5.7 Load data for Barnes 36 grain Varmint Grenades?

[Carter]

Anyone have any insight into usable pistol loads? Thanks.

[lklawson]

The 36 gr. Varmint Grenade has an OAL of 0.697" which, of the published loads, most closely matches Hornady 40 gr. V-Max OAL of 0.684"

I would start with the minimum load and seating depth for 40 gr. V-Max and work ladder loads from there if I were loading the 36 gr. Varmint Grenade. I'm not saying that you should do this. In fact, I recommend you stick with published loads.

On a side note, I'm not sure how the Varmint Grenade compares to other bullets like the V-Max, but one article I read suggested that it sheds energy EXTREMELY fast in medium. 6" penetration was what I read, though I believe it was a .223 test load, which would have a higher velocity.

In fact, that's one of the frustration I have with handloading for 5.7. Pretty much any bullets in the "proper" weight range are varminting bullets or monolithic copper. I'd love to find .224 dia. FMJ in 25 gr. to 40 gr. but I don't think it exists.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[panzermk2]

I/EA used the Varmint grande for years. It was brutal on small game, one shot stop yotes. It also had NO issue blowing through a lvl2a vest and making a nice wound channel.

Let me dig up some old EA info. EA's VarmenTOR round was one of our very first loads.

Fucking screwtube has deleted over half of my videos from my playlist titled " Elite Ammunition's Individual Round Brief History,"

The core of the bullet is a mass of small BB epoxied into a core. It was hell on target since it acted like a mini canister shot.

I had some gel block shot pics but I could not find them. One thing I did determine is from the pistol it made a hell of a great carry round.

[panzermk2]

OK found some old pics.

Some back story, I was having fun and wanted to see what the Barnes Var Grenade would do.

You can see the folded up lvl2a panels. Of the three shots one exited the stack of body armor. You can also see the before and after affects on the body armor sandwich, for lack of a better term.

[panzermk2]

All of this was done back in 2016.



Also impact on 1/4 inch weld plate. Now something intersting. Take a good look at the polymer wall of my shoot tube. You will see countless less very small pin holes. When the Barnes VG impacted the steel the BB's burst out all over. These small BB's penetrated the 1/3 inch thick very hard and strong polymer liner. You can also see what it did to the steel plate. If you think the Barnes VG is a poor man stopper, I got fucking news for you and it ain't good for you if you're down range.

[lklawson]

Good info. Thanks.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[panzermk2]

Also while you have to crimp 5.7 for best results be careful to NOT over crimp the VG. If you over crimp the thin jacket will give way and you will crack the epoxy holding the core together causing it to crumble . This will cause the thin jacket to collapse in.

[JohnG]

5.9 gr of true blue with a light crimp is one of my most accurate handloads. Absolute tack driver…

[panzermk2]

I believe , damn good bullet.

[Localizer]

Thanks for this history and feedback Jay!

The 30gr and 36gr bullets are my favorite to shoot!

My FN 5.7 load was:
36gr Barnes Varmit Grenade
6.4gr HS-6
1.60” COAL

velocity was a hair above 2,000ft/s IIRC.

I recently picked up an M&P 5.7. I’ll have to drop the powder charge since the magazine won’t allow for longer than 1.57” COAL.

[panzermk2]

Yeah some of the M&P mags get really TIGHT.

[Fotis]

5.9 gr of true blue with a light crimp is one of my most accurate handloads. Absolute tack driver…

What velocity did you get

[JohnG]

Fotis,
I have not chronographed that recipe…just know that it is the most accurate recipe that I have ran. I have loaded quite a few different projo’s and out of all them, the VG is most accurate under True Blue.

[Fotis]

Awesome thanks. Sounds like a great self defense bullet.....Especially since it made it through level 2 vests.