Anyone already loading lead free projectiles for pdogs and squirrels? I am looking at the Barnes Varmint Grenades in particular. Has anyone had good luck with these or is there anything that I need to do differently. I have some on order, have been to the Barnes website, but does anyone have any experience in say .223 to .220 Swift velocities? Accuracy and explosiveness are what I am looking for in a varmint bullet, maybe another brand? Thanks, Ed
Lead free bullets in California
- Thread starter Witchhunter
- Start date
watercam
Silver $$ Contributor
I have used the .204s and 35 gr. .223s (so far). They are more like conventional bullets in terms of construction - there is a jacket filled with some lead-free composition. Accurate and achieved similar velocities to my cup and core bullets. Less copper fouling than their all-copper projectiles. I like them and they are not ridiculously expensive either. As far as terminal ballistics, they don't call them Grenades for nothing!
The varmint grenades are very fragile, and they work well on squirrels. A little to fragile on coyotes, IMO, but they will work.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Witchhunter, you may want to try the Nosler 35gr BTLF for rats. I've used them in my 204R, 20VT, 223 and 223AI with excellent results. They are long for caliber, so have a higher BC than any of the Barnes VG's, plus the poly tip helps in that regard too.
I used them in my Swift too; all very explosive on squirrels: excellent accuracy with good "Launch Factor". 8) So far in regard to lead-free varmint offerings, they're my first choice.
I used them in my Swift too; all very explosive on squirrels: excellent accuracy with good "Launch Factor". 8) So far in regard to lead-free varmint offerings, they're my first choice.
Trapper243 said:
Probably a little bigger than a coyote but I use Barnes VG 36gr on Kangaroo's, head shots at 200 metres plus, tiny entry hole but just blows the opposite side of the head open. Just like a Grenade hit them....
I use them in a 1:9" Twist CZ 527 Varmint following the Barnes suggested powder load you guys call Benchmark, about mid range load.
They cause too much damage too small critters in my view like Rabbit for meat and Fox for pelts.
The lighter 30gr BVG's I have tried also but they are a tad too light for my usual wind conditions. Super fast and extremely destructive though, magic in my .22 CZ Hornet at a little closer range.
Has anybody tried these in the 243 62g.(barnes vg) and if so what did you think of them?Thanks
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
My area of Commiefornia went lead-free a few years ago I have been using them since then and have some strong and, I believe, well-founded opinions after having shot around 15,000 rounds of them.
I tried almost all of the available lead-free offerings in .223 and .243 (and some in .204) back then - and am always revisiting with new guns. My ranking of them, in regards to ACCURACY (in six different guns - four A/R's and two bolt guns) would probably be something like this for the .223's:
1) Nosler lead-free Ballistic Tip (Hands down in all guns)
2) Barnes 50 grn Varmint Grenades
3) Hornady 35 grn NTX
4) Speer 36? grain Lead Free (These are best used in a bolt gun)
As far as best terminal performance, hands down best on coyotes is the 50 Varmint Grenade. Will pass through if real close but beyond 80 yards or so -almost never pass through. Bad hits are even devastating.
On squirrels, best spray and airtime:
1) Varmint grenade
2) Speer (at closer ranges)
3) Nosler
4) Hornady
I use the Varmint Grenades on coyotes and the Noslers on squirrels in both .223 and .204. Best round next to the best leaded stuff (and just as good out to three or four hundred yards accuracy wise)
Downside to any of them is they are VERY picky when choosing powder in a particular rifle. If you load some up and they shoot 2" groups, don't fret. Do a ladder on them and if they don't shoot, immediately move to another powder if a depth adjustment did not work. Don't even bother changing our primers or brass unless you find a load that looks very promising.
Best powders I have found for the 36 - 40 grain lead-frees are:
Accurate LT-32
Reloader 7
W-748
TAC (Varmint grenades)
I use Federal Match primers in the bolt guns and Federal A/R Match or Remington 7 1/2 primers in the A/R's. If loading up a ton and will be doing a shoot within 450 yards or so, I'll use Tula or Wolf primers to save a buck or two with no worries of missing them. I use Lapua and Lake City brass in the bolt guns and Lake City in the A/R's
Hunter243gsk: The Varmint Grenade in the .243 Winchester. YES, they work great. Try Reloader 19 powder.
The unleaded bullets can be JUST as accurate as lead out to around 300-400 yards. Past that, they seem to lose stability a bit and go downhill from there at a more rapid rate than lead. You can still make long shots - just not as often. I'm getting ready to plan what my be my final long-range squirrel shoot next spring while I can still use my leaded long range stuff. Then it will be out of state for the long-range stuff (past 600 yards).
I tried almost all of the available lead-free offerings in .223 and .243 (and some in .204) back then - and am always revisiting with new guns. My ranking of them, in regards to ACCURACY (in six different guns - four A/R's and two bolt guns) would probably be something like this for the .223's:
1) Nosler lead-free Ballistic Tip (Hands down in all guns)
2) Barnes 50 grn Varmint Grenades
3) Hornady 35 grn NTX
4) Speer 36? grain Lead Free (These are best used in a bolt gun)
As far as best terminal performance, hands down best on coyotes is the 50 Varmint Grenade. Will pass through if real close but beyond 80 yards or so -almost never pass through. Bad hits are even devastating.
On squirrels, best spray and airtime:
1) Varmint grenade
2) Speer (at closer ranges)
3) Nosler
4) Hornady
I use the Varmint Grenades on coyotes and the Noslers on squirrels in both .223 and .204. Best round next to the best leaded stuff (and just as good out to three or four hundred yards accuracy wise)
Downside to any of them is they are VERY picky when choosing powder in a particular rifle. If you load some up and they shoot 2" groups, don't fret. Do a ladder on them and if they don't shoot, immediately move to another powder if a depth adjustment did not work. Don't even bother changing our primers or brass unless you find a load that looks very promising.
Best powders I have found for the 36 - 40 grain lead-frees are:
Accurate LT-32
Reloader 7
W-748
TAC (Varmint grenades)
I use Federal Match primers in the bolt guns and Federal A/R Match or Remington 7 1/2 primers in the A/R's. If loading up a ton and will be doing a shoot within 450 yards or so, I'll use Tula or Wolf primers to save a buck or two with no worries of missing them. I use Lapua and Lake City brass in the bolt guns and Lake City in the A/R's
Hunter243gsk: The Varmint Grenade in the .243 Winchester. YES, they work great. Try Reloader 19 powder.
The unleaded bullets can be JUST as accurate as lead out to around 300-400 yards. Past that, they seem to lose stability a bit and go downhill from there at a more rapid rate than lead. You can still make long shots - just not as often. I'm getting ready to plan what my be my final long-range squirrel shoot next spring while I can still use my leaded long range stuff. Then it will be out of state for the long-range stuff (past 600 yards).
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