varmint grenade bullet failures!

[rtHook1]

we,re loading vg bullets 36 gr in 22/250 to 3700 fps and getting huge flesh wounds on coyotes from 40 to 350 yds . no penetration of ribs. we are trying to save pelts but a 6 to 10 inch piece of hide vanishes.they die of blunt trauma 200 yds later we quit at 4 dogs and went back to hornady 60 gr and a 2 inch exit hole to sew up.the sixty,s drop em in stantly.the 50 gr vg,s will not stabilize in a 700 rem,s twist they need 1 in 12 ins i guess their only for gophers! the 36,s blow up on the meat between the ribs or the rib itself. thanx hook.

 

[PerversPépère]

i guess their only for gophers! the 36,s blow up on the meat between the ribs or the rib itself.

You got the point.
PP.

 

['Boo]

You got the point.
PP.

Barnes claims they are good for coyotes. If the original poster was not getting penetration into the chest cavity of the song-dogs I guess they were a failure.

Introduced in 2007, the Varmint Grenade has rapidly become one of the most popular varmint bullets around. Based on a design Barnes developed for military applications, the hollow-cavity, flat-base bullet features a copper-tin composite core surrounded by a guilding-metal jacket. This extremely accurate bullet enjoys consistently high demand.

The bullet remains intact at ultra-high velocities, while its highly frangible core fragments explosively on impact. Produces instant fragmentation, virtually vaporizing ground squirrels and prairie dogs, even at long range. Expending its energy early, the Varmint Grenade seldom exits large predators like bobcats and coyotes, leaving valuable pelts virtually undamaged.

For 2009, Barnes’ best-selling Varmint Grenade lineup now includes 26-grain bullets for the .204 Ruger, new 30-grain .224” bullets for .22 Hornet firearms, as well as 36-grain .224” bullets, and 50-grain .224” bullets for rifles with 1:10 or faster twists. There’s also a 62-grain .243” Varmint Grenade for 6mm rifles. While these lead-free bullets are environmentally safe, they’re deadly on prairie dogs and other varmints. The unique, instantly frangible core ends worries of ricochets.

 

[brenden270]

Push them faster. 3700 from a 22-250 is very slow. I've heard of 4200-4300fps with those from a 22-250. They are extremely frangible, and frangible bullets need speed to do damage. Crank em up!

 

[444shooter]

If you are wanting to save the pelts, this would be the wrong bullet to use. Try something heavier like a 55gr.

 

[CyaN1de]

If they explode when hitting a grape (as in Barnes Video on their site) I would assume that they would be no good for a thicker skinned varmint such as a Coyote.

Probably great for gophers at 4000+ FPS

Look at the V-Max bullets in the 50-55grn range.

 

[2fat2fly]

What about injecting a media into the hollow cavity? Start soft, and work your way up.
Silicone?
Epoxy?
I know, it's a PITA, but if you can get them to hold together going thru the ribs, then grenade, there will be nothing but steak tartar inside the hound.

 

[disker]

I have had the same prob I now use a 52g HPBT Match they say not for hunting small hole in small out out of twenty not one has took a step. they are pushed with Varget around 34.5g heard good things about the Berger 52g have not tried.

 

[carbonrod]

no idea why you would use such an expensive and unproven tip when there are so many proven, and cheap alternatives.

 

[darrell1]

Tried the Varmint Grenades in my 22-250 last spring, 4000+ fps and was gettin pass through shots on gophers at 100yds, I e-mailed Barnes and they said to speed them up but I was already getting pressure signs so I didn't. Also they grouped very well up to 225yds and then they really started to open up, I was only able to get 6" groups at 300yds. I was not impressed at all with them and would not use them again, went back to vmax and btips.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I need a load for those things for my .219 Donaldson Wasp.

 

[Boomer]

Sounds to me like these might be better launched from a Hornet (Bee, Wasp, etc), a .222 or a .223. Driving them faster will only result in more violence to the target and less penetration.

 

[msg.drew]

If you looking to save the pelts you dont want to use any type of expaning bullet... Match or FMJ should give better results... might even want to try low velocity lead bullets... shot placement is going to be important... you want to do as humane of a kill as possible but with as little damage.

 

[Fire]

Load data from the Barnes site.


http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/22-250RemingtonWeb.pdf


It says the minimum speed for these babies is 3961 for a 22-250.

 

[keith mokry]

I have used the hornady 50sx for coyotes for the pelts in mostly a 223. I do have them loaded in the 22-250 and only have hit one dog with them I'am using imr4350(yes) at 40g for a velocity of 3600. A little slow but speed limit on these bullets is 3500fps.
Kieth