Game Load Testing Today

[u/jonny-spot]

Got out to the range today to test a few loads out of the 14.5" Grendel. 1st two columns are 120gr Gold dot, with Benchmark on the left and Lever on the right. 2nd two columns are Sierra 105gr VarmintKings, again with Benchmark on the left and Lever on the right. Speeds/SD on the top left of each target and grains of powder on the top right.

I'm pretty stoked on the SVK/Lever combination out of this rifle (right side). To effectively get ~1" groups and 2600fps+ out of a 14.5" barrel is pretty powerful in my book. In the conditions (upper 80's temps and 3k' elevation), this equates to just about 1000ft/lbs @ 300 yards.

The unknown at this point is the expansion performance of the TVK. I can't really find too much info online about min FPS for expansion or anything about fragmentation of the TVK. I would love for this to be an option on deer (southern Idaho and eastern Oregon mule deer), but I'm a bit apprehensive at this point to even try it vs the 120 gold dot or the 123 SST (which both limit me to around 200-230 yards (if we're just using ft/lbs as a metric). Anyone have any thoughts on or experience with the lighter bullets on deer?

[u/Different-South14]

Good lookin. What barrel?

[u/mad-hatter-232 → u/Different-South14]

Second that, what barrel

[u/jonny-spot → u/Different-South14]

Rexus bolt and barrel in BCM upper.

Edit now that I'm back in front of a computer, rifle details: Photo

Rexus 14.5" P&W w/ rearden R2 flash hider + OCL Polo 30

Rexus BCG

BCM blem upper w/ 13" MCMR rail

Atlas BT10 bipod

Boise Black Rifle Lower receiver (LGS branded milspec lower) w/ VLTOR A5, Larue MBT2S and Magpul K2 grip and DT stock.

PA SLX 3-18x50 optic (which has been kind of a letdown, honestly)

The whole idea behind this build was a somewhat compact coyote/pig/deer rifle that I could drag around the country without compliance BS or needing a brace.

[u/UnexpectedRedditor]

Glad you posted this up. Trying to decide if I can turn my 12.5" into my wife's white tail gun this year. Just chrono'd some factory loads and the 100gr Hornady eld-VT seemed most promising inside 250yd. Just don't know how that bullet terminate at 2000fps

[u/jonny-spot → u/UnexpectedRedditor]

I’ll see if I can compile the numbers from the 95gr vmax, but it also grouped great out of this gun. Again just a bit sketched on the bullet performance on game as big as deer.

[u/ShermanEmpire]

Hell yeah more 14.5 grendels, I've also got a rexus 14.5 and while I haven't had a good chance to check accuracy your results show some promise overall. I will say though a little jealous of your fps with the 105s, I'm pushing 2650ish with h335 in my 18 (1700ish ft) and getting some pressure signs, I'm hoping my load development with 107 tmks and lvr will get me similar results in my 14.5

[u/mantra177 → u/ShermanEmpire]

I have also been seeing some pressure signs on my 18" Odinworks with H335 and 100gr Barnes TTSX not exactly pushing the top end of the data Barnes published. Similar velocity to yours

[u/drewthebrave]

For the 123gr Hornady SST, Hornady claims expansion happens at 1600FPS, but the conservative estimate I've seen most hunters use is 1800FPS for meaningful expansion. Use your ballistic calculator, but my 12.5" falls below 1800FPS right before 300 yards. If I go by the Hornady figure of 1600 FPS, my 12.5" will have 400+ yards of effective expansion range.

[u/jonny-spot → u/drewthebrave]

That’s good to know. Looking at a previous test I did with SST over benchmark (just over 2400mv) that gets me out to about 420yds… which seems crazy. Calc says 887ft-lbs at that velocity…

Thanks man. I may have to get some milk jugs and see

[u/drewthebrave → u/jonny-spot]

Yup, that tracks with what I'd expect. Those SST bullets are pretty great.

The 100gr ELD-VT is another great option if you want a little flatter trajectory that's closer to 6ARC performance.