don't take risky shots.
I would only elk hunt with 125gr Partitions or Trophy Bonded projectiles. My rifle has a accurate Sig scope on it. Were I to take a shot on an elk I have no doubt it would do just fine within reasonable distance. In thick woods, it is a flat shooting tack driver you can thread down through the trees.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

.45 bc at 2500fps is hardly flat shooting

Not sure the partitions reputation as being a deep penetrating bullet is an attribute.

 

[Newtosavage]

I quit trying to make my Grendel something it wasn't. I now own a 6.5 CM for my deer rifle and my buddy has the Grendel for a range gun. This was after shooting three small whitetails - all good shots - that went an average of 90 yards with no blood trail whatsoever. Two different bullets.

I'd never shoot an elk with a Grendel. I'd rather shoot it with my bow or muzzleloader first. Having said that, bring on the Grendel elk videos. LOL There's always an exception to every rule of thumb.

 

[Formidilosus]

Exactly. People are going the opposite way with bullets that they should be. The 123gr AMAX and 130gr Berger Hybrid are monsters in the Grendel.

I have Zero issues with elk and a Grendel.

 

[Newtosavage]

Exactly. People are going the opposite way with bullets that they should be. The 123gr AMAX and 130gr Berger Hybrid are monsters in the Grendel.

I have Zero issues with elk and a Grendel.

I wouldn't expect you to if you're willing to shoot a mule deer at 700 yards with a .223.

 

[Formidilosus]

I wouldn't expect you to if you're willing to shoot a mule deer at 700 yards with a .223.

Again, have you ever done it? Have you killed any big game, with any cartridge at 700 yards? Killed anything with a Grendel or like cartridge? If so- bullet/range/impact angle/results?

 

[Newtosavage]

Killed enough with the Grendel (hand loads, multiple bullets) to tell me what I need to know.

See post #8, first sentence.

Good luck with those tracking jobs.

 

[Formidilosus]

Killed enough with the Grendel (hand loads, multiple bullets) to tell me what I need to know.

See post #8, first sentence.

Good luck with those tracking jobs.

Three deer? No mention of projectile, range, angle. It takes more than three to form even a base understanding... I’ve shot more than that before putting the rifle back on safe.

The two bullets I mentioned tend to kill dramatically out of the Grendel. For some reason people say “little” and think they need to go to a deeper penetrating bullet. That leads to lack luster performance. Quite the opposite- go soft.

 

[PNWTO]

I know some credible guys here in the PNW that hunt deer and elk with 6.5Gs. They both shoot a metric f-ton of 6.5G recreationally so they know where they are hitting. That said, they are both disciplined and mature to have self-imposed ungulate limits at 225 yds. How they got to that number I have no idea.

I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with a solid 6.5G load at less than 200 yds.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

@Formidilosus What's the lowest impact velocity are you comfortable with for the 123 ELD-M and the 130 Hybrid?

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus What's the lowest impact velocity are you comfortable with for the 123 ELD-M and the 130 Hybrid?

I’ve seen mono like expansion from both down to 1,600fps. For comfort- 1,800-1,700fps.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

I’ve seen mono like expansion from both down to 1,600fps. For comfort- 1,800-1,700fps.

Any experience with the Nosler ABLR? Seems like it would be a good bullet for the grendel since it was designed to expand at an even lower velocity

 

[Formidilosus]

Any experience with the Nosler ABLR? Seems like it would be a good bullet for the grendel since it was designed to expand at an even lower velocity

Not in the Grendel, but when I go back to it, that’s one bullet I will use. Probably the best choice for it.

 

[orelkaddict]

I know a few local guys here that hunt deer with a Grendel, 2 of them hunt elk short range with them and they always get it done. Myself I'm from the mindset of a big magnum is better!! We have 3 Grendels in our house that are mainly used as coyote guns and for ringing steel. But I have no doubt that they are a badass little caliber that could be multi use hunting if using the proper bullets, good shot placement and a limited range

 

[GunsAreFun]

Ok for deer inside 100 yds but please don't think it is an elk rifle. It just does not have the power needed for elk.

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Don't have my data handy, but if I recall correctly, 6.5G has the same energy at 400m as 556 does at the muzzle with the same barrel length. I have seen a TON of deer killed by 223/556 rounds.

I'm not saying it is the best whitetail round by any means, but to say it is limited to 100 yards is just flat wrong.