None-Toxic Long range TARGET bullet recommendations

[Peakeyp628a]

None-Toxic Long range TARGET bullet recommendation.

I hope you are all ok? I fully understand that there is a large body of expertise and knowledge on this forum which I would like to tap into if possible.

I currently use None-Toxic ammo for hunting 6.5 - 114g for my 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC (Yew Tree) which in my opinion are brilliant. However this is for a hunting setup. Is there other options but just for target (High BC with limited expansion), or just use Yew Tree - for long range? (I have not tested this TBH I only shoot None-toxic ammo from 50 - 250m max range as I only use it for hunting).

My Question

Therfore my question is, with the unfortunate and inevitable ban of lead bullets from 2026 - 2029 is there any long range/target benchrest shooters out there that have currently made the jump early? If so what level of success/accuracy have you found and are you competitive against the other shooters? If so what brands bullet weight would you recommend for a 6 Dasher and 6.5 CM.

Thank you for your help and support in advance.

Regards Richie

 

[Heym SR20]

Peregrine make quite a number.

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Fox also do a target bullet

Fox Target - Fox Bullets - Since 2015!

Fox Target are training target bullets. You can now train with a cheaper bullet without having to change the load, while keeping the same point of impact.

www.foxbullets.eu

Both have bullets with the same weight and BC that mimic their hunting bullets, so they work as training bullets.

Peregrines are more aerodynamic but quite fussy in terms of load abd velocity. They have a narrow sweet spot, but the work well out at long range and I know folk who are using in steel plates at 1000m

@Edinburgh Rifles import them both.

 

[Malxwal]

The accuracy available from Yew Tree is such that I know of one professional stalker and very accomplished target shooter who says he would happily use them all the time.
Looking at the bigger ELR stuff and lathe turned solids are very much a thing, although you're up into big money.

 

[C h r i s]

My Question

Therfore my question is, with the unfortunate and inevitable ban of lead bullets from 2026 - 2029 is there any long range/target benchrest shooters out there that have currently made the jump early? If so what level of success/accuracy have you found and are you competitive against the other shooters? If so what brands bullet weight would you recommend for a 6 Dasher and 6.5 CM.

Thank you for your help and support in advance.

Regards Richie

Benchrest shooters normally shoot at a constructed / fixed / gallery type range, there is no lead ban for ranges with a de-leading programme.

 

[Freeforester]

Aren’t all target bullets non toxic?

Im no long range shooter, but I’d have thought that the lower sectional density of the non toxic material from which the bullet is made can only result in an inferior ballistic coefficient, with subsequent performance reduction at distance, unless the material used in the bullets’ construction is equal to or greater than that of lead, I’m not aware of anyone making such a bullet, but that is hardly surprising either.

 

[Heym SR20]

Aren’t all target bullets non toxic?

Im no long range shooter, but I’d have thought that the lower sectional density of the non toxic material from which the bullet is made can only result in an inferior ballistic coefficient, with subsequent performance reduction at distance, unless the material used in the bullets’ construction is equal to or greater than that of lead, I’m not aware of anyone making such a bullet, but that is hardly surprising either.

A common argument but doesn't really hold in practice. Most lead bullets especially FMJs, bonded and partitioned have a large proportion of copper, so there is not a lot of difference in density. BC is mostly a function of the shape of the bullet. Aerodynamics is all about profile and length. For the same weight of bullet, a monolithic will be longer and thus most likely will have an improved BC over that of a lead cored bullet.

If you look at the likes of Peregrine and read their literature , their long range glider bullets are winning competitions out to 2,000m.

All different bullets and loads will have different ballistic profiles, and thus will need different adjustments on optics etc. Will it have any tangible difference on whether you can hit the target, probably not.

When it comes to competition shooting, there will be rules over what bullets / equipment etc can be used. As long as its clear and its a level playing field - that’s all that matters.

To draw an analogy, Formula one, and also Classic car racing at Goodwood has all switched to synthetic fuels. High octane leaded petrol may give a touch better performance, and indeed all the classic racing cars originally were built to run on leaded petrol.

But teams have adapted, they have had to learn to maximise performance from unleaded, and now synthetic fuels, and everybody is competing on a level playing field. Undoubtedly there will be some at the back blaming the fuels, whereas actually what they should be looking at it is why the haven’t learned how to use it.

 

[Heym SR20]

Have a look at a Hornady 7mm 162 gn ELD M match bullet lead cored bullet, has G1 BC of 0.670

Compare that to a Peregrine Glider non toxic 7mm 160gn has a 0.716 G1 BC so will have improved ballistic characteristics over the ELD M.

The Peregrine Glider 7mm 145gn bullet has a G1 BC of 0.673. - pretty much the same BC as the ELD M. Given the lighter weight it can probably be launched a bit faster.

 

[webley701]

None-Toxic Long range TARGET bullet recommendation.

I hope you are all ok? I fully understand that there is a large body of expertise and knowledge on this forum which I would like to tap into if possible.

I currently use None-Toxic ammo for hunting 6.5 - 114g for my 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC (Yew Tree) which in my opinion are brilliant. However this is for a hunting setup. Is there other options but just for target (High BC with limited expansion), or just use Yew Tree - for long range? (I have not tested this TBH I only shoot None-toxic ammo from 50 - 250m max range as I only use it for hunting).

My Question

Therfore my question is, with the unfortunate and inevitable ban of lead bullets from 2026 - 2029 is there any long range/target benchrest shooters out there that have currently made the jump early? If so what level of success/accuracy have you found and are you competitive against the other shooters? If so what brands bullet weight would you recommend for a 6 Dasher and 6.5 CM.

Thank you for your help and support in advance.

