Finally got my hands on 250. I loaded up a few Hornet carts. Shot one to test. Will shoot the others when wind and rain stops. Looks promissing. Dead on. Ruger Target Grey Lam. stock.(GHD) Haven't shot this gun for 4 or more years. Was a good shooter with 40 gr. v-max molys. I loaded 12 gr Lil Gun, Crono said 3177 fps. This may not be a true read as light was fading. It sure seemed to hit the 100 yd backstop fast and hard and dead on. Big hole in mud. I also have the lighter weight Ruger in Hornet. It sure kills groundhogs with authority. Hoping these 30 grs. become my fox round. I'm wondering how they will work in 223 maybe even with reduced loads.(SF2) I dropped a yote where it stood this winter with a 36 gr. Varmint Grenade in my Nef 223. I've heard a lot of pros and cons on that V.G. Probably let me down sometime. Hope good shot placement will make the difference. I never had much luck with the 35 gr. v-max stubby. Probably have too high of hopes for this bullet. Getting tired of looking for the "Golden Bullet" Can't wait to try these on paper. Mike

I would imagine that as long as you stay off the shoulder they should work fine.

I just bought some 36 grain VGs and loaded some test loads but I haven't shot them yet. Being mono-metal they look to be just about the same length as a 50 grain pill.

Fjold, What cart. you using the 36 VG in? They shoot pretty good in my 223. Thought of trying them in 22-250 but haven't had time yet. Already have a good load for that. Bet you can get them moving. 36's are a little long for the Hornet. I think the 30 or 36 should rip a groundhog, squirrel, or prarie pup up. I want to hit a crow with one. The 30 is about ten thousanths longer than the 46 gr. Win. h.p. I loaded this first batch at 1.745 O.A.L. and they fit in the Ruger mags. nicely. I only shot one critter with the 36's so far, but a 36 lb. male coyote dropped where he stood at a little over 100yds. OHHH! thats 1 gr. of tin per pound killin energy. A guy I work with tried them in his 222 and said they were very accurate. I had two Ghs. in my back yard the other day. They have a den in my 200yd. backstop. There was four laying on top last year. I think I will let them grow a few more baby targets. Hope your gun likes them! From all the critters I've been seeing this should be a good year.

quote:

Originally posted by bigvarmint:
Fjold, What cart. you using the 36 VG in? They shoot pretty good in my 223. Thought of trying them in 22-250 but haven't had time yet. Already have a good load for that. Bet you can get them moving. 36's are a little long for the Hornet. I think the 30 or 36 should rip a groundhog, squirrel, or prarie pup up. I want to hit a crow with one. The 30 is about ten thousanths longer than the 46 gr. Win. h.p. I loaded this first batch at 1.745 O.A.L. and they fit in the Ruger mags. nicely. I only shot one critter with the 36's so far, but a 36 lb. male coyote dropped where he stood at a little over 100yds. OHHH! thats 1 gr. of tin per pound killin energy. A guy I work with tried them in his 222 and said they were very accurate. I had two Ghs. in my back yard the other day. They have a den in my 200yd. backstop. There was four laying on top last year. I think I will let them grow a few more baby targets. Hope your gun likes them! From all the critters I've been seeing this should be a good year.

I've loaded up the 36's in 223, as the shorter length works well in the AR rifle magazines. I just loaded them up with some BLc(2), so I'll see how they shoot someday.

I also have some 50 Grain VGs to try in a 22.250. I've got a 3 groove PacNor Supermatch barrel (1:10" twist) for my Savage 110 that will take the longer cartridge length.

Fjold, I've been curious about those 50 gr. VGs for my Rem VSSF or old 700 BDL in 22-50. I think I've read they probably won't stablize in my guns. I've been doing pretty good with 55gr v-max's. I thought of trying 60 grainers but sounds like same problems with my twists. May try for another barrel someday but that is whole nother chapter farther back in my book. Do the ARs cycle OK with light bullets or even light loads. I've thought of trying one but not sure they would fit my requirements. Almost picked up one of those R-15 Rems a couple months back. Curious how those 36's work in your AR. Good Luck!

I've shot the VT Grenades in both 223 and 22.250... both cartrdiges shot them well...both at max velocity and slower velocity...

Speer has 3 new highly frangible lead free bullets coming out too,


TNT® Green™TNT Green
This bullet was introduced last year in Federal Premium® and CCI® factory ammunition, and is now available for handloaders. The TNT® Green™ is a lead-free bullet that gives shooters great accuracy and explosive performance. This unique bullet design combines a powdered-metal core with a thin jacket to get impressive terminal performance. Initial offerings will be in 30, 43 and 50-grain .224 configurations.

