keeping the lead out

[hunt hard]

I have a 3006 springfield rifle and a 270 rifle and since we have to change the ammo that we are using now because it has lead. I need help finding ammo for these guns I was introduced by the barns all copper bullets but i was woundering if theres anything a little cheaper and were i could buy it at.

 

[LKN4HOG]

I too am in the same boat. I do a lot of my hunting in the area of the condors. As I think I understand it, it is only required by the few ranches and FHL which have made it mandatory. The DFG, according to the big game book, have "proposed" a restriction in the condor range, asking for hunter compliance. I kept the page and put it in my gear just in case I get questioned. It gives a few preventative measures they are asking the hunters to do. But, as for now, standard ammo is OK, but worth checking on. Next year may be different though. The Barnes XXX is the only ammo that I have come across as of now, just for my .308. As for other calibers, we will have to wait. Since I do not reload, I'm kinda stuck. If they do not come out soon, this may be my last year hunting that area since my daughter shoots a .243. As for cost...WOW. I have finally accepted the almost double cost factor for factory ammo. The bad part is that the first box will go down the range alley since I will have to re-sight all of my guns with new bullet weights. Also, I have only found the shells I need through mail order. But, one must do what one must do....pay to play.

Once everybody adjusts, all will be samo-samo again..

 

[Franklin3]

Winchester and Nosler have teamed up to build the better lead free bullet. it will not be available until fall 2007. Speckmisser set up a thread here and gives a link and some good information.
All of us who hunt Ca. are in the same boat on this one.

If you cant find the thread just type winchester nosler ET into your browser and it should take you right to it.

 

[PorkChopper]

you could always consider shooting barnes shot gun slugs...? Unless you start reloading. I relaod my barnes 180 Grn XXX shocks for my 06 and .308 its only about 12 a box of 20 or so to reload them.

 

[hunt hard]

Hopfully someone comes out with something quick. Im going to order the barns bullets for now but will keep my ears open if something else comes out. I ordered some slugs for my shotgun already paying 3 times more but i like the sport so much that i got to keep going ahead.

 

[Ironwood]

Hunt Hard, can you use regular bullets at the rifle range. If so, just load the same weight and configuration regular bullets to the same velocity as the Barnes. You should be able to sight in your rifle with the reqular loads and then tweak it with the Barnes. Say 3 or 4 shots. That still leaves you 16 hogs per box. One shot per!

 

[Speckmisser]

Hunt hard, right now Barnes is really the only game in town for non-lead ammo. The bright side is, they've been around for almost 15 years, and offer a great variety of calibers and bullet weights. You should have no problem finding something that works in both your 30-06 and your .270.

Winchester ETipT is supposed to be out this fall, as someone mentioned. For the initial release, it's only going to be available in .308, so you should be set for your -06, but not for your .270. I expect the .270 and some other popular calibers to follow quickly. The ETipT ammo will only be available factory-loaded, initially, and should be priced around the same as the other Winchester premium ammo... around $35-$40/box.

Nosler has said they have no immediate plan to market the bullet separately. Reloaders will still have to stick to Barnes bullets for now.

 

[BDB]

I paid about $39 each for 2 boxes of the Federals with Barnes TSX's. Pretty much the same as my Federal high energy Noslar Partitions I use for elk. I shot them this past weekend for the first time and they shot great out of my 30-06. Right at 1" and I suspect I could have done better. They are hitting about 1.5" north of the POI of my Cor-Lokt's (same weight, 165 grain). So now I can spend my practice time with $12 a box bullets and use the expensive ones on hunts only. Sure, I'd love to pay less for them but overall I can live with it for now since I'll mainly shoot the cheap ones anyway.

 

[hunt hard]

That sounds like a good idea Ironwood and i like the way you think 16 hogs 16 bullets

 

[hunt hard]

I just ordered the 3006 springfield Barnes Triple Shock X- Bullet 165 grain 2800 fps copper ammo 2 boxes with shipping and handling $85.44 ouch but it
had to be done. I ordered through able ammo. the other places were $ 40 and up.

