I get where you're coming from. Even though you got the notification or saw this in your feed 6 hours ago, the video was still uploading and processing. The earliest it could have been posted was around 4 am my time, and videos that get posted in the middle of the night often perform poorly. I scheduled it as a premiere just to give people a heads up that a video was coming in the morning. I thought some people might like something to look forward to other than going to work this morning. I understand the frustration, though. I probably won't do this again.
@@JohnnysReloadingBench it doesnt bother me that much. I tend to watch most of you videos. Cant say why as I dont reload but I still find them entertaining. Still think you need a better trigger, after the cmc I think I was failed multiple times and you changed your groups haven't quite been as tight overall. Still good shooting just my observation
@@JohnnysReloadingBench yea I figured it wasnt milspec but I could tell it wasnt another cmc. Personally I run a geissele ssa-e in my ar expensive and I almost bought a triggertech instead but it is really good. I love my triggertech specials in my r700s as well.
I watch and listen during your show, I think to myself, "Why hasn't a company sent you a universal receiver for pressure testing at the chamber"? all that could do s boost sales of powders, bullets, and primers to extend the reach of their products. I know you are not dishonest and would give real test data. "This worked,, That didn't" and "Whoa folks, that was a little too hot for safety". Johnny, you have a star show and are widely respected. Dave.
The 120gr gold dot out of 20 inch grendel hunter barrel was a phenomenal killer for me for the fall 2018 rifle season. I had way less deer take a step with that bullet than any other bullet out of various grendels and a couple seasons. Only recovered one bullet, and it was on a hefty 8pt and sharp quartering angle, broke far shoulder and was under skin
Man, I don't want this to come off wrong, like a backhanded compliment, but you make even a "dry" subject like reloading (I love the stuff, love the math and the testing and the experimenting/engineering of loads myself so I say that from a place of understanding and respect) and turn a 20MIN video into something I WANT to watch _every minute of_ . Such an amazing channel and I dare say anyone into reloading and especially guys like me who really want to LEARN more and hone the skills, NEED your channel. Good on ya mate, you're an amazing resource and just come off as such a stand-up and humble guy. And FWIW... I'm a born/raised PNW shooter from Portland OR... we're not all complete sociopaths out here LOL. Thank you sir for all your hard work and dedication to providing this level of testing and shooting data.
I just jumped up from an 18 inch PSA barrel to a 20 inch Proof Research match barrel and it was worth every single penny... I got tired of beating my head against a wall trying to get accuracy out of that PSA barrel. So when I shot some factory 123gr ELD-M Hornady Black that shot about 2 inch groups with my old barrel the groups shrank to right at .75 inches... Proof barrels freaking rock I'm getting between .5 to 1 inch groups with the 120gr Gold Dots and about 2520 fps using 31.4gr of LeverEvolution. Living in SW Louisiana it doesn't get as cold during deer season like it does up there so we can get away with ball powders a little easier...
Instead of adding powder to the PP2000MR, try seating deeper to the 2.260 they loaded to. That may take up the space in the case that was left by your 2.280 and should increase your velocity some since seating deeper raises pressure. Increasing the charge of a slower powder that may not be completely burning in a shorter barrel to try and increase velocity would likely just be a waste of powder.
Started reloading this past year. Really appreciate your videos with data. Currently working on loads for my 6.5 Grendel with 18” faxon gunner barrel. It’s amazing how much difference there is with different powders. Thanks from a newbie reloader.
I know varget is another slow powder but for me and my buddy, its worked super well with every bullet i have loaded for the Grendel and its super consistent.
Hey Johnny, I think you might just have a slow barrel. I have played with the 31.4gr load of 2000-MR with several bullets in the 120-123gr class, but not the Gold Dot. I’ve currently got barrels for 6.5 Grendel in 12.5”, 16”, 18”, 20”, 22”, and 24”. My 12.5” Faxon barrel averages 2450fps with 31.4gr and the 120SMK, my 18” BA barrel is averaging 2560fps, the 20” AR15Performance (it has a .264LBC chamber) barrel is 2610fps avg, the 24” Krieger is doing 2660fps avg. The wildcards in my barrels are my 16” Faxon that only barely averages 2410fps and my 22” Ruger American bolt action that is averaging 2690fps, and all of them with the same load, shot on the same day! Sometimes a barrel can just shoot slower than other barrels. I had a 20” barrel from Criterion that just ran really slow, even the factory Hornady loads had a hard time breaking 2440fps when my other 20”+ barrels were close to 2600fps........
