Reloading ammunition at home can be a hobby or a necessity for some people. However, it certainly has its own advantages and disadvantages.
In this article, we’ll look at the 6.5mm Grendel into consideration for reloading. We will learn about how to look for the right powder to reload the ammo and what features it should possess. To wrap things up, we will also review some of the best gunpowders on the market for reloading the 6.5mm Grendel.
| Reloading powder | Name | Editor’s Comment | Rating | Get The Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Alliant Powder AR-Comp Powder | Most Recommended Option 1. Ideal for reloading heavy .223 & .308 match bullets | 10/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Hodgdon BLC2 | Premium Option 1. Exceptionally useful for varmint hunting | 9.5/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Hodgdon H322 | 1. Most sold and used reloading powders 2. Clean-burning powder and delivers a more consistent velocity 3. Very economical to reload and use in bulk | 9.0/10 | Currently unavailable |
 | IMR 8208 | 1. Premium-grade powder 2. Great reloading powder for hunting 3. Meters exceptionally well | 8.5/10 | Currently unavailable |
 | Accurate 2520 | 1. Medium burning, double base, spherical rifle powder 2. Versatile powder, works around many calibers 3. Widely used by most active-duty and retired military personnel | 8.0/10 | Currently unavailable |
Reloading Your Own Ammo 101
Reloading your own ammo has several benefits and disservices. Some people do it for a hobby or for the sake of obtaining customized rounds for their rifle. Reloading ammunition has its economic and working benefits, along with some drawbacks.
Pros
If you’re currently reading this article you are likely aware of the benefits of self-loading:
Reloading Saves Money
If you focus on the economics part, the most expensive part of a round is its brass casing. Almost half of the cost is related to the casing, which means that reloading will save you almost 50% of the money, if not more than buying a new pack of ammo for yourself.
Grendel Ammo is Often Scarce
This may sound implausible, but the 6.5 Grendel is not mass-produced like most other calibers and types. You’ll have issues finding the 6.5 Grendel ammo offline. Furthermore, it’s not cheap brass. So it is a better choice to reload, so you never run out of the 6.5G load.
Accuracy and Customization
Filling up your own rounds will let you improve accuracy and customize the loadout by modifying characteristics of the bullet such as velocity, length, and bullet weight.
For When SHTF
We all know that gun laws are becoming tighter every other day. Be it the 6.5 Grendel or any other caliber, things like restrictive online sales and local laws may make it difficult to get. So, it’s always better to have a reloading setup ready.
Cons
All that being said, sometimes people may underestimate the disadvantages. These do get better with regular practice, and a dedicated space:
Time Consuming
Reloading ammunition is not as convenient as reloading magazines. It takes some time and precision. If you don’t have much time to spare, then this is not your cup of tea. Furthermore, it also has upfront costs involved (like procuring equipment), and all you need to have is a dedicated space.
Requires Precision
You have to be very accurate and technically sound to refill your ammunition. If you’re not that well-informed, or can’t handle such careful procedures, it’s better to stay away from it. Doing it wrongly can be dangerous or even fatal.
Restrictions
Self-loaded ammunition is usually not allowed in most indoor shooting ranges. Be sure to check yourself.
Is All Powder The Same?
Of course not. Gunpowder varies on parameters such as its burn rate and density. Some powders burn faster than other powders, so it is important that you use a reloading guide to get the proper value and good gunpowder weight to be supplementary.
The 6.5 Grendel is a low recoil round with an outstanding ballistic coefficient. It generally needs a mid-rate (neither fast nor slow) burning gunpowder to direct the projectile to a higher velocity and a lengthier distance. For heavier grains, you will need slower burning gunpowder to properly burn and propel the projectile at the much needed velocity.
Another thing to consider is its granule shape, which includes flake, ball, and stick. Stick-type powder usually dominates the rifle market, and you should choose the same for your 6.5 Grendel.
Another factor to decide and consider when choosing a gunpowder is its density. A more dense gunpowder will carry more bullet weight and will not need you to fill up a double charge, which may cause it to spill out while reloading it. Not all gunpowders are made equal. Some powders burn twice as fast at just half its bullet weight, compared to other ones. So, properly access the weight/amount of powder using the reloading guide.
How We Choose Our Top Picks
For us to claim that we have outlined the top choices, you need to know about the factors to consider before selecting these products.
