I've mentioned before that shooting distances here in N. IN run more <200 yards than over and I've gotten to the old man stage of getting greater enjoyment shooting low recoil, low muzzle blast rounds so I did a little background work on some of the short-mid range cartridges and the rifles they can be found in.
I know the 6mms will do all one could require for deer at that range and I can't imagine passing from this rock with one not in possession but something a little bigger in diameter has held my interest for awhile but I still wanted some light weight bullet options in a bigger bore for just blasting and maybe some predator rounds. The 6.5mm has the weight ranges and while most 6.5mm bullets seem to be designed for LONG range, there are some pretty interesting looking less commonly discussed it seems that should fit the bill and provide me with a lot of fun time playing with loads this summer.
When I saw a "clearance" posted on the CZ 527 American in the 6.5 Grendel, I grabbed one before the dealers snarfed them all up to resell. I wish now I would have gotten two.
I've had a half dozen or so CZ 527s before and pretty much have seller's remorse over every one of them so I was tickled to find one at a good price. Some hate the single set trigger but, for me, it's like it was custom made for my liking.
Most look at the Hodgdon load data on the Grendel and are unaware that the super low PSI of these loads is intended for the AR 15 style rifles where bolt thrust must be kept within limitations and the larger base of the Grendel (220 Russian/6PPC size) delivers more thrust to the bolt than the .223 by a large margin relative to chamber pressure. Such is not an issue in a bolt action and loaded for a bolt gun it's almost a different round. Instead of the 52k PSI (load data seems to hang at 50K) CIP lists the Grendel the same as the 6PPC and 6BR Norma with rounds tested averaging 4050 Barr or 58,740 PSI.
While I've only loaded 90 and 100 grain "plinkers" for now testing the waters, it was readily apparent that I was going to really like this one. The single down side to this rifle/round is the 2.26" COAL one is limited to when using the detachable magazine but even with that limitation velocities can march right up there with 120 grain and lower bullets.
So, while final loads are months away (not much of crappy weather shooter) I think this is going to be a fun one.
A quick photo of it for now. Plans are to pick up a higher X summer scope later for fun and games but for now, the Bushnell 2.5-10x suffices. As a sidebar I also added a photo of some, retrieved from game, Maker T-Rex .264" bullets. These are 85 grain, but he makes a tipped 95gr (.400bc) and 110gr (.42bc) version too. WICKED looking little fellas, IMO. Might have to give the heavier ones a whirl.
God Bless
Steve
I know the 6mms will do all one could require for deer at that range and I can't imagine passing from this rock with one not in possession but something a little bigger in diameter has held my interest for awhile but I still wanted some light weight bullet options in a bigger bore for just blasting and maybe some predator rounds. The 6.5mm has the weight ranges and while most 6.5mm bullets seem to be designed for LONG range, there are some pretty interesting looking less commonly discussed it seems that should fit the bill and provide me with a lot of fun time playing with loads this summer.
When I saw a "clearance" posted on the CZ 527 American in the 6.5 Grendel, I grabbed one before the dealers snarfed them all up to resell. I wish now I would have gotten two.
I've had a half dozen or so CZ 527s before and pretty much have seller's remorse over every one of them so I was tickled to find one at a good price. Some hate the single set trigger but, for me, it's like it was custom made for my liking.
Most look at the Hodgdon load data on the Grendel and are unaware that the super low PSI of these loads is intended for the AR 15 style rifles where bolt thrust must be kept within limitations and the larger base of the Grendel (220 Russian/6PPC size) delivers more thrust to the bolt than the .223 by a large margin relative to chamber pressure. Such is not an issue in a bolt action and loaded for a bolt gun it's almost a different round. Instead of the 52k PSI (load data seems to hang at 50K) CIP lists the Grendel the same as the 6PPC and 6BR Norma with rounds tested averaging 4050 Barr or 58,740 PSI.
While I've only loaded 90 and 100 grain "plinkers" for now testing the waters, it was readily apparent that I was going to really like this one. The single down side to this rifle/round is the 2.26" COAL one is limited to when using the detachable magazine but even with that limitation velocities can march right up there with 120 grain and lower bullets.
So, while final loads are months away (not much of crappy weather shooter) I think this is going to be a fun one.
A quick photo of it for now. Plans are to pick up a higher X summer scope later for fun and games but for now, the Bushnell 2.5-10x suffices. As a sidebar I also added a photo of some, retrieved from game, Maker T-Rex .264" bullets. These are 85 grain, but he makes a tipped 95gr (.400bc) and 110gr (.42bc) version too. WICKED looking little fellas, IMO. Might have to give the heavier ones a whirl.
God Bless
Steve
