22-250 and Varmint Grenades

KYGunner · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

Anyone got any good loading information for the 50 grain Varmint Grenades in a 22-250? I just ordered some of these bullets and am working up a few starting loads to see what may work best.

Thanks for your info.

minerfile · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

In the 22-250 I have had good luck with both imr 4062 and h380. Either of these are great 22-250 powders. I always use CCI BR primers in both of my 22-250s and both will shoot under 1/2" groups.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:15 am Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

Hmmm, until you posted your question I didn't even know Barnes had a 50-grain Varmint Grenade. I only knew about the 36-grain version for .224 caliber. Now you have me thinking!

I have had my best luck with IMR 4064 but have to admit that once I find a load that works right I stop looking. There could very well be better out there and who's to say your rifle might not like something totally different.

Good luck and keep us posted!

KYGunner · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:08 am Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

These 50 gr Grenades just became availible. Yeah, I have shot some of the 36 gr in a friends 223, but I am excited about trying these out. I'll let you know. Do you guys have any of the velocity info for your loads you were talking about (imr 4062, 4064 and h380)? I have been using a load for v-max using h414 and am going to try that also.

minerfile · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

My 50gr load with 4064 is 36.0 gr. Don't have a chrony but I would guess they are around 3900fps. Sure does one heck of job on prairie dogs. Nosler BTs by the way.

Crackshot · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

Who makes the Varmint Grenade?

KYGunner · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

Barnes makes them. I have loaded the ones discussed here for my 22-250 and anxious to go shoot them. I used H414 and H335 because I had some laying around. The problem is...a buddy of mine made me an offer I couldn't turn down for the scope I had on my rifle. I sold it to him and am in the process of procuring another. BTW..These loads are lead free. I hope they are a little more accurate than a lot of the feedback I have seen all over the net.

Crackshot · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

Thanks, WOW! they are not cheap are they?

KYGunner · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

Not cheap. If they will blow up on impacting a grape like their web site shows though. I am going to keep a few lying around so as to watch some fur fly.

Crackshot · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:22 am Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

I dont think my Vmax are getting through the critters though. And they are alittle cheaper.

KYGunner · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:28 am Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

V-Max and me get along great. I have shot them solely for the last few months through this gun. Just thought I would try the Grenades and see what happens. I shoot the 55gr V-Max over 38.5 gr H414 and it is one big hole. I really like the V-Max also. I had so much luck in my 22-250 I loaded up some 140 gr SSTs in my 270wsm and first trip to the range was sub-moa. A couple of tweaks and this is going to be a great load also. I am quickly becoming a Hornady fan. I just wanted to try something different...you know...

Crackshot · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

I know what you mean. I have pages upon pages of load data from my experimenting too. My Varmint rigs are .223 Remington and the 25/06. I even keep the targets.
I load 5 rounds of a test load and label a small zip bag to put them in. I start with the Minimum load specified in a manual and load 5 rounds each, working up .01 grain at a time, until I reach the max load. I shoot 5 rounds and then record the results in a laptop I take to the range with me. I clean the rifle before the next 5 and let the rifle cool in the process.

KYGunner · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

I don't go through hardly that much. Maybe I should, but I do it every 1/2 grain and go shoot. If I think it can get better I will then load tenths of a grain in the area I have narrowed to. That may save a little time....Then agian, shooting is what it's all about huh. What is your setup (rifle,optics, etc.) for your varmint guns?

Crackshot · Last edited by Crackshot on Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:37 pm; edited 1 time in total

1. Bushmaster Varminter 223 Remington, 24" barrel, Weaver T24.
2. DPMS lower, Home assembled upper with bull barrel 20" long, 6.5-20X44 Simmons 44 MAG series. Also 223 Remington.
3. Savage 112 BVSS heavy stainless free floated barrel, custom 10 OZ trigger, Burris 6-18 AO Burris signature series scope.
4. Remington 40X 6mm PPC with 1 lb trigger, Heavy barrel, Weaver V16.
5. Remington M700 VLS 308 Winchester, heavy barrel, SWFA Super Sniper scope 10X.
6. Ruger 77/22V Hornet reamed to K Hornet, Weaver V16. I stoned the trigger and installed lighter springs from Brownells.

KYGunner · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: 22-250 and Varmint Grenades

That is sad for me. Happy for you. No sad for me. very sad for me and jealous of you. no i don't like you at all!!!!

No. Those all sound like real quality setups. Congrats on having such a collection. If you want to get rid of any of those optics anytime soon let me know. I have a hard time finding anybody local to provide optics that are not outrageously priced.