Unleashing Precision: The Barnes Varmint Grenade .223 Rem 50 Grain Flat Base Hollow Point

Are you a serious varmint hunter seeking ammunition that delivers unparalleled accuracy, explosive terminal performance, and minimizes environmental impact? Or perhaps you’re a reloader looking for a superior component that offers both devastating effectiveness on small game and remarkable pelt preservation on larger predators? The Barnes Varmint Grenade in .223 Remington, specifically the 50-grain Flat Base Hollow Point (FBHP), is engineered precisely for these demanding scenarios. This innovative bullet stands as a testament to advanced ballistic design, offering a unique blend of features that address the core challenges faced by varmint enthusiasts and professional pest controllers alike.

Why Choose a Specialized Varmint Bullet?

For many hunters, the pursuit of ground squirrels, prairie dogs, gophers, and other small varmints is more than just pest control; it's a test of marksmanship and equipment. Traditional hunting bullets, designed for larger game, often pass through small targets with minimal energy transfer, leading to ricochets and less decisive kills. Conversely, highly frangible bullets are crucial for varmint hunting, as they dissipate energy rapidly within the target, ensuring humane dispatch and greatly reducing the risk of over-penetration and subsequent ricochets, which is vital for safety in open fields or near structures. When it comes to preserving valuable furs from coyotes or bobcats, a bullet that expends its energy entirely within the animal without exiting becomes invaluable. The Barnes Varmint Grenade was meticulously developed to meet these exacting requirements, bridging the gap between extreme frangibility and reliable accuracy.

The Engineering Marvel: Barnes Varmint Grenade Construction

At the heart of the Barnes Varmint Grenade's exceptional performance lies its unique, lead-free construction. Developed initially for military applications where minimal environmental impact and precise terminal ballistics were paramount, this bullet features a hollow-cavity, flat-base design. The core is composed of a proprietary copper-tin powdered metal, which is then encased in a gilding metal jacket. This isn't just a simple hollow point; it's a sophisticated composite structure designed for specific, controlled behavior upon impact. The absence of lead makes it an environmentally conscious choice, especially important in areas with lead-free ammunition restrictions or for hunters who prioritize green practices.

Understanding Ultra-High Velocity Performance

The term "Ultra High Velocity" isn't merely a marketing phrase; it speaks directly to the Varmint Grenade's capability. This bullet is designed to maintain its structural integrity even when driven at extreme speeds in fast-twist barrels. Many conventional bullets can deform or even disintegrate prematurely at such velocities, compromising accuracy and terminal performance. The Barnes Varmint Grenade’s robust gilding metal jacket ensures it spins true and remains stable through the barrel, delivering sniper-like accuracy even at extended ranges. This stability translates directly to tighter groups on paper and more confident shots in the field, whether you're targeting a prairie dog at 300 yards or a coyote closing in.

Devastating Impact: The Frangible Core Advantage

The true magic of the Varmint Grenade reveals itself upon impact. The highly frangible copper-tin powdered metal core fragments violently and instantaneously. What does this mean for varmints? It means they virtually vaporize upon contact. For ground squirrels and prairie dogs, this results in an immediate and humane kill, leaving little doubt about the shot's effectiveness. This rapid energy transfer prevents over-penetration, minimizing the risk to background elements and ensuring that the projectile's energy is fully expended within the target. This rapid fragmentation also makes it an excellent choice for shooting near structures or in areas where ricochets are a significant concern.

Pelt Preservation for Trappers and Hunters

For hunters and trappers who value the pelts of larger predators like bobcats, foxes, and coyotes, the Barnes Varmint Grenade offers a critical advantage. Unlike many bullets that might exit, creating large, unsalvageable holes, the Varmint Grenade's design ensures that its energy is expended almost entirely within the animal. This means the bullet seldom exits these larger predators, leaving valuable pelts virtually undamaged. This feature alone can significantly increase the value of your harvest, making this bullet a preferred choice for those involved in fur harvesting or nuisance wildlife control where pelt integrity is paramount.

Optimizing Accuracy: The .020" Seating Depth Recommendation

One specific detail provided by Barnes that underscores the precision engineering of the Varmint Grenade is the recommendation to seat the bullet off the lands and grooves by .020". For reloaders, this is a crucial piece of advice for achieving the best accuracy results. What does this mean, and why is it important?

• Understanding "Lands and Grooves": These are the raised and recessed areas inside your rifle barrel that impart spin on the bullet.
• Bullet Seating Depth: This refers to how deep the bullet is seated into the cartridge case, which in turn determines the overall cartridge length (OAL) and the distance the bullet "jumps" before engaging the rifling.
• Optimizing for Accuracy: Seating the Varmint Grenade .020" off the lands ensures that the bullet has a consistent, short "jump" into the rifling. This allows the bullet to align properly before engaging the lands, leading to more consistent bore alignment and, consequently, superior accuracy. While many bullets perform well with a slight "kiss" of the lands, the unique construction of the Varmint Grenade benefits specifically from this slight setback, ensuring its integrity and stability are maintained from chambering to muzzle exit.
• Reloading Precision: This recommendation highlights the importance of precise reloading practices. Utilizing tools like comparator gauges to measure bullet seating depth accurately is key to unlocking the Varmint Grenade's full accuracy potential.

