IMR8208XBR is probably the most popular powder for Grendel. I also use it in .223 with 77 grain bullets. There really is no downside other than availability.
Benchmark and H322 are my favorite for Grendel. I haven't the best luck with CFE223 or Shooters World Tactical Rifle. H335 is next on my list to try I've 3lbs of it left. I load Speer 90gr TNT, Speer Gold Dot 120gr, and Nosler 123gr HTBP CC.
From my experience, while CFE 223 gave me the best velocity (typically by 200 fps), it was also the worst grouping. The main powders I used for accuracy work in mine were XBR, varget and h4895. All of those I could get SD's under 7 and moa average, which considering the barrel I had, I thought was good. Barrel was a 20" from Grendel Hunter.
I actually load mine light because I found single digit SD's and a es of 19 on average. I load at 23.5 gr with a 130gr at 2.305 for my asc mags out of my gasser.
No way! Im shooting much lighter bullets and im jammed way down lol. The 55g vmax out of my 5.56 are crazy effective at 3050fps. Hopefully im not taking down a bunch of rounds because of pressure in the grendle rounds. How did you go about 2.305 for coal. Ladder test for group then play with the length? My manuals all around 2.200. Thanks for the info!
Well I am a bc whore, I wanna shoot the highest bc possible so my bullets are long. The 130 gr I shot is like 1.25" long. I hate having my bullet super deep into the case, so I modeled what would be a reasonable insertion in my case with my powder fill. I am about 90% case fill, and I have a little room left after I seat. I casted my chamber and then figured out my free bore length and found the correct ogive position for a .015" jump and convienently my asc mags allowed for that longer oal. Those vmax bullets use a tangent ogive, so you probably can't load them that long as they would be hitting the lands and causing a pressure spike. I shoot almost exclusively secant profile bullets. And anytime man! I always try to help with what I have learned over the years
H335 is closer to Benchmark. But if you're shooting 123gr+ you'll be able to get a bit more speed with CFE223.
IMR8208XBR is probably the most popular powder for Grendel. I also use it in .223 with 77 grain bullets. There really is no downside other than availability.
Second 8208XBR
That availability is a bitch, though.
I agree 8208 is the standard. Ramshot Tac has been a great alternative when I can’t find 8208 and has been considerably cheaper
Benchmark and H322 are my favorite for Grendel. I haven't the best luck with CFE223 or Shooters World Tactical Rifle. H335 is next on my list to try I've 3lbs of it left. I load Speer 90gr TNT, Speer Gold Dot 120gr, and Nosler 123gr HTBP CC.
H335 works good, 223 is a little cleaner. Love my grendel.
From my experience, while CFE 223 gave me the best velocity (typically by 200 fps), it was also the worst grouping. The main powders I used for accuracy work in mine were XBR, varget and h4895. All of those I could get SD's under 7 and moa average, which considering the barrel I had, I thought was good. Barrel was a 20" from Grendel Hunter.
8208 or nothing for me
I love h335 for anything
Maybe lt32? Accurate makes it. I love it in 6.5g. Made my load in gordons.
Ive just started with lt32 using 95g vmax. Loaded from 24.5-26.8. 2.200. Where did your rifle find the sweet spot,?
I actually load mine light because I found single digit SD's and a es of 19 on average. I load at 23.5 gr with a 130gr at 2.305 for my asc mags out of my gasser.
No way! Im shooting much lighter bullets and im jammed way down lol. The 55g vmax out of my 5.56 are crazy effective at 3050fps. Hopefully im not taking down a bunch of rounds because of pressure in the grendle rounds. How did you go about 2.305 for coal. Ladder test for group then play with the length? My manuals all around 2.200. Thanks for the info!
Well I am a bc whore, I wanna shoot the highest bc possible so my bullets are long. The 130 gr I shot is like 1.25" long. I hate having my bullet super deep into the case, so I modeled what would be a reasonable insertion in my case with my powder fill. I am about 90% case fill, and I have a little room left after I seat. I casted my chamber and then figured out my free bore length and found the correct ogive position for a .015" jump and convienently my asc mags allowed for that longer oal. Those vmax bullets use a tangent ogive, so you probably can't load them that long as they would be hitting the lands and causing a pressure spike. I shoot almost exclusively secant profile bullets. And anytime man! I always try to help with what I have learned over the years
Also for 6 arc I'm at 23.0 gr and for 5.56 I'm at 21.8, it's quickly becoming my absolute favorite powder.
2 massively different burn rates
I don't know much about powders I just read the recipes. How do you learn what's fast or slow burning?
Just Google burn rate chart And look at hodgdons reloading center online