That's good to hear! I've got a box of 120gr ELD-Ms that I will try with 2000-MR next. I don't think I have any 120 SMKs but I'll double check. No loads I have ever shot in this barrel have been surprisingly fast. You might be onto something with it just being a slow barrel.
I’m running the 129gr ablr over 30.2gr of 2000-mr at 2475fps out of a 20” bsf. Barrel is still fairly new 60 rounds down it and still speeding up. Where my 20” satern barrel runs them around 2425fps
Another great informative video Johnny! Thank you!I used this bullet in my 22" Howa in Grendel this year on a very large buck. (300# live weight) Load was with AR-Comp and the extra mag length allowed more powder and higher velocities. I bested 2600 fps...The bullet went between ribs at about 80 yards, impacting center of lungs/ high. SHOULD have exited at off side elbow...But never exited and NO bullet found. It grenade inside as in chest cav was solid waste and acorns...I wont condemn the bullet for one problem esp when I may have been over vel designs. But as a Bonded bullet with a Gold Dot reputation... I expected more.
2 things, I’d like to see you try a 100 grain Nosler Partition. Seems like that would be a better hunting load in such a short gun. The 2nd thing, I gave up on my 24” Grendel as it just didn’t deliver. I’m now running a 300 Ham’r and couldn’t be more pleased! 16 1/4” barrel running 2480 with a 125 Sierra Pro Hunter. It kills deer!! You might want to take a look at that.
These are available in the Federal Fusion boxed ammo. I have a 20in Faxon barrel and was getting a average of 2527fps and S-D of 6 with mine. Accuracy was horrible. The factory load powder is PP2000MR. 29.8gr. Just FYI. Great videos man. Keep it up.
I have always been a Speer bullet fan just they always seem to come apart on me on game. Soft cores or something. But this is a totally different beast I can't wait to try some in 308 and 3006. Then for my son the 75gr in 556 tht should be a smoker. Thanks Johnny as always great video can't wait for more. And I'm still waiting for the 300 win to get broken out
I have an 18inch as well And I defiantly have had better performance out of longer barrels. I just got a 20inch Beowulf barrel and I can't wait to try it out.
Looks great man. I may have asked this earlier. You are a super busy guy. I understand not responding. So don't feel obligated. Maybe other 6.5 enthusiasts can help. Looking to build a 6.5 grendel very soon. Leaning toward the 18" Faxon or an Odin Works. No can intened. Would you recommend 20" for an avid deer hunter over the 18". No more than 250 yards on any hunt. Definitely liking this Gold Dot or the 140. Great job on vids. They are extremely valuable to our hunting & shooting community.
Max velocities in the 6.5 Grendal comes with case shells that use a large rifle primer, or CCI 41...on the AR profile, and doing so the primer must be magnum or match magnum with the seating tested and adjusted with powders that gives a full or near full case. After that, you will be amazed. (Note: when I stated the need for a case with a large rifle primer, if you are a reloader that can be your created secret)
Power Pro Varmint seems to be the best powder for shorter barrels in the grendel in my experience. I can get over 2400 fps with 123gr SST and around 2350 fps with 130gr sierra gamechanger. This is out of a custom MGM 15.8 in T/C Contender barrel.
I'm shooting Varmint in the next video with the 107gr SMK. Power Pro Varmint definitely belongs in the list of powders I rattled off at the end of the video. I had no idea it was as capable as it is until the Sierra load data came out. It's their top velocity powder across the board from 85gr to 130gr! Good stuff.
Your right if you figured velocity is the reason for the lack of expansion compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor. It's evident they designed that round for the Creedmoor. It's all in the bullet deign. Run some tests on some 9mm gold dots shot in a carbine or out of a 357SIG. The higher velocity cause the bullet to expand much sooner and dump energy much quicker resulting in poor penetration. Shooting The Bull (if I recall correctly the RU-vidr ) did some tests with similar results.Same thing with some 40 caliber HP's shot through my 10mm. Bonded is the way to go though. Those jackets are holding together nicely. Merry Christmas!
