Heavy Bullets in 6.5 Grendel

[fshaw]

I’m waiting on a Pendleton stock to finish a 6.5 Grendel build on an 8 twist, 22” sporter barreled action from Brownell’s. Already have the JO bottom metal. I hunt the forest in the Adirondacks where shots are almost always inside 100 yards, often inside 50 yards. I’m buying a few bullets to develop a whitetail load with. I’ve been thinking of trying 140gr ELDMs and think I should end up with a load that, up to 100 yards, pretty closely duplicates a CM at 400 yards. Because deer get out of sight so guickly, and are difficult to track on dry leaves, I’m looking for consistent exits on broadside to quartering shots. Also, because I process and eat the game I take, I do not want to waste more meat than absolutely. Not interested in solid copper bullets at this time and have some 129gr ABLRs. What’s the consensus on 140gr ELDMs for effective wounds and probable exits?

Thanks.

Frank

 

[Clayt]

I have had consistent exits quarter and a bit larger size on at least 10 Oklahoma whitetail with 6.5G 123eld and 123sst. Under 100, Im not sure you would want to sacrifice the speed but the BC of the hevies would be better at distances over 300 yards. Either way, the 6.5G speeds seem to be a perfect match for the ELDM to avoid extreme expansion, which limits penetration.

 

[Ganderzone]

Love the grendel, it really shines in 130 and under but it's optimal bullet weight is 120. eld-M, sst, 120 gold dot all great bullets at grendel speeds. I have a pile of 129 ablr I haven't had a chance to work up yet but with it's lower expansion threshold it should be a fantastic bullet if you can get it to shoot, seating depth is key with these.

 

[Eric_F]

140 g would definitely be heavier than I'd go, that will take up like half the case volume. I deer hunted for a few years with 129 gr ABLRs, OK accuracy (but totally acceptable for deer <200 yds) but great terminal performance. I only got like 2300 to 2350 fps, I wouldn't want to go any slower.

 

[fshaw]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking the heavier ELDMs would have the mass for some fragmentation and penetration as well. I’ve purchased some 123 ELDMs so will start with them and the ABLRs. Thanks for the help.

 

[FCCDerek]

Personally, I dont think the 140's are gonna be great in a Grendel. I'd stick with a 130 and push it as fast as you can. Go for a 130TGK, they're a tough bullet, and you should get consistent pass throughs with it.

 

[Tahoe1305]

130 and below is where I would hang. 123 is sweet spot IMO.

 

[Steve300xcw]

123's are plenty

 

[Ferrulewax]

To avoid starting a new thread, I am going to bump this.

Shot a bear (>250lbs, looked like 3-400) at 30ish Yards with a 6.5 grendel 123 eldm and tracked the bear for about 400 yards today. Fantastic blood trail for the first 150 and then it slowed to a few drops past that until it dried up. I know the best and most likely explaination is that I suck (@Formidilosus) and made a poor and rushed shot, but can’t help but wonder If I didn’t get the penetration I needed on what may not have been ideal placement for my shot (I think it may have been too far forward, behind the front leg).

My max range with this rifle is 100 yards (16.25” 5lb howa mini w/ fixed 2.5x) Any reason not to step it up to a heavier bullet as long as my velocity is still good at 100 yards? I was thinking 130 TMK or even a 130, 140, or 147 eldm (probably too long). Because I am in a howa mini I may have a bit more COAL to work with than an AR.

Probably another example of trying to fix a skill issue with gear, but an interesting thought nonetheless.

 

[Eric_F]

I've got no experience hunting bears, but I've got quite a few deer with 129 ABLRs in my Grendel (and elk with 168 ABLRs). All fairly close range and passed through well.

Beyond yes shot placement, if you're going to change something I'd consider a tougher bullet regardless of weight. A bonded (e.g. ABLR) or monolithic, 100 or 120 TTSX / GMX is likely to get better penetration, but I'm not positive if that's what's lacking.