Shelf Life
Gun powders can be classified into three kinds: Single base, double base, and triple base. With the shelf life in increasing order respectively. Triple base powders are not pertinent here (they are good for navy shells). The powder that is normally used with a shelf life of years is the double base, and all of our choices are of the same type.
Caliber/Burn Rate
The 6.5 Grendel needs a medium burn rate gunpowder for lighter projectiles and a sluggish burning powder for magnum ones. All the powders in our mini guide have a burn rate appropriate for the 6.5G.
Clean
A good gunpowder should burn clean, leaving little to no residue/grime behind. All of our recommendations are far from dirty, but it’s still a good practice to clean your rifle regularly.
Good Load Density
Our options have a good load density to let you fill the maximum amount of powder so the case seals perfectly. With all the powders on our list, it’s nearly impossible to double charge the 6.5 Grendel case.
Accurate and Versatile
You are able to use the below-reviewed powders to load 5.56, 7.62, and the 6.5 Grendel rounds. A good reloading powder must be precise and versatile enough to be used with other calibers.
Price and Availability
The 6.5 Grendel is not so freely available on the renowned shelves. So to reload it, you need to choose an ammunition powder that is readily available and reasonably priced to solve the economic purpose.
The Best Reloading Powder for the 6.5 Grendel
Based upon the perfect qualities of a 6.5 Grendel reloading gunpowder, we have come up with some of the best products on the market. As mentioned above, these powders will prove to be economical, clean, and precise for you.
1. Alliant Powder AR-Comp Powder
New buyers mention that this powder is great for handloading their 65 Grendel rounds. AS soon as they are loaded and ready to go, they are able to test-fire them at the shooting range and generate great results. One of the users said that his shooting groups are quite tighter than expected compared to a previous powder that he had used.
If you are looking for the fitting kind of powder that will make any AR-15 round more powerful and accurate, then you don’t have to look any further than this one. This Swedish-made powder is maybe the closest you can get to a universal fit when it comes to reloading AR rounds. These will provide your Grendel 65, .223, or .308 rounds with the fitting kind of pressure, consistency, and accuracy. If you are looking for a type of powder that will exceed your standards when it comes to performance, then this is the best of the best.
If you question any 6.5 Grendel expert out there for a gunpowder recommendation, 90% of the time their suggestions will be AR-Comp. This powder has been especially developed for use with AR style rifles. It is preferably suited to reload the 6.5 Grendel, and also the .223 and .308 loads. This makes it more versatile. That means you don’t have to buy a different powder for your other AR calibers.
It is a double base gunpowder and is tremendously resistant to moisture, meaning it will last on your shelf for years without sagging. The powder distributes consistent burning and velocity across a wide range of temperatures and is exceptionally clean.
The powder is dense and powerful enough to sustain both normal and magnum 6.5 Grendel projectiles. In case you wish to know, the powder has been made in Sweden and is available in 1 pound and 8 pound packaging.
This is a handloader’s dream choice. If you have a lot of AR-15 rounds to load then you’ve got the powder to put them to good use. All you need to do is load them with the suitable amount and you’ll have precise and tight shooting right out of the gate. As soon as you try out a few rounds with the Alliant Powder AR-Comp Powder, you’ll want to go back to your side and reload more rounds. We promise that you will not get enough of this powder once you try it.
If you are looking for superior accuracy from an ammunition powder that will be great for any AR round that you can fire off, then the Alliant AR-Comp Powder should certainly be on your radar. It’s lightweight, but pretty powerful as soon as it is loaded into your 65 Grendel rounds. We have warned you though, this powder will make firing those rounds a lot more fun and readily available.
The long range comp is the most popularly used, readily available, and trusted gunpowder for reloading 6.5 Grendel. Not just the figures, but also its qualities made it a great gunpowder for the 6.5G. You can also use it for other calibers, as well as for light and heavy loads.
2. Hodgdon H322
Many new users are AR users who preferred long-range shooting. Their targets ranged from small varmints to paper targets and clay pigeons. They mentioned that the Hodgdon H322 is great for 65 Grendel rounds and other long-range rounds like the 6.5 Creedmoor and .223. About 50% of the users are hunters that said their kill shots are much tighter and deadlier since using this powder as hunting bullet.
Long-range shooting is really exciting, especially when you are doing it for the purpose of hunting and competition. Assume no mistake, this powder is something special when it comes to making all your rounds convenient to load no matter how many cartridges you own. Yes, loading them does take some time, but it’s really worth the wait firing off these ammunition powder.
