Using Large Rifle Primers in the 6.5 Grendel is possible in some manufacturers brass, and in necked down cartridges. Please note that this article looks at research and testing done by a variety of sources. Extreme caution should be taken when creating loads that go against accepted load data. This article looks at theory and our experience, and should not be considered recommendations about primers. When developing a new load for your 6.5 Grendel, or any caliber, you should start with smaller amounts of powder and pressure and work up gradually. Additionally, for safety, especially when experimenting and creating new loads, check multiple sources of load data to confirm your numbers.
Why would you want to use Large Rifle Primers in 6.5 Grendel?
There are a couple reasons why you might want to use a Large Rifle Primer. First off, you can make your own 6.5 Grendel brass by necking down 7.62×39 brass, which takes a large rifle primer. You can’t put a small rifle primer into a large primer hole. That just doesn’t work. Obviously. Another reason you might want to is if there’s a primer shortage, and you’ve got large rifle, but not small rifle. Then you’ll want to make do with what you’ve got. Another reason is efficiency. Large rifle primed 6.5 Grendel rounds often run hotter, and thus require less powder than small rifle powder rounds.
Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading
Load Data With Large Rifle Primers in 6.5 Grendel
We have found that loading with large rifle primers starts to show signs of pressure at lower powder levels than with small rifle primers in the 6.5 Grendel. Reduce your loads by 10% and work them back up, monitoring pressure and speeds, if possible. You can monitor speeds by getting yourself a chronograph. If you reload and are looking for precision, a chronograph allows you to measure bullet speeds. If you love the science and the process of tweaking and developing a new load, you NEED a chronograph if you don’t have one.
Using Large Pistol Primers in 6.5 Grendel
Some people have experimented and have had some success with large pistol primers as well, and haven’t had the same issues with pressure as with large rifle primers. If you decide to try this, as always, rework your load and watch for signs of pressure. Pistol primers are softer than rifle primers, and can show pressure sooner. Be cautious and smart and always be safe if you decide to try this.
Berger Bullets Reloading Manual
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