 

[BDB]

What brand? I tried the PMC a while back and found they didn't group well for me and/or my gun. The Federal premium stuff grouped much better. My 2 boxes of Federals from Cheaper than dirt came in at $83.05 with shipping ($35.89/box plus). Pretty much the same price as you.

 

[hunt hard]

these are federal cartridge 30-06 springfield Barnes triple shock x- bullet 165 grain from able ammo

 

[billrob]

I switched to Barnes 2 years ago now and I'm glad I did.
From what I've read in hog hunting books the guides seem to prefer the barnes for hogs.
Keep your eyes open for sales at midwayusa.com from whom I bought 10 boxes of 7mm rem mag 160 grain Barnes XLC (discontinued) still available though and on sale at most places.
Its a coated solid copper bullet but not moly coated.
I just used one on a recent pig hunt.
Anyway keep your eyes open I paid $14.99 each for a box of 20 Federal Factory Loads. Like I said, I bought 10 boxes.
I reload too and have 120 grain & 150 grain TSX's 50 per box and 245 and 280 grain all copper spitfires for my muzzle loader.
They all work well for me.
For local guys we may have some grand opening bargains at the new Bass Pro Shops later this Month.

Reloading is fun and cheap to get started you can get a Lee Loader (there was or is a review here at JHO) for about $15.00 and a Lee scale, funnel, shell holder, primer pocket cleaner and trimer for under $75.00
A pound of powder is about $20-24.00, primers are about $2.50 per 100 and keep your brass from what you are shooting now.
Your cases are already fire formed in your chamber so all you have to do is inspect it, clean it up, trim it and neck size it with the Lee Loader add a primer powder and bullet.
There is all sorts of information at the powder and bullet mfgrs websites on powder charges and seating recommendations.
If it gets too cost prohibitive go with a bow or try a cross bow but don't give up.

 

[hunt hard]

billrob i used to reload my own ammo only for waterfowl and dove loads for shotguns and i found out that it cost me the same if i bought it at the store as to making my shells. my question is it the same with rifle ammo does it average the same or does it beat the cost of $ 40 bucks a box in the long run.
Im just woundering if reloading is the way to go.

 

[dogtrader2005]

I have been expermenting with some copper and brass loads that I made formyself. They seem to be working allright. I had some scrap lying around I used.

 

[Bwana Turtle]

I think it's a much larger savings on rifle ammo. A box of Triple Shockes is about $29 for 50, '06 brass is free because you saved yours or $28 per 100 and powder and primers have been mentioned. Ragerdless of what kind of reloading outfit you get, and I suggest a kit, it'll pay for itself in no time. $40 a box Great googali moogali !

 

[larrysogla]

I still have a few boxes of the PMC Barnes X ammo I bought in 1998 for my .300WM and for my .338WM. They were $26/box of 20 for the .300WM and around $28/box of 20 for my .338WM. I only shoot the Remington Core Lokts for target practice at the range and use the PMC Barnes X for hogs and deer. Once the PMC Barnes X are dialed in I don't touch the scope adjustments anymore and just let the CoreLokts hit at whatever spot on the paper they want to group. I fire only 1 or 2 rounds of the PMC Barnes X for confirmation before I go hunting. Burning expensive ammo is not my cup of tea. With the tremendous penetration of the Barnes X, the hogs seldom need more than 1 shot per kill. They expire within a few dozen yards of the hit. 'Nuff said.

 

[mudroller]

where are you guys finding them?

I went to 3 stores Saturday, no one has even heard of non-lead rifle ammo yet. I hope F&G Commission waits until the bullets are readily available before mandating their use. I was going to drive to Sportsmans Warehouse in Rocklin this weekend to see if they have them.

 

[Speckmisser]

Mudroller,

I expect Sportsmen's Warehouse will have it, but you might call first.

I've taken to ordering my ammo online. Cabelas, Midway, and BassPro should have what you need.

 

[spectr17]

Hmmm Larry, now that you mention it I bought some boxes of that early Barnes X bullets for my .300 winmag. Now just to find the darn things.

Thanks for jogging the memory.