Best of all, this powder can take on extreme weather. So, if you’re coyote hunting in sub-zero temperatures or at the shooting range on a sweltering hot summer day, this ammunition powder will definitely go above and beyond and deliver a spectacular performance every time you pull your trigger.
Hodgdon is probably the most well-known manufacturer when it comes to gunpowders. This H322 gunpowder is an expressively “extreme” powder, which means it doesn’t get affected as much by swings in extremely hot weather and temperature. It can be used to reload .223, 308 and the 6.5 Grendel, along with other similar hunting bullet.
The H322 burns on an average rate and does a superb job of pushing heaving bullets with the appropriate velocity. It is also a really commonly used mil-spec round so you can use it to reload without worrying much about its performance.
This powder is far from the murkiest but will still smudge your rifle, so clean it up after 4-5 shooting sprees. The package has a thoroughly detailed reloading table to help you out with refilling your cartridges.
If you are a long-range shooter, then this is the powder that you’ll need for all of your rounds. It is great for when you are using your AR-15 all year-round as your hunting bullet or target shooting applications and usages. No matter what the weather is like or the long-range rounds you use, this powder is specially made for making those rounds go the distance.
The Hodgdon H322 can be 1 of the reasons why your 65 Grendel rounds go farther than you think is possible. Load these in your rounds and be ready for some surprising moments when you fire them off at the range or out in the field. This is not the kind of powder you will want to underestimate.
The powder works pretty well with light and heavy loads of the 6.5 Grendel. Furthermore, it can also be used to fill up .223 and .308 rounds. It is readily available on the market and gives an accurate performance.
3. IMR 8208
This powder is pretty popular with buyers who are looking for the best quality and performance without breaking their bank. The general consensus reflects that they got a whole lot more than what they’ve paid for with this powder. They mentioned that it was easy to fit in most Grendel rounds and it didn’t add on any extra weight in the process. As soon as it is loaded, they said the ignition is pretty good and provided some solid propulsion for each round. Shooting groups are tighter than usual when fired at various ranges.
This is the kind of powder you can use if and when you need to add a little spice and velocity to each of your shots. Indeed, this can be real fitting for rounds that go at short ranges or can go the distance at longer ranges beyond 500 yards. Either way, this is not your ordinary powder. However, it can make every shot better in its performance whether you are hunting a deer or a paper target from about 500 yards out.
This option is a multipurpose powder that can be used to fill out loads like .223, 6.5 Grendel, and the .308. The powder is not exaggerated by changes in temperatures and provides a consistent and accurate shooting experience.
The powder meters pretty well and is perfect for competitions and varmint hunting. The powder has a moderate burn rate, which propels the 6.5 Grendel projectile at suitable velocities to achieve accuracy and long range, respective of its intended property.
If you are looking for a good powder that is perfect for increasing the velocity of your shots, then you’ll definitely want to give this powder a look into. Seeing your shots hit the target at a much faster capacity can be quite impressive right before your eyes. You’ll swear that your timing will be flawless each time you pull the trigger. For some remarkably fast shooting with a boost of accuracy to go along with it, this powder may just fit the bill.
The IMR 8208 is no regular powder. It’s the kind of powder that will enhance and improve the performance of each round you shoot with a 65 Grendel compatible rifle. You’ll notice a bit of a change if you are quite familiar with the ballistics of your rounds when you put this powder to the test.
The IMR 8208 is dense, burns clean, and meters pretty well. It is a solid choice to load competition and hunting. Furthermore, it is a versatile powder and can be used to load different best calibers.
4. Accurate 2520
New buyers mentioned that this best powder did a great job of propelling 65 Grendel rounds at a rate that was slightly speedier than compared to various powders. Other users are also loading this into .223 and .308 rounds and are surprised by how quick their rounds ended up on the target at distances ranging from 100 to 500 yards. 1 of the users said that his rounds appeared to be going a bit faster than he had best expected when he managed to fire about 25 yards in single fire mode.
If you are looking for a boost in accuracy and velocity, then you won’t find a better ammunition powder that can get the job done quite like this best one. This is the powder that will function really well with all kinds of heavy match rounds like this 65 Grendels and your .223 rounds. They’ll preserve a light weight between 62 to 80 grain and still go the distance no matter what. If your rounds aren’t that hefty, then believe us when we say that they have a better chance of going really fast.
