6.5 Grendel Case Life

[Lee Q. Loader]

I haven't tracked as well as I should, but I would guess I'm up to at least 7 reloads on my Grendel Starline brass. Primer pockets are still tight, case mouths look good to go.

I was just wondering if anyone has enough loads on their Grendel brass to have some case failures. I have been thinking the primer pockets would be what goes on this brass.
Any one with experience on this? Any opinions?

 

[Legionnaire]

Tagging in. I'm too new to the Grendel to have accumulated the data you are interested in. Looking forward to seeing what others say.

Are you shooting an AR or something else?

 

[Laphroaig]

I'm too new at this too. I'm shooting Nosler brass in my bolt gun, and reformed mixed 7.62 x 39 in my AR. Both are on the third loading and running fine.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

Tagging in. I'm too new to the Grendel to have accumulated the data you are interested in. Looking forward to seeing what others say.

Are you shooting an AR or something else?

Yes, I'm shooting an AR.
Another thing I should mention is that I have never had to trim the brass! It's awesome, I'm sure I'm not alone in disliking trimming brass.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I had not responded as I don't reload but I am a long time Grendelier with friends who are Grendeliers that do reload. Depending on the brass and how you load your ammo, 8-10 cycles is doable. If you are using Federal brass which apparently is a good bit softer, 4 is about it. Hornady will get you 8ish. Starline brass is 8-10. Lapua will get you up to 20 reloads. Lapua brass is also expensive and tends to have slightly less case capacity.

If you are wanting to load hot, expect the life cycle of the brass to decline.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

I had not responded as I don't reload but I am a long time Grendelier with friends who are Grendeliers that do reload. Depending on the brass and how you load your ammo, 8-10 cycles is doable. If you are using Federal brass which apparently is a good bit softer, 4 is about it. Hornady will get you 8ish. Starline brass is 8-10. Lapua will get you up to 20 reloads. Lapua brass is also expensive and tends to have slightly less case capacity.

If you are wanting to load hot, expect the life cycle of the brass to decline.

Did your friends mention what was the failure of the brass after their 8 to 10 loadings?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

From what I have seen, mostly split necks or loose primer pockets.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

From what I have seen, mostly split necks or loose primer pockets.

Thank you!

 

[kcofohio]

I haven't tracked as well as I should, but I would guess I'm up to at least 7 reloads on my Grendel Starline brass. Primer pockets are still tight, case mouths look good to go.

I was just wondering if anyone has enough loads on their Grendel brass to have some case failures. I have been thinking the primer pockets would be what goes on this brass.
Any one with experience on this? Any opinions?

I'm new to the 6.5 Grendel scene. I have only fired 30 rounds using new Starline brass.

Have you annealed the cases at any time. I'm curious, as I'm not set up to anneal.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

I'm new the the 6.5 Grendel scene. I have only fired 30 rounds using new Starline brass.

Have you annealed the cases at any time. I'm curious, as I'm not set up to anneal.

I didn't anneal. Just new Starline cases

 

[MarshallDodge]

I don't have a 6.5G but the same rules apply as any other brass.

Hotter loads are hard on primer pockets. If yours are holding up then consider things you can do to prevent necks from splitting.

Standard sizing dies typically overwork brass. Using a full length die with the correct neck bushing can help. Annealing softens work hardened brass from firing and sizing.

It's not fun when you load brass x number of times and on the next loading you start getting split necks.

 

[longdayjake]

We use the Starline Grendel cases to make .22 Grendel/22 ARC. Our guys have as many as 8 loadings but they could keep going on some but scrap them anyway.

 

[Okie_Poke]

Following along here, too. I've got quite a bit of Hornady Grendel brass with between 2 and 4 firings on it. I'd have to check my notes to see if I've taken any cases beyond 4 firings; I can't remember if I have or not. I have seen a few split necks and case-head separations after firing factory Hornady American Gunner 123 BTHP ammo, but I haven't experienced any problems with my hand loads.