6.5 Grendel - 120gr Hornady ELD with Varmint and 8208 XBR

Another look at the 120gr Hornady ELD Match bullet in 6.5 Grendel. The test powders are Alliant Power-Pro Varmint and IMR 8208 XBR.
/ johnnysreloadingbench
/ reloading

[@pony_4759]

I wonder how the Spear Gold Dot soft tips would shoot with those powders , I think the annealing is helping !! Looking forward to more Grendel !! Thank You for your hard work !!

[@ewetho]

My favorite caliber to watch that I do not shoot, but consider probably the best AR cartridge.

[@locomike102]

It's great to see you back--I hope your are doing well.

[@gunfather83]

Man i think we were all starting to worry about you. Glad you're back.

[@brandonjohnson3120]

Just ordered 200 of these 120gr bullets. Thanks for working up these two loads, as these are both powders I keep in stock anyway! Best targets I’ve ever seen, hands down! Update: 29.3 and 29.6gr Power Pro Varmint both shoot sub MOA in my 18” Odin Works 6.5 Grendel. Thanks again for testing these components!

[@turbosandmagnums771]

Good to see you back at it jrb. Hope is everything is well for ya. Perfect that's it's a grendel vid

[@300blk8]

I just really enjoy watching your videos thank you I learn something new everyday.

[@farmboy2848]

I have missed you.. glad to see ya !

[@AgileK9TopDog]

Your rack will get cruddy fast. Put the cases in a ziplock bag and spray in a little One Shot. Shake it up like Shake n Bake. Take them out and let them dry (really fast). The bag can be reused.

[@turbosandmagnums771]

Good idea man. I'll use that so I don't have to put the loading block in the dishwasher anymore

[@charlesjackson7232]

Great to see you back!!! Your videos have been a great help for me in my new obsession, RELOADING. I started with 223/556. And am about to jump into 450 bushmaster for my deer rifle. There is very limited data out on it so far but that almost makes it more interesting!.... if I could make a special request I’d like to see more 40 grain 223 vids. Although a 450 bushmaster series would be tits.

[@wilfenton64]

Love the 6.5 grendel videos. Would you consider doing a video with the 130 grain sierra gamechanger?

[@chadsangster252]

Glad to see you back and at it, hope all is well!! I appreciate your video's and knowledge.

[@geraldbondoc5974]

Great loads & groups! I bet your G is all smiles. 🙏 Welcome back bro! 👍

[@dontask8979]

👍👍 RCBS 3 way cutter. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[@scarter176]

Your load work ups are great ! Thanks Johnny

[@joeynewman9439]

Thanks for a JRB fix , I was getting the shakes.

[@codenameheirbornewithrobbi7418]

Maybe we need a "Finding Johnny" task force to be sure he hasn't blown his face off. After 10 days yous start wondering - 20 days and you start think maybe so - after 30 days obviously he did.

[@brettr6895]

Yup. Agreed. 30 days is the longest he's went without a vid in a long time.

[@dermotrooney9584]

Ill join that task force. Was proper clucking.

[@johnstorey653]

Glad to see you back Johnny . Hope your doing well and glad to see you putting up videos. On another topic did you take your franklin tumbler video down -- will miss it. You are the best out there and while I really like your new videos I still like the old one where what you say is unfiltered. Glad your back and hope you had the time to think about your grand father. Just from what you say during your videos I can see the love.

[@ssyoumans]

Great video Johnny. Getting ready to start some 6.5 Grendel testing myself. Hopefully I’ll have similar success.

[@adeniranm7647]

When are you planning to release a video on the Labradar? I know a lot of people are going to be looking forward to it.

[@pawswet9476]

It will be excellent, based on JRB history. Just like fine wine and cheese..it’s ready when it’s ready.

[@curtiswest4272]

Impressive! So tell me, do you think that annealing was one of the factors in the low SD's? Seems from those groups the runout is probably spot on too. Nice groups and good shooting,

[@pawswet9476]

What. The. Actual. Heck. Those groups.. How much of that was consistent neck tension/ annealed brass?

[@eldenclark5019]

Johnny, how much of this excellent performance can you contribute to the Lapua brass and the annealing? I would like to see the same loads tested with Hornady brass and compare the results.

[@jamespollard1670]

I haven't tried 8208 yet in my Grendel but H4895 shoots those kind of groups for me in my Grendel .

[@mulekicker-ut5jl]

Your videos have helped me so much. Thanks

[@anchorbait6662]

Yeah baby!!

