In this post and video we’ll be going over the ballistics results from our testing of two popular varmint/predator loads for the 6.5 Grendel. We’ll take a look at velocities, energy, penetration and expansion. You’ll get to see how both bullets performed going into and through several different style targets. Hopefully it’ll be useful information or at least interesting.
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel | Barrel Length: 22” | Test Distance: 100 Yards
Bullet: 90gr Speer TNT (.281 B.C.) | Muzzle Velocity: 2,805 FPS | Muzzle Energy: 1,572 FT/LB
Bullet: 95gr Hornady V-MAX (.365 B.C.) | Muzzle Velocity: 2,942 FPS | Muzzle Energy: 1,826 FT/LB
Ammunition manufactured by Druid Hill Armory
WATER TEST
Our first test is an old classic. Try to capture a bullet in water and see how many jugs it’ll go through.
The 6.5 Grendel 90gr Speer TNT went through the first two jugs with some fragments in the second, but the majority of the bullet was in the third. We recovered 41.9gr.
The 95gr V-MAX exploded the first water jug and had a fragment punch a hole in the third, but the majority of the 47.1gr we recovered were found in the second.
CARDBOARD TEST
For our second test, we layered 10” of saturated cardboard into a block and fired the 90gr TNT and 95gr V-MAX into it. Not surprisingly, both bullets had pass throughs, but what’s interesting is their depths of penetration before expanding and fragmenting
In layers 10 – 12, about 1 – 1.5” deep, the V-MAX is already beginning to open up while the TNT is holding together. When you consider the length of the bullet itself, that 95gr V-MAX has just barely made it all the way into the target and is already doing some work.
By 18 – 20 layers into our block of cardboard, the 90gr TNT continues to penetrate with a small diameter hole. But look at the 95gr V-MAX. It has continued to expand and is creating a very nice wound channel.
It’s in layers 35 – 38, perhaps 40% of the way through our block, that we begin to see the TNT open. We also began to notice some small fragments being left behind by the V-MAX.
From this point on through layer number 70, roughly 8” deep, when the TNT’s cavity is catching that of the V-MAX. From here to the end, the damage done by both bullets is about the same.
By 18 – 20 layers into our block of cardboard, the 90gr TNT continues to penetrate with a small diameter hole. But look at the 95gr V-MAX. It has continued to expand and is creating a very nice wound channel.
WOOD TEST
For our third test of the 6.5 Grendel varmint load ballistics, we layered together a much denser target, seven 2×4’s.
Much like in our cardboard test, the 95gr V-MAX was expanding right away. Through the fist and second boards, the 90gr TNT is holding together and the V-MAX is opening up. But in the third board, the TNT opens and has a similar exit hole to that of the Hornady V-MAX. It was the same story through boards number four and five, though the fifth did have some copper fragments from the Speer TNT.
In the sixth 2×4, the V-MAX was stopped and we recovered 70.1gr of the bullet, but the TNT penetrated through all seven layers.
CONCLUSION
Both of these bullets, I think, performed quite well.
If you’re looking for a bit more penetration before expansion perhaps considering a shoulder blade, the 90gr Speer TNT will give you that. In fact, I know there are hog hunters who like this load for that reason. They find it has the ability to get through that layer of “armor” before expanding/fragmenting and doesn’t overpenetrate like many of the heavier bullets for the 6.5 Grendel might.
If you’re looking for a bullet that is going to begin expanding/fragmenting instantly and gives you the least chance of over penetrating, the 95gr Hornady V-MAX is an excellent choice. For years coyote hunters on farms with livestock and houses in the general area have used the V-MAX in the 6.5 Grendel with great success.
One more point I’d make when comparing these two loads is their difference in ballistic coefficient. The V-MAX has quite a bit higher B.C. and, at least with this load, a higher muzzle velocity. Both of these things, but especially the higher B.C., means the V-MAX maintains its velocity and energy down range a little bit better. According to Hornady, the V-MAX bullet can still perform at velocities down to 1600 FPS. Based on our ballistics calculations, that could stretch you out to 600 yards with 547 FT/LB of energy (A .223 with a 55gr V-MAX has about the same energy at only 300 yards). Though your drop from a 100 yard zero at that range is nearly 90 inches, so you better know your dope if you’re going to send one at that range.
| 22” 6.5 Grendel – 90gr Speer TNT (.281 B.C.) | |||
| Range | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (FT/LB) | Trajectory (IN) |
| 0 | 2805 | 1572 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2486 | 1235 | 0 |
| 200 | 2189 | 957 | -4.2 |
| 300 | 1912 | 730 | -15.5 |
| 400 | 1660 | 551 | -36.8 |
| 500 | 1436 | 412 | -70.6 |
| 600 | 1250 | 312 | -122.0 |
| 22” 6.5 Grendel – 95gr Hornady V-MAX (.365 B.C.) | |||
| Range | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (FT/LB) | Trajectory (IN) |
| 0 | 2942 | 1826 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2687 | 1523 | 0 |
| 200 | 2445 | 1261 | -3.3 |
| 300 | 2217 | 1036 | -12.5 |
| 400 | 2000 | 844 | -28.7 |
| 500 | 1797 | 681 | -53.6 |
| 600 | 1610 | 547 | -89.9 |
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