6.5 Grendel | Which Powder Is The Fastest in 16” and 18” Barrels?

Published on November 28, 2023
Duration: 10:36

This video explores maximizing velocity for the 6.5 Grendel cartridge in 16-inch and 18-inch barrels using 123-grain ELD Match bullets. The instructor tests four popular powders: CFE 223, Varget, H335, and BL-C(2), comparing measured velocities against advertised data. The analysis highlights how barrel length impacts velocity and identifies powders that perform best in shorter carbine setups, noting that no over-pressure signs were observed at maximum loads.

Quick Summary

This test evaluated four powders for maximum 6.5 Grendel velocity in 16" and 18" barrels using 123gr ELD bullets. H335 yielded the highest velocity (2402 fps) in the 18" barrel, while CFE 223 was strong in the 16" barrel (2359 fps). No over-pressure signs were observed.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Introduction to 6.5 Grendel
  2. 00:34Reloading: Speed vs. Accuracy
  3. 01:15Video Goal: Max Velocity Test
  4. 01:56Test Setup: Barrels & Bullets
  5. 02:34Reloading Components Shown
  6. 02:58Advertised Velocity Data Explained
  7. 04:3916-inch Barrel Chronograph Results
  8. 05:4318-inch Barrel Chronograph Results
  9. 06:51Results and Analysis
  10. 07:49Velocity Discrepancies & Barrel Length
  11. 09:40Pressure Signs & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What powders were tested for maximum velocity in 6.5 Grendel?

The video tested four popular powders for maximum velocity in 6.5 Grendel: Hodgdon CFE 223, Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H335, and Hodgdon BL-C(2). These were loaded with 123-grain ELD Match bullets.

How did barrel length affect 6.5 Grendel velocity?

Barrel length significantly impacts velocity. The 18-inch barrel generally produced higher velocities than the 16-inch barrel for most tested powders, though some loads showed unexpected results, highlighting the importance of specific powder burn rates and barrel dynamics.

Which powder was the fastest for 6.5 Grendel in the tested barrels?

In the 18-inch barrel, H335 achieved the highest measured velocity at 2402 fps with 123gr ELD bullets. CFE 223 also performed very well, especially in the 16-inch barrel, reaching 2359 fps.

Are there safety concerns when reloading 6.5 Grendel to maximum velocity?

During this test, none of the spent primers showed signs of overpressure, even when using maximum powder charges. This indicates that the tested loads were within safe operating parameters for the 16" and 18" barrels used.

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