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

[@locomike102]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@jasonfife2751]

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

[@BB_Chaptsick]

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

[@rickmiller8931]

Glad to see you back Johnny . Hope your doing well

[@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.

[@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.

[@PilotMcbride]

For years I've maintained the opinion - "that you can NOT get consistent good groups from a semi auto" My hat is on the lunchtime menu after this vid! Firstly, all the resultant groups from an 18" barrel on a semi auto action.............HOLY SMOKE!!! Secondly, those SDs from an 18" barrel on a semi auto action........... STONE THE BLOODY CROWS!! These results are amazing!! Back in the 70s I shot my 7.62NATO quite well and scared the crap out of my instructors, but nothing like these groups here. Thanks for these results JRB, absolutely fantastic!!! 🇦🇺 🍺🍺 👍

[@timsmith5837]

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

[@adeniranm7647]

Great range day! Nice shooting Johnny.

[@arnolddarkschner9010]

I checked KZbin everyday waiting for your latest video.

[@dermotrooney9584]

Me too!

[@zachgilpin3504]

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

[@jonathandavenport1172]

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

[@ewetho]

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

[@gunfather83]

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

[@300blk8]

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

[@TexasTrained]

It's the best one I've found for my 6.5 Grendel out of stainless spiral fluted Faxon barrel . You make great videos with useable substance

[@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

[@Thefringefitnessproject]

Glad your back at the bench!

[@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 !!

[@christopherdavis2439]

Just ordered my first reloading kit, plan to reload for my 6.5 Grendel for fun shooting little groups and 300 win mag for really far. Luckily, you show both :)

[@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!

[@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

[@seantierney3]

I am sorry to hear about your grandfather passing on. I have been keeping you and your family in my prayers.

[@RHall1]

Glad to see ya back buddy! Great video!

[@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

[@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.

[@paulharveu526]

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

[@Freezer003]

Welcome back Johnny! Super excited for the new upload!

[@turbosandmagnums771]

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

[@farmboy2848]

I have missed you.. glad to see ya !

[@mikeingeorgia1]

Wow! That 8208 gave some very impressive results!

[@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!

[@MikeSessler]

Glad to see you back, man!

[@workwillfreeyou]

After watching your 6.5 grendel loading videos I want a 6.5 grendel upper!

[@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.

[@sjohnson1776]

Good to see you back. Hope all is well. That 8208 string is awesome. Well done!

[@FullSendPrecision]

Welcome back!

[@poppopscarvinshop]

Glad to See You're Back!

[@Ocdoutdoors]

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

[@daviddale3624]

Haven't had a test day at the range like that one. The SDs and groups...excellent!

[@BoltActionReloading]

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

[@chadsangster252]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@forgiven21BM]

i gotta say, the fourth group with varmint, when that 5th bullet hit dead center between the other four was amazing

[@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.

[@jacobdendinger4140]

Thank you for your comment at the end about you would rather shoot a bullet you didn't expect then to shoot a bullet with a lot of hype and still have bad groups... The main takeaway from this video is that it does not matter which powder or how much charge you use the 6.5 diameter bullet it's best served at the 120 grain weight because you changed all the other variables but the point of impact and grouping was still fine. This means that your Barrel likes that bullet. (Period)

[@andrewslagle1974]

i love your reloading videos .the best on you tube ,was worried you tube pulled the show . hope all is well .thanx for your help with this hobby.

[@jongruen7854]

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

[@FullSendPrecision]

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

[@johnparrish9215]

YAY, Johnny's Back !!!!

[@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

[@OhShidBirdUp]

Glad to see you back! I've been checking every day waiting for an update

[@dragoncutlery]

You may have saved the grendel for me ive been working with cfe223 as its recommend and theres info on it and today i tried some varmint on 6.5 hornady 123 eld and for the first time in the 6 or so years and 2 barrels i have had the rifle i shot something that looks like a good group thanks for the effort 👌

[@ssyoumans]

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

[@scarter176]

Your load work ups are great ! Thanks Johnny

[@joeynewman9439]

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

[@kalicom2937]

Awesome groupings. A joy to watch.

