Barnes 22 cal 40 grain varmintor

anthonycd1 · April 11, 2013, 05:22 PM

Hello everyone. I can't find load data for the 40 grain varminator bullet. 36 grain varmint granade but that's it. Should I use that load data? I would like to use varget or h335. Anyone got a load worked up for the 40 grain? Thanks

Brian Pfleuger · April 11, 2013, 05:35 PM

In what cartridge would you be loading these?

It is not safe to use data for LIGHTER bullets. Heavier or equal bullets of similar construction is fine, not lighter.

anthonycd1 · April 11, 2013, 08:11 PM

.223 is what I was hoping to load them in.

603Country · April 12, 2013, 08:49 AM

Barnes should offer online data for that bullet. And, in the Lyman 49th edition, loads are shown for the Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tip (or is it the VMax?).
I use the Nosler 40 grainer and load it near the max shown in the Lyman book and get great accuracy. If you use that load data, start at the minimum and work up. I've found that H335 works quite well for me with that bullet.

I'd go online first to get the Barnes data.

anthonycd1 · April 12, 2013, 04:00 PM

Barnes online only post for 36 grn and 45 grn bullets. The Lyman book says 40 grn v max. Is it ok to load with the v max data and just start low?

lah2420 · April 14, 2013, 07:01 AM

I've emailed Barnes in the past when they didn't show load data and they have been pretty good about responding with what they recommend.

Brian Pfleuger · April 14, 2013, 08:23 AM

I would advise comparing the data between the 40gr V-Max and the 45gr SPT listed by Lyman. Start at the lower of the two starting loads and works up to the lower of the two max loads. If you don't experience any unexpected pressure signs, continue up the the higher of the two.

You can see by comparing the data that there is as much "art" as science in their numbers. The 45gr SPT has higher max loads than the 36gr Varmint Grenade for some powders (RX7) and lower for others, while the 40gr V-Max has higher charges than both, in some loads (AA-2015), and not others.

anthonycd1 · April 14, 2013, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the great info guys. As always this site is a huge help. I will try emailing Barnes again. I will also work up a load as you suggested brian. Thanks

April 11, 2013, 05:22 PM	#1
anthonycd1 Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Location: falmouth maine Posts: 22	Barnes 22 cal 40 grain varmintor Hello everyone. I can't find load data for the 40 grain varminator bullet. 36 grain varmint granade but that's it. Should I use that load data? I would like to use varget or h335. Anyone got a load worked up for the 40 grain? Thanks

April 11, 2013, 05:35 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	In what cartridge would you be loading these? It is not safe to use data for LIGHTER bullets. Heavier or equal bullets of similar construction is fine, not lighter. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

April 14, 2013, 08:23 AM	#7
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I would advise comparing the data between the 40gr V-Max and the 45gr SPT listed by Lyman. Start at the lower of the two starting loads and works up to the lower of the two max loads. If you don't experience any unexpected pressure signs, continue up the the higher of the two. You can see by comparing the data that there is as much "art" as science in their numbers. The 45gr SPT has higher max loads than the 36gr Varmint Grenade for some powders (RX7) and lower for others, while the 40gr V-Max has higher charges than both, in some loads (AA-2015), and not others. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

April 11, 2013, 08:11 PM	#3
anthonycd1 Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Location: falmouth maine Posts: 22	.223 is what I was hoping to load them in.

April 12, 2013, 08:49 AM	#4
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Barnes should offer online data for that bullet. And, in the Lyman 49th edition, loads are shown for the Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tip (or is it the VMax?). I use the Nosler 40 grainer and load it near the max shown in the Lyman book and get great accuracy. If you use that load data, start at the minimum and work up. I've found that H335 works quite well for me with that bullet. I'd go online first to get the Barnes data.

April 12, 2013, 04:00 PM	#5
anthonycd1 Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Location: falmouth maine Posts: 22	Barnes online only post for 36 grn and 45 grn bullets. The Lyman book says 40 grn v max. Is it ok to load with the v max data and just start low?

April 14, 2013, 07:01 AM	#6
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	I've emailed Barnes in the past when they didn't show load data and they have been pretty good about responding with what they recommend.

April 14, 2013, 02:23 PM	#8
anthonycd1 Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Location: falmouth maine Posts: 22	Thanks for the great info guys. As always this site is a huge help. I will try emailing Barnes again. I will also work up a load as you suggested brian. Thanks