6 5 Grendel Long Range| Battle of the Heavyweights

[@frankbrowning328]

Great test! It's unusual for us to see videos of the heavywieghts shot out past 300 yards for expansion. Shots between 50 and 300-400yards are what hunters primarily get. We see a lot of gel and water testing at 10-20 feet but it isnt indicative of a normal hunting distance so the data recieved from those tests isn't all that helpful. Looking forward to the next test!

[@harrycombs2724]

On Whitetail deer I've used all of those bullets except for the Hammer. Nosler and Hornady SST have performed best for me at much closer range. I love this video and the results you provided. Thanks for the video my friend.

[@codywitt2718]

Love the actual testing and honest results shown. I’ve had great luck with 120 Nosler Etips in my Grendel on multiple deer and even two elk.

[@mikewashington-se6qw]

Love the Grendel. Just wish it could still be found in Michigan stores.

[@happysnowfish]

I DEFINITELY recommend getting into reloading/hand loading. There is still a large variety of bullets, powder, and primers (off and on). Brass is probably the most pricey part of a bullet but you can get new brass from Starline (currently the cheapest to get new), Lapua, Lake City, or Hornady. I'm sure there's more manufacturers, but those are the only one's I've seen lately. If you don't want to shell out $$$ for new brass, you could always go to a gun range and pick up some once fired 7.62x39 brass, resize it and fireform it to 6.5 Grendel. The case capacity will be a bit less (appx 1 grain) and they almost always use large rifle primers. But if you need cases it's an option.

[@Jrh-rp7np]

Just order some from Midway or SGAmmo or like PSA or optics planet or Brownells or Lucky Gunner or Primary Arms or whatever

[@davisroberson7839]

I am in gr much and Cabela's and Dunham's I have found them

[@chasrmartel4777]

My favorite long range load for the Grendel is the 129 gr Nosler ABLR. I push it to 2580 out of my CZ 527 with a 24" barrel and to 2500 out of my Howa mini carbon and 22" AR 15 upper built with a Grendel Hunter barrel. I shot a very nice Coues whitetail at 505 yards on the Mexican border in Arizona a couple of years ago. The bullet entered left should with the deer standing on a rock quartering toward me, and the bullet exited in the kidney area on the right side. The deer walked 15 yards and fell over in a ravine. The lungs were heavily damaged. The Partition is a favorite of mine because the front core almost always opens up even at long range and the rear core almost always exits and leaves a blood trail. With the bonded bullets, I have sometimes seen them open up too far at under 200 yards and not leave an exit wound. In Arizona for Coues deer the range is most often in excess of 400 yards so the extra retained energy of the ABLR really helps. Great content! Glad to see people out actually shooting the Grendel! My newest fling is the 6 mm ARC, but I never could stay with a single cartridge! I learned not to do that with women, the expenses add up lots faster than guns!

[@LDR1100RS]

The 129 ABLR has a following on the Grendel Forum. Expansion down to 1300 fps.

[@preacherbiggin]

You probably already know this but just in case you didn't... you can find barrels that have a water tight (fullsize) removable top (and extra tops too, so that you can shoot the top facing you instead of the bottom of the barrels and get more use out of them. Great testing sir! Love the 6.5 Grendel. Been shooting it since 2005 and its put a many of deer in the freezer and left pile of varmints for the buzzards here around the farm. Thanks for your hard work in assembling these tests for us! Subscribed and looking forward to more content. God bless from the Mnts of Virginia.

[@NelsonZAPTM]

Could you explain removable tops please, I'm not sure what you mean 🤔

[@joesashiify]

There always a chance the bottom of the barrel would still get punctured.

[@revolutionanarchy713]

Great video!!! Thank you for this one!!!

[@ryewaldman2214]

We need to know muzzle and/or impact velocities for these tests. Grendels come in all kinds of barrel lengths and muzzle velocities, so one person's 12 inch will produce very different results than another persons 24 inch. Many hunting grendels are in the 16 to 20 inch range with AA standardizing 18 inch for a grendel hunter.

