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Joined: Jul 2008
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OP
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Posts: 576 |
Gents,
I posted this on the Varmint Hunting forum by mistake... So here it is as a repeat.
Do any of you have any experience with the Barne's Varmint Grenades?
As some of you know, California is going lead-free, and I'm in a position to find a new bullet that is accurate in my rifle(s) and that I can afford to shoot for ground squirrels.
I have (2) 250 packs of the 50gr. Grenades, but my initial testing was a total failure! The twists in my current rifles are too slow to stabilize these bullets and they are tumbling.
100 yard targets show the full bullet profile! This has occurred with both my .22-250, & my .222 Rem.
I've since bought a Ruger Mini-14 Target (before they make them illegal here), and it shoot's 50 & 55 gr lead bullets into an inch @ 100.
I'm looking for feedback and or a proven load that works with these bullets...
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,065
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,065 |
You need some of the 36-grain VG's, which are made for 1-14 twist barrels like those in your rifles.
VG's shoot pretty well in the right twist. They also expand pretty well, though not like plastic-tipped bullets.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 995
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 995 |
The Barnes 30gr VG Hornet bullet and the Hornady 35 gr NTX work real good for me, I did slow down the Hornet bullet just in case it might come apart in flight, with my 26" 22-250 I have 4200 plus fps with the 35gr NTX, makes a mess, I get ok accuracy with the 36gr VGs, I ordered a 225 Win in 1-10 twist just for them, haven't found the time to shoot it yet
Last edited by SEM; 10/18/16.
if you want change you have to put in your 2 cents, you can't just sit on the sidelines and whine
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Joined: Jul 2008
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OP
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SEM,
What powder(s) are you using?
This sounds promising!
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,065
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,065 |
shotgunjock,
Here are some results I've gotten with lead-free bullets in a Sako .222 with a 20" barrel. Groups are 5-shot--
30 Barnes Varmint Grenade: 20.0 W296, 3948 fps, 1.24"
35 Nosler Ballistic Tip LF: 21.5 LT-30, 3411 fps, .52"
43 Speer TNT Green: 21.5 RL-7, 3409 fps, .72
From a 22" barreled Savage .22-250:
35 Nosler Ballistic Tip LF: 38.5 TAC, 4251 fps, .94"
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,258
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2007
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The 36 grain VGs shoot very well from my CZ527 in 221 Fireball.
Ed
A person who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes the person who never asks is a fool forever.
The worst slaves are those that put the chains on themselves.
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Joined: May 2003
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Like HOW well, Prowler? What twist? Powders?
Just curious about what my "lead free" options might be.
Up hills slow,
Down hills fast
Tonnage first and
Safety last.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,258
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2007
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About 0.5 to 0.7" at 100 yds using AA1680 at about 3500 fps. Twist is 1:14 if IFRC.
Ed
A person who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes the person who never asks is a fool forever.
The worst slaves are those that put the chains on themselves.
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Joined: May 2003
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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OK, good. I'm running a 14 twist in mine, so that's good news.
More options better!
Up hills slow,
Down hills fast
Tonnage first and
Safety last.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 995
Campfire Regular
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sorry haven't checked back in, shotgunjock, Tac has given my best results in the 22-250 the 30gr bullet at sataring loads for 40 gr lead bullets gave good accuracy the 35gr NTX at all I can fit max load also very good 1.0 at 200 yards and playing around with the 223 reduced loads blue dot and Steel loads 13 to 14 grains shoots the 30 grainer at .5 at 50 yards 14 gr of HS-7 same hole. my 22-250 is 1-14 the 223 is 1-12
if you want change you have to put in your 2 cents, you can't just sit on the sidelines and whine
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 721
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I tried some 50g in a .223 bolt gun when they first came out with RL-7 and it was a disappointment with groups running 2.5-3.5".
As SEM mentioned the 35g. NTX out of a 22-250 gives gruesome explosions when pushed to 4329 fps again with RL-7. Trajectory was flat but that Rem VSSF Ver.1 is a treasured shooter and I didn't want to toast that barrel.
I haven't tried out any of the recent production VG and perhaps their performance is improved.
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I've only tried them in .204. They stunk it up. There are plenty of bullets that are accurate in my rifle. I'm done with the VGs.
Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,065 |
Hmm, must have gotten a bad batch. I've has them average right around half an inch for 5-shot groups at 100 in two .204's.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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