Should give the 100gr eldm a try as well! You have done a lot with the heavier grendel bullets would be nice to see what velocities you can push the lighter bullets!
You can get 200fps more out of a 120gr HDY SST in 6.8 SPC in a 16” barrel with AA2200. You said this is for shorter range deer hunting and you don’t shoot long range. At distances less than 300 yards, the 6.8 will give you more velocity and from a shorter barrel. You said you like a handy shorter rifle with a suppressor. Sounds like you need a 12.5” AR-15 Performance 6.8 barrel with your Omega at the end. Perfect combo for deer.
The AR Comp load data seems light. I have had perfectly safe performance using 2.2 grains more under a 123 ELD M. There are others loading much more than that with no issues at all. I have not seen pressure data and would like to see why Speer stopped where they did. It may be the Gold Dot is just harder to spit out of the barrel.
That’s great weight retention. Like you said it would be nice to see a bit more expansion. I am in the market for a new 6.5 Grendel deer bullet so I may have to give these a try. If you’re looking for powder suggestions I would like to see RL15 and Power Pro Varmint since I have those on hand.
You might just need a longer barrel. Looks like they are developing these bullets for creedmore velocities. It may be worth looking at some softer bullets for the Grendel. Maybe some soft points?
You know they didn't expand well but they had some rough edges/weird expansion that looks like it would tear stuff up. Great video as always. Man I need to get a Grendel :)
I have had my best accuracy with the 120 Gold Dot in the 6.5 Grendel with 28.0 grs IMR 8208 Hornady case CCi 450 in two different ARs. 18" 2500 fps, 20" 2550 fps. Shot a deer at 111 yards facing me in the chest to try to capture the bullet. Bang Flop. Unreal destruction in chest and bullet exited belly with around 20" penetration.
I have a spreadsheet that I keep my load data and velocity logs in with date and weather conditions for that shooting period. Some loads have 100 fps swing between a 90 degree day and a 65 degree day. Also using the Faxon 18" fluted match barrel. As for expansion, another 100fps certainly wouldn't hurt at 100yds.
I agree with you that the slower powders are going to be disappointing, at least velocity wise. Perhaps IMR 8208 XBR for an extruded and AA2460 or Ramshot TAC for a ball powder to see how your rifle responds with a slightly faster powder than AR-Comp. Keep up the good work! I always look forward to your videos!
One thing I noticed with 2000 MR is on the highest charge you could see a fireball coming out of the suppressor on every shot. That may be the velocity culprit.
The real culprit is that JRB uses 18" barrels on calibers that people are used to seeing 20" to 24" with, which would have those fireballs still burning behind the bullet instead of in/out of the suppressor.
My 20" faxon barrel also confirms Johnny's Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR results, only 2463fps at max charge, much lower than Speer Book Velocity. Johnny, please test CFE223 and LeveRevolution to see if you can get better velocities with 120gr Gold Dots.
Yes, thats the powder i use in mine. Alexander brass which is a small rifle primer. CCI Bench rest primer, 28gr of IMR 8208 and a Sierra 123 matchking. This load works well in my Grendel's. I shoot that for my midrange 200, 300, 500 & 600yrd matches. AA2520 will give higher velocities but for consistency in accuracy IMR 8208 works best. I have a grendel with and 16" 20" and 30" barrels. Works great in them all.
Thanks for the video Johnny. The powder makers usually just test/publish one longer barrel length for powder/bullet velocities. I would have expected a uniform velocity drop between the powders, but that's why you test. Good to know that the super performing powder at a longer barrel length may not be as super performing at a shorter barrel length. I know there is data for the 5.56 with shorter barrels. I wonder if it would correlate since the 6.5 is close to the 5.56?
I'd love to see you test the Speer 150gr 300 Blackout Gold Dot bullet they released! I'm curious with how well they'll perform at those lower blackout velocities.
I will definitely be testing those eventually but I don't have a 300 Blackout upper put together right now. I am really surprised they went with a 150 instead of 110-125! They must be made to expand at Blackout velocities. I'll be buying some before too long!
