I've been reloading for about a year so still pretty new to the game. I'm looking for some experienced advice.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't find a lot of load data for Grendel -- and even less using CFE 223. I've been working on a load for Grendel 6.5, Hornady 123 gr SST and using Hodgdon CFE 223 powder (no crimp). I'm working off of the tables printed in "6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbook Volume 2" and some info I found on the interwebs. Barrel Length is 18". The rifle is one of those dreaded "weapons of war" (also known as a "scary black", direct impingement action or modern sporting rifle). Brass is once fired Prvi Partizan; primer is CCI #250 (PPU uses large primers in their assembled Grendel cartridges).
I assembled 3 each of three different loads and chrono'd them. Here's what I ended up with:
27.5 gr; fps 2211 + 2189 + 2225 = avg 2208 fps
29.0 gr; fps 2331 + 2343 + 2347 = avg 2340 fps
31.1 gr; fps 2544 + 2534 + 2530 = avg 2536 fps
There are a few loads in "The Grendel Reloading Handbook Vol 2" using 123 gr bullets in an 18" barrel with different powders. They all have a velocities ranging from 2450 to 2537 so the 31.1 gr velocity average of 2536 fps doesn't appear to be out of bounds for a safe load. I had marked the casings with their respective loads, shot them in order and recovered each casing after firing. None of them show signs of overpressure.
I want to assemble 50 rounds. I'm leaning towards using 31.1 gr (this, by the way, is listed as the max charge for 123 gr SST & CFE 223 according to the handbook).
None of the three (big fat) manuals I have - Lee 2nd ed., Speer #14 or Lyman 49 ed.- have loads for the Grendel nor have I found CFE 223 in any of them.
Before I start cranking out ammunition, I'm asking for your trusted opinions.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't find a lot of load data for Grendel -- and even less using CFE 223. I've been working on a load for Grendel 6.5, Hornady 123 gr SST and using Hodgdon CFE 223 powder (no crimp). I'm working off of the tables printed in "6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbook Volume 2" and some info I found on the interwebs. Barrel Length is 18". The rifle is one of those dreaded "weapons of war" (also known as a "scary black", direct impingement action or modern sporting rifle). Brass is once fired Prvi Partizan; primer is CCI #250 (PPU uses large primers in their assembled Grendel cartridges).
I assembled 3 each of three different loads and chrono'd them. Here's what I ended up with:
27.5 gr; fps 2211 + 2189 + 2225 = avg 2208 fps
29.0 gr; fps 2331 + 2343 + 2347 = avg 2340 fps
31.1 gr; fps 2544 + 2534 + 2530 = avg 2536 fps
There are a few loads in "The Grendel Reloading Handbook Vol 2" using 123 gr bullets in an 18" barrel with different powders. They all have a velocities ranging from 2450 to 2537 so the 31.1 gr velocity average of 2536 fps doesn't appear to be out of bounds for a safe load. I had marked the casings with their respective loads, shot them in order and recovered each casing after firing. None of them show signs of overpressure.
I want to assemble 50 rounds. I'm leaning towards using 31.1 gr (this, by the way, is listed as the max charge for 123 gr SST & CFE 223 according to the handbook).
None of the three (big fat) manuals I have - Lee 2nd ed., Speer #14 or Lyman 49 ed.- have loads for the Grendel nor have I found CFE 223 in any of them.
Before I start cranking out ammunition, I'm asking for your trusted opinions.
Any advice would be appreciated.