[@SteveChishamSr]

The selection you demonstrated was real good

[@joshuamoyer8755]

I’d love to see the Nosler 129 grain ALBR. They’re hard to find just the bullets but I took a young 5x5 bull with the factory loading at 200 yards with an 18” barrel and it did the job. The furthest I’ve shot game with it was 300 yds on I a whitetail doe and it seemed to work pretty good. I’ve always wanted to see more long range testing with Grendel loads and I really appreciate this video. By chance do you remember what the 125 partition and the Terminal Ascent muzzle velocities were? Thanks.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

The partition would have been right around 2420 and the terminal ascent would be close to that 2500fps range

[@Happy-Honkey]

Great video. Really nice to see testing on hunting distances. Thanks man!

[@gabemaldo3662]

This is the video I was looking for, thank you

[@altonguis8870]

I totally agree on the 400 yard limit and that is pushing it really, safe bet is 300 yards.

[@tylerjohnson1670]

Just bought a 6.5 upper great video

[@Eye_Guard]

Nice! Those blue barrels for a barrier I'm imagining damn near like a combination hide/meat/bone 🍖

[@jwright8838]

6.5 grendel also produces permanent wounding cavity through tumbling. I think some of the rounds showed signs of tumbling. Expansion is just part of the story for rifle ammunition...even at longer ranges. Really enjoyed the video.

[@william16845]

Nice!!keep up the grendel testing.

[@merlinnorris714]

Thanks for shooting the 125 grain Nosler I got some of those I plan on loading. Would like to see what the 100 grain Nosler petition would do

[@highcountryadventures9606]

I would like to see the same. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any in a long time

[@chadmcswain5389]

Ran a lot of federal fusions (basically speer gold dot) in the beginning of my Grendel depredation days on whitetails and they always shot straight through leaving nothing but a pencil hole. Even puting them through the high shoulders and hitting the heavy bone socket they still penciled through. Looks like the gold dots did good on your test though....

[@hammerbullets427]

Fun content. Can you do a quick video of the failed 124gr Hammer Bullet. Your post shot review had the ground in focus and not the bullet. We watched multiple times and did not see any PDR bands on the unfocused bullet. Also the boat tail looked different. But again the ground was in focus. Also send muzzle MV. Thanks.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Hello, thank you for the observation i have been in contact with Steve. I think what may have happened is that the bullet could have hit the ground and tumbled thus the strange deformation? There is a chance that I could have confused the bullet for a different one, however if that's the case I did not recover the hammer bullet. There is also a chance that due to the thickness of the plastic, that the hollow point could have clogged with plastic and that may have prevented expansion. I'd be willing to do the test with them again to ensure that wasn't the problem. Unfortunately I'm currently out of 124 hammers. Also I'd be willing to bet the tipped version wouldn't have this issue

[@butterbeansbarstool5414]

The first bullet isn’t a Hammer

[@davidbarbee1276]

I’m particularly partial to the Nosler 129 grain ABLR, a true hunting round with .537 G1 BC or the 130 grain Berger OTM tactical hybrid with a G1 BC of .567. Over a stout load of Leverevolution powder, both those should get you over 400 yds at more than 1000 ft lbs.

[@cw2a]

Great test! Couple Questions maybe you said I just missed it. Rifle? Barrel length? Velocity start @ 15'? The 140 GD was a surprise! Terminal Assent bullets are proving my #1 Bullet in many calibers. LOVE the 150's in my 7Mag! I have a 6.5/06 so love ta see a equlivent 6.5 test at range too!! ❤❤❤ NEW SUB!! ❤❤

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Thank you for the sub! It's an Alexander Lower geissle trigger on an aero upper with a 20 inch proof research stainless barrel. Velocities in most bullets are close to 2500fps. Unfortunately my Chronograph is not working correctly. I've been getting weird readings. I agree. Gold dot was a surprise. I also will be testing the 120gr gold dot. In a future video at the same distance. The terminal ascent in my opinion is the greatest hunting bullet money can buy. I do not have a larger 6.5 rifle, but I may be able to borrow one and try it again. Thank you for the Sub!