Would you agree or disagree that 100 grain 6.5 Speer gold dot would be great for deer and larger varmints? It also may have enough velocity down range to expand like the other calibers that you have tried in the gold dot rifle bullets. I would like to see a video on the 100gr nosler Spitzer Point for the Grendel. I really believe that the 100gr nosler will be in that sweet spot to preform vary well in the gel and on deer as well. I know you are partial to the heavier grain weight bullets but I hope to see you give it a chance. As always you videos are awesome and I always learn something new with every video. Thank you
That's exactly what Alliant intended it for...it's supposed to be more temp stable but give similar performance to RL15. It's been a great powder in my testing. Very accurate and outstanding SDs, generally.
Could we talk you into doing a run of Nosler Partition 125gr projectiles and see how close to 2500fps you can run them out of your 18" Grendel barrel. Nosler Partition has not been covered by any of the 6.5 Grendel loading video host
Instead of remembering numbers or writing them down when working with your comparator, just zero the calipers once you got your length set. then you can see how much longer they get once you get to compressed loads. No mix ups that way. ps. I had my best results in accuracy and velocity with this bullet using Leverevolution powder.
Have you tried the federal fusion 120 grain bullets in the gel? I’ve shot them in water jugs and man they really peel back. They look better than the sst to me. They look a lot like the 140gn Speer bullets you showed 100% weight retention caught in the 5th water jug shot at 50yds and they actually group really good for factory ammo. Those Speer look good for the 223 but another one I’ve had good luck with for 223 is the Remington Core-Lokt ultra bonded. And my Grendel barrel is only 16’ kinda wish I had gone with at least a 18’ beings it’s a deer rifle but I was trying to keep it light but even with the 16’ barrel I consistently shoot 2-3 inch groups at 450 yards with hornady black 123gn eld and the 123gn sst. Haven’t tried the fusion at that range or the 110gn controlled chaos. I haven’t started reloading Grendel yet I have dies for it just don’t have room to set my press back up with a new baby lol. The factory 223 64gn gold dot expands like your reloads also if anyone was wondering.
Johnny, Sierra 120 bullets are available again. Have you tried them in the Grendel? I didn't notice any videos.Its a tougher bullet, worked well in the 6.5x55 years ago for me...
I noticed speer velocity data was based on federal cases and you were using hornady. It's been my experience that federal always has less capacity than hornady so it will generate higher pressure and more velocity
I really wanna see the differance in velocity between a 12" and 18" barrel for 6.5 grendel. It seems like the ar comp would be a good powder for a shorter barrel.
I think your a little low on your powder charge with AR Comp I run 27.5 grains with 123gr bullets and I average around 2439fps to 2474fps across 3 different bullets. But as always it's best to start low and work up. Great video I'll be ordering some of the gold dots soon
Same here I use 27.5gr with 120gr gold dot with a odin works 20" barrel. I stared with 26.0gr went up to 28.0gr and the 27.5 was the best. Now I just bought a 16" faxon barrel going to try the same load for hunting hope it works good. I dont have time to work up another load before the 11th this month.
Curious as to why I never see you mess with stick powders? Or slower burning powders? I tend to stay with imr4064, Hodgdon 4895, and similar powders for my rifles with amazing results
I would have to agree that floppy thing hanging on the end of the barrel has to effect harmonics. It always moving has to change impact. Its physics... IMR 8208 works best in my grendel
Anything touching a barrel is going to affect harmonics. But the magneto is on all the loads so it is constant so it doesn't matter for this test. Ar's have a gas block clamped on the barrel and can still get 1/4 moa with a match AR.
@@rileyneufeld7001 Youre correct to a point. Have you seen those slow motion videos of a barrel while firing? The barrel flexes like guitar string. Each change iff any variable will effect the barrel movement. Pluck a guitar strung hard and with each little movement the harmonic will change. Each harmonic change the bullet gets spit out a little different. After each shot the chronograph that appears to be velco strapped to the end of the barrel move just a little bit. Plus on a suppressor with more possible variables. I feel the chronograph moves enough to change the harmonics. Dont get me wrong all equipment is good and the videos are produces in a most fashion excellent fashion. No criticism from me i just think that the velco attached chrono has an effect. Hey, taking all these factors into play would be a very good video to watch. I tip my to the youtuber. GOOD JOB! LOVE YOUR STUFF. Another thought for a video would be a method of developing a load for a wildcat where little to no loading information is available. Good videos all... Merry Christmas and i hope there is a gun under the tree for all.... 🙏👍
@@rileyneufeld7001 yes, very true. The suppressor also strips the gasses away from the base of the bullet which limits the effects of the hypersonic escaping gas.
