lead ban, what calibre too chose?

[Norfolk Deer Search]

For people using copper ammunition I'm curious too see what the most common calibre people are using? Ideally people shooting Reds and Sika since there usually noted as a little more tough (or muntjac, I supose!)
I will apply later this year and I'm still unsure what too put down as my initial calibres .22 / .222 Is given since Its still lead legal, but I'm questioning my larger calibre choice.

My initial thoughts are 308, or 270? I feel like 308 Is likely one of the better choices out of those two, or perhaps the 6.5 since the popularity for it is ever increasing?

Worth considering I'm a small women too, I feel like there's significantly less smaller-geared rifles in 270 than say 308, I dont really want too go over 8lbs with accessories.

Thats the magical question where you will 100 different answers!

I’ve shot copper in 6.5x55 to 30-06 and just about everything in between!

But 270 is what I’ve used the most, 130gn copper just works!

Dont get swallowed up by people recommending this or that, pick what works and what you can get a reliable supply of ammunition for!

Ithe last copper I shot in my 270 was fox130gn factory form @Edinburgh Rifles pukka ammo

 

[3.5mag]

Let’s wait and see..

22-250 can be made with faster twist barrels due to velocity, there’s a degree to which one can fast twist a .222 and have good results, according to my research and people I’ve discussed it with, including a leading barrel and rifle manufacturer. I’ll put you in touch, you can tell them they’re all wrong

I had mine re-barrelled in a 1:12 twist Sassen & it was superbly accurate with 53gr Vmax

 

[Chris Richardson]

Not going to take the bait, but many had struggled with a light plastic stocked and thin barrel in .308 that’s cut short for being handy and light, these ‘mountain rifles’ and blah will not balance well, can be very muzzle flippy, and when put on a day sack in a wind, will be hard to keep still compared to a rifle with more real estate.
There’s nothing magical about it, it’s just the way it is.

thats funny ive an 18 inch barreled .308 in a synthetic stock and its just fine

 

[VSS]

But 270 is what I’ve used the most, 130gn copper just works!

Is that homeloaded or factory? And if factory, what?
Looking for something to try in my .270

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Is that homeloaded or factory? And if factory, what?
Looking for something to try in my .270

I did both, 90% of what I shot through that rifle was home loaded 130 TTSX, and the last 100 rounds I put through it where 130 Fox factory from Edinburgh Rifles

 

[VSS]

I did both, 90% of what I shot through that rifle was home loaded 130 TTSX, and the last 100 rounds I put through it where 130 Fox factory from Edinburgh Rifles

Thanks

 

[cjm1066]

We used to discuss lead bullet performance, bullets exiting in strange places. I killed 2x Fallow with 1x shot, stood beside a friend who shoulder shot a roe the bullet existed for a classic heart shot having turned 360 inside the animal.

What calibre is best for lead?

 

[Chris Richardson]

What calibre is best for lead?

any of them

 

[andyk]

First question has to be whether you want to/can handload (not can as in are you capable, but do you shoot in places, or might you, where that’s prohibited).

If handloading is out, stick to something available. There are a lot of great cartridges, think 7-08, 7x57 etc, where factory is very limited (I’m not saying you won’t get it, but sourcing ammo becomes a logistical test). I’d personally avoid those if sticking to factory.

For factory, those that come to mind are 6.5CM, 6.5 Swede, 270, 308 and 30-06.

My two pence, I’d say 308. I have an ‘06 I’m really keen on and have a soft spot for the 270, but the 308 just works. In my experience, the difference between a Creed and the 243 isn’t huge, so I’d go bigger if you’re only motivation is more stopping power.

 

[Heym SR20]

I think it really depends on what type of deer you mostly shoot and in what sort of country. Huge difference in shooting Big Reds on the open flow country of Caithness and Sutherland to roe deer in woodland field margins of typical lowland arable farms.

The 243, with 80 / 85 grain copper bullets is flat shooting / accurate and easy to shoot. The smaller deer do call for precision - a little yearling doe is a small target, and the 243 delivers this accuracy. Zero it an inch high at 100 it will be plus / minus and inch or so out to any reasonable range you want to shoot Roe.

The 243 is capable on Red but it is at the bottom end of capability. It is and always has been a small high velocity cartridge with sub 2,000 ft lbs energy.

The 308 has been described as the Labrador of cartridges. It’s the old faithful. It is very widely used by contractors etc and is the issue cartridge for whatever The Forestry Commission is called the days. There is a very large range of copper bullets and ammo available, its easy to find and it just plain works. It’s got plenty of power for the big deer but not too much for the wee ones.

Plenty of other good options though, and everyone has their favourites. 270 is fast and flat - basically bigger brother of the 243, and is a bit messy on smaller deer. Great for open country though.

The 6.5s are a good middle of the road.

