I run a 105gr MKZ out of my Grendel. They are pricey to reload, but they are SUPER accurate and give me fantastic terminal performance. Farthest shot on a deer was a decent 8 pt that dressed out at 180 lbs. He was 297 yds from the base of my stand per my laser range finder. He was standing in the snow so it was easy to find the spot and range back to the stand afterwards. He was quartering away pretty hard. Round entered behind the rear rib, went through one lung and the heart, and existed the brisket on the far side. He went about 50 yds. I've taken a few does at around 200 yds punching through the front shoulder on moderate quartering to shots with no problems. I've water tested it to 400 yds and that's as far as I'd push it on a deer, but I've taken it out to 700 yds on prairie dogs (told you it was accurate).
I have had the same concern about a Barnes TSX orTTSX in the Grendel, so it’s good to see that it works so well. I guess I don’t need to worry about the performance of the 100 grain version in my rifle since the velocity would be higher than the 120. Thanks for the video.
Water jugs work to test expansion. You can also make ballistic gel at home. Its 1 pound of gelation to 1 gallon of water. Sure, it aint clear and it is temp sensitive but it is the real deal
I remember doing this about 15 years ago when I was testing air gun pellets, but I’d forgotten about it until reading this comment! Thanks! I may have to try it again with rifle bullets.
I watched a video the other day can’t remember the channel but he tested several expanding bullets from the Grendel at 400yds into water and the results were surprising. Almost every bullet he tried has some kind of decent expansion. He shot a hammers, Barnes, federal terminal ascent, Hornady cx, sst, and a Speer gold dot
@@TheOutdoorGeneralistI just asked in the other video if you took a deer with the Grendel yet. I didn’t even realize I had already watched it and even commented lol
We did across impact velocity testing with this bullet and several others in the 6.5 Grendel Handbooks, complete with photos and graphs showing penetration, expansion, and weight retention.
Assembled a Grendel in the AR platform, used the factory 123 grain Hornady SST load to take a good sized doe last season. Double lung hit at approximately 40 yards, she ran off but, went down in 60-75 yards. Overall, very impressed with the performance of the round.
It's a dang shame you had to put a "disclaimer" on the size of the doe you shot. Whatever happened to the days of shooting which ever deer made you happy AND congratulating your fellow hunter on a successful hunt. I have a large family myself and we put around 5-7 deer per season in the freezer. If they're big mature bucks or does, then awesome. But if they aren't, awesome too. Around here there is NO shortage of deer. Private or national Forrest is full of deer. If a person is a "horn hunter", fine. Be happy with your hunt, BUT, also be happy with your fellow hunters harvest as well. Fellas, we're discouraging a pile of future hunters to enjoy the bounty of hunting and good quality protein. Great hunt sir! Good luck this season!
Check out Cavity Back 105gr MKZ for monoliths. 129gr ABLR and 120gr Gold Dot for cup & core bullets. 123gr SST has been killing well for many years though, as has 129gr SST and 120gr TSX. Barnes also has 115gr VOR-TX that's meant for the Grendel.
@LRRPFco52 I've got a box of the 129 hornady interlocks as well. I've heard that can be a great deer bullet in the grendel. For short distances, which I'll be shooting under 200 yards. Sometimes even bow range lol
Would you care to check this bolt action load. 6.5 Grendel. Hornady 129grs SST Accurate2520 CCI#450 OAL 2.26ins Min 29.4grs 2527fps 2466Jouls Max 31.4grs 2687fps 2788Jouls
Hmm, I don’t know about that load. 2600+ with a 129gr bullet doesn’t seem feasible in the Grendel unless you’ve got a 24”+ barrel. In my limited experience anyway.
I've been using Federal Fusion 120's in my Grendel for years, but I don't think Federal is making them anymore, so I'll be reloading with 123 Hornady SST's.
129gr ABLRs usually open up to .6" and are bonded. Great bullet for the Grendel. You can also try Cavity Back 105gr MKZs for a copper monolith. They expand very well and get fast velocities with their lighter weight and hollow back.
Grendel is a great round and this type of content is useful education. Nice job on the deer and the load work up!
I run a 105gr MKZ out of my Grendel. They are pricey to reload, but they are SUPER accurate and give me fantastic terminal performance. Farthest shot on a deer was a decent 8 pt that dressed out at 180 lbs. He was 297 yds from the base of my stand per my laser range finder. He was standing in the snow so it was easy to find the spot and range back to the stand afterwards. He was quartering away pretty hard. Round entered behind the rear rib, went through one lung and the heart, and existed the brisket on the far side. He went about 50 yds. I've taken a few does at around 200 yds punching through the front shoulder on moderate quartering to shots with no problems. I've water tested it to 400 yds and that's as far as I'd push it on a deer, but I've taken it out to 700 yds on prairie dogs (told you it was accurate).
