.30-06 Lead Free Ammo Suggestions.

[5pointer]

Hi all,

My main stalking rifle is a Blaser R8 .30-06, and while I’m incredibly happy with how it performs with my regular ammo choice (165gr RWS DK), I’m currently considering transitioning over to lead free ammo.

I’ve only tried one option so far, RWS 165gr HIT, which groups well enough, but it hasn’t been particularly convincing on the deer I’ve shot with it. Admittedly I have only taken muntjac so far, but expansion left quite a bit to be desired to be honest, and was essentially on the verge of just having ‘pencilled’ straight through. I‘ve since looked into it in a bit more detail and discovered that dropping down in bullet weight might resolve these issues when shooting lighter-bodied species of deer.

Before I go ahead and follow the recommendation of my local RFD on what to try next, I thought it might be worth getting some advice from those of you on here who have a little more experience with using lead-free ammo. All and any advice is appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

5pointer.

 

[Heym SR20]

Have a look at Fox bullets / Ammo. I have had very good performance with 7mm 130gn bullets and I understand their 308 loads are widely used on all deer by FC rangers.

 

[enfieldspares]

Maybe ask on one of the American Forum? Especially the guys there that hunt in California, Oregon and now many other of the lower 49 states.

DEER HUNTING AMMO: 9 Of The Best Non-Lead Bullets on the Market

We're taking an honest look at non-lead vs. traditional hunting ammo and the best lead-free options for deer season. Forget government-mandated

www.getzone.com

 

[5pointer]

Have a look at Fox bullets / Ammo. I have had very good performance with 7mm 130gn bullets and I understand their 308 loads are widely used on all deer by FC rangers.

These look very interesting, might be just the ticket! Thank you very much for the suggestion.

 

[5pointer]

Maybe ask on one of the American Forum? Especially the guys there that hunt in California, Oregon and now many other states.

DEER HUNTING AMMO: 9 Of The Best Non-Lead Bullets on the Market

We're taking an honest look at non-lead vs. traditional hunting ammo and the best lead-free options for deer season. Forget government-mandated

www.getzone.com

Best .30-06 Springfield Ammo Review 2019 for Deer Hunting & Target Shooting

The .30-06 is one of the most popular big-game hunting rounds in the world. Originally introduced to the U.S. military, it has become the favorite round for hunters on every continent for it’s power, flexibility, and price. In the more than 100 years since it’s inception there have been...

www.epicwilderness.com

Thanks for the suggestion and links, I shall have a proper look through them.

 

[enfieldspares]

The American "Accurate Reloading Forum" is worth joining.

 

[Heym SR20]

These look very interesting, might be just the ticket! Thank you very much for the suggestion.

Have a chat with @Edinburgh Rifles

 

[Redneck]

I have been using 165grn Fox Hunter bullets in my 30.06. Standard Remington sporter barrel . They have done the job well and I have a very accurate load which is suiting my rifle.

 

[Dave881]

Definitely talk with Ed @Edinburgh Rifles he is a very helpful guy. When I experiment with non lead bullets I will be trying the fox bullets as they apparently don't need to be driven any faster than lead.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Dropping down in bullet weight is only required where the bullet is not expanding reliably or acting as required in the target quarry
Some bullets need more velocity or a fender medium to initiate and continue terminal expansion
Some don’t

You don’t say what your quarry is likely to be and more importantly what sort of range you might be shooting them at.

We are now getting more and more options for non lead so we don’t have to just put up with what is available.
Never been sold on RWS HiT
The volume terminal data just doesn’t support them as a viable bullet for UK cartridges and species

What’s your game and range?

 

[5pointer]

Dropping down in bullet weight is only required where the bullet is not expanding reliably or acting as required in the target quarry
Some bullets need more velocity or a fender medium to initiate and continue terminal expansion
Some don’t

You don’t say what your quarry is likely to be and more importantly what sort of range you might be shooting them at.

We are now getting more and more options for non lead so we don’t have to just put up with what is available.
Never been sold on RWS HiT
The volume terminal data just doesn’t support them as a viable bullet for UK cartridges and species

What’s your game and range?

It looks like you’re the man to talk to about this subject, so thanks for the reply!

In answer to your question, I’m in the south and the bulk of my stalking consists of roe, muntjac and fallow. I also take a few reds each year and the occasional sika. Range is typically kept within 200yds, although I do occasionally take deer out past that in certain circumstances - on the hill for example. I also do a bit of high seat work which covers an area predominantly holding roe and muntjac, and in these circumstances I’ve taken deer from inside 15yds.

Probably doesn’t narrow it down enough to be helpful I’m afraid!