Hey Johnny, First off I want to say I've been a long time sub and I've been wanting to get into reloading for some time. I'm getting reloading equipment for Christmas this year and will be joining the hand loading community soon! I built my Grendel for hunting and I've taken 4 deer with it so far with most all either DRT or didn't go more than 20 yrds. They were taken with a factory Hornady 123g SST ammo. This rifle is the most accurate AR style rifle I have ever owned and just love this cartridge. Unfortunately there is not many different options for Grendel in factory ammo for this chamber. I've been doing some bullet research and was wondering what you thought of the following bullets for hunting and if you would be willing to test some of them out? I think these bullets would be promising bullets for hunting applications for distances 300 yrds and under which is the distance I do my most hunting in. Sierra 130g Game Changer Spitzer Boat Tail Item # 4330 Barnes 120g TTSX Item # 30242 Barnes 100g TTSX Item # 30240 Noslet 129g Long Range AccuBond Item # 58943 Barnes 127g Long Range Hunting Item # 30228
If the 123gr SST is performing so well why isn't it in your list? It's a good bullet! I have tested the 130gr Game Changer in 6.5 Creedmoor and will eventually try them in the Grendel. I think it is going to be hard to get enough velocity to get really good expansion with them, but I could be wrong. You don't mention what barrel length you're getting...if you're getting a long one you might be able to get the speed up high enough. I'll eventually test it. The 129gr Nosler ABLR was my first choice as a hunting bullet when I first built a Grendel. I could never find the accuracy I was hoping for. I had some left over when I first got this Faxon barrel so I gave them another try, and the Faxon didn't do any better. I think I was getting about 1.5" groups at 100 yards with them usually. All of this is documented in my earlier Grendel videos. I've got a Grendel playlist if you want to go back and watch. I haven't tried the others but I do have some of the 100 and 120gr Barnes on hand, I'm pretty sure. I'll try and move them up the list and make videos on them before too long.
@@JohnnysReloadingBench Thanks for the reply! The 123g SST is on my list. I'm planning on seeing if I can get better groups with it when I start reloading myself. I have the Alexander Arms 16" Lite Barrel with the fluting. It's button rifled with a 1:7.5 twist rate. The heavier bullets may not work well in my barrel since I may not be able to get the velocity I need out of it. Thought that maybe since I will be shooting under 300 yards, I may get away with it. I thought the Barnes bullets would probably be a good choice for my barrel. Just got finished watching your video on the 107g Sierra Match King. Keep the Grendel videos coming! I think I have watched all your Grendel videos multiple times over the years. I'll be reloading 9mm, 6.5 Grendel, and 300 BLK. Are there any other reloaders out on RU-vid that you wold suggest that would be a good to watch and learn from?
I know that I'm a few years late to this video- all of your videos actually- but if you are still doing 6.5Grendel videos(my personal favorites) have you tried heavy bullets (143gr+)? I ask because I saw a yt video of a guy who had loaded some 160gr Hornady round nose into 6.5 Grendel and shot a pig with it. He said that his velocity was over 2100fps. I'm not sure I believe that. Would you be willing to test odd loads like that?
Hey Johnny! Good to see a new vid. I am wondering what elevation you shoot at? I shoot at 4500 feet here in Salt Lake City. I shoot a 16" 223 wylde, I carefully work my loads up and almost never see the pressure signs show up, and never come close to your velocities. I am wondering if the elevation is the reason. I know that the shorter barrel causes some of this, but according to my labradar, I am 250 fps slower than the book on a consistant basis. And speaking of Labradar, have you tried one with a suppressor?
Have you tried working up a load for the Grendel using the 120 grain Gold Dot bullet and H322? Would also like to get your opinion on using this bullet in the Ruger Predator 6.5 Grendel 20" barrel.