 

[Formidilosus]

To avoid starting a new thread, I am going to bump this.

Shot a bear (>250lbs, looked like 3-400) at 30ish Yards with a 6.5 grendel 123 eldm and tracked the bear for about 400 yards today. Fantastic blood trail for the first 150 and then it slowed to a few drops past that until it dried up. I know the best and most likely explaination is that I suck (@Formidilosus) and made a poor and rushed shot, but can’t help but wonder If I didn’t get the penetration I needed on what may not have been ideal placement for my shot (I think it may have been too far forward, behind the front leg).

My max range with this rifle is 100 yards (16.25” 5lb howa mini w/ fixed 2.5x) Any reason not to step it up to a heavier bullet as long as my velocity is still good at 100 yards? I was thinking 130 TMK or even a 130, 140, or 147 eldm (probably too long). Because I am in a howa mini I may have a bit more COAL to work with than an AR.

Probably another example of trying to fix a skill issue with gear, but an interesting thought nonetheless.

It’s a bear- they are extremely soft and very small bodied. Penetration with that bullet isn’t a problem, quite the opposite- it sometimes doesn’t creat a very wide wound. SST’s have been better killers in my experience, though it is limited to a couple dozen animals per.

That you even think you were a bit too far forward points that you absolutely were on a bear. A tight behind the shoulder shot on a bear is barely clipping the very front of the lungs.

The very last thing I want is a deep penetrating bullet in a bear.

Middle, of the middle.

 

[Ferrulewax]

It’s a bear- they are extremely soft and very small bodied. Penetration with that bullet isn’t a problem, quite the opposite- it sometimes doesn’t creat a very wide wound. SST’s have been better killers in my experience, though it is limited to a couple dozen animals per.

That you even think you were a bit too far forward points that you absolutely were on a bear. A tight behind the shoulder shot on a bear is barely clipping the very front of the lungs.

The very last thing I want is a deep penetrating bullet in a bear.

Middle, of the middle.

I could have sworn that you preferred the 123 eldm vs the sst. I switched for that reason, guess I am switching back! Any opinion on the factory 123 sst vs a handload 130tmk, or 130/140 eldm?

 

[Formidilosus]

I could have sworn that you preferred the 123 eldm vs the sst. I switched for that reason, guess I am switching back!

I don’t know why as I haven’t looked deep into it, but it seems to be a relatively common occurrence that people have preferred the 123gr SST over the ELD-M of same.

Any opinion on the factory 123 sst vs a handload 130tmk, or 130/140 eldm?

Any, or all are fine. I would not go heavier than 130gr as the Grendel is already on the lower side of velocity. Probably the perfect Grendel bullet is the 107gr TMK- bit unavailable. The 100gr ELD-VT is what I would be trying were it me.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I don’t know why as I haven’t looked deep into it, but it seems to be a relatively common occurrence that people have preferred the 123gr SST over the ELD-M of same.




Any, or all are fine. I would not go heavier than 130gr as the Grendel is already on the lower side of velocity. Probably the perfect Grendel bullet is the 107gr TMK- bit unavailable. The 100gr ELD-VT is what I would be trying were it me.

I managed to find some 107tmk. Would that still be your preferred bullet even if you knew shots would be under 100 yards? I figured a heavier bullet going slightly more slowly (but still far past upset velocity) would be better if you didn’t need to maintain velocity out to any range. I figure even with a 130+ grn bullet impact velocity would still be easily 2000fps plus.

 

[Formidilosus]

I managed to find some 107tmk. Would that still be your preferred bullet even if you knew shots would be under 100 yards? I figured a heavier bullet going slightly more slowly (but still far past upset velocity) would be better if you didn’t need to maintain velocity out to any range. I figure even with a 130+ grn bullet impact velocity would still be easily 2000fps plus.

The 107gr should do very well. Any/all will work at that range and impact velocities.