[@Chickenfriedstek]

Fantastic review. I'd be interested to see how cavity back bullets and maker trex 95 grains do at that range.

[@jonkonerza5643]

Very good video, do you have velocity data on each one out of your muzzle? I have a lot of 129 Gr SST, But they are only going 2250 at 10Yds from my gun.

[@sugargoldy]

Awesome video thank you? If you could ever get your hands on some speer 140 grain hotcor and grand slam that would be a good test .

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Yes. I'm not as familiar with the hot cor. But i do like the grand slam

[@sugargoldy]

@highcountryadventures9606 The hot cor is a soft point but it does not separate. I've did some milk jug test at 40 yd with my 6.5 creedmoor and they hold together.

[@boomerang379]

25-45 Sharps factory loads come in 87 grain Speer Hot Cor. These are some of the least expensive lead core expanding bullets on the market. I think they’re around $ 0.15 a bullet. While I haven’t purchased a 25-45 Sharps barrel, I plan on doing so in the very near future.

[@hiromikami]

This is was a really cool idea!

[@swampbiologist]

I like the test! Real life results without crippling up any animals! I have 125 gr Nosler partitions loaded up for this past season and killed two deer with devastating results at 20yds and 100 yds respectively! I would like to see what the 100gr Nosler Partition would do at 400 yds if you can find any! Thanks

[@Hightideoutdoors]

I have not watched the full video yet but my warm up shots are at 275 busting Steele . Also hit plates at 500 and 600 18in barrel Hornady 123

[@poppysquatch]

Would like to see the FPS at the muzzle listed for each. Also test the 129 Accubond Long Range.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Unfortunately my chronograph is broke at the moment. Can't get good consistent readings. I would love to try the 129 grain accubond long range. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any in a long time

[@nospam3409]

Appreciate the test and info. Wish you would have been able to get that 127gr Barnes as well as a 123gr SST and ELD since those seem to be the most common rounds available. Now that PSA has released some 6.5G loads, maybe its time to do another round or two of testing. :) I'd say that the Scirocco might be "okay" at 400 yds. You don't want it to pencil through, and they didn't. Not the best option at 400, but the 6.5G isn't known to be a great option at 400 yds anyway.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Agreed 400 is definitely pushing the outer limits of the Grendel on deer sized game. Seems like there's no shortage of ammo to test in this cartridge. Components and ammo get expensive when doing videos like this so I appreciate you tuning in.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

The 127 barnes is great out to around 300 but I have my doubts it would have worked at 400. Maybe I can try it some day

[@Cheeseypoofs85]

all i could think of this entire video was the hitchhiker in something about mary talking about 6 minutes abs

[@pogeegitz]

Suddenly I really need to pee

[@Rickkari7]

I’ve been using factory Hornady Black ELD match 123 grain for hunting. 2 deer at 175 and one at 70 and a coyote at 30 yards. Terminal cartridge and very accurate. Not sure how 😮it would do past 200 though, being a match bullet. Hunting in middle TN means generally closer shooting. Thinking I would use the factory Hornady Custom for longer range hunting since it is a 123 grain SST. Not as accurate in my rifle like the Black does.

[@ru2yaz33]

These are results when the velocities dropped. It would be interesting with this same setup at 50 yards to see if some of these bullets would fragment too much.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

If you would like I could do this same test at 50 yards

[@MisterBrewer]

I also would like to see the 50 yard test of the same bullets.

