Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Varmint Grenade load

I may be in the no-lead zone this weekend.
How does 12.6 gr of lil-gun under a 36gr VG in 22 hornet sound?
That is my load for 35 gr V-Max.
Book for 40 gr V-Max is 11.7 to 13.2 of lil-gun.
I understand that one can sub 40 gr. data to the 36 gr VG.

Thanks in advance; Allan

I've never ran those out of a Hornet. I do know that 30gr. Bergers will not stabilize out of a 1-16 Hornet and they are about the same length.

I'd try them out before going for sure.

Gun is a 77/22 hornet with a 1:14 twist.

Thanks; Allan

If its 1-14, that should do. A buddy of mine initially ran a bunch at pretty sedate speeds from his(1-14) 222; then he heated them up....

I moved them up to a 223. Went with 28.5 gr of TAC. should shoot well enough for the grandsons.

Thanks; Allan

That'll work for sure.

Have a good time.


Nate

In my own Hornet experience (which admittedly only includes one rifle), LilGun doesn't come into its own with bullets under 40 grains, and it seems to be much happier with 45s.

With lighter bullets like the 37 Calhoon or 36 VG, I switch to a powder in the 296/110, AA9, AA1680 range. As always, I use a small pistol or Rem 6 1/2 SR primer and employ a light Lee Crimp.

I hunt behind the lead-free curtain.

I'm running the 36g VG in a .221. Because of the extended bearing surface, I reach max pressure about the same place as 40g V-max load, if not a little quicker. Follow the 40g data and you should be fine.

Thank you
Allan

I have not tried 110 yet, but it is on the short list.

Allan

I load the VG 36 gr. with 12.0 gr. of LilGun and it runs "about" 2900 fps (haven't cronographed them yet --- doesn't show any high pressure signs) out of my Ruger 77/22. Winchester cases with CCI400 primers. Accracy is fairly good and it has cut stripped gophers in half plus if hit just right sends them air borne!!! Cotton tails do not move with a solid hit!!!

So how are VG's price-wise compared to regular 40HPs or VM/BKs...I've been AFRAID to look at the supply websites.

Pricey, and the BC is horrible. I'd shoot the V-max if I had a choice.

I use v-max in all my varmint rifles. They contain lead and are not allowed in the lead free zone. The only varmint bullets that are 'lead free', <1%, are the varmint grenades. Unless I missed some others.

I Will try that . I wondered about the long bearing surface and pressure issues.
Allan

this is my second post. i have the same bullets and have shot them in my .223. it seemed the hotter the load charge got the better they grouped up.

Thanks Grand.
I love the 40 VMs, they have been vunderbar both as full-house and gopher loads in all three of my 22s. If the VGs were cheaper and equally vunderbar, then I do dat.
Still trying to screw up my shopping courage. I know it's gonna hurt, but it will hurt worse later.

I regularly get 0.5-0.65" groups in my 223 with 36 grain Varmint Grenades. I am also in the people's republic of California and changed all my shooting irons over to no-lead at this point. I have a 1:9 " twist in my barrel from the factory which I am going to replace with a nice Lilja one of these days.

My best/most consistent load is:
Lapua Cases, Barnes Varmint Grenades 36-gr FBHP, 29.4 Grains of TAC Powder, CCI BR4 Match Small Rifle Primers, I measure my finished loads for Off Ogive Length(OOL) = measured distance using comparator from case base to bullet ogive where barrel lands touch ogive). My loads are .01 off the lands.

This load works in my gun and is near the maximum load listed by Barnes. Start at least 10% below and work up for your gun watching for pressure signs.

Good luck.
Elk

I tried them in my 22 K-Hornet, 22 Spitfire and 221 Fireball and the accracy was horrible in them all.

I bought a box of 243 VG today 62 gr I think.
Any sugestions for a load?
I have Varget, Tac, 760, and 10X.
30 bucks per hundred.