[@jimmybigtime]

I put about 10 cases on my lube pad, spray the One Shot, then roll them. Size those 10 and repeat.

[@CS-ow3io]

you said it's coming to an end......BUT please do a video with the power pro 2000mr. Look at that speer data!

[@tmos1985]

2000mr is getting towards the slow burning side of powder for the grendel especially in a shorter barrel. I've loaded it in a handful of bullets 120-130gr with a 24" barrel and can get better velocities with a2520, swm, cfe223, blc2 and lvr.

[@aklaunch]

You can set up your die with the expander ball removed. That way you can use just one case.

[@ryankarrar6107]

Used to use One-shot. Started using the homemade lanolin mix a couple months ago and it's way better than One-shot

[@eeikewok2901]

I missed you my friend!

[@jacobwaasdorp4225]

I don’t have a fancy radar but I was getting 2550fps with 135 ATips on top of 28gn of H322 . They start to show ejector signs right about there .

[@smallcityhomesteaders1600]

Love what you do here bud. Im gomma try you varmint loads in my 20" barrel.

[@mtig49]

I would enjoy seeing some grendel with lead free bullets. After this deer season they found a few eagles that had died from lead poisoning so for next year I'm will be used lead free bullets.

[@Gunner-73]

Johnny, if you want to shoot consistent groups, your brass all need to be the same length every time you shoot. 1.510 or 1.514 1 or 2 thousands on neck tension is going to hurt everything especially standard deviation. drop your bullet seat depth .020 off the lands and shoot these again.

[@Jet2416-Reloading]

@Johnny's Reloading Bench - You may have already been asked this but if you would indulge me, what buffer weight have you tried for your 6.5 Grendel builds? I've recently switched to an H2 (4.65 oz) buffer in my 5.56 carbine to slow that action because it was just way over gassed. It seems to help with recoil and ejection pattern. My new Grendel upper has a 20" rifle length, 5R barrel. Do you think think the H2 buffer will still work or should I use a lighter buffer? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@michaelnaglie5417]

Great Video's thanks! any chance of using the new Hornady A-TIP 135's or are they too long?

[@FullSendPrecision]

Are you using the mic to trigger the LR? - Also, how's the bluetooth working on yours? Mine and my shooting partners is garbage... it will disconnect after a few moments and not reconnect until you reboot the unit.

[@PC-vq5ud]

Call Labradar, I think you have a bad one. They answer the phone. The person I spoke with was knowledgeable.

[@sithyarael6807]

Have you loaded 6.5 with varget powder? If so I will look up the video. Only powder I could find locally for 6.5G loads for the 123g Hornady ELD loads. Is it necessary to anneal Grendel brass?? Just now reloading it and using virgin brass.

[@lifewithabe312]

I’m very interested to know how you got your coal. I have managed to get a sd of 8 for my browning bar in 30-06 but the 5 shot group was weak and I loaded to magazine length or 0.010 shorter than magazine length. I tried to figure out my jam but i just can’t do it with the bullet in the fired case method ( crimping nek with pliers as I don’t have mandrel die) figured I want to fit in the magazine anyway. Would you seat deeper or go longer than mag length? ( I know longer is not ideal but I’d rather load one a time and have t accuracy than be able to load more with less accuracy) if longer how can I get the jam (tight in the lands) for my browning mkiii I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning that I’m right on saami spec max length I enjoy your channel a lot

[@justaregularguy3827]

Also do you clean your rifles regularly like cleaning the copper and stuff out or no never just curious

[@14truelies]

CAN YOU DO MORE WITH THE CONTROLLED CHAOS BULLETS? i'M IN SEARCH OF AN ACCURATE DEFENSE ROUND FOR A 6.5 GRENDEL IN A 16" BARREL.

[@JReed305]

Think you are really on to something with that bullet. Do you plan on trying the 100gr ELDM? I would be really interested to seeing what you get if you do.

[@bryantberg2455]

Hey I just built a 6.5 grendel and I've got some experience with reloading but I wanna use the 127 barnes lrx bullet but there is only reload data for it in 6.5 creedmoor. I'd appreciate help not blowing my face off. Love the vids they have helped

[@Choronzon39]

Is annealing really necessary? I purchase a little brass from time to time, and pick up some factory brass from the range on occasion.

[@Choronzon39]

I live in an apartment and try to keep the reloading process as simple as possible. Lee hand press, and some Wilson hand dies.