[@stgraves260]

Try using the 130 grain Berger VLD. I get 2400 FPS and still retain 1300 FPS for proper expansion at 850 yards with my 6.5 Grendel. My limit is 700 yards on deer size game with the Grendel. I haven’t taken a deer at that range with the Grendel yet but I have dropped a doe at 605 yards w/ it. The jacket did is job because I came home with the doe. She probably ran about 20 yards. More like staggered. She hit the ground but got back up and then fell one last time. I like to hog hunt with it but a doe showed up and my friend has a MLD Tags. We have to shoot so many doe and buck each year. I left my 260 Rem in the truck so I just used the Grendel. It does the job within reason. It’s no 1,000 yard hunting rifle. Maybe 800 yards on small game like rabbits, coyotes and maybe bobcats. Good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@theriddleballcoach]

Why would anyone shoot the 129gr SST when your gonna get more velocity from the 123gr SST and the BC is higher?

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Stay tuned. 123 sst will be in the next video

[@848brandon]

I feel like the 123 sst is the sweet spot for the grendel. I load my Ruger American Predator with the 123 sst 30.2 grains of Ramshot TAC with a AOL of 2.27 Im getting right at 2600 fps with no pressure signs. Ive taken 2 bull elk 5 bucks and 1 Black Bear so far with that load. All within 250 yards, but it has never let me down yet.

[@chrisj0]

@@848brandon This is the best comment on this video. Thanks for sharing your experience. I had read about the SST at closer ranges and higher velocities (270 win and 30-06) exploding on game. Those were the people that would scream "BULLET FAILURE" while standing next to a dead game animal. It's good to hear from someone that's used it so effectively, and on bull elk no less.

[@dhooter]

Not a fan of swift bullets personally. Especially their ludicrous price. Penciled a whitetail buck with one in 270. Took forever to find that deer. In and out at 200yrds tiny holes

[@chuckkulick8635]

Always used 100grain partition in Grendel has best of both worlds velocity and expansion out to 300yrds never shot at anything past that though great test

[@highcountryadventures9606]

I would love to try those. I haven't been able to find any

[@wendellbell6164]

Hornady 123 sst and 123 black ? Thank you for this video.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Will hopefully be testing those soon

[@LuluBear974]

Nice video! What are your rifle specs? Bolt/semi auto, barrel length, twist rate? Thank you.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

It's an Alexander arms hunt lower with a 2 stage geissele trigger, jp high pressure bolt aero precision upper with a proof research 20 inch stainless barrel. And an ec tuner brake

[@highcountryadventures9606]

1/8 twist

[@ronboone6939]

Looked like the hammer bullet was bent, like it didn't hit square, like it did not stabilize. I've heard that can happen when you shoot the heavier bullets in the Grendel. Have you experienced that in your testing any?

[@justa3v619]

I’d like to see the 115 grain Barnes tipped tsx. I’ve been using the 120 grain federal fusion for years but they’ve discontinued it and Speer is always sold out so I can’t load my own so when I run out my last box of federal fusion I planned on going to the Barnes since I have a few boxes of those

[@phild9813]

Yeah this is more the weight zone of copper bullets I’d choose for the grendel. Lighter and faster is better for copper, generally speaking. Although … Higher BCs, like that of the LRX, help make up for lack of starting velocity once downrange

[@barccy]

Could you post information about your rifle, especially the barrel?

[@fotispapadopoulos6933]

What were starting velocities, more or less???? Also on the Nosler partition...The bullet is designed for the front part to come apart and cause trauma. The rear shank of the bullet also has lead in it and it continues penetrating. It did not experience jacket core separation.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

I agree. The nose of the bullet was loose from the cup, but that's also what it's designed to do. The partitions have been around for a very long time, this is my first time using them. So far I like what I see.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Also, velocities on most of these bullets were near 2500 give or take. I use cfe223 almost exclusively with heavy bullets in the Grendel. I do not have any solid numbers as my Chronograph is not working quite right. (Getting inconsistent readings)

[@ammoiscurrency5706]

What was the barrel length and do you remember the MV?

