6.5 Grendel to 1050 yards

[longrange7mm]

Been putting this build off for a while but last week I finally got around to finishing it. I like it a bit more than I thought I would, Im not really into ARs but I got the lower and upper as a Christmas gift a couple years ago so I guess it was incentive to build one. I didnt really have time to do some load development before heading back to work so I just grabbed a few boxes of the hornady Black in 123 ELD-M. Last night after work I went out to the range and shot it for the first time. Factory ammo at sub half MOA, I couldnt believe what I was seeing. After shooting a few groups I ran it across the chrono its pretty slow with the 20" barrel @ 2526 fps. I can get out to 1140 yards with the 45 MOA of travel on the little vortex.

Build Specs:
Gunwerks signatured / Stiller XT lower
ZEV upper
Odin works 20" barrel
Timney trigger
Daniel Defense Furniture and rail
Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44

Someone left some carbonated drinks at the range so I properly used them  100 & 200 the plate is 1050 in the video. It is pretty fun to plink steel with cant beat the cost per shot either

[bullfisher]

Nice 
I haven't stretched mine out quite that far...

[Biggerhammer]

The Hornady Black ammo with the 123gr ELD-M is extremely accurate!

While zeroing a 6.5 Grendel Carbine, I put together for my brother. This was the first five shot group at 100 yards. Impressive for factory ammo!



Both are 6.5 Grendel's.

[pianoman9701]

I'm very happy with the performance of the A-max. How much more expensive is the black?

[bullfisher]

After shooting a few groups I ran it across the chrono its pretty slow with the 20" barrel @ 2526 fps. I can get out to 1140 yards with the 45 MOA of travel on the little vortex.

You might get a little more out of it with an adjustable gas block.

[zwickeyman]

Longrange,

That is a bada$$ looking AR

My son just built a 300 black out and is working on a 6.5. I sent him the pics of yours for inspiration

[headshot5]

I'm very happy with the performance of the A-max. How much more expensive is the black?

Right around $20 for a box of 20.

[pianoman9701]

That's what I've been paying for Amax.

[longrange7mm]

I'm very happy with the performance of the A-max. How much more expensive is the black?

Im not sure this ammo is 21.99 at sportsman's warehouse

[longrange7mm]

Longrange,

That is a bada$$ looking AR

My son just built a 300 black out and is working on a 6.5. I sent him the pics of yours for inspiration

Thanks hope his turns out good

[longrange7mm]

After shooting a few groups I ran it across the chrono its pretty slow with the 20" barrel @ 2526 fps. I can get out to 1140 yards with the 45 MOA of travel on the little vortex.

You might get a little more out of it with an adjustable gas block.

I will look into one, thanks for the pointer

[yorketransport]

Nice shooting! I've tried to shoot my little CZ 527 Grendel to 1000 yards but it just wasn't happening. Could have a lot to do with running out of elevation adjustment at around 675 yards and just holding over for the rest with my duplex reticle.

I recently re-acquired my AR and now you've made me want to put a Grendel upper on there.

[longrange7mm]

Nice shooting! I've tried to shoot my little CZ 527 Grendel to 1000 yards but it just wasn't happening. Could have a lot to do with running out of elevation adjustment at around 675 yards and just holding over for the rest with my duplex reticle.

I recently re-acquired my AR and now you've made me want to put a Grendel upper on there.

That would probably be the reason  I really like it its not to bad on the wallet I may have to do a 300 black out next

[Jolten]

Nice shooting! I've tried to shoot my little CZ 527 Grendel to 1000 yards but it just wasn't happening. Could have a lot to do with running out of elevation adjustment at around 675 yards and just holding over for the rest with my duplex reticle.

I recently re-acquired my AR and now you've made me want to put a Grendel upper on there.

I'd be happy to get my 6.5grendal out to 675yards. But would the ELD-M be ok for hunting deer sized game? I got some of the Black label ammo to do initial sight in and brass, but 1/2 moa and 1000 yards target might be tempted to just make it a plinker

[h20hunter]

Nope. Eldm is a match only round...zero expansion.

[Jolten]

Isn't the amax supposed to be a target bullet and some people swear by them for hunting.

[longrange7mm]

Nope. Eldm is a match only round...zero expansion.

Id have to disagree with this, I have seen a couple dozen kills with the Eld-m they performed flawlessly from 40 to 1200 yards

[yorketransport]

I'd be happy to get my 6.5grendal out to 675yards. But would the ELD-M be ok for hunting deer sized game? I got some of the Black label ammo to do initial sight in and brass, but 1/2 moa and 1000 yards target might be tempted to just make it a plinker

The ELD-M will expand. This is a 147 ELD-M with an impact velocity of roughly 1975fps from my wet leather tests.


Using 1900fps as a minimum impact velocity from a rifle with an appropriate twist rate, I'd be comfortable using something like the 123 ELD-M out to around 400 yards on deer depending on how fast you're moving them.

[Jolten]

Hmm maybe I'll see if I can get some Sierra gamekings in 6.5 for your wet weather test for a Grendel test. You could do it the same time as that .308 one of course you might use it in the badger just to spite me now 

[Biggerhammer]

Yes, the ELD-M will expand and the 6.5 Hornady 123gr A-Max loads will kill a Mulie dead at 200 yards , I've done it. The 123gr SST Hornady factory load kills them even better. We have killed Elk out to 411 yards with a 16" Grendel carbine and the 120gr Nosler Ballistic tip.

[Jolten]

Yes, the ELD-M will expand and the 6.5 Hornady 123gr A-Max loads will kill a Mulie dead at 200 yards , I've done it. The 123gr SST Hornady factory load kills them even better. We have killed Elk out to 411 yards with a 16" Grendel carbine and the 120gr Nosler Ballistic tip.

I'm looking for the sst currently

[h20hunter]

Intetesting on the expansion.  I would think the eld x would be better for hunting game.

[Biggerhammer]

Intetesting on the expansion.  I would think the eld x would be better for hunting game.

A 16" Grendel carbine with factory ammo isn't that fast, when you get out past 200 yards the A-Max expands much like a eld-x does at 100 or so. Due to its lighter construction. In open country for longer shots the A-Max is great.

[h20hunter]

Cool. I have some amax loaded up for the ar10.