As England looks to move away from lead ammunition for both shotguns and rifles, eGunroom looks at the top lead-free rifle rounds that are currently on the market for rifle shooters.
A number of the Approved Game Handling Establishments (AGHEs) announced last year that they will no longer buy venison shot with lead ammunition, and the National Game Dealers Association (NGDA) will be lead-free from the start of July this year (2022). As more and more smaller game dealers start to follow suit what lead-free rifle rounds are available for you to shoot deer or even other quarry such as foxes with? eGunroom has picked from the current range of lead-free centre fire rounds that are available however this isn’t a comprehensive list, so do check with manufacturers or your local gunshop to find more.
The choice of lead-free rifle ammunition is currently between copper, gilding metal or brass (known as mono-metals). As with lead ammunition you will need to find the right round to suit your rifle, so don’t just settle on the first lead-free bullets that you find, try several types to ensure you have the best and constantly accurate setup. Ensure that any lead-free rifle ammunition you pick is suitable for the quarry you aim to hunt.
Sako
Powerhead II
The Sako Powerhead II has a polymer tip and a reengineered nose cavity to provide an even faster expansion when compared to the original Powerhead. The polymer tip initiates rapid expansion and improves ballistics at longer distances making it a versatile bullet at different ranges.
Available in the following calibres: .222 Rem, .223 Rem., 7×64, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Win., .243 Win., 6.5×55 SE, .270 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., 8x571S, 6.5 Creedmoor.
Federal
Power-Shok Copper
The Federal Power-Shok Copper provides the same consistency and price point value as the lead bullet version. The load features an accurate, copper-alloy projectile with a hollow-point design that expands consistently producing large wound channels and an effective energy transfer to the target.
Available in the following calibres: .308 Winchester, 300 Blackout, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .243 Winchester, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum.
RWS
Evolution Green
The RWS Evolution Green is a partially fragmenting bullet that features a series of interdependent constructive details. It is constructed out of tin and features a special pre-fragmentation of the frontal core which works together with the Speed Tip point to create outstanding shocking power even at long ranges. A nickel-plated jacket covers the tin core to protect and increase the barrel life of your rifle.
Available in the following calibres: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55 SE, 6.5×57, 6.5×57 R, 6.5×68, .270 Winchester, 7×57 R, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7×64, 7×65 R, .308 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06, .30-06 Short, .30- R Blaser, .300 Winchester Magnum, 8×57 JS, 8×57 JRS, 8×68 S, 9.3×62, 9.3×64, 9.3×74 R, 10.3×68 Magnum.
Hornady
Outfitter
The Hornady Outfitter features corrosion resistant nickel-plated cases that are sealed to make them watertight and are topped with the accurate and rugged CX bullet. This ammunition is designed to perform under the toughest conditions. The CX bullet provides a uniform, controlled expansion, deep penetration and +95% weight retention. The HeatShield Tip is made out of a heat resistant polymer that resists aerodynamic heating and provides a constantly high BC for its entire flight. The grooves on the bullet maximise aerodynamic performance while effectively reducing bearing surface and fouling.
Available in the following calibres: .243 Winchester, .257 Weatherby Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5mm PRC, .270 Winchester Short Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm Winchester Short Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 Weatherby Magnum, .300 PRC, . 300 Remington Ultra Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 Ruger, .375 H&H Magnum.
Winchester
VARMINT X
The Winchester Varmint X Lead-free has a zinc core and is available in the three most popular varmint calibres: .22-250 Rem, .223 Rem, and .243 Win. The explosive expansion prevents the bullet from exiting even lightweight, thin-skinned quarry. The hollow tip provides optimum expansion and greater accuracy, whilst the alloy jacket has an engineered profile for explosive fragmentation.
Available in the following calibres: .22-250 Remington, .223 Remington, .243 Winchester.
Copper Impact
Winchester’s Copper Impact lead-free rifle rounds have an all-copper construction that provides nearly 100% mass retention which results in very deep penetrating power and a high probability of bullet exit with no fragmentation. The initial mass retention, even after expansion, gives high energy transfer and tremendous knockdown power.
Available in the following calibres: .270 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .350 Legend, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester
Norma
ECOSTRIKE
The lead-free ECOSTRIKE bullet is made up of a pure copper core that has been nickel plated. This proprietary coating eliminates copper fouling and also increases the life of your barrel. The polymer tip assists with expansion on impact and decreases drag, whilst the cavity behind this tip has been optimised for guaranteed expansion, even at low velocities. The waist of the bullet has been designed to maximise velocity, and the boat tail has been designed for increased ballistic coefficient and maximum wind resistance.
Available in the following calibres: 8×57 IRS, 8×57 IS, 9.3×62, 9.3x74R, 7mm remington Magnum, 7×64, 7x65R, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .375 H&H Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum,
Lapua
Naturalis
Lapua have been manufacturing the Naturalis round since 2003 and have improved upon it over 3 generations. The polymer valve design uses hydraulic force to create a mushrooming effect (which starts immediately on impact) at the widest velocity range on the market. The bullet is designed and manufactured by using pure copper which, when combined with the design and controlled expansion, ensures a solid and nearly unbreakable construction. Lapua claim that you will not find any fragmented parts left in your quarry when processing the meat.
Available in the following calibres: .222 Remington, .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55 Swedish, 7×64, 7x65R, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum, 8×57 IS, 8×57 IRS, .338 Lapua Magnum, 9.3×62.
Nosler
E-Tip Ammunition
Nosler® E-Tip® Ammunition is loaded up front with the high-performance, lead-free, E-Tip® hunting bullet. The E-Tip® bullet combines uniform expansion with 95%+ weight retention for superior penetration and excellent terminal performance on all types of big game
Available in the following calibres: .223 Remington, .22 Nosler, .243 Remington, .25-06 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .260 Remington, .26 Nosler, 7mm Remington Magnum, .270 Winchester, .270 Winchester Short Magnum, 7mm-08 Remington, 7×57 Mauser, .280 Ackley Improved, .280 Remington, .28 Nosler, .300 AAC Blackout, .300 Weatherby Magnum, .30-30 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Remington Ultra Magnum, .30 Nosler, 7.62x39mm, 8×57 JS Mauser, .325 Winchester Short Magnum, .33 Nosler, .338 Winchester Magnum, 9.3×62, .375 H&H Magnum.
Barnes
VOR-TX® RIFLE
In the Autumn of 1985 the idea of an expanding all-copper bullet was conceived by one of the owners of Barnes Bullets. This bullet (named the X Bullet) was officially launched in 1989 and Barnes Bullets have been manufacturing all copper rounds ever since.
The VOR-TX all-copper bullets provide destructive power, double-diameter expansion, maximum weight retention, and devastating energy transfer – all with excellent accuracy. Multiple grooves in the bullet’s shank reduce pressure and improve accuracy. The bullet opens instantly on contact, whereupon the nose peels back into four petals to ensure a clean and quick kill.
Available in the following calibres: .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Remington Ultra Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Remington Ultra Magnum, .375 Remington Ultra Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 6mm Creedmoor, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum.