[@Choronzon39]

If you have access to range brass, just properly prep it, shoot it, and then toss it when it's worn out.

[@bigingo4269]

it is slow 2500 fps ???

[@alaskatruoutdoors9238]

Whenever you don't post for a while I start to think "Those Commie bastards got Johnny, they're probably holding him in a facility under the Denver airport" right about the time me and the boys start working on a plan to bust you out, you post a video. Wait, what if you're not the real Johnny...

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Thank you Johnny, I am seriously considering the addition of 6.5G to my tool box. Big shocker; I saw the price on 300BO double at a local store in one year. The 6.5G was still the same old price. Are they attacking the AR15 calibers?

[@mikeingeorgia1]

Bryan St.Martin , I think the 300 BO is gaining in popularity faster than the supply of ammo.

[@josephbailey4225]

Was anyone else starting to worry he had blown his face off till this video dropped? Or just me?

[@320fullclip]

Got that 107 smk in 6.5 creed yet?

[@piercebronson2469]

Could you please load 55grn Speer gold dots in 223.

[@justaregularguy3827]

what scale would you recomend for reloading

[@josephlong7420]

Call me what you will, I think I enjoy load development more than I do just plinking.

[@bradjones06]

Johnnys alive! And with the exact load I needed tested! Long Live JRB!!!

[@jasonrichards9330]

Dude you are the Bob Ross of reloading. Nothing more relaxing then getting home at the end of a long day, grabbing a beer and seeing you uploaded a new video.

[@farmboy2848]

120 ballistic tip RL 15 30gr. +\-.. or other 120s maybe.. 2550+\-. ...100 gr. loves xbr around 30gr.. all from an AR.. . Never shot the varmint. .. love your channel ,has helped me . Just my 2 pennies

[@jasonfife2751]

Love me some 8208. Missed your content. Welcome back.

[@TheSlightlyFeral]

The only channel that I watch the whole video every time without skipping around. Well done sir, well done.

[@snaphuglue1617]

Same here..

[@jordanmadonna7440]

Agreed! I have multiple videos of JRB saved and have rewatched them numerous times. Great content

[@AgileK9TopDog]

I think the only reason you can see the poi shift with the 8208xbr is because the groups are so freaking small. If you stack the first 20 rounds on top of each other, they're still probably under an inch.

[@yootoober49]

I have a bunch of 6.5 grendel 123 scenar versus 123 smk loaded with 27.3 grain xbr8208 to shoot and evaluate. Appreciate the vid. Will try that bullet next

[@darrelljohnson8013]

Great vid today! I’ve had group and velocity success with the 123 ELD Match and 8208 XBR, but the brass is getting some burrs. It is Hornady brass, so maybe I’ll pick up some Lapua and see how it may improve. I know it’s a low pressure load, and the primers are pristine, maybe the brass is just too soft.

[@nugg3tFTW]

If it's an AR I would try tweaking the gas system/buffer. My 223 will shred brass if I crank the gas up.

[@waltersobchak2973]

Good to see you back. No better way to honor your grandfather's memory than to load up some ammo and get out on the range.

[@BoltActionReloading]

Very interested to see as you anneal more if you SD's continue to stay low. Great to see.

[@FullSendPrecision]

You should take a peek @ the Redding Competition Shellholders. Makes setting neck bump a lot easier/more consistent from session to session.

[@FullSendPrecision]

Welcome back!

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Good stuff. Thanks a bundle. With you on 8208XBR. It is as good or better in my 5.56/223 as Varget for accuracy. 50gr. V-Max beautiful & the 69gr SMK likes it the best. Paper punching, varmit on a budget...Vmax. We have even harvested whitetail with 69grSMK very well. Thanks again.

[@heytonyman]

Fantastic SD’s for ball powders indeed. A benchrest old timer once told me its all about the neck tension. Looks like the annealing and attention to neck length is paying off.

[@adeniranm7647]

Great range day! Nice shooting Johnny.

[@ChuckinTV]

Holy crap that's some good shooting there! The XBR might not get as much velocity, but you can't argue with the SDs and accuracy. 2400fps+ vs 2300fps+.... A deer won't out run it either way.

[@jacobdendinger4140]

It's not about the deer out running it. It's about gravity. At 9.8 meters per second gravity has a big role. If the bullet takes an extra one second to get to the Target then it will be almost 10 meters low. Now one second is a long time on a 9th of a second it's still an entire meter difference. The bottom line is FPS fights gravity or the effects that gravity has on the p o i

[@Thefringefitnessproject]

So don't know if you ever checked out the 6.5 timberwolf. I think your the one to build a rifle and start some load development. I'll throw a hundo in the pot for the build!