Features & Benefits
• Lead-free
• Accurate
• Explosive performance

Part No.
1021 .224 30-gr TNT Green
1022 .224 43-gr TNT Green
1028 .224 50-gr TNT Green

quote:

I also have some 50 Grain VGs to try in a 22.250.

Barnes recommends a 1-9 twist and my own load development confirmed that with 4 different rifles.

So I have a 700 being rebare1led with a SS 1-9 .223 Douglas XX just for the lead free bullets.

Skinner, I figured my twist was prob. wrong for the longer bullets. The Speers will prob. be longer, the heavier the bullet is also. I've never used a bullet with a cannelure. Prob. more for ARs. I'm hopeful the little 30 gr fits my niche. I can't wait to try them in 221 Fireball. Should work great on smaller varmints. I guess the non lead bullets are the only way to get a longer light bullet without being stubby. I'm sure these green bullets are all our kids will be able to use. I wonder if the factory twist rates will continue to change as the heavier lightweights will be longer. Can't wait to do an autopsy. Ready for Spring Varmints.

quote:

Originally posted by Skinner.:

quote:

I also have some 50 Grain VGs to try in a 22.250.

Barnes recommends a 1-9 twist and my own load development confirmed that with 4 different rifles.

So I have a 700 being rebare1led with a SS 1-9 .223 Douglas XX just for the lead free bullets.

I'm going to try them in my 10" twist 22.250 at near max velocity.

Range report. Had to shoot quicker than I wanted because of rain. Tried the 30 grainers in Ruger Hornet stainless varmint and regular 77/22 20" barrel. Stainless Varmint 1 1/8" at 100yds. 2997fps to 3134> av.3051. all bullets weighed same. 20" barrel 3/4" at 100yds. only got 1 reading of 2840 fps. due to black clouds. These two guns have always liked messing with my head. They take turns out shooting each other. Sure figured the heavy barrel would have shot better this time. Not a very complete report. Weather sucks here. Was lucky to get everything inside as it started pouring as I shut the door. Sure like what these little cuties did in my light ATV gun. Since this is the very first loading I hope it gets better yet. They make a hole in the mud I can get my fist in and dust clay targets. I e-mailed Barnes for more info on them. I always wanted a 20 VarTarg. Think this is close as I'll get for a while. Plan to load some in my 221 Fireball. Hope they work good on fox. I WILL KILL SOMETHING SOON.

I have tried these in an Anschutz 22 hornet using LilGun as powder. Velocity was about 3200 fps and accuracy was outstanding. Typical 3 shot groups were 0.3" at 100 yds.

I e-mailed Barnes and got a reply. A guy named Ty said they didn't have any data for the 30 grain yet as it is new. He said feel free to use it in 223 or 22-250. No twist or velocity limitations. Said for now to use loads for the 36 grain. I thought the 36 would really move in 22-250. Can't wait to see what the 30 does especially out of 223.

from a pressure stand point, I can't get any more velocity out of the 36 grain Barnes VG than I can any of the 40 grain bullets in either the 223 or the 22.250...

with the 30 grain Berger HP, tho,I was able to hit 4100 fps out of the 223 and 4500 fps out of the 22.250

will be interesting to see if the 30 grain Barnes VG will compete with that velocity...

then it will really be an explosive bullet!

imagine a head shot on a prairie dog with that at say 100 yds!

seafire, Are those 30 gr Bergers lead and stubby? Haven't seen those. Are they accurate @ 4100 in 223? What powder? I usually save the 22-250 for shots 300+ yards, don't usually like light bullets for that distance. Did shoot a crow last year at 200/ 55gr. and threw it 10' in the air & turned it inside out. 4100 is intriging if accurate. I don't chase speed much anymore. I've been more into slowing things down lately. Speed and acc. is good for varmints. Trying to get fur friendly for Pred. next season. Missed two shots yesterday on a muskrat. He was running at 200 yds. and I only had Hornet with some old Barnes blue coated 40 grs. Wind was blowing ME around but had to try. Was 4500 22-250 accurate? If so how far? Thanks (Interesting)

The 30 grain Bergers are as long or a little longer than the 40 grain Ballistic Tips... there is no lead, they are just HPs...

they are very accurate at any speed I have shot them at, be it 4500 fps in the 22.250 or 4100 in the 223, or downloaded to 2000 fps in the 223...

in the 223, I am fond of RL 7 with light bullets...

also in the 22.250 along with H 322...Benchmark will get it there also...