I just got approved and put together a Form 1 6.5 Grendel SBR with a 12.7" 8 twist McGowan barrel. I have a pretty good stockpile of 123 ELDM's that have shot very well in each of my other 3 6.5 Grendel barrels, and will likely use them for general shooting and Messing around with steel out to 500 yards or so with this gun. Because I'm expecting to only get around 2300 with these bullets at this barrel length, I have been considering going with something lighter to pick up some speed since this will only be a 300 yard hunting gun, reducing the value of higher BC, and have other rifles better suited for longer distances.
That gets to my question. I have been looking at hammer bullets based on the exemplary reviews posted here, and am trying to decide between the 85 Hunter and the 97 Absolute. If the absolutes can get within 50fps or so of the 85s, they win at all ranges, but this will only be possible if they live up to their design Intent of running significantly faster than like weight bullets. If the normal velocity relationship I see between Different weight bullets in the Grendel holds true then I am looking at 120ish FPS difference, and the 85 is the winner.
If anyone has any data comparing lighter hammer hunters to slightly heavier absolutes, that would be very helpful. The other thing to take into account is I have AR Comp, H322, and Benchmark that would be suitable for these bullets and would like to be able to utilize one of the three. I Understand the absolutes typically like faster than normal powder for a given bullet weight so I'm not sure I would see the advantages with these powders. I have some VV N110 but I would think that would be way too fast even for the Absolutes.
Thanks in advance,
Cole