Non-lead projectiles

[oni.dori]

Well, thanks to our state's wonderful new laws,i need to find non-lead projectile alternatives to load hunting ammo. and I am having a helluva time with it, especially when it comes to handguns. I know about the Barnes TSX/LRX line, and a little bit about Cutting Edge; what other options are there, and how much information is available for them?
I apologize if this subject has been beaten to death before, but I wasn't able to find anything on it. Just point me to the appropriate threads, and I will be on mg way.
Many thanks in advance.

[CalTeacher]

I use 150gr Hornady GMX bullets for my .308 hunting rounds and 300gr Barnes TSX in my 45-70. Even though they are more expensive they are great bullets that shoot very accurately. I recently saw a 165gr Barnes TSX in 30-06 stop an elk dead in its tracks with a perfect mushroom and almost full weight retention. There is plenty of load data for these bullets too.

[Fjold]

I'm a little confused about your questions.

Are you asking for a list of lead-free bullets and loaded ammo?

It would be a lot easier to just google that.

Are you looking for reloading guidelines for lead free bullets?

Barnes has their own reloading manual plus data on their website and if you are an experienced handloader you can just extrapolate data using the starting data for similar weight bullets.

[oni.dori]

To clarify, i was looking for options/suggestions for lead freeprojectiles. I especially would like to hear of anyone's real-life experiences with them. I tried Google, but it didn't work as well as I wanted; besides, it's always good to combine Google information with real-world accounts. Also, as I said before, I am having some problems finding projectiles for handgun calibers (particularly .44 and .357; but .45, .40/10mm, and 9mm would also be nice).
If people would like to share their own loads, that would be great also. I made this topic because I hadn't found a discussion on it yet; and since it is now a statewide requirement, I thought I would start one.

[CalTeacher]

What are you hunting with a .45 and 9mm?

[Fjold]

In rifles I have taken 20+ big game animals (using 4 different rifles) with the Barnes TSX and have zero complaints with their performance. I have yet to find a gun of mine that I couldn't make an accurate load for. If I was starting from scratch here in the US I would probably try the TTSX (poly tipped) bullets first as they are supposed to be quicker opening on light skinned animals.

I've had no luck with the Nosler E-tips for accuracy in both 270 and 7mm caliber, I just can't get them to shoot accurately but that was very limited testing of only one bullet weight in each caliber.

I've heard good things about the Hornady GMX and have a box of 130 grain, 277 caliber bullets to try but haven't shot any yet.

I haven't handgun hunted in California with a handgun in 20 years.

[oni.dori]

What are you hunting with a .45 and 9mm?

I don't intend to hunt anything with them; but if I'm fishing, and have one of them on me and need to defend myself from a bear or coyote/feral dog, I want to be covered (I heard it can be a legal gray area, correct me if I'm wrong).

In rifles I have taken 20+ big game animals (using 4 different rifles) with the Barnes TSX and have zero complaints with their performance. I have yet to find a gun of mine that I couldn't make an accurate load for. If I was starting from scratch here in the US I would probably try the TTSX (poly tipped) bullets first as they are supposed to be quicker opening on light skinned animals.

I've had no luck with the Nosler E-tips for accuracy in both 270 and 7mm caliber, I just can't get them to shoot accurately but that was very limited testing of only one bullet weight in each caliber.

I've heard good things about the Hornady GMX and have a box of 130 grain, 277 caliber bullets to try but haven't shot any yet.

I haven't handgun hunted in California with a handgun in 20 years.

I have heard consistent good things about Barne's stuff. Makes me glad I jumped on those .270 caliber ones when I found them. I'm kind of surprised about the Nosler stuff, they seem to usually make good stuff, from what I understand.

Anybody have any experience with Cutting Edge? They are the only ones, so far, that make non-lead handgun projectiles.

Thanks for the respones so far.

[CalTeacher]

Barnes makes lead free bullets for handguns. I believe that's what Cor-Bon uses in their DPX line of ammo. I know midway carries these and there also used to be a brand called Copper Only Projectiles that midway carried as well. Give them a try if they're available.

I wouldn't worry too much about a coyote attacking you. They're far too skittish. Bears? Skip the 9 and 45 and pack a 44 at minimum. But even then, bears are extremely unlikely to attack. Besides, you'll be hunting with a rifle, right?

[oni.dori]

I know that coyotes are incredibly unlikely to attack; but one of the places I go fishing has been known for feral dog attacks in the past, as well as attacks from 2 legged dogs. .357's with the right loads can work fine for bears as well; and I have heard reliable reports of people taking down bears with a .40 S&W in a bind.
Not necessarily.

[stevec223]

I've had great sucess with 150gr. nosler e-tips in 2 308 rifles... 168gr. Barnes ttsx in my 30-06 and 300 mag will cloverleaf.... 40gr. Nosler e-tip (223 varmit leadfree) 1moa (havent tweeked yet ) out of 1x10 and 1x12 twist barrels ... 85gr. Barnes tsx and 64gr. Barnes varmit grenades work very well in 243 win. and 243 wssm... I' ve only taken varmits so far with copper,,, and the results are explosive.... Barnes and pmc offer leadfree pistol ammo and i find them as hot loads ,,, and accurate... Finding the loaded pistol rounds on sale and not using that many i may not reload them for pistol (expensive components)... Condor zone carry about all i do with them while hunting ,,,, but ya never know (camp gun) or a rabbit ect. might pop up !!!... Cheers...

[oni.dori]

Well, sadly now ALL of CA is a "condor zone". That's what necessitates this conversation IMO.

[edgerly779]

All of ca is not condor zone. At least not yet. Will be a phased implementation over the next 5 years.

[Quinc]

I have some Lapua .30 cal lead free hunting bullets for sale:

http://calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=857559

[CK_32]

Non lead are you referring to jacketed or fully non leader bullets?

And this is for hunting? Correct? I only ask because I plan on dear hunting with my fire crew buddies and want to know what I need to look forward to.

[wild_weasel]

PMC needs to bring back those cookie cutter bullets they used to sell in the 80s, nasty...