Your observations of powdered metal core varmint bullets

[joemax]

I am curious to hear about your experience using lead free varmint bullets in regard to accuracy. I have tried several different brands and have found the accuracy, regardless of brand, or caliber, to be mediocre at best when compared to accuracy of lead core bullets designed for same twist rate.

Joe

 

[JRS]

joemax:

Since you mention varmint bullets without lead core, and not a solid copper bullet, the Nosler non leaded BT comes to mind immediately. They are a very accurate (every bit as accurate as their leaded BT) non leaded bullet, and hit with a big explosion. I have also used the Barnes varmint grenade. It also is very accurate in my guns. Seating depth has to be adjusted for the non lead ammo due to the difference in length. My barrels don't care whether they digest a copper jacket or solid copper. Those grooves take no more copper from a solid copper bullet than they do from a copper jacket lead core bullet. They are plenty accurate for varmint shooting, and certainly not designed for target accuracy.

 

[A_Gamehog]

I shoot the Nosler LF bullets with great accuracy. Just remember that 35 grain bullets .224 cal LF are longer than 55 or 60 grain lead based bullets.

The 32 Grain Nosler LF bullet is Longer than the 39 Grain BK Bullet in .204 cal. So if the 39 Grain is borderline stable in your 12 twist 204
the 32 is not going to shoot even though it's lighter. These shoot great with an 11 twist for me.

When the Barnes .224 dia, 50 Grain Varmint grenades first came out everybody had mixed results with accuracy. It's as long as a 69 matchking.
The minimum twist needed is a 10 twist, but Barnes now places that twist requirement info on the outside of the box. These shoot great with a 9 twist for me.

It's the length of these bullets not the weight that causes reloaders issues. Just speaking from my experience. 5,000+ rds each year for varmints.

 

[ChrisNZ]

..Just speaking from my experience. 5,000+ rds each year for varmints.

A man the barrel makers love ;D

 

[xdeano]

I had good accuracy and velocity with the 62g Varmint Grenades through a 10Twist 243. But they have the word Varmint in the name for a reason, they work awesome on "Varmint" and totally suck on coyotes or fox. They'll blow a fox apart and they'll splash on coyotes with will require two shots. But Prairie dogs and gophers don't stand up very well after being hit with the VG.

xdeano