Varmint Grenade - Rate of Twist

[bchris2146]

Just ordered a box of VGs for my 243. They are 62 gr and recomend a 1:10 rate of twist. Anyone tried them in a 1:12 twist? Any suggestions on getting the bullets loaded so that they stabilize in a 1:12? Its a youth Model Seven with only an 18" barrel.

 

[longdayjake]

They will probably work just fine in a 1:12. You don't want a faster twist because the bullet will come apart.

 

[NCsmitty]

I doubt that they will give you satisfaction. You're already handicapped with your short barrel that will limit your velocity.
Only one way to find out though.



NCsmitty

 

[longdayjake]

Should velocity really make much difference from a .243? Its going to launch that sucker plenty fast enough for the bullet to perform as it should.

 

[NCsmitty]

I'm basing my opinion on the information on the Barnes site.

Recommended Twist Rate: 1 in 10" Twist or Faster

With that in mind, the usual way to overcome a faster twist requirement, is to increase the velocity, which may not be possible with the 18" barrel, so VG bullet stability may suffer with a 1in12 twist.

It's speculation on my part, as I refuse to shoot lead-free bullets. The VG bullets may shoot ok in the OP's rifle.
I would bet that 65gr V-Max would work better though.


NCsmitty

 

[Beelzy]

They will work, but won't be Varmint Grenades anymore at least at varmint ranges. You
will be wasting precious powder and primers on a load that's doomed. Trade them off.

 

[Remo-99]

Several hundred yards downrange is where I think you might run into stablization issues, using a 1 in 12" twist 18" barrel. They may shoot fine at 100yds or so, as the rifle should stablize 80gr-85gr bullets which would leave the barrel slower than the VG's of 62grs. Yet the VG's don't have the BC and density ratio of the heavier bullets to maintain velocity over the longer ranges.
If your gonna try a few, try them at 300-400yd range and not just at 100yds.

 

[Jim Watson]

Has the gun been rebarrelled? Have you measured the twist?
The Remington site does not show a twist rate for the Youth model but other 7 and 700 .243 rifles are cataloged at 9 1/8" twist rate which should handle that bullet just fine.

 

[Blackrock]

I am loading the 62g Varmint Grenades in my 6mm Rem 788 with great resuults. I have used Rel15 and Varget and chronographed the loads to 2900 fps. I went with Rel15 last spring when Hodgdon powders were impossible to get.

Shot 400 rounds on prairie dogs in South Dakotalast spring with good results.

I think you can workup a load for that 18"barrel with no problems.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If the Varmint Grenades bullets are anything like Hornady V-Max bullets they will be harder to stabilize than other bullets of the same weight.

 

[Kernel]

Link to a nice article on the Varmint Granade in the October 2007 Handloader magazine:

http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/hl249partial1.pdf

 

[bchris2146]

Its not been rebarrelled, yeah I measured it. Its about 1:12.

 

[bchris2146]

Good article,,,thank you