I like the 7mm cartridges but they are harder to find / more expensive in ammo.

 

[Zéquinha]

I'm fun of 30.06.
When hunting in Portugal, it’s suitable for everything: deer, wild boar, fallow deer and mouflon.
Ammunition is widely available and there’s always a shop selling various types.
We do a lot of hunting on drinven hunt and sometimes someone forgets their ammunition, but there are always plenty of other hunters to turn to. And that happens more often than you might think .
It’s an all-rounder, 4x4
In my humble opinion

 

[Sol]

Keep the 243, it will be fine. If you really want rid, creedmoor will be a good shout. Popular, easy to get ammo for and probably some of the cheaper ammo too.

The rifle Is a 16" barrel with a 1/10 (suspected) twist and stutzern, so there's not much options of changing it too allow it too be more copper-friendly, not too mention a quick look at the 80gr sako lead-frees I dont think it would make the joules too be legal here in Scotland, Its slightly under 1500 at the muzzle so well below by significant margin, and being 1/10 (I think, some context below) Its unlikely 100s would stabilize,

I've tied this rifle back too the legal case It was used in as evidence and Its mentioning It was previously chambered in 270 I'm well aware at the moment Its got a Steyr barrel In it so Its possible the twist might be different, potentially, also kind of why I'm not bothered regarding this rifle (Its not mine, though keep in mind) Its a collectors piece in its true nature, even If its a fantastic little rifle for myself and woodland stalking. If the lead ban ruins it Its still very much got a job else where.

Dont get swallowed up by people recommending this or that, pick what works and what you can get a reliable supply of ammunition for!

I believe 308 & 270 are likely going too be the most easily acquired ammunitions here in our local gun shop, I've fired 270s and I've never had much problem with the recoil I feel like Its going too be slightly down too personal preference, I believe our RDF does some pre-purchase test shooting if your genuinely committed too purchasing something, so I guess my first stop would be there and see what he has on offer and what I find I shoot well.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

The rifle Is a 16" barrel with a 1/10 (suspected) twist and stutzern, so there's not much options of changing it too allow it too be more copper-friendly, not too mention a quick look at the 80gr sako lead-frees I dont think it would make the joules too be legal here in Scotland, Its slightly under 1500 at the muzzle so well below by significant margin, and being 1/10 (I think, some context below) Its unlikely 100s would stabilize.

I've tied this rifle back too the legal case It was used in as evidence and Its mentioning It was previously chambered in 270 I'm well aware at the moment Its got a Steyr barrel In it so Its possible the twist might be different, potentially

I believe 308 & 270 are likely going too be the most easily acquired ammunitions here in our local gun shop, I've fired 270s and I've never had much problem with the recoil I feel like Its going too be slightly down too personal preference, I believe our RDF does some pre-purchase test shooting if your genuinely committed too purchasing something, so I guess my first stop would be there and see what he has on offer and what I find I shoot well.

308 the one calibre I’ve not owned or desire to own or would **** on if it was on fire!

 

[One on top of two]

6.5 PRC with hornaday CX 130 grn @ 3150 FPS does the job .

 

[Border]

The rifle Is a 16" barrel with a 1/10 (suspected) twist and stutzern, so there's not much options of changing it too allow it too be more copper-friendly, not too mention a quick look at the 80gr sako lead-frees I dont think it would make the joules too be legal here in Scotland, Its slightly under 1500 at the muzzle so well below by significant margin, and being 1/10 (I think, some context below) Its unlikely 100s would stabilize,

I've tied this rifle back too the legal case It was used in as evidence and Its mentioning It was previously chambered in 270 I'm well aware at the moment Its got a Steyr barrel In it so Its possible the twist might be different, potentially, also kind of why I'm not bothered regarding this rifle (Its not mine, though keep in mind) Its a collectors piece in its true nature, even If its a fantastic little rifle for myself and woodland stalking. If the lead ban ruins it Its still very much got a job else where.

I believe 308 & 270 are likely going too be the most easily acquired ammunitions here in our local gun shop, I've fired 270s and I've never had much problem with the recoil I feel like Its going too be slightly down too personal preference, I believe our RDF does some pre-purchase test shooting if your genuinely committed too purchasing something, so I guess my first stop would be there and see what he has on offer and what I find I shoot well.

Either moderated will do the job and will have readily available factory ammunition.

 

[Sol]

308 the one calibre I’ve not owned or desire to own or would **** on if it was on fire!

True, I like the idea of the range of bullet weight 308 comes in though whilst the main intention would be reds I would also be like too be able too still shoot roe with minimal damage when out, a heavier bullet does that job pretty nicely my previous experience of the 270 was pretty much a write off of the front end on roe deer, I do realise copper inherently preforms differently though not penciling but there seems too be a lot less hydrostatic shock on carcasses (something the .222 loves to do)

All calibres for the most part drop relatively the same at 300y and as far as I can tell at 300 yards there's not significant differences in terms of fps/energy between the three across there most common bullet weights (130/140/150) I guess Its really up too myself too get out and figure out what I like shooting out the three.

