Copper vs Lead Ammo

[Wallytheseal]

Hey all, I am new to this forum but I am interested in the differences between shooting copper bullets and lead bullets. I found this website that sells only lead-free stuff and matches or beats midway on pretty much everything they carry but I wonder how many of you actually shoot non-lead rounds? There is a lot of talk out there about copper vs lead performance and penetration and I am wondering if any of you can speak to it from experience.

Also, does anyone shoot frangible rounds like these hollow points? I know they are expensive and usually used for training but what about as a close-quarters self-defense round?

If anyone has a better source for lead-free rounds than this clarkarmory.com place, please let me know.

[GunRunnerz]

Lead free ammunition has recently taken off for a few reasons. One of those being recent laws. CA is actively working towards banning lead ammo. They just did it for hunting in certain areas. This has opened up the market for a slue of new types of rounds. Most of the technology isn't brand new, but gaining in popularity because of politics.

Lead is an outstanding metal for ammunition. It's dense but malleable. This allows it to deliver a great deal of energy while deforming in the target. It's also somewhat cheap compared to most heavier metals.

Other metals such as copper are more expensive. I will be testing a popular brand on non-lead ammo called Liberty Ammunition in the upcoming weeks. Non-lead ammo is highly contested in the gun community. Some think it's great and others not so much.

If you're looking for plinking ammunition (training ammo) then I would recommend shooting whatever is cheaper.

[Tok36]

The only shooters that i have seen shoot lead free ammo in any volume are hunters.

[Wallytheseal]

Are those hunters you speak of using them because they hunt in an area that requires them too or is it because they view them as superior projectiles in some aspect?

[edgerly779]

I only shoot copper because it is required where i hunt.

[Tok36]

Are those hunters you speak of using them because they hunt in an area that requires them too or is it because they view them as superior projectiles in some aspect?

Because its the law. The guys i know think its an expensive pain in the rear.

[Synergy]

Are you talking about hunting or target practice?

[jb octane]

Are those hunters you speak of using them because they hunt in an area that requires them too or is it because they view them as superior projectiles in some aspect?

The ONLY round I know of that most people prefer copper to lead for hunting in non-ban areas is the Barnes VOR-TX 110 gr .300 BLK (black tip), and that's only for one cartridge.

This is, of course, my experience only.

[Wallytheseal]

What about the so-called rodent rounds like these? Do they actually explode like they claim to or is that just hype about killing squirrels?

[edgerly779]

Barnes tsx and nosler etips 168 grain for my .308 and 30/06 kills hogs and deer just fine.

[Libtard]

Lead is a toxic heavy metal; we all know this. It contaminates soil and water. If we look at the ammo industry as a whole, it's a lot of toxic metal that we're polluting our forests and streams with. I know it sucks, but it's a real problem.

When I was six, my dad worked for our state's fish and game commission, and so the head of the department taught me to fish, photographed me, and ran the photo on an ad promoting conservation for future generations. So now it's our turn to do that for our kids.