Thread: Belmont Lead Free Feangible 223 ammo AKA Barnes MPG

Hi guys, wondering if anyone has used this stuff on goats and other critters? Recently got some second hand. I can't find much on the projectiles they are loaded with (55gr Barnes MPG), other than they are the same as their varmint grenades but with a thicker jacket.

I have seen it but never used it and I see what you mean re info on it. I got offered a few boxes a while back at a cheap price and considered pulling the pill and replacing with something with a better reputation - never did anything with it in the end as the issue with projectile length vs a standard pill had me questioning if it was safe. The only thing I found that is any form of relevant just now was a forum thread from the US - devastating on prairie dogs (red mist) but on coyote very shallow but large surface wounds and not recommended for them. No idea whether a coyote is relevant to a goat in NZ though. Same thread indicates it's very reliable on steel plate, turns to dust and won't punch through or ricochet. Can't offer any more than that sorry.

It tumbles and fragments, unreliably. One of the worst performing .223 loads on animals. Avoid.

Shoots ok usually but you occasionally get a random round that's 300fps slow - not exactly high quality loads. You can see a speed outlier in this group - the low shot

I used a bit of it back in 2021 or 2 excellent on hares and I did shoot a few goats even though they didn't recommend it. And I agree, skin pops, big craters no penetration. Took multiple shots unless you were lucky enough to get a head shot in. It was about 25c a pop if I remember correctly versus 55c for the "proper" stuff which I went back to for everything

Tried on goats. Rather explodey at close range, alright at about 70-130m, feckin useless at longer ranges. Haven't seen any evidence of tumbling on paper targets, who cares if they tumble in a goat as long as animal expires. Can't remember wasting ammo shooting steel plates so no idea how they behave doing that.Wouldn't bother using it again, too many follow up shots needed.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll stick to figure 12's and steel plates with it.

Best goat tucker is 53gr Sierra with 26gr BM2. Nothing escapes.