[@michaelhennegan9637]

400 is hard with anything. The first bullet would have left a deviating wound due to the yawing effect within the tissue. The deformed nose indicates the yaw.

[@rebel1988yota]

The bullet you claim is a hammer hunter is not a hammer hunter. There are no pdr grooves.

[@thomashamilton8451]

What is special bout 1,000 ftlb? You don't need 1,000 ftlb to take a medium size game. I have taken a 197 lb buck field dressed at 754 yards with 175gr smk handload

[@phillipperkins2770]

120 grain Gold Dots is the way to go if you can find them and get them to 2500 fps.

[@lonewanderer3603]

Are these handloads or factory? The only factory ammo I can find locally is Hornady black, but there's good options for components.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Hand loads

[@cmattei72]

@@highcountryadventures9606 What was the powder and weights?

[@garytrainer1690]

How in the world do you use the words "battle of the heavyweights" with such small grain bullets in such a small caliber?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Gave you a like anyway. Still a cool test. And a good job. 👍

[@rudolphferdinand3634]

6.5 G barrel length?

[@joesashiify]

Why can't we find these different Grendal brands. All i ever see is Hornady Black all over the place.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

I wish there was more to choose from. The Hornady black is okay ammo, but there are a lot of other bullet choices out there that I believe are better suited for certain hunting applications. One place to check out for other load options (if you don't roll your own) is Druid Hill Armory

[@StacyStPe]

140 Sierra game king

[@RngrfromtheMtns]

That first bullet is definitely not a Hammer. It's missing the grooves.

[@geoffader]

Do you think that would make that 140 grain a better choice for all around performance?

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Hard saying. I think that I might slightly favor the 120grain but the 140's seem to be one of the best bullets I have tested for the 6.5 Grendel.

[@douglaskerr6813]

Question ❓What was the length of the barrel that you were using? Just curious thanks

[@sacklunch7369]

I think it was an 18 inch but now he has a 20 inch proof research as far as I know after watching a couple other vids

[@justa3v619]

What length barrel are you using

[@MrJav1986]

Anybody know were a guy can buy the terminal ascent bullet , Not a round just the bullet itself.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

I might be able to help. Email me [e-mail]

[@wendellbell6164]

Also I missed your barrel length?

[@TAWier]

That's the question I was going to ask. Thanks! I have two 6.5 Grendel rifles. One is an AR-15 with a 16-inch barrel & the other is a Ruger American Predator with a 22-inch barrel.

[@highcountryadventures9606]

20 inch proof research stainless barrel

[@NorthRiverGuide]

Try some heavier eld match bullets in comparison

[@SpudOutdoors]

My loads in grendel is 1000lbs past 500 yards.

[@ram_1776]

Care to list your load setup?

[@SpudOutdoors]

@@ram_1776 howa mini. Seated .015 off the lands. 123eldm or 140eldm. Cfe223 on 123eldm work up till you hit pressure. Books is rated for a gas gun not a bolt gun. For the 140eldm look up Barnes load data for 140 match burner for Grendel.

[@SpudOutdoors]

@@ram_1776 I run a howa min bolt gun. 123eldm with cfe223 till I hit pressure and backed off. .015 off the lands. 140 eldm .015 off the lands with tac till I hit pressure and backed off. Barnes reloading data for Grendel list 140 load data. Just remember in most Grendel load data it is gas gun not bolt gun pressures. Be safe and load up.

[@matthewgaeta2088]

Swift is a tough bullet and need to be driven fast

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Agreed. It's still one of my favorite bullets. In the grendel, I think 300 yards is max for that bullet to expand.

[@Alan.livingston]

This test confirms for me that the Grendel tops out at 300y. That projectile performance is way too marginal.

[@SpudOutdoors]

Are you sure you didn’t mix the SST and the partition? Not pulling the bullet after each shot seems like you could misrepresent them

[@markgotschall2914]

129gr SST for me.

