Wow, so I asked for first-hand stories from folks who are using non-lead ammo, but I really thought we’d hear more from the folks who’ve had good experiences. I guess like anything else, there’s not much interest in the good… only in the bad.
But anyway, here’s another one from Don Hutchison.
A friend of mine shot a buck on our ranch in D8 Sunday morning. Using 300 Win. Mag, Ammo was Federal 165 grain Barnes X (TSX), shot was taken from about 50 yards. Placement was mid point on the shoulder, deer was not knocked down at impact, simply ran off, traveled approximately 60 yards, jumped a fence and collapsed. When dressing the deer we discovered the exit wound was not much larger than the entrance wound. Bullet traveled through the both shoulders and took the top of the heart out. Meat damage was minimal. After viewing this I am not sure if anything other than a should shot will be effective with these bullets. There was no blood at point of impact or where the deer fell.
So what I’m taking away here, is that the non-lead bullets are quite lethal (every story has included at least one dead animal), but they don’t leave enough blood trail. I really haven’t had to trail anything I shot with non-lead ammo, so I can’t say… although, of course, the fact that I haven’t had to track anything that I’ve shot with non-lead ammo says something in itself, doesn’t it?
Keep ‘em coming folks.
Jeff
Fred
I’m hoping to add my tale with non lead soon Phil. Gotta find me a buck or bear to stand still long enough.