 

[homer]

The rifle Is a 16" barrel with a 1/10 (suspected) twist and stutzern, so there's not much options of changing it too allow it too be more copper-friendly, not too mention a quick look at the 80gr sako lead-frees I dont think it would make the joules too be legal here in Scotland, Its slightly under 1500 at the muzzle so well below by significant margin, and being 1/10 (I think, some context below) Its unlikely 100s would stabilize,

I've tied this rifle back too the legal case It was used in as evidence and Its mentioning It was previously chambered in 270 I'm well aware at the moment Its got a Steyr barrel In it so Its possible the twist might be different, potentially, also kind of why I'm not bothered regarding this rifle (Its not mine, though keep in mind) Its a collectors piece in its true nature, even If its a fantastic little rifle for myself and woodland stalking. If the lead ban ruins it Its still very much got a job else where.

I believe 308 & 270 are likely going too be the most easily acquired ammunitions here in our local gun shop, I've fired 270s and I've never had much problem with the recoil I feel like Its going too be slightly down too personal preference, I believe our RDF does some pre-purchase test shooting if your genuinely committed too purchasing something, so I guess my first stop would be there and see what he has on offer and what I find I shoot well.

Youl probably find, that with a slightly heavier rifle with a mod on it, itl be alot softer shooting than the light stutzen your using just now. Mods make a big difference and can help with flinching if its ever been a problem.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

True, I like the idea of the range of bullet weight 308 comes in though whilst the main intention would be reds I would also be like too be able too still shoot roe with minimal damage when out, a heavier bullet does that job pretty nicely my previous experience of the 270 was pretty much a write off of the front end on roe deer, I do realise copper inherently preforms differently though not penciling but there seems too be a lot less hydrostatic shock on carcasses (something the .222 loves to do)

All calibres for the most part drop relatively the same at 300y and as far as I can tell at 300 yards there's not significant differences in terms of fps/energy between the three across there most common bullet weights (130/140/150) I guess Its really up too myself too get out and figure out what I like shooting out the three.

I’ve stated man times that I would shoot anything up to dangerous game, with a 270 and a 130gn TTSX barnes bullet, I still stand by that to this day and beyond

 

[Bowland blades]

For people using copper ammunition I'm curious too see what the most common calibre people are using? Ideally people shooting Reds and Sika since there usually noted as a little more tough (or muntjac, I supose!)
I will apply later this year and I'm still unsure what too put down as my initial calibres .22 / .222 Is given since Its still lead legal, but I'm questioning my larger calibre choice.

My initial thoughts are 308, or 270? I feel like 308 Is likely one of the better choices out of those two, or perhaps the 6.5 since the popularity for it is ever increasing?

Worth considering I'm a small women too, I feel like there's significantly less smaller-geared rifles in 270 than say 308, I dont really want too go over 8lbs with accessories.

Uk legal for your quarry is all your honestly need , reds and Sika included ( though I would try and keep the 100 grain option where possible ) when out for The big stuff . I am now shooting an 80 grain tTSX with the fast twist .243 win (but its yet to be tested on the Larger species . Most of my large beasts will be shot with my .260rem and i prefer 100 grain tTSX over the 120 grain though because its noticeably because its a tad flatter shooting at the longer ranges . Don't go for that though if your not a hand loader , Go for a 6.5 creed because the dealers have those off the shelf its just a tad slower , but you wont miss the extra speed .

243win , 6mm Creed , 6,5 creed , 7-08 , 308 win work and they can be found in most gunshops . All of these are std action size ! The Long action cartriges give the shooter very little indeed with modern powders Unless you want to go for plains or game with the like of the 30-06 or 7 mm Magnum .

Done right the best copper bullets are far better in my experiance with the true all UK deer calibers . I have had a few fails to well using the 223 with copper on the small deer species and the cure is reduces the ranges or use Nosler Partition in lead .

 

[Sol]

Uk legal for your quarry is all your honestly need , reds and Sika included ( though I would try and keep the 100 grain option where possible )

Pretty much my concern I would like too be over 100gr ideally however I've been told lead does not like to stabilize in 1/10 barrels for .243s and combined with the smaller than average barrel in terms of length it may not qualify for the energy requirement at 80gr for red deer regardless.

I dont own the rifle either as well, I have permission for it too be shared whenever I acquire my ticket but the actual rifle Is still his by all intended purposes, Its just for the sake of legality I can take it too stalk into something without any legal concerns.

I did verify our local gun shop does do test firings for rifles on there clay range so that's something I'll have too figure out.