Dorsettaff
Well-Known Member
Having been swept along on the "non-toxic" bandwagon with the rest of the pitchfork and flaming torch bearing mob (that and actually realising it is the future whether we like it or not)...I have been looking at various lead free options for many of the areas I manage (where incidentally we are obligated to use lead free).
Having used GMXs extensively in my 7mm-08 to good effect I was lucky enough to get my hands on some 7mm 124 grain Yew Tree bullets.
Started with 2 batches loaded over RS60 and N550 (load data based on starting loads for Barnes 120 TSX) and I immediately achieved sub MOA (under a 5p piece) groups with a generous jump of 100 thou. Chrono was giving me 3000 fps out of a 20" Bartlein. 1:9 twist.
Once tested on paper.......I went out for a Dorset sika. At dusk a pricket presented a quartering shot at 140m. Off went the 124 grain Yew Tree resulting in more of a thwack than a thud...a very different sound of impact compared to lead and very little reaction to the bullet strike. Point of aim and impact was just back with exit through offside mid shoulder. The sika took off with the rest of the group before collapsing after 40-50m. Inspection showed impact where expected with a 20mm exit on the offside shoulder. Examination in the larder showed a single entry wound between ribs, a smashed heart and a larger exit wound on the offside with 5 smaller wounds from the fragmented bullet.
This is the third species I've used Yew Tree on and had excellent results with roe, muntjac and now sika.
It will be interesting to see the sika skinned off to assess the "collateral" damage but huge thanks to Rich and another thumbs up for Yew Tree...a good ol' British bullet !
Having used GMXs extensively in my 7mm-08 to good effect I was lucky enough to get my hands on some 7mm 124 grain Yew Tree bullets.
Started with 2 batches loaded over RS60 and N550 (load data based on starting loads for Barnes 120 TSX) and I immediately achieved sub MOA (under a 5p piece) groups with a generous jump of 100 thou. Chrono was giving me 3000 fps out of a 20" Bartlein. 1:9 twist.
Once tested on paper.......I went out for a Dorset sika. At dusk a pricket presented a quartering shot at 140m. Off went the 124 grain Yew Tree resulting in more of a thwack than a thud...a very different sound of impact compared to lead and very little reaction to the bullet strike. Point of aim and impact was just back with exit through offside mid shoulder. The sika took off with the rest of the group before collapsing after 40-50m. Inspection showed impact where expected with a 20mm exit on the offside shoulder. Examination in the larder showed a single entry wound between ribs, a smashed heart and a larger exit wound on the offside with 5 smaller wounds from the fragmented bullet.
This is the third species I've used Yew Tree on and had excellent results with roe, muntjac and now sika.
It will be interesting to see the sika skinned off to assess the "collateral" damage but huge thanks to Rich and another thumbs up for Yew Tree...a good ol' British bullet !
