Seeking info On Copper Hunting Ammo

[bee-kay]

I haven't tried lead free bullets yet and I would like to hear some stories from the field, not labratory tests on ballistic gelatin.
I have a contender pistol in 30/30 and that puts some slight limitations on velocity to begin with. With lead bullets, guys use the 125 - 150 gr But I'm not sure where to begin, buying my first box of copper bullets.
Most guys from out of state say they wouldn't touch the stuff
So is there any advice someone could offer?
Does it live up to claims?
Thanks

[MongooseV8]

Lead free needs velocity to expand. Barnes TTSX have worked well for me and many others on the forum. Drop down your bullet weight and push em fast with a big jump to the lands.

[bee-kay]

That's been what I'm concerned about, being that it's from a Contender.
30/30 is at the lower limits of what's recommended for most bullets and I've heard that there's added friction that creates higher pressures and that means the charge needs to be reduced a bit.
It would be great to hear from someone who's shot something with a 30/30 contender

[Jimmy's]

Don't play the kommieforina game.

[Paul_R]

https://www.lehighdefense.com/collections/bullets/300-aac-blackout-whisper

[bee-kay]

https://www.lehighdefense.com/collec...ackout-whisper

That should get the ball rollin

[JackEllis]

I've heard that there's added friction that creates higher pressures and that means the charge needs to be reduced a bit.

I'm working up a load for my .30-06 using 150 grain Hornady GMX. The current Hornady manual says these can be loaded with the same charge as certain of their other leaded bullets, with a max load of 55 grains of IMR4064. I found pressure signs at 51.5 grains. I don't have the MV data with me but even at a reduced load, those rounds will be fast enough to open at longer distances than I'm comfortable shooting.

[brianinca]

That's been what I'm concerned about, being that it's from a Contender.
30/30 is at the lower limits of what's recommended for most bullets and I've heard that there's added friction that creates higher pressures and that means the charge needs to be reduced a bit.
It would be great to hear from someone who's shot something with a 30/30 contender

I've shot a blacktail with a Ruger Mini-30 at 107 paces, full weight (123 gr) .3105 bullet, literally as much H4198 as I could get in the case and settle with vibration and still seat the bullet, a TSX (not tipped). Boom flop.

Shot placement is primary, bullet is secondary. The traditional TSX for 30-30 Winchester is not what you want, too heavy, but the newer TAC-TX 110 gr for 300 BLK should be perfect for what you are doing with a Contender. Gigantic hollow point, and they look cool. I load them in my 300 BLK stuff and have no qualms about taking CA blacktail with them.

With a 10" barrel and plenty of case capacity you should be able to get some fast-moving hunting loads no problem.

My hunting group (extended family) has managed to take big game multiple times since being forced into using exclusively copper ammo in 2008. Given our results, I have ZERO problems with it. The "forced to" part still makes me seethe.

[stonefly-2]

The pressure issues were with the earlier "x" bullet.
(so long as you understand about cleaning the barrel)

The things you have to do differently when handloading copper are now understood.

Mongoosev8 touched on the highlights but divernhunter has posted chapter and verse several times in the reloading section.

If it was me i would start with the lightest ttsx option and get a chrono, what a fun project you have taken on.

[rm1911]

[Brd_Hntr]

Barnes 1800 fps from a T/C handgun in 30-30 gives very little effective range. You might look at https://cuttingedgebullets.com/308-1...gun-esp-raptor these get the impact velocity a little lower (1500 fps). These can be run with or without the plastic tip. You will need to be a reloader for this product. I have not used these yet, but they look like a product to try. I found these while looking for copper projectiles for a 35 Remington.

[Ahansom]

I would start with the 110 grn TSX or TTSX. Copper bullets are longer than a equivalent weight lead core bullet and may need a faster twist rate to stabilize. I have been able to drop down two bullet weights from what I used with lead bullets.

[Divernhunter]

The Barnes bullet designed for the 30-30 will work just fine as it is designed to open at lower FPS.
The 110 and 130TTSX also will work in the single shot.
I have shot them in my Encore pistol in 308win/257R but have not used them on animals yet. But I do know they will work.

I sent you a PM if you wanted help. I have sorted the Barnes bullets out quite well and we have taken a number of animals with them.

[duckman1]

I'm not shooting a 30/30 but I have taken 2 deer with copper rounds using my .300WSM the are extremely accurate and performed w/o fail using 165g bullets. The 165 is the same as I used in a jacket bullet prior.

[bee-kay]

Thanks for the info
It's all extremely helpful