 

[5pointer]

Dropping down in bullet weight is only required where the bullet is not expanding reliably or acting as required in the target quarry
Some bullets need more velocity or a fender medium to initiate and continue terminal expansion
Some don’t

You don’t say what your quarry is likely to be and more importantly what sort of range you might be shooting them at.

We are now getting more and more options for non lead so we don’t have to just put up with what is available.
Never been sold on RWS HiT
The volume terminal data just doesn’t support them as a viable bullet for UK cartridges and species

What’s your game and range?

I’ve had a look at the Fox ammunition website, and from the replies to my initial post and given the type of scenarios I’ve described, I’m thinking that maybe the 150gr .30-06 ammunition might be the best option. Or do you think the 165gr might be ok in the Fox ammunition if it’s not as simple as dropping weight/increasing velocity?

I’ve got no experience reloading, so would be reliant on the factory ammo option. I’ll be honest and say that I’d not heard of Fox before, but are they easy enough to get hold of if I order them via a local RFD, or should I go direct to Fox?

I’ve previously used 165gr RWS DK as my regular ammo, and it’s performed perfectly on all deer species and at whatever ranges I’ve taken them from, so I’ve never thought 165gr is too heavy in itself. I’m just so unfamiliar with lead-free that it’s hard to know how to go about trying to match that! I personally have very little confidence in the 165gr RWS HIT as being suitable for UK species, given my experiences thus far.

Thanks again for the advice and apologies for the barrage of questions!

 

[gixer1]

I’ve had a look at the Fox ammunition website, and from the replies to my initial post and given the type of scenarios I’ve described, I’m thinking that maybe the 150gr .30-06 ammunition might be the best option. Or do you think the 165gr might be ok in the Fox ammunition if it’s not as simple as dropping weight/increasing velocity?

I’ve got no experience reloading, so would be reliant on the factory ammo option. I’ll be honest and say that I’d not heard of Fox before, but are they easy enough to get hold of if I order them via a local RFD, or should I go direct to Fox?

I’ve previously used 165gr RWS DK as my regular ammo, and it’s performed perfectly on all deer species and at whatever ranges I’ve taken them from, so I’ve never thought 165gr is too heavy in itself. I’m just so unfamiliar with lead-free that it’s hard to know how to go about trying to match that! I personally have very little confidence in the 165gr RWS HIT as being suitable for UK species, given my experiences thus far.

Thanks again for the advice and apologies for the barrage of questions!

It may be worth £40 on a lee loader - it’s so very simple to use and will give you way more options for very little outlay.

regards,
Gixer.

 

[gixer1]

I’ve had a look at the Fox ammunition website, and from the replies to my initial post and given the type of scenarios I’ve described, I’m thinking that maybe the 150gr .30-06 ammunition might be the best option. Or do you think the 165gr might be ok in the Fox ammunition if it’s not as simple as dropping weight/increasing velocity?

I’ve got no experience reloading, so would be reliant on the factory ammo option. I’ll be honest and say that I’d not heard of Fox before, but are they easy enough to get hold of if I order them via a local RFD, or should I go direct to Fox?

I’ve previously used 165gr RWS DK as my regular ammo, and it’s performed perfectly on all deer species and at whatever ranges I’ve taken them from, so I’ve never thought 165gr is too heavy in itself. I’m just so unfamiliar with lead-free that it’s hard to know how to go about trying to match that! I personally have very little confidence in the 165gr RWS HIT as being suitable for UK species, given my experiences thus far.

Thanks again for the advice and apologies for the barrage of questions!

Not sure where you are based but if in the NE Scotland you are welcome to have a shot of my 30-06 lee loader and give it a try or I can go through some basic loading with you.
Regards,
Gixer

 

[5pointer]

It may be worth £40 on a lee loader - it’s so very simple to use and will give you way more options for very little outlay.

regards,
Gixer.

I’d really like to get into reloading tbh, but I guess I’ve always found the idea a little daunting. Numbers have never been my strong point, and I’ve always had the impression that it’s quite a mathematically heavy pastime. Maybe I’ve just been overthinking it and perhaps now is the time to look into it a bit more.

ETA: That is quite an offer, thank you! Unfortunately it’s not my normal neck of the woods, (SE England), but I do occasionally find myself up near Inverness. Any advice you have regarding reloading would be amazing though.

 

[gixer1]

I’d really like to get into reloading tbh, but I guess I’ve always found the idea a little daunting. Numbers have never been my strong point, and I’ve always had the impression that it’s quite a mathematically heavy pastime. Maybe I’ve just been overthinking it and perhaps now is the time to look into it a bit more.

ETA: That is quite an offer, thank you! Unfortunately it’s not my normal neck of the woods, (SE England), but I do occasionally find myself up near Inverness. Any advice you have regarding reloading would be amazing though.

