.223 And Barnes 36 gr Varmint grenades

[Big JJ]

Shooting 36 gr VGs from a Savage 223 bolt gun with a 1 to 9 twist.
I know all guns are different and twists rates and all other variables.
My question is more around FPS.
Has anyone found a FPS that consistently groups 1 moa at 100 yards for this bullet?
If so what is your FPS and load formula?

 

[witchhunter]

Following this, we are converting to lead free in California. I just bought some today and will be working up a load soon.

 

[Big JJ]

I am in the beloved Condor zone (LOL) that's why I am looking for some first hand knowledge on this 223 question.
Load data is fine and a great stating point but couple that with real world data and I could save a lot of range time and money.

 

[ironworkerwill]

I got a 16" 1:9 Del-ton upper that will do better than 1" with that bullet.

 

[cpt-t]

Big JJ: I shoot a Savage HD 223, a CZ HD Varminter 223, and a couple of HD 223 AR15`s. I belive all are 1-9 twists and I have been trying to find a load for them using the Barnes 36gr VG`s. So far 21gr`s of IMR4198 at about 3500 + fps is the best I have found, it will do and inch or a little more at 100yd, most of the time. nothing to get to excited about. But it does explode PD`s like the Gun Shows on TV say it will. I was hopping to find someone here with a better load than I have come up with that I can beat the load I am using for the time being. Good Luck To You.
ken

 

[Big JJ]

Ironworkerwill are you reloading for that 223, if so what is your load formula?
Cap-t thank you for the load info.
I tried 27 grains of A-2230 (3650 fps paper calculation) last night and it was grouping OK but not 1 inch. It could be just me. I will try the same again next weekend.
If it does't improve I will move on and try the cap-t formula above.
I am using it for varmint hunting only and do not shoot an AR rifle,so I am more concerned about the accuracy out to 300 yards than the fps.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Yeah, thats imr 3031 and right off Hodgdon's website. It's not the best powder choice but it'll do. I stopped at 24.1gr as it started to compress. It's most likely going just at 3000fps. I don't know what would happen at 3500+ fps at 1:9, it may be spun too fast.

 

[Big JJ]

Ironworkerwill
Thanks for the info.
Busy all week but I am going to try and finish this load work next week.
I know my bullets are not coming apart at the 3650 fps but I am thinking that the speed may be to fast for the bullet.
That may be affecting the consistency of the groups, oh well at least it's work I like.
On a side note the targets were mounted on half inch plywood.
I recovered some of the jackets from behind the target and they opened perfectly.
The jackets were all that I found and they were paper thin and shaped like a star fish with the limbs wrapped back.
The bullets work exactly like they are advertised on the targets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I am in the beloved Condor zone (LOL) that's why I am looking for some first hand knowledge on this 223 question.
Load data is fine and a great stating point but couple that with real world data and I could save a lot of range time and money.

Why don't you good sun shooting and hunting people in California vote the people who make these silly rules out of office? The condor is not dieing from eating entrails that just might have bullet fragments in it.

Sorry I can't help on the light bullets, I have not loaded anything lighter than 50gr in the .223...

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I'd say try some published loads for Benchmark. It's done really well for me with lighter bullet weights. I've never gone below 40gr bullets in .223 but I have used those 36gr Varmint Grenades in 5.7x28, if I remember correctly they're about the same profile as the 40gr Hornady V-Max that Ive used in .223. The Varmint Grenades obviously don't have a polymer tip but I think the bullet shank is about the same length so it should produce similar pressures, maybe slightly higher than the V-Max. Just look for Benchmark data that uses a solid copper projectile of similar weight, if you can find any Benchmark.

 

[ironworkerwill]

I know my bullets are not coming apart at the 3650 fps but I am thinking that the speed may be to fast for the bullet.

I doubt you'd hit paper at 100yds if they where coming apart. Besides they are long for weight so I wouldn't think 1:9 is too much at 3200.

Keep us posted I'd like to know what they do when you back off a bit.

 

[Big JJ]

Ok guys after another range session I have come to the conclusion that the problem I was having was a lot more of my issues than the Load.
The load shot consistently 1 to 2 inches at 100 yards today.
The Barnes 36 grain VG's over 27 grains of A2230 seems to be working fine in the Savage trophy hunter with a 1 to 9 twist.
I still haven't got a chronograph on it but the paper calculation is around 3650 fps.

 

[cpt-t]

Big JJ: I am also trying use the Barnes 30 gr VG in my 22 Hornet, and 6MM 62 gr VG in my 243. I am haveing the same results as I did with the 36gr VG in mt 223`s, nothing to get very excited about. I have not given up yet, just put the VG`s on the back burner for the time being. But I have beening trying to get thoes 55 gr V-Max bullets in the 30 caliber Sabouts to shoot out of any of my 30-06`s for several years. And I have not had much luck finding a load that shoots even close to what I would like. Good luck to You:
ken

 

[witchhunter]

Archangel, we, the legal gun owners are a significant minority on California. believe me in my county, there are lots of us, but we are a small county. I live in a beautiful area where there is clean air and low crime. It' just too bad that geographically it is located in California. I have farmland, forest and desert out my front door. Great fly fishing and waterfowl hunting, not to mention I am an hour away from pdog paradise. I ran hounds for bear and lion here and in Nevada for over 20 years, some of the best bear hunting in the west until Sacramento decided to close bear hunting with hounds. We are being overrun with bear problems already, just as we are overrun with lion problems after they shut that down.