Suggestions for Lead Free Hunting Ammo

[F250]

I think in the near future, at least some areas we hunt will require lead free ammo for big game. One state is offering a $60.00 rebate for lead free ammo purchase. My wife and I now both shoot 7mm-08’s. 140 gr. Fusions and 140 gr. Ballistic Tips are our choices. We do not reload. Any suggestions for a quality factor load of lead free ammo ? Whitetails are our main game animal with an occasional elk hunt mixed in. Ranges inside of 300 yards.

 

[SixPoint]

I’ve had really good luck with Hornady 139 gr CX. They shoot really well out of my 7-08. they are really lethal and they aren’t that expensive. Past two seasons my rifle has shot 11 deer and only one required a follow up due to poor placement.

 

[Ben Lamb]

A few things you want to keep in mind as you make this transition:

1.) Don't be afraid to drop down a weight in bullet. You want speed more than weight with copper. Take a look at some offerings with the 120's. But if the velocity on the 140's is still within spec at 300-400 yards, you may want to stick with that for elk. I load a 140 TTSX in my 7mm Mauser AI at 3050 fps, for example. Nosler's data shows their loading at 2850 - still acceptable for what you've described.
2.) This means you still need to find a load that shoots well in your rifles, so get a few different brands to try. Get a few different boxes and test until you find one that has the accuracy you're looking for.
3.) Any major manufacturer will have quality offerings. Barnes, Federal, Nosler, Hornady, etc. I'm partial to Barnes bullets, personally - having had great luck with them in terms of both handloading and terminal performance.

 

[Mountain Mule]

Barnes. Ive killed most of my critters with it and so have many of my hunting partners. Anything from antelope to elk, 50 yards to 450 yards.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Best I've found for my gun is federal trophy coppers. Get good groupings plus the bullet performs great.

You won't be disappointed with the transition away from lead.

Best part about copper, hardly any wasted meat where the bullet hits bone or muscle

 

[Cammy]

My personal feelings would be to avoid a "Ballistic tip" copper bullet. MY experience has been that the Hornady CX bullet, (a ballistic tip), creates MASSIVE shock trauma that damages a lot of meat on whitetails. I did not have this issued with a Barnes TSX-BT all copper projectile.

 

[LuketheDog]

I have had great results with Barnes TTSX and Nosler E-Tips...

 

[Sheltowee]

Hammers are my copper bullet of choice if you are a handloader. Go light and go fast.

 

[jryoung]

I'm almost 20 years into shooting copper. I've shot all The major manufacturers, and hand loaded barnes, etips and hammers across several rifles from 243 to belted magnums.

Factory options have come a long way over that time. Federal has been a solid mainstay, originally loading Barnes and then their trophy copper. In my 260 and 7-08, I've used almost exclusively Nosler loaded etip factory seconds from Shooters Pro Shop, they've been fantastic.

Lately I've been shooting Hornady outfitter CX in my 6.5 PRC and sons 243 win, solid accuracy in both.

For Barnes, I typically preferred the LRX option over the TTSX if available, but their factory VorTX hasn't let me down.

 

[Caseknife]

Get a box of each manufacturer that loads copper bullets, stay below 140 grains for the 7-08, and see which one your rifles like and go from there.

 

[WildWill]

The few times I've had to go lead free TTSX performed well!

 

[MTLabrador]

In the 7-08 I would go to the softer copper options if I had to shoot copper. Probably hammers first, then Barnes LRX, then TTSX.

 

[D4570]

Hammer is great in a low-volume chambering is the way to go.
If you're stuck buying ammo, here is a great choice.

7mm/08 Remington Extreme Custom Ammo

7mm/08 Remington Extreme Custom Ammo Ammunition

hendershots.net

 

[WinkB]

For the 7mm-08 I have found that stepping down to the 120gr class is a good choice given your requirements. The factory options are excellent these days and you may have to see what you rifle likes best. Personally I hand load and have found the offerings with the Hammer bullets or the Barnes to provide the best accuracy in my rifles.

As you look at the production ammo they will list a recommended twist rate based on bullet weight. Some factory rifles do not have the twist rates to support the heavy in class bullets. For maximum expansion of the projectile, velocity is your friend. Stepping down in bullet weight will allow for that higher launch velocity and potentially greater expansion.

 

[2rocky]

I've had good luck with this Line from Hornady

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/7mm-08-rem-139-gr.-cx-superformance

 

[Forelix]

For your 7mm-08 inside 300 yards, this is not a problem for any of the major brands. You have plenty of speed.

For the Best All-Around Performance (Deer & Elk)

Barnes VOR-TX (Often with 120gr TTSX or 140gr TSX)

 

[Nick87]

I believe federal loads barnes copper bullets from the factory.My cousin used them this year on his bull, worked great.

 

[Redmt]

I haven't shot enough Hornady to form an opinion. One reason is that the TSX and TSX as well as LRX do exactly what they are supposed to

 

[Elktrack]

I'm almost 20 years into shooting copper. I've shot all The major manufacturers, and hand loaded barnes, etips and hammers across several rifles from 243 to belted magnums.

Factory options have come a long way over that time. Federal has been a solid mainstay, originally loading Barnes and then their trophy copper. In my 260 and 7-08, I've used almost exclusively Nosler loaded etip factory seconds from Shooters Pro Shop, they've been fantastic.

Lately I've been shooting Hornady outfitter CX in my 6.5 PRC and sons 243 win, solid accuracy in both.

For Barnes, I typically preferred the LRX option over the TTSX if available, but their factory VorTX hasn't let me down.

Why the preference with the LRX vs. the TTSX?