5pointer,

I was exactly the same before I started and was also not a mathematician! But I can guarantee you when you try it out - especially with the lee loaders you will wonder what all the fuss was about! Obviously you could spend thousands and worry about thousandths of an inch difference and .05 of a grain differwnce but I just don’t go that far into it, And my loads will all near as damn touch if I do my bit.

the lee loader basically entails taking a used cartridge case, knocking out the primer, hammering it into a resizer, knocking in new primer, adding a charge of powder, and then knocking in a new head/bullet...you will make perfectly useable and accurate rounds with one of these.

Here’s a video on it and it’s actually a 30-06 which is handy! -https://youtu.be/UC32K2SIBLc

and you can buy the loaders on web for £30-40 -

Lee Precision Classic Loader 30-06 SPR (90248) - Reloading UK

<p><span><span>For over 50 years, more shooters have chosen the famous Lee Loader for their first reloading tool than any other. They realize it is all they need for good, accurate ammunition. In fact, at one time ammunition loaded with a Lee Loader held

www.cdsgltd.co.uk

I would recommend you buy a set of vernier callipers (£7-10) and a digital scale (£12)

Ascher 200 gram Portable Digital Pocket Scale with Back-lit LCD Display 200x0.01 | eBay

Pocket Scale- Ascher Portable Digital Scale with Back-lit LCD Display, Elite Digital Pocket Scale 200 x 0.01g, Mini scales 200g, Mini Digital Weighing Scale Operation Place scale on a horizontal flat surface.

www.ebay.co.uk

please don’t struggle! Feel free to PM me if you buy this and want to go over it - there are also plenty of knowledgeable people on here that will be more than happy to help. It really is not the “black art“ some make it out to be!
Regards,

gixer

 

[5pointer]

Gixer,

Can’t tell you how much I appreciate the advice. You’ve made that sound far less daunting than I’d always felt it to be.

Looks like it might be time to invest in a few basic bits of kit and try and learn a bit more about it all! Do you have any good recommendations for books or guides that might be helpful?

How does reloading work with regards to the buying/holding ammunition quantities on an FAC? Could you only have as many individual components as would make up the amount of the bullets you’re permitted to hold, or can you only have that many fully assembled at any one time but have as many components as you want?

Thought I’d make the most of your offer by asking a few more questions!

 

[gixer1]

Gixer,

Can’t tell you how much I appreciate the advice. You’ve made that sound far less daunting than I’d always felt it to be.

Looks like it might be time to invest in a few basic bits of kit and try and learn a bit more about it all! Do you have any good recommendations for books or guides that might be helpful?

How does reloading work with regards to the buying/holding ammunition quantities on an FAC? Could you only have as many individual components as would make up the amount of the bullets you’re permitted to hold, or can you only have that many fully assembled at any one time but have as many components as you want?

Thought I’d make the most of your offer by asking a few more questions!

a lee reloading manual is worth getting just to read through the info but not essential, and you could only assemble the amount of rounds you are allowed to hold as per your FAC, for components though you could in theory have as many separate components as you like!

as I said, feel free to ask whatever you need as there will be other question, most people buy the basics and then add the likes of a tumbler for cleaning cases, case trimmer etc but again, not essential!
You can get all the load data online free for the likes of Sierra heads and always start near the low end of the charge recommendations.

regards,

gixer.

 

[takbok]

@5pointer here's a good online reloading guide https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WPHandloading-Guide-7.0-Web-REV.pdf

It will only take 100-200 reloaded lead free rounds to pay off a Lee breech lock challenger kit and dies etc if you decide to reload.

As gixer said, reloading is not complicated and doesn't need to be expensive if you have a little bit of free time to do it.

 

[Kiwiroger]

Hi all,

My main stalking rifle is a Blaser R8 .30-06, and while I’m incredibly happy with how it performs with my regular ammo choice (165gr RWS DK), I’m currently considering transitioning over to lead free ammo.

I’ve only tried one option so far, RWS 165gr HIT, which groups well enough, but it hasn’t been particularly convincing on the deer I’ve shot with it. Admittedly I have only taken muntjac so far, but expansion left quite a bit to be desired to be honest, and was essentially on the verge of just having ‘pencilled’ straight through. I‘ve since looked into it in a bit more detail and discovered that dropping down in bullet weight might resolve these issues when shooting lighter-bodied species of deer.

Before I go ahead and follow the recommendation of my local RFD on what to try next, I thought it might be worth getting some advice from those of you on here who have a little more experience with using lead-free ammo. All and any advice is appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

5pointer.

Try Barnes 150grn ttsx projectiles or even the 130grn ttsx , I've used both of these in.308 and the 3006 and they expand and shoot incredibly well in these two calibres. Not sure in you reload but there are factory offerings out there with these projectiles .