Varmint grenade field report

[Inrut24/7]

I killed groundhogs number 41 and 42 this evening using 36 grain barnes varmint grenades from my 223 ultra varmint,  they performed about like a 40 grain v-max with no exits, i havnt shot them on paper yet and will keep you posted on how they group.

[DalesCarpentry]

I killed groundhogs number 41 and 42 this evening using 36 grain barnes varmint grenades from my 223 ultra varmint,  they performed about like a 40 grain v-max with no exits, i havnt shot them on paper yet and will keep you posted on how they group.

  I was wondering if you could explain the grenade part? Is this some type of shot shell?    Dale

[quickdtoo]

That's the name of the bullet!!

Tim

http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/rifle/varmint-grenade/

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=52596920&an=0&page=0#52596920

[DalesCarpentry]

Tim this might be a bullet to consider when I start reloading for the 243. Tim I am sure I could look for it but do you know off hand if you can buy the Hornandy 58 grain coated Vmax bullets.   Dale

[quickdtoo]

Yup!!!

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000324113

[henry1]

Sorry to be the Debbie Downer in this post but i tried to VG in my .223 using 24 gr of varget and i got poor results on pdogs. the ones that i hit didnt expload like i was expecting, and the shots at longer distances seemed like the bullet was decinigrating before it got to the dog. if a dog was hit beyond 100 yds they often kept running or feeding. almost like you shot em with a .22. Im glad that sombody has found a good load for this bullet but i wont be using it in the future. just my .02$.
Henry.

[saltydog]

I have had good results with Barnes VG but no more so than Vmaxs or Ballistic Tips. I found VG's to be under 1 moa and push the VG's faster than 24 grs. with Varget or BLC-2.  they were on sale recently or I would have probably passed on them as they were more expensive.

[PHATINJUN]

I also tried them and never did get them to shoot in either of my .223's tried many load variations the ones that didn't disintegrate would not hold 4" groups I shot several into a plowed field and never saw point of impact I gave up and stayed with the vmax. Kurt

[henry1]

I hear what your saying there peanut!! Those darn things didnt shoot well for me at all and i did the same as you did and stuck with my vmaxes. Thank goodness someone else hasnt had luck with em. when i first started reading the replys i got to thinking maybe it was my rifle!! :oLOL! but it was just the fact that some will shoot em and some wont.
Hank

[Bob A]

I recall listening to Gun Talk on the radio a few weeks back. Tom Gresham had a guest from Barnes and they mentioned that the Varmint Grenade bullets will self destruct if they spin too fast. I think they were talking about a problem with a 22-250 but maybe its an issue with a 1 in 9 223 if pushed to fast.

Bob A

[billy_56081]

   I've shot them out of my 220 swift through a chrono at 4350 fps. None have self desructed. I have a 1 in 14 twist barrel. It was too windy to shoot them on paper but blew up the three clay pigions I had setup at 100 yards.

  I'll probably not use them on coyote this winter because even with a the 150 fps advantage for the varmint grenade at the muzzle the higher bc on a 40 grain ballistic tip gives flatter trajectory at 500 yards.

[Inrut24/7]

Well i tried them at the range yesterday, I only shot one five shot group over my favorite charge of 24.5 grns of h322, they shot just a little over an inch group, I think i will stick with the 50 grain v-max though, but my 788 222 was cutting holes with the varmint grenades, so im going to shoot them for a while from it.

[Fred M]

The 55gr Nosler BT's and the 58gr Horn V-max produce almost identical ballistics and accuracy in my 6x47 custom Handi. Both are super accurate.

The 55gr BT Moly plated settled down at 3450 with H4198. I had these bullets going over 3600ft but but accuracy was not as good.

Either one will do a fine job in a 6mm or 243, both are known for their fine accuracy. I shoot a lot of gophers  and these bullets will blow up these small critters at any range you hit them. They are also dealy on coyotes out of my rifle at out to 350yrds.

The 6x47(222Rem Mag) case does not hold much more powder than a 223. It is a stunning 6mm performer.