[@frijoli9579]

If you plug the tip, it doesn't expand.

[@Tony_Seed]

That’s very disappointing on he hammer hunter especially considering how much it freaking costs

[@highcountryadventures9606]

I have an Idea on why it may not have opened and it may have to do with the thick plastic. I will be revisiting this at some point

[@mr.mr.3301]

Can you buy terminal assent in Grendel still?

[@highcountryadventures9606]

Hard to find unfortunately. Sometimes you can find them if you know where to look

[@miker258]

“Marginal power at best” 😂😂😂😂😂 The 6.5 Grendel can and has dropped every game animal in North America with no problem I’m not saying it’s the baddest thing out there because it’s far from it but it kills my how people have bought into the lie that you need bigger What is it you want from a cartridge? I don’t get it You do realize that the 6.5 Grendel will run circles around every rifle made in the 1700-1800’s that the mountain men used to take every game animal that walks with no issue whatsoever and I guaranty they never talked like this lol😂 If this round won’t do what you want I say it’s more shooter error than the cartridge. You’ve been suckered into believing that you need bigger and more powerful by marketing companies that tell you every year that the gun you have just isn’t good enough, no matter how much real world results of it being enough, it’s just comical listening to you guys these days. The mountain men guns had about the same energy at 100yds as a modern 9mm and they nearly took out every Buffalo in America but I guaranty you would laugh at someone who was going to use the 6.5 Grendel to take a Buffalo with and I think it’s mainly due to lack of experience, not range experience. Brother I’ve seen with my own eyes what a round much smaller than this can do and I’m here to tell you that if this is “marginal” then you need to put down the reloader magazines and hit the backcountry for some more experience. Some of the most damage I’ve ever seen done to an elk was from a 77gr .223 that I’m sure you would say “couldn’t bring down an elk”. Don’t take small calibers for granted because the vast vast majority of folks can shoot them much better because they are cheap enough to shoot a lot, they don’t kill your shoulder from recoil, and they are a whole lot cheaper to run than bigger calibers and trust me it’s all about where you put the round and much much less to do with what size bullet you’re running. There’s a KZbin video of a 14yo girl taking down a monster bull elk from Her AR15 chambered in 6.5 Grendel at around 390yds but the very next video will tell you how the 6.5 Grendel just isn’t enough. 😂😂😂😂😂 There’s just too much real world results that back it up unless you read these “hunters threads” that tell you that these ballistic skinned bears and elk roaming around will just shake off anything under a 50 cal and all it’s going to do is piss them off if you hit it with anything less than a nuke 😂 but in reality more attacking grizzly bears in Alaska have been killed with a 9mm than almost any other pistol caliber out there because it’s what most people carry and what most people shoot the best. Cool video it just makes me laugh when I hear people talk about something like it’s just barely good enough or “marginal” when I know what it’s capable of. It just bothers me to see people being sucked into spending thousands of dollars believing what they read some greenhorn in a magazine tell them about how what they have isn’t good enough. Keep Shooting Stay Safe GOD BLESS YOU ALL

[@joabbishop232]

Gold dot

[@undergroundwatchdog8141]

The 6.5 Grendel can be pushed to 1000 all day long. Foot pounds is crap bud. Trans sonic is where you should consider its limits

[@userer4579]

_"The 6.5 Grendel can be pushed to 1000 all day long. Foot pounds is crap bud. Trans sonic is where you should consider its limits"_ Nah, that's for target faqs. This guy is talking about ethical hunting ranges and performance.

[@chrisj0]

@@userer4579 second best comment on this video! 🤣

[@drewday6109]

I got 200 rounds of steel case. I’ll sell for 125.

[@superbeast-lq3ft]

try the 120gr eld m

[@jeremyfrix522]

Awesome Grendel testing by all accounts with one little acception , i wish you had included a 120 grn fmj because a lot of us are stuck with that round being readily available and affordable 👍🏻🪖😎