@@nospam3409 Sounds like a great load! Thanks for watching!
Holy cow I'm surprised it did that well! Working with the 100gr TTSX and 115gr Tac-Tx here.
Screw ballistics gel keep testing on venison lol
I have had the same concern about a Barnes TSX orTTSX in the Grendel, so it’s good to see that it works so well. I guess I don’t need to worry about the performance of the 100 grain version in my rifle since the velocity would be higher than the 120. Thanks for the video.
Water jugs work to test expansion. You can also make ballistic gel at home. Its 1 pound of gelation to 1 gallon of water. Sure, it aint clear and it is temp sensitive but it is the real deal
I remember doing this about 15 years ago when I was testing air gun pellets, but I’d forgotten about it until reading this comment! Thanks! I may have to try it again with rifle bullets.
That’s a good eatin doe right there buddy! Congratulations 🎉
Thanks!
I watched a video the other day can’t remember the channel but he tested several expanding bullets from the Grendel at 400yds into water and the results were surprising. Almost every bullet he tried has some kind of decent expansion. He shot a hammers, Barnes, federal terminal ascent, Hornady cx, sst, and a Speer gold dot
I saw that one as well! Interesting test for sure.
@@TheOutdoorGeneralistI just asked in the other video if you took a deer with the Grendel yet. I didn’t even realize I had already watched it and even commented lol
@@justa3v619 haha I didn’t recognize the username at first!
Who did that video?
@@ammoiscurrency5706 took me forever to find it again I have so many subscriptions. It’s high country ballistics is the name of his channel
We did across impact velocity testing with this bullet and several others in the 6.5 Grendel Handbooks, complete with photos and graphs showing penetration, expansion, and weight retention.
Assembled a Grendel in the AR platform, used the factory 123 grain Hornady SST load to take a good sized doe last season. Double lung hit at approximately 40 yards, she ran off but, went down in 60-75 yards. Overall, very impressed with the performance of the round.
It's a dang shame you had to put a "disclaimer" on the size of the doe you shot. Whatever happened to the days of shooting which ever deer made you happy AND congratulating your fellow hunter on a successful hunt. I have a large family myself and we put around 5-7 deer per season in the freezer. If they're big mature bucks or does, then awesome. But if they aren't, awesome too. Around here there is NO shortage of deer. Private or national Forrest is full of deer. If a person is a "horn hunter", fine. Be happy with your hunt, BUT, also be happy with your fellow hunters harvest as well. Fellas, we're discouraging a pile of future hunters to enjoy the bounty of hunting and good quality protein. Great hunt sir! Good luck this season!
I’ve got some 100 gr ttsx on the way. Hopefully they work as well as your load did and hopefully my grendel likes them. Good video. 👍👍
Try CFE223, TAC, Leverevolution, or H335. Hodgdon's and the 6.5 Grendel Handbooks have all the data you need.
Good video thank you. I was wondering how those would work. I got some 100 grain I'm going to try.
Congratulations
Good video. I've been contemplating the 120 tsx or ttsx in my howa mini grendel.
Check out Cavity Back 105gr MKZ for monoliths. 129gr ABLR and 120gr Gold Dot for cup & core bullets. 123gr SST has been killing well for many years though, as has 129gr SST and 120gr TSX. Barnes also has 115gr VOR-TX that's meant for the Grendel.
@LRRPFco52 I've got a box of the 129 hornady interlocks as well. I've heard that can be a great deer bullet in the grendel. For short distances, which I'll be shooting under 200 yards. Sometimes even bow range lol
@@scottdeline The 129gr Hornady SPs do a number on medium game for sure.
What’s the lowest velocity the copper opens up? Grendel drops below fairly fast
Would you care to check this bolt action load.
6.5 Grendel.
Hornady 129grs SST Accurate2520 CCI#450 OAL 2.26ins Min 29.4grs 2527fps 2466Jouls
Max 31.4grs 2687fps 2788Jouls
Hmm, I don’t know about that load. 2600+ with a 129gr bullet doesn’t seem feasible in the Grendel unless you’ve got a 24”+ barrel. In my limited experience anyway.
@@TheOutdoorGeneralist 24ins barrel 8ins twist
Great, better save then sorry
I have a 6.5 Grendel but the Barnes is overpriced in my opinion
Yes, but a box or 2 for premium hunting ammo is not too much a setback.
@@paolosasso2189 good point
I've been using Federal Fusion 120's in my Grendel for years, but I don't think Federal is making them anymore, so I'll be reloading with 123 Hornady SST's.
129gr ABLRs usually open up to .6" and are bonded. Great bullet for the Grendel. You can also try Cavity Back 105gr MKZs for a copper monolith. They expand very well and get fast velocities with their lighter weight and hollow back.
@@DyrewulfNV they still make the fusion for the Grendel I seen it at sportsman's Warehouse