[@bryanross3466]

great video! That's outstanding loads across the board.

[@johnwhitty9069]

Great to see you back. My grendel has quickly become my favorite gun. Right now my bullet combo is 123gr nosler custom competition and 27 gr of varget. 8202 xbr is absolutely horrible in my gun so varget was in the load manual so I tried it and man it groups like the xbr does in your gun. Keep up the fun work and can't wait for the next video.

[@boricuaarecibo9259]

I'm so glad you do 6.5 Grendel videos I load 120gr barnes match burner with 26grs of H335 I do sort bullets my velocity is 2240fps my sd is not good at 26

[@draaalbert]

HE'S BACK!!!!!

[@troydspain1099]

I second the 3way cutter comment . I have 5 different sizes and love every one.

[@swampbiologist]

I just got my X-Caliber Barrel in last week in 6.5 Grendel and am anxious to get the gun put together. IMR 8208 XBR will be my first powder to try if I can get my hands on a pound!

[@BuntMeister66]

Glad to see you back!

[@dontask8979]

👍👍 RCBS 3 way cutter. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[@geraldbondoc5974]

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

[@rebekah-chriss-k4872]

Great stuff excited to see more 6.5 Grendel action

[@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.

[@reddemon652]

Looks great!! Lovin that 8208❤️ I'm shooting 23.3 grains of 8208 with the sierra 77g in .223 all to love!! 2700fps

[@wingbolt6852]

Hope all is well Johnny, good video man.

[@bigal4334]

Been watching your channel for a few months. Funny to see the die stack increase over time. :)

[@ewetho]

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

[@wilfenton64]

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

[@ryridesmotox]

Fuck man, I was scared you blew your face off. Glad to have you back dude

[@halfdollar86]

i have been wanting to build a Grendel. This makes it even worse. Wow that is impressive. I am a huge fan of XBR in a couple cartridges.

[@bigracer3867]

glad to see a new video, thank you sir. 6.5 grendel, nice!

[@rider547]

Nice to see you’re back! Hope you’re doing well. Nice groups! Great content on the Grendel. Wouldn’t mind seeing more on the 224 Valkyrie with maybe some RL-16?

[@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.

[@CorwinBos]

Damn fine shooting sir 8208 is one of my go to's as well

[@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

[@marvinbrock960]

I’ve been waiting on this combo for awhile!

[@rdsii64]

Its great to hear from you again. Great content as usual. However, I'm looking forward to more 308 AR10 content.

[@mulekicker-ut5jl]

Your videos have helped me so much. Thanks

[@TALLA300CforumZ]

nice to a new video

[@tonyr3352]

Welcome Back!!!

[@Sleepykek]

Dang good shootin' too. Never had a target look like that.

[@wallyhaskett6737]

What your are doing is the best way to work up a good load for your rifle. Load, shoot targets, and shoot jell block or wood blocks to show the penetration of the bullet and how it expands. All at 100 yards. I have done this for over fifty years with my dad and he did it about twenty years before that. You have a great system that works. Like you say "its great stuff". It is expensive but that is what it takes. One other think you may be interested in is myself and a buddy of mine have developed the best target stand you will ever find. If you are interested I will send you one. Just pick up the shipping cost. about $40.00 bucks. Yes, forty bucks. Address and I will box it and it will be on the way. Shipping money when you receive the target stand. One hold back is I would hope you would show it to your viewers. Patient pending for production. Thanks man!

[@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.

[@davidhays4695]

As always, never disappointed! And I don't even have a Grendel!

[@Darkhalfcustoms]

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

[@eeikewok2901]

I missed you my friend!

[@halfdollar86]

Impressive. The Varmit average was 3/4 moa and the Imr 8208 XBR was under 1/2 moa.

[@jakekosanka4956]

Welcome back good info!

[@anchorbait6662]

Yeah baby!!

[@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.