Lead free ammunition

[fast60eddie]

Any thoughts about lead free ammunition?
Would you run down the pipe?
Safe or unsafe?

[dreadi]

Send it.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
07/02 NFA Dealer

http://www.blackhammerarms.com
http://www.facebook.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms

[jamesjett]

Send it X2!  Good ammo…

[Iveexcaped3]

Better get use to it because WA will eventually switch all to lead free. Why? Because California has already done it, and WA can’t do anything CA doesn’t do.

[logola512c]

I've been using lead-free rounds in my 7MM for the last 5 years (Barnes VOR TX and Barnes LR), and every one of the bullets (5) I've recovered from bears have been perfectly expanded with razor sharp petals like the ads show, 100% weight retention that hammered the bears.  The 2 blacktail were complete pass through with gaping exit holes.  I'm totally sold on the all-copper rounds.  And my 30-year-old Winchester Model 70 is about a 3/4 inch group at 100 yards with those factory loads so I really have nothing to complain about...

[7mmfan]

Been using Barnes for 3-4 years now in my 7mm Rem Mag, zero complaints. Every animal I've shot has died expeditiously and they are exceptionally accurate in my rifle.

[jrebel]

Monolithic ammo is great as long as you maintain the velocity necessary for it to perform.  Been using hammer hunters now for 3 years and love them.  I saw they have ammo manufacturers loading hammers for those that don’t reload too. 

[Farmer72]

I have been hunting with Barnes bullets for close to 30 years. Starting with the original X, the XLC (coated X), the TSX, TTSX and the LRX. I also have some of the MRX bullets but never shot those. I have had nothing but good luck with them and have no problems shooting or recommending them as long as your firearm shoots them well.

[Stein]

I've never shot a big game animal with a lead bullet, although my kids have.  TSX has been flawless for me out to the ranges I'm comfortable shooting.

[jamesjett]

 

I've never shot a big game animal with a lead bullet, although my kids have.  TSX has been flawless for me out to the ranges I'm comfortable shooting.

[ElkTacos]

Monolithic ammo is great as long as you maintain the velocity necessary for it to perform.

This is the key.

Some additional info you may find helpful: When making the switch it's important to keep in mind that it is bullet length (size) not weight (grains) that has the most impact on how the bullet performs in terms of the chamber, rifling etc. So a 150 grain copper bullet is going to shoot and perform more like a heavier lead bullet, say a 168 grain lead bullet. The copper is lighter meaning less dense than the lead and therefore it has the length of a heavier grain lead bullet. The copper projectile has to be physically bigger to get the same weight as lead. You're going to have to try a number of bullets and loads to figure out what your rifle likes. Twist rates are have a slightly different impact on copper as well, they tend to like a faster twist.

[Caseknife]

I'm in the "using Barnes for 30 years" boat.  Look in my reloading room at the bullets I stock and the only cup and core bullets in there are for target and predator hunting.  The long range guys don't seem to like them because they may not expand reliably beyond 6-700 yards depending on caliber.  Most mono's need at least 1800fps to expand reliably.  If you reload, try bullets 20% lighter than you would in cup and core bullets.  I load that exact bullet in that box of 460 S&W in my 450 Bushmaster at 2200fps, works wonders on 250# pigs.  The bullet I pulled out of the sow looked exactly like that one on the box.  Nothing unsafe about solid copper bullets.

[fast60eddie]

Good info thanks for the replies.

[Magnum_Willys]

Under 400 yards tough to beat the Barnes.  Perfect mushrooms.  I'm not a big fan yet of all the other coppers that break the petals off just leaving a shank.  I know they may be even better with big petals causing damage - I'm just not there yet but enough guys on here are that I'm going to start looking at the SBDII and Hammers.  I just got 1000 rounds of 215 Bergers so that guarantees I'll be switching to something else !

[jasnt]

The sbdII’s are awesome!  You’ll love them
Petals stay intact, great exits and hardly any blood shot meat.  Designed to expand down to 1700 fps and great bc’s