WildWill
Well-known member
This was sitting in the mailbox today. I found it a unique and effective way to ask someone to hunt lead free. What does everyone think?
Hunt lead free SD
- Thread starter WildWill
- Start date
Sheltowee
Well-known member
I went lead-free a couple of years ago and have been mostly pleased. Killed several deer with Barnes TTSXs in a .257 Ackley and four last winter with Hammer HHTs in my 25RPC. The Barnes gave one blood trail that Ray Charles could've followed and one that didn't leave a drop for 50-75 yards. The Hammers seem to create more internal damage (probably by virtue of the petals shedding) resulting in shorter track jobs but more sparse blood trails.
From what I gather, going lead-free is unlikely to have a population-level conservation effect outside of unique areas like the condor recovery zone. I just like the idea of ingesting less lead than more.
From what I gather, going lead-free is unlikely to have a population-level conservation effect outside of unique areas like the condor recovery zone. I just like the idea of ingesting less lead than more.
I like the idea. It is much better to have people voluntarily use lead free than mandates. I like the thought of offering a free box of ammo as incentive.
I primarily use mono's for the performance I have gotten out of them. The ecological impact wasn't even a consideration until recently. More of a nice benefit than primary driving factor.
I like having the choice of what I want to hunt with. I like the thought of giving people the choice to voluntarily try lead free ammo. Some people won't like it regardless. If you haven't tried mono/copper bullets I say use it to give them a try.
I primarily use mono's for the performance I have gotten out of them. The ecological impact wasn't even a consideration until recently. More of a nice benefit than primary driving factor.
I like having the choice of what I want to hunt with. I like the thought of giving people the choice to voluntarily try lead free ammo. Some people won't like it regardless. If you haven't tried mono/copper bullets I say use it to give them a try.
Big Sky Guy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2018
- Messages
- 1,154
Generally a fan of copper ammo. Been using it for hunting for about the last 5 or 6 years. Unless one subscribes to the grenading effect of a match/berger type bullet I see only benefits at most reasonable hunting distances (3-400 yards and in). The problem I have with those is when a hunter inevitably hits muscle - it's not pretty.
I think the marketing should take a step back. Why are we always saying "lead-free" and "lead-ban" etc.? I think better wording would be "a free box of copper-solid, controlled expansion, superior weight-retention ammunition" or some variation of those words. When we say "lead-free" I think it conveys a message that the hunter is now missing something (i.e. gluten-free, sugar-free etc.).
No hunter in their right mind would turn down a free box of ammo. If for no other reason than to see how it groups in ones rifle.
I also see this as a great marketing/partnering opportunity for copper bullet and ammo manufacturers.
I think the marketing should take a step back. Why are we always saying "lead-free" and "lead-ban" etc.? I think better wording would be "a free box of copper-solid, controlled expansion, superior weight-retention ammunition" or some variation of those words. When we say "lead-free" I think it conveys a message that the hunter is now missing something (i.e. gluten-free, sugar-free etc.).
No hunter in their right mind would turn down a free box of ammo. If for no other reason than to see how it groups in ones rifle.
I also see this as a great marketing/partnering opportunity for copper bullet and ammo manufacturers.
Great to see states catching on to this. AK has something similar now, referred to as the Alaska Copper Ammo challenge, as does AZ. All reimburse hunters for shooting lead free.
I've been shooting exclusively copper for almost a decade and have had universally excellent results with handloads and factory. One of the big complaints used to be that copper ammo was more expensive, but with post COVID inflation there's really not much of a difference between the cost of quality bonded hunting ammo and copper. With programs like these, the average "half a box a year" hunter would probably actually save a few bucks by going lead free.
I've been shooting exclusively copper for almost a decade and have had universally excellent results with handloads and factory. One of the big complaints used to be that copper ammo was more expensive, but with post COVID inflation there's really not much of a difference between the cost of quality bonded hunting ammo and copper. With programs like these, the average "half a box a year" hunter would probably actually save a few bucks by going lead free.
Wyoming270
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2026
- Messages
- 222
Why change what has worked for many decades?
If peak lethality from your rifle comes in the form of lead poisioning, you need to work on your shooting.
If peak lethality from your rifle comes in the form of lead poisioning, you need to work on your shooting.
Well, not all of us can print 3" groups at 600 yards in a 20 mph crosswind with a bullet that has the bc of a brick. mtmuley
