6.5 Grendel Nosler Bullet Choice - Deer Hunting

[USAFRet]

I completely missed LeverEvolution. Speer lists it for 120 grain and it has some giddy-up. I have some from loading my 30-30. Hmmm, I may have to see what that does with the 120 Ballistic Tip.

 

[Calvin45]

I completely missed LeverEvolution. Speer lists it for 120 grain and it has some giddy-up. I have some from loading my 30-30. Hmmm, I may have to see what that does with the 120 Ballistic Tip.

It's pretty good stuff in my 243 with lighter bullets - 75 grain Barnes X (old school, no relief grooves - I treat them with hex boron nitride and any concerns about excessive fouling and not being able to reach full power before pressuring out, both x bullet concerns that lead to the invention of the xlc and then later the tsx, are totally gone) at around 3400-3450 or so from my old savage 99 22" barrel.

 

[PlumberEd]

The Speer 120 grain Gold Dot performed well for me this year on two deer, one was a pass through and one was found against the off side hide. CZ 527, Lapua brass, CCI 250 & 26.8 of Varget. This is a pic of the one I recovered.

 

[Calvin45]

Although @Gingerman doesnt have such a high opinion of it . I believe he calls it "Satan's sawdust" or "devil powder" or something like that…

 

[USAFRet]

The Speer 120 grain Gold Dot performed well for me this year on two deer, one was a pass through and one found against the off side hide. CZ 527, Lapua brass, CCI 250 & 26.8 of Varget. This is a pic of the one I recovered.

Want to sell me some? Can't find Gold Dot rifle bullets anywhere.

 

[USAFRet]

Anyone have recipes for Leverevolution and 120 grain BTs? I can only find Speer data. Not sure of the bullet length from the ogive in comparison, so nervous about getting a compressed load.

 

[DoneNOut]

Although @Gingerman doesnt have such a high opinion of it . I believe he calls it "Satan's sawdust" or "devil powder" or something like that…

Satan's sawdust! Bwahaha
I have new information to report about this. I was load developing with bad primers with Lever. I'll have to give it a try someday with good primers.

 

[PlumberEd]

Want to sell me some? Can't find Gold Dot rifle bullets anywhere.

Unfortunately I only have 4 of the 120 Gold Dots left from the season. I suspect they will become available by the end of summer.

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

I am finally loading for my Grendel. PSA Upper and Stag lower. This is for deer hunting. I have in stock - 120 grain Ballistic Tip, 120 grain E-Tip and 125 grain Partition. Looking at expansion, the Ballistic Tip wins out. However, I would like a pass through for tracking, and that leaves the Partition and the E-Tip. The E-Tip takes a bit more velcoity than the Partition to open up.

Thinking the Partition is maybe the good go between? Use the Ballistic Tip for Coyotes and maybe save the E-Tip for the Creedmoor?


Any real world experience out there? Expert opinion?

All 3 of those will hammer whitetails

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

123 SST Interlock is also a good choice

 

[ARlife4me]

As I don't hunt I do have the 100gr b-tips for grendel and 115gr gold dots.

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

As I don't hunt I do have the 100gr b-tips for grendel and 115gr gold dots.

Try the Barnes 120gr match burners if your just punching paper or ringing steel. Good BC and good band for $ if you reload

 

[ARlife4me]

Try the Barnes 120gr match burners if your just punching paper or ringing steel. Good BC and good band for $ if you reload

All were bought pre-covid, so prices weren't that bad. Especially any accubonds of every caliber. I do have the 145's and 112's (24cal), but have yet to try. Now if Barnes will make a 215+ grain for 30cal in the mb line and/or make a 285mb in 33cal.

 

[chav0_12]

I would not recommend the 120gr BT out of the Grendel from experience that I've had with it. I shot a small buck with one, at about 50 yards or so. I watched the bullet impact and the deer stood there like nothing happened, then started to run off so I adjusted my aim point and put one into the back of his skull. I was less than impressed with the performance of that bullet, it might be a good combo for coyotes but I won't be loading any for deer hunting. Maybe I had a dud? I have some of the 99gr Hammer Hunters sitting on my shelf that I want to work a load up for and see how they do.