65WSM
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any experience with this bullet on ground squirrels? Does it open up? Does it live up to the hype or is it just another hollowpoint?
I am thinking of loading hundreds of the Barnes Varmint Grenade 36gr bullet in my .224 Nisqually wildcat (.220 Swift volume). I have two shooting sessions of 2" or better groups at 300 yards. I found that 35.6 gr of Alliant 10X is suitable. I have both large rifle primer cases and small rifle primer cases for my wildcat. I got 4323fps with Rem 7.5s and 15.9 SD. The Fed AR Comp primer was faster (4348fps) but had a higher SD and not as accurate. 26 inch barrel. Benchmark proved accurate (under two inches), with the same 35.6gr, which gave 4223 fps with Rem 7.5s. Obviously Benchmark has a slower burn rate and further load development is called for (SD 37.5).
I tried shooting clay pigeons at 400 yards. The Varmint Grenade bullets went through the clay pigeon with minimal damage. Even shots to the rim were less than spectacular. That concerns me.
I am thinking of loading hundreds of the Barnes Varmint Grenade 36gr bullet in my .224 Nisqually wildcat (.220 Swift volume). I have two shooting sessions of 2" or better groups at 300 yards. I found that 35.6 gr of Alliant 10X is suitable. I have both large rifle primer cases and small rifle primer cases for my wildcat. I got 4323fps with Rem 7.5s and 15.9 SD. The Fed AR Comp primer was faster (4348fps) but had a higher SD and not as accurate. 26 inch barrel. Benchmark proved accurate (under two inches), with the same 35.6gr, which gave 4223 fps with Rem 7.5s. Obviously Benchmark has a slower burn rate and further load development is called for (SD 37.5).
I tried shooting clay pigeons at 400 yards. The Varmint Grenade bullets went through the clay pigeon with minimal damage. Even shots to the rim were less than spectacular. That concerns me.