Pros & cons 6.5 grendel from 7.62x39
- Thread starter AWS
- Start date
Coyotejunki
Well-known member
IMO, the 6.5 Creedmoore is more practical in a bolt action.
huntschool
Member
Can not speak exactly to your question but......
I was headed in the same direction in having a Ruger #1 built for my wife in 6.5 Grendel. The gunsmith I use said how about the 6mm BR. After looking at it for a bit that is where I am headed. Brass (really good brass) Lapua is available as well as loaded competition ammo (not cheap but really good)from Lapua and Norma.
The round is the 300 yard champion at many BR shoots. Its not a barrel burner like its bigger brother the 6mm Dasher and has loads that will easily take anything fro ground squirrels to deer. The following loads look great:
58 Hornady V-Max AA 2230 32.5 Fed 205M Lapua Std .250 3680
Dan Dowling Load. Meters well on progressive press (Dillon).
60 Berger MEF H322 31.0 Rem 7.5 Lapua Std .241 3400 Accurate and
"the MEF bullets really clobber varmints."--Steve Timm
65 Hornady V-Max VV N135 33.0 Fed 205M Lapua Std .280 3350 "[This load] shoots .25MOA easily and sends critters flying".
There are also loads listed for antelope and deer at 6MM BR site.
I am going to go with the 6mm BR
Just me.......
I was headed in the same direction in having a Ruger #1 built for my wife in 6.5 Grendel. The gunsmith I use said how about the 6mm BR. After looking at it for a bit that is where I am headed. Brass (really good brass) Lapua is available as well as loaded competition ammo (not cheap but really good)from Lapua and Norma.
The round is the 300 yard champion at many BR shoots. Its not a barrel burner like its bigger brother the 6mm Dasher and has loads that will easily take anything fro ground squirrels to deer. The following loads look great:
58 Hornady V-Max AA 2230 32.5 Fed 205M Lapua Std .250 3680
Dan Dowling Load. Meters well on progressive press (Dillon).
60 Berger MEF H322 31.0 Rem 7.5 Lapua Std .241 3400 Accurate and
"the MEF bullets really clobber varmints."--Steve Timm
65 Hornady V-Max VV N135 33.0 Fed 205M Lapua Std .280 3350 "[This load] shoots .25MOA easily and sends critters flying".
There are also loads listed for antelope and deer at 6MM BR site.
I am going to go with the 6mm BR
Just me.......
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The big problem with 7.62x39 brass for Grendel's is that the 7.62x39 uses a large primer and the Grendel uses a small primer. We saw some seriously dangerous issues with PPU Grendel ammunition which was loaded using a necked down 7.62x39 case. We actually had one rifle blow up from the ammunition prior to PPU recalling it. So watch for pressure signs if you are going to try and use those cases.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
Huntsman, I already have a 6mm-204 that pretty near does what the 6mmBR does, thanks though.
Thanks SnowmanMo, that's what I was looking for, looks like I'll order 100rnds of Federal 90gr stuff to break in the barrel and then reload it. More than likely the only three bullets I'd be interested in shooting are the 85gr Sierra, 90gr Speer and the 100gr NBT.
Thanks SnowmanMo, that's what I was looking for, looks like I'll order 100rnds of Federal 90gr stuff to break in the barrel and then reload it. More than likely the only three bullets I'd be interested in shooting are the 85gr Sierra, 90gr Speer and the 100gr NBT.
Originally Posted By: SnowmanMoThe big problem with 7.62x39 brass for Grendel's is that the 7.62x39 uses a large primer and the Grendel uses a small primer. We saw some seriously dangerous issues with PPU Grendel ammunition which was loaded using a necked down 7.62x39 case. We actually had one rifle blow up from the ammunition prior to PPU recalling it. So watch for pressure signs if you are going to try and use those cases.
I have formed thousands of brass from PMC 7.62x39 brass to make 22 and 6 PPC cases out of. Here is the issue, work up loads with those large primer cases, back off published data, then work up carefully.
Back in the mid 80's, the govm't put a stop on importing brass from foreign countries. So, us PPC shooters could not get brass for our benchrest and varmint rifles. I four live varmint 22 PPC rifles and two 6 PPC live varmint rifles.
The next issue is what brands of brass will take the pressure and not loose the primer pockets after a couple of firings. Well, the answer is not good. Winchester, Federal, Remington have soft case heads. Primer pockets are opened up in two firings.
Personally, I would not waste much time on off brands of brass because this small case runs some serious pressures. I would buy Lapua and call it good, UNLESS you could find any unfired PMC 7.62x39 brass for sale that some old gizzer has had squirreled away, and NO, I will not sell mine.
I have formed thousands of brass from PMC 7.62x39 brass to make 22 and 6 PPC cases out of. Here is the issue, work up loads with those large primer cases, back off published data, then work up carefully.
Back in the mid 80's, the govm't put a stop on importing brass from foreign countries. So, us PPC shooters could not get brass for our benchrest and varmint rifles. I four live varmint 22 PPC rifles and two 6 PPC live varmint rifles.
The next issue is what brands of brass will take the pressure and not loose the primer pockets after a couple of firings. Well, the answer is not good. Winchester, Federal, Remington have soft case heads. Primer pockets are opened up in two firings.
Personally, I would not waste much time on off brands of brass because this small case runs some serious pressures. I would buy Lapua and call it good, UNLESS you could find any unfired PMC 7.62x39 brass for sale that some old gizzer has had squirreled away, and NO, I will not sell mine.
yotekiller47
Member
Originally Posted By: AWSHuntsman, I already have a 6mm-204 that pretty near does what the 6mmBR does, thanks though.
Thanks SnowmanMo, that's what I was looking for, looks like I'll order 100rnds of Federal 90gr stuff to break in the barrel and then reload it. More than likely the only three bullets I'd be interested in shooting are the 85gr Sierra, 90gr Speer and the 100gr NBT. AWS, I currently shoot 85 gr Sierra HP's for Varmints. They are amazingly accurate. I have not had a chance to put them in a varmint yet but when I do I expect them to be messy. Been too hot for me to get in the woods. I will be shooting 123 gr Hornadys for deer. I'm getting ready to order a Howa mini action and Boyd's Stock in the Grendel. The loads I have are in a BHW 20" .264 LBC Barrel. Very impressed with the accuracy. I'm really starting to like the .264LBC/Grendel round. I think the bolt gun will be fun also.
Thanks SnowmanMo, that's what I was looking for, looks like I'll order 100rnds of Federal 90gr stuff to break in the barrel and then reload it. More than likely the only three bullets I'd be interested in shooting are the 85gr Sierra, 90gr Speer and the 100gr NBT. AWS, I currently shoot 85 gr Sierra HP's for Varmints. They are amazingly accurate. I have not had a chance to put them in a varmint yet but when I do I expect them to be messy. Been too hot for me to get in the woods. I will be shooting 123 gr Hornadys for deer. I'm getting ready to order a Howa mini action and Boyd's Stock in the Grendel. The loads I have are in a BHW 20" .264 LBC Barrel. Very impressed with the accuracy. I'm really starting to like the .264LBC/Grendel round. I think the bolt gun will be fun also.
Droopyfur2
New member
How about some small primer Remington x39 cases? After two firings in x39 mini 30, would they be worth trying in a Grendel??
yotekiller47
Member
Originally Posted By: Droopyfur2How about some small primer Remington x39 cases? After two firings in x39 mini 30, would they be worth trying in a Grendel?? I think it would be easier to buy new brass or once fired. I'm with AWS, if the primer pockets aren't loose load them up and shoot them. Work from low to high and watch pressure signs.