I Need Opinions From CA Folks on Lead Free Testing and Results

[Eric Mayer]

I am ready to start publishing more lead free factory ammunition testing results, but I want to get some feedback from the California folks on how I should layout the results.

My initial thoughts include the following:

1) Firearms used (trying to include more than one).

2) Ammunition Information (caliber, brand, bullet type).

3) Accuracy/Range reports (high and low averages of #5, three-shot groups) at either 75, or 100 yards, depending on the ammunition tested.

4) Bullet performance on varmints (close-up pictures, and possibly some video).

5) Final thoughts on the ammunition, including current accessibility in the market.

Things I do not want to include:

1) I don't want to do ammo comparisons (ie: Hornady vs. Winchester 17HMR - 15.5 grain NTX). I believe that this information is dependent on the individual rifle that is being used to shoot the ammunition.

2) I don't want to include too much opinion. I would like the published results to be enough.

3) A cluster of various articles that are different in content. I would like the content to match across the board.

Please let me know your thoughts!

Thanks!

Eric

(Repost from my site)

[USMCM16A2]

Lead Free info.

Eric,



1st rifle:Ruger Hawkeye All Weather 22 inch barrel 1:10 twist 7mm-08. Barnes 140gr TTSX. 3 shot group .75, .82, .84. 2950fps.
2nd:Ruger American 7mm-08 22 inch barrel. 1:10 twist. Barnes 140gr TSX, 3 shot groups 1.25, 1.03, .95.
The ammo has not been used on critters yet. I reload so availablity is not an issue. Although Vortex ammo by Barnes is extremely expensive. $47.50-$52.50 a box. A2

[Eric Mayer]

I'm trying to cover as much factory ammunition as possible, and will only include small calibers (rimfire up to .243/6mm). I reload as well, and will have some information on the lead free bullets, but I think the majority of people who don't reload will be needing the information on the factory stuff.

Any thoughts on my planned layout are appreciated!

Eric

[BigBamBoo]

Hi Eric.
I just started using the Barnes Triple Shock X loaded by Black Hills in 5.56. I am shooting it through a AR upper based rifle with aProof Research carbon fiber barrel with Wylde chamber.

Accuracy is good, producing 3/4" - 1" groups (5 shot) at 100 yards from a bench.

I have only shot one coyote with it at around 125 yards. Solid hit behind the shoulder and it rolled over once jumped up and made it about 20 yards before piling up dead. No exit wound.

This ammo is not cheap, but as I only use it for hunting, a box of 50 will last me awhile.
More info on the ammo here: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/615...free-box-of-50

I will post more info when I get a chance to get out and shoot more song dogs.

.

[eightmd]

I don't think they are getting your question. At any rate I think your format makes sense and gives good information for evaluation. Whenever an article gives too much information I think it looses the readers. Just enough is useful and promotes more discussion and expermentation.

[Eric Mayer]

Great! I will eventually compile all of my information, as well as links to other information, in one place.

Eric

[leadstorm]

What's your end product and/or goal with the information?

Are you trying to develop a science-based approach to the effectiveness of lead-free ammo, or simply gather whatever data happens to be out there?

If the former, I suggest you become familiar with Design of Experiments.

[DSMeyer]

I reload because I'm frugal (OK I am cheap!) but most of my hunting loads came from factory bought ammunition that worked well. I'll try and dig up through my records and post the load data. But off the top of my head for non lead factory Ammo, I've used in .243 the black hills varmint grenades (now discontinued) with great success on ground squirrels. It blows them up quite well. The Barnes .243 80gr TTSx vortX Ammo works well on coyotes and deer. Both of these are shot out of my Remington 700 ADL and both group under 1/2" @ 100 yards.
Now for larger game I've used federal premium vital shock 150 gr & 165 gr in 308 plus 180 gr in 30-06 on deer and pig without fail grouping for the 308 and 30-06 were right around an inch. The 30-06 is a Remington 740 woods master and the .308 a Remington 600 Mohawk.
I have others that have shot varmint and game with non lead but nothing to compare with factory as factory stuff wasn't available at the time. So through load development I came up with my own stuff.

[Dano3467]

It would be nice to include 308 offerings as many here use that cal. for hunting, 270 is also good, but 308 for sure.

Thanks, & looking forward to your posting on the subject Eric.

[capitol]

I have .243 55 grain Nosler (lead free) bullets. I will load up a few and check back with ballistics.

The ballistic coefficient, lead free bullet is better then it's predecessor according to Nosler. Kinda interesting.

Oh this is a factory test. My bad

[HighWildFree]

Would you like info regarding lead free shot shells?

[Eric Mayer]

My end goal is to have a site where people can look to see what lead free ammunition is available, and how that ammo has performed on paper, and in the field. It will be a resource for people to check, instead of reading through pages, and pages of search results that are not specific to a particular brand/cartridge.

Years ago, I started putting some of the information together on one page, over on my site: http://www.varminter.com/lead-free-r...tion-round-up/, but it is just a hodge-pog of articles where I had articles reviewing the ammo, and others just showing how they performed in the field. I'm trying to come up with set guidelines on what information people need, and keep everything consistent.

I may add shotshells at some point, but for right now I'm going to concentrate on factory loaded, lead free ammunition. Beginning with rimfire to .223/5.56, then work my way up from there. Later on, I will add reloaded projectile specific information.

Eric