Barnes 50gr Varmint Grenade in .223 Remington using H322 - very accurate

[zambezi]

If a full-blown ban for all lead munitions [even for varmint control] is around the corner, then having developed a non-toxic load for the .223 is probably wisdom. Step one has to be finding a load that works, and then testing terminal ballistics on quarry.

My first attempt at using the Barnes 36gr Varmint Grenade was promising, but even with fine tuning and a myriad ladders of testing, that delivers 1 MOA, at best. Image below is from today: 100m target, 1/2" bull.




Usable, but no match for lead which still delivers nearer 1/4 MOA as tested today. These are 45gr Sierra Spitzers over 27gr N540 at 100m:




In a coarse five step ladder between 22gr H322 and 24gr H322, I found a sweet spot for the Barnes 50gr Varmint Grenades at 23.5gr H322. Image has 3 shots at 100m on 1/2" bull. [this load is not recommendation, just a record of what worked for me today]:

 

[takbok]

Looking good! I have a box each of 50gr and 62gr.

I'll try them on roe when I get a chance - I think that they'll work well.

 

[User00040]

What barrel length and twist rate?

 

[zambezi]

What barrel length and twist rate?

520mm/24" and 1-in-10

 

[Klenchblaize]

Great until you’ve used your last tub of H322

K

 

[zambezi]

Great until you’ve used your last tub of H322

K

True.

Previously I did the .223 lead development with two powders, and now have a very good N540 load for the 55gr Sierra Spitzer:



Working a bit down from that, hopefully I can find a node that also works for the 50gr Barnes in my rifle.

 

[zambezi]

The two runs I have had at using N540 under the Barnes 50gr Grenades have not served up any obviously useful loads. At best...1 moa. But because the 26gr load looked promising...




...I made up a second batch and tried again. This time segregating brass by batch in case that had a bearing too. Even worse. Really unpredictable. Now resigned to using up the H322 for the remainder of the 50 gr Barnes Grenades.

 

[long_range_rob]

Five rounds of 75gn Sierra Varminter through my 6mmPPC using H322…..half a tub left then the search for a replacement powder starts

 

[308tikka]

would be great if people didnt talk themselves into a lead ban, for all munitions, when all that is proposed is some dealers not taking lead shot game from this July onwards. The more it gets written like this the more chance anti-shooting, anti-hunting activism will find outlets in HSE and elsewhere.

 

[zambezi]

The more it gets written like this

I hear you.

That said, the fact that it is very difficult to make the longer non-lead projectiles fly true is also being recorded in these problematic copper load developments:

The peerless accuracy of lead is the first image in the thread. Without doubt those loads will deliver repeatable humane despatches. All copper attempts are less accurate.

One other thing to add is that I measured the MV of the supposedly accurate 23.5gr H322 under 50gr Barnes Grenade and was surprised to see a huge 64.5 SD in a three-shot string.

So I may yet see accuracy issues with that load after more testing...i.e. getting copper to do repeatedly that which lead does with certainty is proving elusive.

 

[25 Sharps]

I hear you.

That said, the fact that it is very difficult to make the longer non-lead projectiles fly true is also being recorded in these problematic copper load developments:

The peerless accuracy of lead is the first image in the thread. Without doubt those loads will deliver repeatable humane despatches. All copper attempts are less accurate.

One other thing to add is that I measured the MV of the supposedly accurate 23.5gr H322 under 50gr Barnes Grenade and was surprised to see a huge 64.5 SD in a three-shot string.

So I may yet see accuracy issues with that load after more testing...i.e. getting copper to do repeatedly that which lead does with certainty is proving elusive.


View attachment 240690

That is really slow for a 50 gr out of a .223, speeding things up and getting a better case fill (potentially with a different powder) might help your ES

 

[zambezi]

Since H322 is no longer available, I need to start testing with alternate powders.

N540 has given me .25 moa when lobbing 55gr Sierra Spitzers. So I tried a few loads around 26gr N540 with poor [grouping] performance in all cases. But I was getting the MV the table suggests below.

Happy day! I see that Vihtavuori have now worked up some loads using this specific powder+projectile combo.

My early ladders should probably have started lower, but I had guestimated those loads based on similarly weighted projectile data I already had.

There is some work to be done much closer to the 24gr charge weight!

 

[Smellydog]

Why are you only getting 222 velocities with a 50gn bullet.
Must be something wrong with the rifle. I'd be wanting 3300+fps with them.

 

[zambezi]

I'd be wanting 3300+fps

What propellent do you use? I was considering trialling some CFE223 but have not seen any feedback on these pages.

 

[Smellydog]

What propellent do you use? I was considering trialling some CFE223 but have not seen any feedback on these pages.

I don't any more but use to use h322 and bl-c2 in my triples and got 3200+ easily from 22" barrels.
I can't remember the charge weights in my 222's but it was around the charges you are using but you have a larger case.

 

[25 Sharps]

What propellent do you use? I was considering trialling some CFE223 but have not seen any feedback on these pages.

Ramshot exterminator for 50s, reach compliant and throws very well.

Using .223 data in my ackley for a fireforming load I get 3350 fps. Once formed I can push harder, 3500+ but they kill foxes very well so I leave it at the lower speed

 

[25 Sharps]

View attachment 240666
Five rounds of 75gn Sierra Varminter through my 6mmPPC using H322…..half a tub left then the search for a replacement powder starts

I’d give exterminator a go in that too

 

[long_range_rob]

I’d give exterminator a go in that too

I got two more tubs of 322

 

[25 Sharps]

I got two more tubs of 322

We’ll get your exterminator load sorted before you run out!!

 

[Klenchblaize]

I got two more tubs of 322

Lightweight!

K