Key Applications and Ideal Scenarios

The Barnes Varmint Grenade in .223 Rem (50 gr FBHP) is the go-to choice for a variety of shooting activities:

• Dedicated Varmint Hunting: For serious pursuit of ground squirrels, prairie dogs, gophers, marmots, and woodchucks, where explosive terminal performance and reduced ricochet risk are paramount. Its frangible nature ensures efficient and humane dispatch.
• Predator Control with Pelt Preservation: Essential for hunters targeting coyotes, bobcats, and foxes where the goal is to control populations while retaining the value of the animal's fur. The non-exiting performance is a game-changer for fur harvesting.
• Range Safety & Environmental Considerations: Its lead-free composition makes it ideal for ranges or hunting areas with restrictions on lead ammunition. The frangible design also minimizes ricochets on hard surfaces, making it safer for plinking or training in areas with varied terrain.
• High-Volume Shooting: Available in 100-count boxes, these bullets are perfect for reloaders who engage in high-volume varmint hunting or practice sessions. The consistency of Barnes components ensures repeatable performance from load to load.

Comparing the Varmint Grenade to Other Varmint Options

When evaluating varmint bullets, hunters often consider factors like bullet weight, construction, and terminal performance. The 50-grain weight of the Varmint Grenade strikes an excellent balance for the .223 Remington, offering a good ballistic coefficient for flatter trajectories over common varmint hunting distances, while being light enough to achieve very high velocities. Compared to traditional lead-core bullets, its lead-free frangible core offers superior energy transfer and reduced ricochet risk. For those seeking maximum impact on small targets with minimal environmental footprint and excellent pelt-saving capabilities, the Varmint Grenade truly distinguishes itself.

When looking for high-quality reloading components or complete ammunition, reputable sources like DEGuns offer a wide selection. For the Barnes Varmint Grenade, you can often find it at DEGuns.com, ensuring you get authentic, top-tier products for your reloading bench or hunting needs.

Detailed Specifications and What They Mean for You

Understanding the technical specifications of your ammunition components is vital for reloaders and precision shooters. Here's a breakdown of the key data points for the Barnes Varmint Grenade 50 gr Flat Base Hollow Point:

• Weight: 50 gr – A popular and effective weight for .223 Rem varmint applications, balancing velocity and stability.
• Bullet Diameter: .224" – The standard diameter for .223 Rem/5.56x45mm firearms, ensuring proper fit and engagement with rifling.
• Bullet Type: Flat Base Hollow Point – The flat base design offers a large bearing surface for stability, while the hollow point initiates rapid and violent fragmentation upon impact.
• OAL (Overall Length): .858" – This dimension is crucial for reloaders, influencing seating depth and powder capacity.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .183 – A measure of a bullet's aerodynamic efficiency. While this BC is typical for a flat-base varmint bullet, its ultra-high velocity capability helps compensate for drop over common varmint hunting distances.
• Sectional Density (SD): .142 – A measure of a bullet's mass divided by its diameter. A higher sectional density typically indicates better penetration, but for frangible varmint bullets, the design prioritizes energy transfer over deep penetration.
• Core Material: Frangible Copper / Tin – The innovative lead-free core that ensures explosive fragmentation and environmental friendliness.
• Jacket Material: Copper – Provides structural integrity at high velocities and ensures consistent performance.
• Cannelure: No – Indicates that this bullet does not have a crimping groove, which is common for precision target and varmint bullets designed for specific seating depth optimization.

For varmint hunters and reloaders who demand the absolute best in accuracy, terminal performance, and environmental responsibility, the Barnes Bullets Varmint Grenade .223 Remington 50 grain Flat Base Hollow Point (UPC: 716876224869) offers an unmatched solution. Its unique construction and proven performance make it a top-tier choice for humane varmint control and pristine pelt recovery.

Feature	Specification	Benefit for User
Brand	Barnes Bullets	Renowned for innovative, high-performance, and lead-free ammunition.
Series	Ultra High Velocity	Designed to perform exceptionally at extreme speeds.
Model	Varmint Grenade	Specialized for varmint hunting with explosive fragmentation.
Caliber	223 Rem	Common and versatile caliber, widely used for varmint control.
Bullet Weight	50 gr	Optimal balance of velocity and ballistic performance for varmints.
Bullet Diameter	.224"	Standard for .223 Rem, ensuring compatibility and accuracy.
Bullet Type	Flat Base Hollow Point	Combines stable flight with rapid, violent expansion on impact.
Bullet Tip Material	Hollow Point	Facilitates immediate and devastating energy transfer.
Core Material	Frangible Copper / Tin	Lead-free, environmentally friendly, and ensures complete fragmentation.
Jacket Material	Copper	Provides structural integrity and consistent bore alignment.
OAL (Overall Length)	.858"	Key dimension for precise reloading and seating depth.
Ballistic Coefficient (BC)	.183	Indicates aerodynamic efficiency for stable flight.
Sectional Density (SD)	.142	Reflects mass-to-diameter ratio, contributing to terminal effect.
Cannelure	No	Allows for precise seating depth adjustments by reloaders.
Quantity	100 Per Box	Convenient packaging for reloaders and frequent shooters.
Recommended Usage	Varmint	Specifically designed and optimized for small game and predator control.
SKU	30198	Unique product identifier for easy tracking.
UPC	716876224869	Universal Product Code for easy identification and purchasing.