Non-Lead Ammo

CenCalChris · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 10:29 AM

Has anyone here shot non-lead ammo out of a Savage 110 30.06? If so, what was the best brand (Federal, Hornady, or Winchester). I am planning to hunt hogs in the Spring and am not familar with non-lead ammo. Since it is so expensive to shoot, my plan is to pick the brains of the experts here, buy a box and shoot 10 to zero in and save the other ten for hunting. Any information or links would be greatly appreciated.

DirtyDave · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:30 PM

Every gun is different. To get the best results, buy a box of 3-4 brands and see which ones group the best in your gun. Probably buy some cheap stuff for plinking and to get your gun zeroed in close. Then use the good stuff to fine tune it.
(I am looking at buying that same gun pretty soon)

CenCalChris · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 02:31 PM

Thanks Dave. The more info I can get the better. I know hunting is not a cheap sport, but I hate too spend $120,that I don't have, for research purposes, but that is probably what I will have to do.

ltdann · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CenCalChris

Thanks Dave. The more info I can get the better. I know hunting is not a cheap sport, but I hate too spend $120,that I don't have, for research purposes, but that is probably what I will have to do.

Unfortantely, thats exactly what you'll have to do. Every rifle shoots a particular brand/combo differently. Good news though, once the research is done you won't have to repeat it unless you switch ammo.

In lead free 30-06, you have your choice of Barnes, Nosler E-tip and Hornady GMX. Different ammo manufacturers make a variety loads with those bullets. My 30-06 likes the Winchester E-tips in 150gr.

Depending on the distances you plan to shoot, and the groups you'll settle for, you may be able to dial in using only one box.

myfriendis410 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 02:40 PM

You can add the Remington copper solid load to that mix.

Of them all, I would suggest the Federal Premium. I would also say that for the 30-06, stick to the 150-165 gr. range. You should be fine.

ltdann · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfriendis410

You can add the Remington copper solid load to that mix.

Huuuh? Something new on the market?

hiline345 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 04:36 PM

When I first switched to a non-lead ammo I switched to Barnes. It was the only thing out at the time and I made it work for me. I also reload so I was able to get it to do what I want it to do. I shoot a 300 Win. Mag. so either way ammo isn't cheap that's why I started to reload anyways. Barnes has been on the market for awhile now.

myfriendis410 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltdann

Huuuh? Something new on the market?

Nah: it's been around for a while, but harder to get than the others for some reason. We don't stock it for that reason. We have the other three though.

I also like the Barnes over the other two because there is a velocity edge due to the fact the other bullets are constructed of gilding metal, the pressure peak is earlier and therefore a lower velocity the result. The Barnes is pure copper so it can be driven at max velocity.

myfriendis410 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 04:43 PM

Oh, yeah: Federal brass is way better than Winchester or Remington. I can't speak for the Hornady 'cause I have only limited experience with it.

Redneck75 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 06:56 PM

I've shot the Remington Premier Green ammo. It won't happen again. I had always shot CoreLokts before that so tried to stick with the same manufacturer. Didn't open up at all when it went through a pig and wasn't very accurate out of my rifle.

I now shoot the Federal -06 rounds in 180 grain. I have been impressed with the performance. It shoots very, very well and opened up on a deer and a pig real nice. I do think the Federal copper bullets do bloodshoot a whole bunch worse than the old CoreLokts did.

I don't like the smaller bullets out of the -06 as well as I do the 180 grains...especially for potentially larger animals like pigs, elk, caribou, etc. The only exception would be if I thought there was a strong posibility I would be taking a 400+ yard shot where the flatter trajectory would be an asset.

don766 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 07:28 PM

I shoot the Savage 116 in a 300 Win Mag, both the E-tips and the Barnes shot ok, I discovered I had to shoot them through a clean bore to keep them in a tight group. I am going to try the Hornady GMX next I have always had good luck with Hornady ammo.

The other thing I noticed with the copper bullets is you are better off taking a shoulder shot, they penetrate well but do not seem to deliver the same knock down power as lead.

