Thread: 6.5 Grendel and BM8208

Hi, first time posting on ballistics so any help appreciated. So i have been working up loads slowly form around 26.5gr to 28.1gr in .3gr increases of BM8208
I am using Hornady brass, CCI 450 small rifle magnum primers and Hornady 123gr ELDM projectiles. Rifle is Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel 16inch heavy match barrel and DPT suppressor.
All groups were around an inch except the 28.1gr load which narrowed right down to 1-/4 to 1/2inch groups and chrono was 2350 lower range loads to 2430 at the high loads of 28.1gr.
At 28.1 there are definitely ejector swipes but no flattening of primers. The coal is 2.260 at 28.1gr load and is compressed a little bit.
It seems on a lot of Grendel forums 28.5 grams with a 123gr projectile is the excepted safe limit.
Does anyone here have experience or comment?

I've had similar experience to what you have there. Within a few fps.

Thanks for the reply, do you feel quite safe with that load, 28.1gr of Bm8208 behind the 123gr ELDM?

Originally Posted by Waipuna17

Thanks for the reply, do you feel quite safe with that load, 28.1gr of Bm8208 behind the 123gr ELDM?

I think I backed it off to 28gr and I'm getting 2400fps. Good to 300m at least. But every rifle is different. Just back it off if you're not happy. The deer won't know.

I had a Mini Grendel years ago that was very quick to show ejector stamps on the case heads too.

Your brass may not last as many firings. But it's technically fine... probably.

Thanks Wildman, sounds like you are getting similar FPS readings to me, What was the ma load you tested?

Hi Pommy, I noticed ejecter mark signs even useing factory Hornady Black 123gr ELDM ammo.

Same. There's something about those Minis and that Hornady brass.

It's not like the factory ammo is loaded hot. It's down at like 52,000psi for the sake of the Grendel AR's.

That said, I wouldn't push it any harder. I would get about 2500 from a 20" barrel.

Thanks Pommy. So it sounds like 28.1gr of BM8208 behind a 123gr ELDM is not exceptionally hot then but hot enough. I would go lower but ave not found the accuracy that the 28.1gr is giving. some groups routinely at 1/4inch and 1/2inch the norm.