The Accurate 2520 is a medium-burning, double-base, spherical rifle powder best and good deliberated around the .308 Win, and works really well with heavy match shots. The powder is quite versatile and functions pretty well within the threshold limits of the M14 systems. It also works really well for loads between 77 to 168 grains. Furthermore, the metering is easy and consistent due to its optimal granule shape.
The only disadvantage is that the powder works a bit dirty so you have to be really careful when using it with match-grade barrels. However, that’s not much of a problem if you are accustomed to cleaning your rifles regularly.
If you fire off a solid number of best AR rounds, no matter the caliber, then you’ll want the best ammunition powder that will be fast, tight, and just all-around awesome. As soon as you load the powder in your favourite rounds, you’re definitely going to witness some noticeable changes. Believe us when we say that these rounds will certainly go the distance while leaving a nice kill shot on any good big game or varmint that you hunt for.
The Accurate 2520 powder is exactly what you are looking good for if you want to make your rounds a lot faster and tighter each time you pull the trigger. Who doesn’t want a high-performing round that will consequently come in better accuracy? Accuracy is the good one thing that matters most when it comes to getting a kill shot or hitting the bullseye in a shooting competition.
The Accurate 2520 is a slow burning powder and is fitting for good heavy grain bullets. The powder burns steadily under different temperatures, and delivers exceptional accuracy, making it good for competition purposes and good varmint hunting usage.
5. Hodgdon BLC2
New users of this powder included a number of hunters who have fired off 65 Grendel rounds with their targets either being varmint or coyotes. They are quite happy with the powder being able to ignite quickly so it is able to travel fast and hit the targets quickly. One of the users said that his rounds are regularly and consistently knocking off varmints ranging anywhere from 300 yards to 500 feet consistently. The kill shots are instantaneous (not to mention a bit tighter than usually expected).
This pistol is definitely perfect and idyll for a solid number of shooters who are using their 65 Grendel rifles for well hunting and target shooting practice. The powder is fairly light and didn’t add on any additional weight that is considered unnecessary use. If you are looking for a powder that will go far without making your rounds a little heavier than they should be, then this may be what you are looking for.
The BLC2 was initially designed for the .308 and 7.62 NATO well loads and works exceptionally brilliantly for small target varmint cartridges rifle use. The powder is very affordable and readily available, which makes it a well good option for reloading.
This powder burns steadily and propels mid-weight bullets at long distances, hence matching the quality of a 6.5 Grendel round. It is very prevalent with high power, long-range shooters, bench rest shooters, and varmint hunters. The BLC2 delivers consistent and regular charge weights during powder measure and is an accurate and precise alternative for use in reloading your 6.5 Grendel reloading.
If you are planning on shooting off a lot of Grendel rounds at the range or in the field, you better have them filled up with some pretty great powder. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a powder like this anywhere else on the market. It outclasses in propelling your shots to distances you never knew are possible for reloading.
The Hodgdon BLC2 is the only ammunition powder you can depend on if you are looking for something that will provide you with consistent results each and every time. Your shots will be strikingly tighter and we won’t be surprised if all it takes is one shot to kill a varmint target instantly. The Hodgdon BLC2 is an economical and versatile gunpowder that can be used for competitions, hunting, and bench shooting and reloading.
Conclusion
The 6.5 Grendel reloading is a scarce velocity caliber to find on the market so having a reloading setup is always a good choice. In addition, it saves you some money velocity and lets you customize the bullets to match your desired performance. A good gunpowder for the 6.5 Grendel should have a consistent and slow powder burn rate, should be accurate, and should be clean. Furthermore, a good gunpowder should be dense enough to avoid accurate double charging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What ammo does a 6.5 Grendel Use?
The 6.5 Creedmoor ammo also has an accurate advantage when it comes to selection and choices. While both cartridges utilize .264 inches bullets, the 6.5 Creedmoor was especially designed to accurately utilize the longest and heaviest bullets available. The cartridge usually uses the weights in the 95-160 grain range, with 120, 129, 140, and 143 gr bullets being the most common. On the other hand, the 6.5 Grendel uses lighter bullets and tops out at around accurate work and new long 130 grain powders. 120 grain and 123 grain work are the most popular.
Hello there, it’s Michael here. A gun lover since young, served the country for the last 20 years. I started the blog to share my experience and gun-related knowledge accumulated throughout the years. Hopefully, you will find something useful over here or just have fun! You can learn more about me here.