[@N5KDA]

I shoot the 100gr Sierra HP. I tried several powders including IMR 8208 XBR and Power Pro Varmint. I had good groups with 8208 XBR but the velocity was down from what I was looking for. PPV gave good velocities but the groups were so so. My best groups with good velocity was H4895. If I could get groups like you did with IRM 8208 XBR I wouldn't be that concerned with velocity. Good shooting and great video, Thanks.

[@dgunnut6550]

What’s better than Elite 8 basketball on a Saturday night? A new Johnny’s Reloading Bench video! And not just any video, a 6.5 Grendel video! 🎉 🎉 🎉 Great to see you back at it. I hope all is well with you.

[@tadglidden679]

Nice to have you back. You all ways go for Max load I wanna see a subsonic round. Like the 140gr Speer or 143 eldx. Maybe some gel block testing would be a good vid.

[@rickmiller8931]

Glad to see you back Johnny . Hope your doing well

[@arnolddarkschner9010]

I checked KZbin everyday waiting for your latest video.

[@dermotrooney9584]

Me too!

[@yootoober49]

Yessssssszzz

[@Ocdoutdoors]

It's all good.. and even better with great results with the grendel.. testing 123eld with benchmark tomorrow myself.

[@j45acp69]

your results mimick what I have experienced with my 20 inch alexander arms grendel barrel. That cartridge loves XBR powder hands down. Mine loves the sierra 123 grain match kings though. good shooting!

[@Darkhalfcustoms]

They did say that the 123gr hornaday is the best for the Grendel. That's from the men who made the cartiage.

[@BB_Chaptsick]

Great video. I don’t shoot 6.5 Grendel, but always can learn from your videos. Thank you!

[@jonathanherron3835]

Missed your videos! Just wondering are you planning on reloading any different calibers soon?

[@yolo-qr2fq]

Yeah the Hornady one shot gets sticky. You should clean it off especially if your not going to load them for a while because it dulls the looks of the case.

[@RVsales]

Sometimes I take breaks longer than this, and I don’t have the added responsibility of shooting and editing videos. Welcome back! Hope you’re keeping it fun. P.S. Brass prep is the worst part for me

[@ewetho]

That 6 PPC really tunes up your shooting..lol ... Nice string

[@RHall1]

Glad to see ya back buddy! Great video!

[@jonathandavenport1172]

Good to see you back brother, hope you’re doing ok

[@Thefringefitnessproject]

Glad your back at the bench!

[@MikeSessler]

Glad to see you back, man!

[@johnparrish9215]

YAY, Johnny's Back !!!!

[@paulharveu526]

I was starting to worry you finally blew your face off. Good to have you back.

[@poppopscarvinshop]

Glad to See You're Back!

[@zachgilpin3504]

Yyyyyyyes, JRB is back. Life is back to normal. Thanks again Johnny

[@yissnakklives8866]

YAY!

[@TALLA300CforumZ]

nice to a new video

[@nilescoyote4829]

You should give H322 a try, temperature insensitive and on my limited work with it in a 16" barrel velocities were great without pressure signs. I was using 123 elds at the time and IIRC I was in the mid 2400's while near the upper end of Hodgdon's loads in Lapua brass. Works well in a 6.8 too.

[@mark120371]

He has done a ladder with H322 with the 120 ELD-M. He did H322 and N133 and PowerPro Varmint and now 8208 XBR

[@nilescoyote4829]

@@mark120371 thanks, I see that now.

[@jongruen7854]

Love 8208 XBR with 123's. Like you 27.5 grains is all my Hornady cases will take before things start going south.

[@halfdollar86]

I love imr 8208xbr for 223 and 68-75 grainers

[@JPsaysno]

Amen . I shoot 21.8 imr8208xbr in 223- 82gn Berger bt --- 28in 1-7 ... it's not a screaming fast load but it produces little itty bitty bug holes.

[@coryarchbold7085]

I would like to see some loads with arcomp with the 120gr hornady match

[@timsmith5837]

Made my night Johnny,, it is great to see you back.

[@bassetthound2008]

Looks like he didn't blow his face off.

[@ewetho]

How could you tell all I see is hands????

[@anchorbait6662]

Thumbs-up for no Dumpster fires.