Opinions on Varmint Grenades?

Covert45 · February 21, 2009, 10:46 PM

I just bought a box of 36grain .224 varmint grenade bullets and I wonder what you all think of them in general and this one in particular. Also, what load would you try in a 24" 1-9 barrell? Thanks.

HAMMER1DOWN · February 22, 2009, 12:14 AM

Those varmint grenades are what i first started to load up for my AR and they are absolutaly devastating on any small game that you will smack with it. I shot gophers with them and they would literally dissapear into the mist of red and float away on the wind.. And to boot thay are pretty accurate. Sorry i can't help you with a load i loaded mine for a 16 incher..
Hammer out

HeroHog · February 22, 2009, 01:08 AM

I loaded a batch for my friends .243 and they are indeed accurate and devastating!

Crankylove · February 22, 2009, 01:47 AM

I load them in my .22 Hornet, cruising along at about 2,950 fps, they really make a mess out of small furry animals

fireroad · February 26, 2009, 10:50 AM

HeroHog - Can you share some recipes and results for the 243 varmit grenades loads you worked up?

Qtiphky · February 26, 2009, 11:20 AM

I have loaded the 36 grainers as follows, with fantastic results:

25 grains of Benchmark
CCI small rifle primers
Calculated at 3514 fps (don't have a chrono)

I shoot them out of both an Armalite 180B and a Bushmaster. Both have a 1:9 twist.

wncchester · February 26, 2009, 07:19 PM

Is it a muzzle loader or will there be a cartridge at one end of that barrel?

Knowing what case it's going in would help with the wild guesses!

The 36 grainers shoot great in my 22-250 but they are a rattle fit in my 243.

HeroHog · February 26, 2009, 08:38 PM

Barnes 62gr Varmint Grenade

Specs we got from Barnes:

Case trim length: 2.035"
Primer: Fed GM210M
Powder: RL 19
MINIMUM: Charge 45.0, Velocity 3373
MAXIMUM: Charge 50.0, Velocity 3685

What I used:
47.5gr RL 19 with Remington No. 9½ Large Rifle Primers with an OAL of 2.705"

I do NOT have a chrono so I can't give ya any numbers on the velocity. I can tell you they proved to be quite accurate and devistating on game.

troy_mclure · February 26, 2009, 08:46 PM

i wish they made a decent weight in 204.

A_Gamehog · March 1, 2009, 11:41 AM

Tac shoots in my .223 and 22-250 .

Barnes' website has an accuracy load of Tac listed @ 29.5 Grains and 3876 FPS!
http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/223RemingtonWeb.pdf

I like the 34 Grain Midway Dogtowns better. 10$ per 100 shoot just a bit faster and deadly accurate to 200 yards. These are made by Hornady the box confirms this.

Work up to this max load with W748 also. AA2230 is also good for this light bullet.

I tried Wolf mag. Small rifle primers yesterday with W748 and was not impressed with 200 yard groups.

February 21, 2009, 10:46 PM	#1
Covert45 Junior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Posts: 2	Opinions on Varmint Grenades? I just bought a box of 36grain .224 varmint grenade bullets and I wonder what you all think of them in general and this one in particular. Also, what load would you try in a 24" 1-9 barrell? Thanks.

February 22, 2009, 01:08 AM	#3
HeroHog Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 486	I loaded a batch for my friends .243 and they are indeed accurate and devastating! __________________ Speedy AKA: Hero Hog, Dr. Speed, "That fat, old, balding, Grey-bearded gimpy guy" *I don't have NEAR enough ammo on hand. `Nuff said.*

February 22, 2009, 01:47 AM	#4
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	I load them in my .22 Hornet, cruising along at about 2,950 fps, they really make a mess out of small furry animals __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

February 26, 2009, 11:20 AM	#6
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	Some loads I have loaded the 36 grainers as follows, with fantastic results: 25 grains of Benchmark CCI small rifle primers Calculated at 3514 fps (don't have a chrono) I shoot them out of both an Armalite 180B and a Bushmaster. Both have a 1:9 twist.

February 26, 2009, 08:38 PM	#8
HeroHog Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 486	Barnes 62gr Varmint Grenade Specs we got from Barnes: Case trim length: 2.035" Primer: Fed GM210M Powder: RL 19 MINIMUM: Charge 45.0, Velocity 3373 MAXIMUM: Charge 50.0, Velocity 3685 What I used: 47.5gr RL 19 with Remington No. 9½ Large Rifle Primers with an OAL of 2.705" I do NOT have a chrono so I can't give ya any numbers on the velocity. I can tell you they proved to be quite accurate and devistating on game. __________________ Speedy AKA: Hero Hog, Dr. Speed, "That fat, old, balding, Grey-bearded gimpy guy" *I don't have NEAR enough ammo on hand. `Nuff said.*

February 22, 2009, 12:14 AM	#2
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	Those varmint grenades are what i first started to load up for my AR and they are absolutaly devastating on any small game that you will smack with it. I shot gophers with them and they would literally dissapear into the mist of red and float away on the wind.. And to boot thay are pretty accurate. Sorry i can't help you with a load i loaded mine for a 16 incher.. Hammer out

February 26, 2009, 10:50 AM	#5
fireroad Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2008 Posts: 126	HeroHog - Can you share some recipes and results for the 243 varmit grenades loads you worked up?

February 26, 2009, 07:19 PM	#7
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Is it a muzzle loader or will there be a cartridge at one end of that barrel? Knowing what case it's going in would help with the wild guesses! The 36 grainers shoot great in my 22-250 but they are a rattle fit in my 243.

February 26, 2009, 08:46 PM	#9
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	i wish they made a decent weight in 204. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

March 1, 2009, 11:41 AM	#10
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	Try Tac Tac shoots in my .223 and 22-250 . Barnes' website has an accuracy load of Tac listed @ 29.5 Grains and 3876 FPS! http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/223RemingtonWeb.pdf I like the 34 Grain Midway Dogtowns better. 10$ per 100 shoot just a bit faster and deadly accurate to 200 yards. These are made by Hornady the box confirms this. Work up to this max load with W748 also. AA2230 is also good for this light bullet. I tried Wolf mag. Small rifle primers yesterday with W748 and was not impressed with 200 yard groups. __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course"