experience with NON-lead .30 cal bullets and their accuracy?

[Hornet_RN]

i've been trying to develop a hunting load for the non-lead parts of california and have found that my lead free Nosler E-Tip bullets aren't as accurate compared to my lead Sierra GameKings. i'm loading them for a .30-06 Rem 700 BDL.

with my non-lead Noslers i could get about 1.5 MOA at 100 yards, but with my Sierra GameKings i could get 1 MOA at 100 yards. yes, i know the difference between the two types of bullets are almost negligible and they are more than accurate enough for hunting deer, but it just irks me to know my Noslers aren't as accurate...especially since they cost twice as much as my Sierras!

i know other companies such as Barnes, Hornady, etc make non-lead bullets, i was wondering if anyone found any accuracy issues with their non-lead bullets? also, how did those bullets perform out on the field?

thanks,
Hornet_RN

[Fjold]

I use the Barnes TSX in multiple calibers and have had excellent accuracy and terminal performance on animals from 20 Lbs up to over 600 Lbs. I'm taking the 300 grain TSX to Africa next month for Cape Buffalo.

[Divernhunter]

With 150gr Barnes TippedTriple Ssock bullets and a max load of IMR4064 my daughters boyfriend shoots cloverleaf groups and has taken deer and hogs with them in a Rem 700. All were one shot quick kills.

[pennstater]

HRN,
Can't help with the E-tips, but have had very good results with Hornady GMX and Barnes TSX, both in the field and on paper. Calibers used were 25-06, 270 Win and 30-06, bullet wgt from 115 to 165. Maybe tinker with seating depth, and see if that will help. You might call Nosler to see if their techs can help with some info. The noslers, I haven't used 'em yet, but with the others, maybe we can work with it.

[CS Sports]

I've found all copper bullets to be particularly responsive to changes in seating depth. If your mag box will allow it, start by finding your max load with the bullet seated touching the lands, the gradually work back until you find the sweet spot.

I've also found that all copper bullets tend to like powders on the faster side of the burn chart, but that could be just my individual rifles' preferences.

[mnguyen84]

what are the two specs of the nosler and sierra bullet that you are comparing? what's your powder and load?

[CalTeacher]

150 gr. Hornady GMX shoot incredible over 47.5 grains of BLC-2 in my Rem 722 .308

[Hornet_RN]

what are the two specs of the nosler and sierra bullet that you are comparing? what's your powder and load?

Well i'm shooting a .30-06 Rem 700 BDL

LEAD LOAD: 150 grain Sierra GameKings with 50.3 gr of IMR 4064, 2750 FPS, COAL 3.225, 1 MOA

and

NON-LEAD LOAD: 150 grain Nosler E-Tip with 52.0 gr of IMR 4064, 2900 FPS, COAL 3.250, 1.5 MOA (at this depth, the bullets is starting compress the powder!)




by the way, i tried out the SAME non-lead Nosler 150 grain E-Tip bullets on my competition Rem 700 rifle in .308 Win and i got 3/4-1/2 MOA!!!

maybe it's a difference in cartridges? .308 Win seems to always be MORE accurate than my .30-06, i have a feeling that's what it really is. my .30-06 has never been more accurate than my .308? maybe i can stop blaming the bullets...or maybe it just my shooting...heh heh

[Whiterabbit]

I'm also happy with tipped TSX in 7mm, almost 30 cal.

[Divernhunter]

You trouble may be that you are loading them too hot. Nosler says to only load the E-tip bullets up to the MID-RANGE load in their book which is 50grs of IMR4064. The 52gr load is max for thier lead core bullets. Min is 48grs of IMR4064.
I love Nosler bullets but this is one reason I use Barnes or Hornady non-lead. The Hornady bullets have grooves in them like the Barnes and you can load the Hornady the same as lead bullets without problems. Barnes are pure copper but Nosler and Hornady are not . they are harder than Barnes. With any of the non-copper bullets it is best to push them as fast as safe to get better expansion. The Barnes tipped triple shock bullets open faster than the non-tipped according to Barnes.

[bruceflinch]

maybe i can stop blaming the bullets...or maybe it just my shooting...heh heh

I've seen you shoot...

[21SF]

Yea Steves 30-06 isnt near as accurate as my .308. thats prob it. Or you just suck at shooting lol. You cantake with you and il shoot for you?

[Peter W Bush]

I use the Barnes TSX in multiple calibers and have had excellent accuracy and terminal performance on animals from 20 Lbs up to over 600 Lbs. I'm taking the 300 grain TSX to Africa next month for Cape Buffalo.

TSX are some very accurate bullets and if you reload, data is very similar.

Off topic- How much is that African hunt running you? I can't wait to drop me a "black death"

[Fjold]

TSX are some very accurate bullets and if you reload, data is very similar.

Off topic- How much is that African hunt running you? I can't wait to drop me a "black death"

I got the seven day buffalo hunt for $8,750 including transportation to and from the hunt site (7 hour drive from the Balawayo airport), dip and pack and the trophy fee but I'm adding on some other game animals and two extra hunting days. I did the airline tickets on my frequent flyer miles so that cost wasn't in there.

[Peter W Bush]

I got the seven day buffalo hunt for $8,750 including transportation to and from the hunt site (7 hour drive from the Balawayo airport), dip and pack and the trophy fee but I'm adding on some other game animals and two extra hunting days. I did the airline tickets on my frequent flyer miles so that cost wasn't in there.

...WOW that's cheap. A friend of mine went to Tanzania 2 summers ago and paid over $25k for 2 buffalo (didn't shoot any), 2 impala, a kudu, and another small animal I'm forgetting. His friend on the same hunt got a 38.5" old buffalo on the 2nd day though. Seems like you're getting an amazing deal. I personally loved that hunt he went on because it meant I got to shoot his .470 a few times.