Some Lead-Free Bullet Testing

[elalto]

Update on Lead Free Bullets

Hey All, I finally got a chance to get out to the range to check out some lead free bullets and I thought I would share my findings to date. I have been concerned about how the bullets would shoot in my rifles due to the twist rates vs the longer for weight non lead bullets, as a matter of fact, I put together a new 223 AI with a 1-9 twist to have at least one rifle that would handle them.

I loaded lead free bullets for my 204, 222, 6X50R Mag and the 6X47 Rem, I shot lead bullets in the new 223AI to fire-form brass. I shot two targets (10 rounds each) with each rifle, the first with regular bullets to confirm point of impact and the second with lead free to compare. I shot each target with a cold barrel for a fair comparison, all bullets were seated to fit magazines.

1. 204 Ruger, Rem 600 Mohawk, custom PacNor 1-11 barrel. LEAD=40grn V-Max groups=less than .500” NON LEAD=26grn Barnes VG groups=less than .400”

2. 16ga/222 Voer combo, 1-16 222 barrel. LEAD=45grn Sierra Hornet groups=~1.00” NON LEAD=30grn Barnes Hornet groups=less than .750”

3. 6X50R Mag, Falling Block Works Model K, 1-12 barrel. LEAD=Sierra 60grn HP groups=less than .750” NON LEAD=Nosler 55grn BTip groups=less than .750”

4. 6X47 Rem, Rem 722, custom Douglas 1-12 barrel. LEAD=60grn Sierra HP Groups=~.500” NON LEAD=Nosler 55grn BTip groups=~.500”

ALL NON LEAD bullets shot about ¼” higher than the LEAD bullets, otherwise they seemed to shoot as well if not better than the LEAD. I was very pleased that the 30grn Barnes “hornet” bullet shot so well in my combo gun with the 16” twist.

HOWEVER, how these lighter bullets will perform on predators remains to be seen.

Marcos (elalto

[Bill K]

Marcos: From what I have seen using the 32 grain lead free Noslers in my 204R, 20-223ar & 20SCC, on ground squirrels/Rock chucks they really open them up.
On coyotes, they seem to enter the body and then just come unglued and do not exit. You will like them. And I guess you are like me, to be legal after July 2019 we must shoot them on game/critters in Commie California. Bill K