Regards Richie

Richie,

Those shooting on ‘gallery’ ranges (i.e. most rifle ranges) where some form of lead recovery is done at suitable intervals won’t be affected by the legislation.
Few such rifle shooters will be moving away from lead cored bullets, especially if they take part in competitive events.

 

[Heym SR20]

Richie,

Those shooting on ‘gallery’ ranges (i.e. most rifle ranges) where some form of lead recovery is done at suitable intervals won’t be affected by the legislation.
Few such rifle shooters will be moving away from lead cored bullets, especially if they take part in competitive events.

Unfortunately there are plenty of ranges - mostly with gongs etc at all sorts of different distances that are not gallery ranges with bullet traps that can regularly be de leaded. For these sorts of ranges installing bullet catchers may well be very difficult and expensive. The alternative is to use non toxic ammo.

Ranges that will have a derogation to use lead bullets will be under supervision of the Environment Agency in England, SEPA in Scotland and the equivalent in Wales. They will be the ones that will ensure protocols are in place and adhered to. There will have be a named individual on the range management who will be responsible for this.

Breaches will be an offence under the REACH regulations which covers chemical manufacture and use. If there breaches then named person, the directors and officers and the organisation can be held liable and prosecuted. Penalties include jail time and unlimited fines.

Plenty of those, self included, who are officers of clubs that operate such ranges will need to have a very long and hard look at whether all the head aches of operating a range under such derogations will actually be worth it, especially given the potential penalties if things go wrong (eg the sand / lead bullet fragments in heavy rain get washed into a river)

Principally it will a matter of cost. Do we put up club fees to cover the costs of installing / upgrading the facilities and then for regular deleading or do members use non lead target bullets and carry on as before.

 

[C h r i s]

Unfortunately there are plenty of ranges - mostly with gongs etc at all sorts of different distances that are not gallery ranges with bullet traps that can regularly be de leaded. For these sorts of ranges installing bullet catchers may well be very difficult and expensive.

Not necessarily, will send PM.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

None-Toxic Long range TARGET bullet recommendation.

I hope you are all ok? I fully understand that there is a large body of expertise and knowledge on this forum which I would like to tap into if possible.

I currently use None-Toxic ammo for hunting 6.5 - 114g for my 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC (Yew Tree) which in my opinion are brilliant. However this is for a hunting setup. Is there other options but just for target (High BC with limited expansion), or just use Yew Tree - for long range? (I have not tested this TBH I only shoot None-toxic ammo from 50 - 250m max range as I only use it for hunting).

My Question

Therfore my question is, with the unfortunate and inevitable ban of lead bullets from 2026 - 2029 is there any long range/target benchrest shooters out there that have currently made the jump early? If so what level of success/accuracy have you found and are you competitive against the other shooters? If so what brands bullet weight would you recommend for a 6 Dasher and 6.5 CM.

Thank you for your help and support in advance.

Regards Richie

0-300 is short range
300-600+ is medium range
600+ is long range
1200+ is considered extreme long range in most circles


If you want to choose non lead for accuracy there are plenty of designs that have shown to be accurate across the whole range of distances above
Peregrine have sponsored and won classes in many of them up to and beyond ELR

Hunting is a different fish
Shooters need to consider the while range of variables from terminal velocity, target density (thin to thick skin, bone structure etc) and more significantly, shot placement

You run a slow and heavy bullet with low terminal velocity into a light framed, thin skinned game target and watch it pencil through doing little to no damage and presenting a runner

Run a light, high velocity, frangible non lead into a heavy, thick skinned, game target and watch it grenade potentially causing a splash wound.

Many high BC non lead bullets have a small meplat with a mono metal, non fractured or weakened design
These designs require a relatively high terminal velocity to ensure reliable expansion.

Pre-cut frontal areas on hard and frangible bullet designs expand extremely well, but the flip side is they fragment into multiple wound tracts and possible exits in many angled trajectories.
They are unpredictable and can cause massive carcase damage and third party impacts

People need to start thinking about non lead as they would normal lead
You would blanket choose a “lead” bullet of any construction or weight for you application

FMJ, heavy for calibre will do the same as a non lead heavy

VMax in the wrong application will grenade
Etc etc


In my experience the non lead options for long range need to be treated with deep suspicion

My tests of non lead at medium range produced dramatically different results using the BC and accurate MV and Environmental data

a 200gr Peregrine dropped almost 0.75MIL more than it should at 600-800m and the impact on steel was markedly different to a 200gr lead from the same rifle at similar muzzle velocity

The obvious conclusion is the advertised BC is waaay off and/or the non lead projectiles are shedding velocity much faster due to the lower sectional density

This lower terminal effect needs to be considered if you intend to use non lead for hunting

Scale this observation back to the 200-300m shot and you should still have a lot of questions and start thinking about shot placement much more

HILAR and CNS centric shots to create a quick knock down are my personal choice at any range

 

[Edwardodevon]

I have just got a 6.5PRC and am currently developing my load data, I will be using for hunting and gong shooting to 700mc maybe further is there a go to copper bullet that you would suggest starting with?

 

[Peakeyp628a]

I have just got a 6.5PRC and am currently developing my load data, I will be using for hunting and gong shooting to 700mc maybe further is there a go to copper bullet that you would suggest starting with?

I use Yew tree 114g in my 6.5 PRC but it is for hunting realy. If you want my load data let me know happy to PM.

 

[tackb]

hi Richie , hope you're well

i think that lead can still be used on gallery ranges where there is a lead recovery regime in place , where it get s a little murky is PRS style shooting at gongs in the countryside ?

its all a massive unnecessary mess if you ask me !

 

[farmer_giles]

.264 / 6,5

Thac

thac.no

might be worth a look

 

[Dave_45]

.264 / 6,5

Thac

thac.no

might be worth a look

Supply chain is sticky for the UK market