36g varmint grenades

[czt3]

hi all,

Just been on the ADI site looking for load data for 36g VG. for my 22/250. They only suggest loads for 40g. Does anyone have a suggestion using maybe 2206H or similar?

[Brad Y]

Start at minimum 40gr loads and work up slowly as per the usual working up a load technique.

[Aussie steve]

I came very close to breaking 4500 fps out of a 24 inch barreled .22/250 with win 748, I used the starting loads in Nick Harveys manual for 40 grain bullets and just kept adding powder untill presures maxed out. Managed to put all shots under 1 inch at 100 yards.

Steve

[Curtley78]

I have a load for 35 grn V-max's using 2208 and BM2 in my 22-250, I will dig it out.

I stopped working on this load because of the explosive nature of the projectile, it was not uncommon to observe pepper marks on the target where the projectile had disintegrated whilst in flight. I think that the 22-250 probably pushes them too hard and that they are best left for the .223 and 222's.

[Brad Y]

The extra length on the non lead varmint grenade makes full use of the standard 22-250 twist of 1:14. They are about the same size as a 52gr regular hollow point bullet. You wont have any troubles with the VG's blowing up. Even nick harvey used them in his 22-250 ackley over 4000fps with no problems.

In my personal experience, I couldnt get the VG's to shoot well from my 22-250 and thier poor ballistic performance makes them pretty useless unless you dont want to shoot regular lead bullets.

If you want to shoot your 22-250 fast, then get some 40gr ballistic tips.

[czt3]

If you want to shoot your 22-250 fast, then get some 40gr ballistic tips.

Mate I use the 40bt and get good accuracy from em. Just thought id try the VG for something differnt.

Thanks 4 load information everone.

I'll post some results when I try em

cheers

[300RUM]

A mate of mine just got back from a Roma shooting trip where he gave the Barnes VG's a test.
We had them doing 4700fps out of his swift but even at those speeds they seem unreliable in the way they expand. More often than not they produced similar results to fmj's on small critters. Dunno why but the BT's seem to blow shit up better even going quite a bit slower.
Cheers Brett

[GriMo]

Mate im not sure how you do it but you always seem to be able to get stupid velocities out of things. would hate to think of the barrel life on that

[300RUM]

Yeah Grimo I would have to agree if those varmint grenades at 4700 were your regular hunting load barrel life would have to be some what reduced! But with regards to the velocity we achieved it’s not really that extreme for the swift with bullets that light. Even before we shot them I did a few calculations on what we could expect from them. Just using muzzle energy as an indicator the numbers suggested that 4700fps or more was possible. Most folks can get 3800fps from a 55gnr in the swift which produces 1763 ft/lbs muzzle energy. Extrapolating those figures you come up with 4700fps for the same energy with the 36gnr.
Indeed these speeds are apparently slow compared to what some are getting on other forums. Some are quoting near on 5000fps with 40 gnrs from the 22/250 Ackley. Not sure if it’s achievable but it sure sounds pretty cool. It is good fun just playing around with things like this though. But it is a shame the little varmint grenades didn't live up to expectations with their poor explosive performance.
Regards Brett

[czt3]

300 Rum

I noticed you list a few CMC's in your owners manual. I've been looking at em secondhand in (about) .270 cause they are quite cheap. What do you rekon and how do you rate the CMC??

[300RUM]

Hi czt3 I have 2 howas that are about 15 yrs old. I'm not sure whether the quality has changed but these rifles have been great. The triggers easily adjust for creep and weight and both mine are set at a bit under 2lb. My first 3 shots out of the 300wm with 4X scope went .8 moa with factory ammo. And has continued to shoot .8 moa with just about anything you feed it. The 243 shoots .6-.75 moa depending on ammo. One thing I must say though before I shot either of them I removed the ridge of wood at the very end of the barrel channel. Unsure whether it makes a difference but it had to go anyway. I have mates with 2 other howas and both of them shoot well under moa also.
Hope this helps
Regards Brett