Need Ammo Suggestions for upcoming Junior Hunt

[Paradactal]

Okay, I just got back from my deer hunt and was going through my Emails and found that my son drew for the CANADA DE LOS OSOS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE junior pig hunt in 2 weeks. Now, my son just got his license this year and this will be his first hunt. The curve ball we were thrown was non-lead must be used. Ive never shot anything with non-lead ammo and have heard horror stories. My buddy just shot a cow elk at Grizzly Island last week with a 225 Barnes TTSX and it went right through, no blood. He ended up shooting it 5 times.:skeered: So, I am need of hopefully, tried and true suggestions for what anyone has had good results with. He will be using a Marlin 30-30 or possibly 30-06. I haven't got the scoop on the hunt yet as they will be sending the packet in the mail soon. This is a guided hunt and I will be assuming that the shots will be less than 150yds. If so, he will be using the 30-30. Any help is appreciated

 

[Aught-SixGuy]

My buddy has used Barnes on deer for years. He had no complaints. Nosler E-Tip is supposed to be good too. Too bad you can't use lead. I'd suggest Bergers. Amazing performance.

 

[mischief209]

I use 168 Barnes in 30 06, the bullet will mushroom and may or may not go through, 100 yard shot I took had 1 bullet stick in the shoulder plate, and other went through but didn't hit bone and would have been fatal. I've got a pic of the Barnes bullet I pulled outta the pig if you wanna search back

 

[Bubblehide]

I have been using the Nosler E-Tip bullets. Winchester Supreme ammo uses the E-Tips. I have no complaints about the E-tips. They have gone through the animails I have shot, but with good shot placement, I have never had any issues. Infact, that little buck I shot when I first took Bruce out was shot with an E-tip. The buck was bedded. His head just floped over and one leg kicked out, that was it, he was dead right where he lay.

However, you do need to try the ammo in the rifle and make sure the guns shoots them well. Keep in mind that the vast majority of issues with a gun shooting ammo, is the seating depth of the bullit. If you have the means, load your own or be sure the ammo is specifically seated for the gun you intend on shooting it from.

Congratulations to your son on drawing, best of luck!

 

[Paradactal]

Bubblehide, Yes I do agree on the best way is to load your own. The situation I have is my 12yr old is confident when shooting the 30-30. Not so much with the .243 or '06 which I reload both. I haven't ventured down the path of reloading for the 30-30 yet. I think I will just order a few different boxes and see how they shoot. It seems like theBarnes and ETips will be at the range this week to see what the rifle likes best. Thanks all

 

[Captjgray]

I personally love the Barnes bullets in the .243

Im not sure the 30/30 has enough velocity to open them up

Its all about shot placement though
Think of it this way, lots of animals have died from nothing more than a stick and a pint rock on the end. If you shot me 5 times in the heart I would likely die, shoot me 5 times in the ass and you will likely die...

ask your buddy where he hit the elk and you may feel better about lead free ammo and feel less proud of him!

Ive been using Barnes bullets for way more years than someone told me I had to.

 

[inchr48]

Another thing about the Barnes (non-lead) bullets. Since copper weighs less than lead, the copper bullets will be longer than the lead version for a given bullet weight. It is like shooting the next size up in lead. My Marlin lever gun in 44 mag won't stabilize the all copper DPX bullets since the twist rate of the barrel is too slow. If your gun likes them, the Barnes bullets are killers. I love them in my Muzzleloaders over a decent load of Blackhorn 209.

 

[jb229]

Try the Hornady GMX, in my opinion they shoot better than the barnes or Etip they also cost less.

 

[jdpark8563]

In the 30-30 Barnes is all you are going to find.

 

[gregr266]

Ive taken deer 50 yrd shot, and large pigs one at 120 yrds and one at 200 yrds, with the barnes TTSX in 168 gr. All have dropped where they stood. All of them were pass thru so I have no complants with them I have also loaded 270, 270 Win Mag, as well as 30-06 all with the barnes TTSX for my buddies. All have taken game and dropped them where they stood. Again all pass thru's. The bullet works.

 

[WoollyBugger]

The main lead-free brands are Barnes, Hornady GMX and Nosler E-Tip. Available in loaded ammo from those companies or a few other brands - I know Federal loads the Barnes and I think Winchester loads the Nosler. From everything I've read they're all very similar in construction and performance. Excellent penetration, with slightly less tissue damage than a good lead bullet. Shot placement the key, as always. My advice would be to buy what you can get your hands on and see what groups best in your particular piece. Good luck!

 

[Steve1978]

What did you go with? How was the hunt?

 

[rainingmallards]

If you are going with a shotgun, you HAVE to use the Hevishot HOG WILD shells they are superor

 

[jb229]

Rainingmallard, stop spamming your Hevishot Propaganda.

 

[COWBOY50]

I've Shot two with Cor-Bon 30-30 DPX. Placement is always a factor, one of mine dropped immediately , the other charged from sixty yards and received a second when he fell. I didn't see any problem with penetration or expansion.

 

[rke]

Okay, I just got back from my deer hunt and was going through my Emails and found that my son drew for the CANADA DE LOS OSOS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE junior pig hunt in 2 weeks. Now, my son just got his license this year and this will be his first hunt. The curve ball we were thrown was non-lead must be used. Ive never shot anything with non-lead ammo and have heard horror stories. My buddy just shot a cow elk at Grizzly Island last week with a 225 Barnes TTSX and it went right through, no blood. He ended up shooting it 5 times.:skeered: So, I am need of hopefully, tried and true suggestions for what anyone has had good results with. He will be using a Marlin 30-30 or possibly 30-06. I haven't got the scoop on the hunt yet as they will be sending the packet in the mail soon. This is a guided hunt and I will be assuming that the shots will be less than 150yds. If so, he will be using the 30-30. Any help is apprecia

Resurrecting an old one here... One of my sons just applied, how was the hunt?