Anyone have any reloading data for the .224-36 gr bullet for the .223? I would love to load some, but am not sure what would be a safe starting load. I use Benchmark powder and rem 7 1/2 primers. Has anyone loaded this before?

I tried some Win 748 26.5 gns, Rem 7 1/2 primers, Black hills Match cases in a Savage .223 Tactical .8 moa. I made up some blue dot loads with the same components. I have not had time to test them yet.

I called Barnes. Tech there told me:

They tested at a COL of 2.192", non-magnum primer. Data:

H335, start 26.0, Max 28.0 @ 3590 in 22" barrel.
IMR4198, start 20.5, Max 22.5, 3796 in 24" barrel.

They have more data for other powders, but I didn't write down data for powder I don't have.

My experience with those loads in my NEF with 22" barrel:

H335, 26.0 3241fps, 28.0 3497 fps. Smallest group, ~3/4", was with 26.5g.

Fitch

I would appreciate having the phone # you called, if you dont mind. I tried sending them an e-mail about 3 weeks ago with my question, but still havent gotten a response.

quote:

Originally posted by 7mm-08:
I would appreciate having the phone # you called, if you dont mind. I tried sending them an e-mail about 3 weeks ago with my question, but still havent gotten a response.

It is here: http://www.barnesbullets.com/resources/contact-us/

Fitch

I tested those loads with the blue dot and Barnes Varmint Grenade today.
I've yet to chronograph them.
9 gns 8mm.
10 gns 9mm.
11 gns 11mm.
12 gns 10mm.
13 gns 8mm.
14 gns 11mm.

I loaded up some the other day and field tested them yesterday. At first I thought I was hitting the ground close to them and fraggin' them because the prairie poodles would crawl off a few yards and then do the dying squirrel kick. After we were done shooting we went out to take a better look. Nope, no fraggin', they were solid threw the middle hits. Wounds looked like you would see on a deer, entry hole and a larger exit hole. These were at roughly 3700 fps out of my 22-250 and the range was about 600 yrds, one was at 465. I just didn't get the explosive result I had in mind, got no explosion at all. I will go back to hornady match bullets.

Any load data on the 40 grain bullets should work just fine...

unless you are using powder faster than say 2400 or 4227.. I don't think you can get enough powder in a 223 case to overpressurize it...with a 36 grain bullet...

just working up will be a smart thing to do....

223s are not that finicky when it comes to accuracy, especially in a bolt action...most powders do a good job in that case...

with some of the faster powders I am sure one can hit 3800 to 3900 fps with that bullet weight...without a lot of problems...

however some guys are reporting it does a better job at the Grenade part at lower velocities...

I have loaded a few for my 22-250. I used the recipe on the can of varget for a 40 grainer. They exit the muzzle at 4050 and group 1/2 inch. I have found the faster the impact velocity the more violent the results. If you shoot PD's, ground squirrels etc. with the above load at less than 300 yds it takes em apart. DW

I don't know about the 36gr Barnes Varmint grenades, but I've been using Barnes Burner 40gr VLC from my 223 and chucks inside of 250yds or so splatter nicely...

Like a play by play from a basketball game:
He shoots.... he Scores! Nothing but CHUNKS!

Similar results if you get one into a doe's skull.

pencil hole goin' in, baseball sized hole commin' out.

I'm down to my last box of 250, I'll miss them when they are gone.

AD

7mm-08 , I have just completed developing a load for the 36 gr. grenade ,in my new Savage Preditor Hunter , in .223 . Turns out , it shot exceptionally well with 24.5 gr. RL-7 . This rifle has a 1 in 7 " twist rate , so I'm not sure why it shoots so well . The secret for me was to seat the bullet .035 off the lands . It chronographed 3720 FPS. and the groups ranged from 3/8" to 3/16 " at 100 yds. I have not yet tried it on fur . Hope to soon .
elk 33

I loaded up a batch today with 5 different powders, using load data for 40 grain bullets...

However, I got over to the range, and the wind kicked up and we had a helliacious downpour...so it was a wasted trip...

I will be trying again tomorrow afternoon...

My tests will be in a Ruger 77 Mk2 VT.... one in 12 twist...
Will post the results then...

Bob from Down Under's Groups look pretty impressive...