Deer load

[aspenvalley]

Well now that I have started reloading and we can't use lead, I am thinking about rolling my own deer hunting loads. Not know anything about non lead bullets where should I start in 243, 30-06 and 7mm mag. Those are the 3 guns between me and my two sons. Thanks for your help.

[edgerly779]

nosler e tip or barnes bullets. Must be approved for non lead. I use the copperheads in 223 for non game. e tips for the rest. I keep the box the bullets came in to show warden if checked. Never had a problem. Big game ok for lead just not in condor area or on state lands.

[Dark Hunt]

Because the copper bullets are long for their weight they need a faster barrel twist to stabilize the same weight lead bullets.

In the 243 start with the 70 grain copper bullets for the standard 1:10" twist barrels. In the 30.06 start with the 150 grain bullets and in the 7 Mag try the 130 and 140 grain bullets.

Load toward the higher end of the velocity range for the cartridge and don't load close to the lands, start seating at about .050" of jump.

[aspenvalley]

I hunt up in D6 so I will be going onto state lands. Thanks for the help.

[arrowshooter]

My 30.06 load also for D-6. This works in my rifle and you should work up for yours.

168 gr E-Tip
57gr A4350
CCI 200 primer
Brass trimmed to 2.484
COAL 3.30
Avg FPS 2,766

[Divernhunter]

PM sent

[Desertdoc]

I will be working with for .243.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/product-category/bullet-options/tsx/

9.25 twist barrel. It may work or it may not.

If not, time to re-barrel.

[pacrat]

From my own experience. I prefer the Barnes products. They are made with "driving bands" along the length. This greatly reduces the bullets bearing surface. Which lowers pressures in a given load. Early Barnes were made the same as the Nosler. Then they got smart and added the grooves.

Super important to definitely start at "start" charges and limit charge increases to tiny increments when developing loads for the E-tips. Pressure spikes appear quickly.

In my 270 win. A 1/2 gr increase of 4831 behind a 130. Went from rounded primers and easy extraction. To pounding the bolt open, and imprinted primers with mushroomed edges.

JM2c

[Desertdoc]

Which lowers pressures in a given load.

Thank you for this tidbit.

[silvertriple]

Although in a 6.5mm caliber, I've had great terminal performance from barnes ttsx 100gr. After much research, I went with barnes's because I like their concept of the four cutting petals. Have not been disappointed yet.

The barnes like a lot of jump and speed. As recommended earlier, start at min and slowly work up.

[Dark Hunt]

I will be working with for .243.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/product-category/bullet-options/tsx/

9.25 twist barrel. It may work or it may not.

If not, time to re-barrel.

The 85 grain Barnes should work in the 9.25" twist.

[ducky_0811]

I'm shooting the Barnes 165gr tsx over 4064 seated .050" off the lands. Extremely accurate and that load has 3 one shot DRT deer kills over the last two seasons. Barnes has been in the copper game a lot longer, they know what they're doing.