QWAAKKILLR · #12 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 08:49 PM

my savage 110 shoots remington 150 core locked lead and 150 winchester lead free w almost the same zero. within a 1/2 in or so. good luck killin anything w it. i bought a couple boxes and shot a coyote in the shoulder to have him run almost 100 yards before falling.

oldskool67 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 11:14 PM

I shot the Federal with the Barnes 180's out of my Rem 700 30-06. they grouped well. When I tried the 180 Winchesters I got horrible groups. That being said I'm going to try the 150 Winchester because a few guys here said they shoot better than the 180's. I guess the bottom line is every gun is differn't so you will have to experiment. Good luck.

m57jager · #14 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 12:08 AM

My Savage 270wsm hated the barnes bullet. My new 110 in 7mm08 is grouping under an 1" easily at 100 yards with Hornady. The Hornady GMX are a lot cheaper than any barnes bullet ammo plus the gilding metal bullet has less fouling in the barrel than solid copper. Another nice feature is that the Hornady SST bullets (lead ballistic tip) and the GMX bullets (lead free ballistic tip) are made in the same weights. SST and GMX of the same weight and caliber have the same ballistic coefficient per Hornady. So, you essentially have a rifle sighted in for lead and lead free load. My 7mm08 is $29 a box online for types of Hornady ammunition.

jb229 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 07:26 AM

I have shot the Barnes and Wichester E-tips out of my Savage 308, the Winchesters group a lot better.

Shmave23 · #16 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 07:43 AM

Yeah my 30-06 really likes the winchester E-Tips 180gr. I first started with the Federal Barnes and at longer distances I saw a inconsistant group pattern. I dont know if it is because the Barnes rounds do not have a ballistic tip or what. Kinda like shooting an inside out umbrella into the wind in my opinion. The ballistic tip on the winchester bullets really makes a differance and they are way more consistant.

Also I shoot Sabot slugs through a fully rifled 870. And same thing Federal makes the Non Lead sabot slugs with a HUGE hole that I can fit my finger into. Only good up to about 50yrds with GOOD accuracy. Winchester on the other hand makes their sabot slugs with a ballistic tip and I am hittin a group of 5 rounds all within two inchs of each other at 100yrds.

Good Luck on your Pig Hunt!!!!!!!!!!!

CenCalChris · #17 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 09:53 AM

Thanks again guys, you are a wealth of knowledge and I due appreciate the information. I think I will have to "invest" in all brands, one at a time, and hit the range. I think I will try Hornady and Winchester first. I like the fact that Hornady makes the SST & GMX the same weight, and it sounds like the other Savage owners have had a good showing from the E-Tips. Has anyone had any luck with the Barnes TTSX bullet? It looks like it opens up better, but is pretty lite at 110 grams. Is 110 grams O.K. to shoot at a normal size hog, or is it for thin skinned game?

m57jager · #18 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 11:20 AM

A 110 grain 30'06 should be flying and punch right through. You're not getting much expansion or weight transfer in the solid copper anyway. If you dont hit bone it should be a complete pass thru most of the time with similar entry and exit holes depending on range. The solid copper should break a shoulder and keep going in that caliber as well. The lighter weight will actually speed up expansion I would think.

Redneck75 · #19 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 10:44 PM

110 grains out of an -06 is going to be screaming fast and I would think you'll lose a good bit of meat due to blood-shot. I think that's a bit light of a bullet for a pig but would certainly do a job on deer. It would be great for 'yotes.

CenCalChris · #20 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 09:09 AM

Redneck, that is what I was thinking. I might pick up a box and make it a hog/predator hunt to increase my chances of getting something. Would that round destroy a bobcat?

myfriendis410 · #21 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 12:42 PM

I shoot a 130 gr. in my .300 win mag and roasted a nice buck at 325 yards with that load: turned his insides to pudding and blew out the other side. NO lungs, NO heart, No liver, and he still ran downhill 75 yards! I'd shoot bigger on hogs, 'cause you never know.

tpuig · #22 (**permalink**) 02-15-2010, 11:36 AM

It may be hard to organize, but another solution is to find a couple buddies who also shoot .30-06. We're all the same boat, and having a couple guys go in together on a few boxes of ammo makes sense. Split the rounds as you see fit, but everyone gets to try a couple different brands and weights.

Also, consider looking on line for single boxes of ammo. Sportsmans Guide, Cabela's, etc, sometimes have some pretty good sales, and you can save a lot compared to the local Big 5...

I bought a spare box on the way to a hunt in no-lead land. Coughed up $60 for a box of copper. I could have easily bought it online for half that. But I needed some extra just in case. Still have 36 of the original 40 rounds (2 boxes). Used 3 for sighting in, and one to take a pig.