.284 non lead bullet/load recommendations

[Farmerjoe]

Hi chaps,

What with game dealers only taking non lead shot deer, I’m looking for some load data or at least starting point for .284 using non lead.

I’m thinking in the 120-140ish grain weight. I could find data for American powders etc but I have only Viht N133, N140 and N160 on hand. Pointers for N160 in particular would be good as I seem to have accrued quite a few kilos of it!

I had been thinking Barnes but I’m open to other options.

Many thanks
Joe

 

[Heym SR20]

I have been using the 130gn Fox out of my 7x57. Factory ammo is pushing it at box velocity of 2800 fps. Everything drops and minimal meat damage.

 

[User00040]

Hi chaps,

What with game dealers only taking non lead shot deer, I’m looking for some load data or at least starting point for .284 using non lead.

I’m thinking in the 120-140ish grain weight. I could find data for American powders etc but I have only Viht N133, N140 and N160 on hand. Pointers for N160 in particular would be good as I seem to have accrued quite a few kilos of it!

I had been thinking Barnes but I’m open to other options.

Many thanks
Joe

What chambering and twist rate?

For me, 7mm08 is using the 127 grain Geco Zero.

7mm Rem Mag the 145 Barnes LRX.

But prefer lead Hornady ELD

 

[Farmerjoe]

.284 Win with a 1 in 8 twist 24” barrel

Rifle is built on a short action Rem 700, single shot. Though could easily be restored to standard floor plate etc.

The 162gr ELD or its precursor are what I have typically used and they have been superb. Would be nice to find a non lead equivalent.

 

[Farmerjoe]

I see Geco only appear to do factory loadings, and no .284 win. Unless I’m missing something?

 

[Island]

I have been using the 130gn Fox out of my 7x57. Factory ammo is pushing it at box velocity of 2800 fps. Everything drops and minimal meat damage.

Using the same bullet from my 7x64, pushing around 3000fps over RS60, and it has dealt with everything from Roe followers to forestry Red stags with aplomb.

As soon as the Yew Tree TLR is available in 7mm I will be trying them also.

 

[big ears]

Prefer yew tree over fox any time. Much more predictable result and no need to shoulder shoot.
Like shooting lead in copper

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Im on my old faithful barnes ttsx 120’s

 

[Selous]

I’m also on the 120g TTSX @3250fps. Very happy with the results on roe through to red deer and the odd fox

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I’m also on the 120g TTSX @3250fps. Very happy with the results on roe through to red deer and the odd fox

Thats good to know!

Mine are a tad slower at just over 3000.

not had time to shoot the bloody thing in anger yet, but she will get a good thrashing after harvest thats for sure.

 

[25 Sharps]

Yew tree 7mm, looking forward to the tipped version coming out.

Although had a few bud’s around for a bbq last night, one being a professor of metallurgy at Swansea, apparently Ali in contact with copper for any period of time is not a good idea

 

[Sakoodin1]

139 grn Barnes lrx going out the 7mm rem mag at 3160fps so not fast for calibre but very accurate and stable

 

[JohnSmith]

Edited: I mentioned a 175 gr bullet, much heavier than the OP’s request. No experience with lighter bullets yet. Apologies.

 

[Ronin]

130g GS Custom 3400 fps and very much lightning bolt terminal ballistics

 

[25 Sharps]

130g GS Custom 3400 fps and very much lightning bolt terminal ballistics

Still available?

 

[Bowland blades]

The key is SPEED ! i run 100 ttsx in the main part from a 260 my load is n150 in that and they come out the end at 3200 fps (its a fast lapped barrel) . There is a marked difference in a bullet that hits a deer at 300 than one that hits at 100-200 ( which actually is just like running steel in a shotgun lighter for size anything slows down in a smaller distance) . still a 100 grain ttsx will bust both shoulders in a mature red at 300 yards and generally exit or at least blow a hole in the far side . Light for calibre and faster twist ( i went 1-8) .
I haven't shot enough with 120 grain ttsx to pass worthy comment but they are not required and currently i hang my hat on driving copper as fast as possible ( just like steel shot )

 

[Bowland blades]

Yew tree 7mm, looking forward to the tipped version coming out.

Although had a few bud’s around for a bbq last night, one being a professor of metallurgy at Swansea, apparently Ali in contact with copper for any period of time is not a good idea

Ali with just about anything but Austenitic stainless is not that great .

 

[25 Sharps]

The key is SPEED ! i run 100 ttsx in the main part from a 260 my load is n150 in that and they come out the end at 3200 fps (its a fast lapped barrel) . There is a marked difference in a bullet that hits a deer at 300 than one that hits at 100-200 ( which actually is just like running steel in a shotgun lighter for size anything slows down in a smaller distance) . still a 100 grain ttsx will bust both shoulders in a mature red at 300 yards and generally exit or at least blow a hole in the far side . Light for calibre and faster twist ( i went 1-8) .
I haven't shot enough with 120 grain ttsx to pass worthy comment but they are not required and currently i hang my hat on driving copper as fast as possible ( just like steel shot )

You’ve changed your tune, you spent half another thread telling us that speed wasn’t that important, which is it?!

my bullets aint doing 3200 fps when they go clean through a red stag beyond 300 yards and break both shoulders . I refer back 300 fps muzzle velocity isnt 300 fps at the target. if someone was really bothered about 300 fps at the muzzle ( i certainly aint ) they could just lighten up the bullet chosen perhaps or choose a different brand . Have any of you figured out how little extra 250-300 fps really is when it reaches a 300 yard stag.
I do use a 100 grain bullet btw , haven't read what it wont do in theory though because i have real experiance of it doing exactly as i require out past 300 yards
wonder how much closer you need to get in for your 2800 fps bullets to work ?!

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Here is another one from Germany.

Willkommen - Online-Shop von Wi-La-Tech

 

[Yew Tree Fieldsports]

Yew tree 7mm, looking forward to the tipped version coming out.

Although had a few bud’s around for a bbq last night, one being a professor of metallurgy at Swansea, apparently Ali in contact with copper for any period of time is not a good idea

Can’t see it as a particular problem if there is no electrolyte present to cause galvanic corrosion.
As an aside the bullets and tips are stored separately and I tip them as required pretty much, normally a thousand at a time.
I suppose if you bought some bullets and left them somewhere damp for a fair while there might be an issue but that would be the case with pretty much anything to do with firearms. Rifles, primers, powder and so on. I have some A tips that have been in my gun room for ages and they haven’t corroded at all.