Copper vs lead-core ammo

[Annapolis]

This is sort of a follow up to a previous thread I started.

For an upcoming mentored hunt I was initially led to believe that copper ammo would be required—and so (per that other thread) I was advised to re-zero my rifle for that new ammo. It’s currently zeroed for the lead-core ammo I’ve always used.

It turns out that copper ammo is not required at this location until next season. So lead-core is fine.

What I’m wondering: should I still make the switch, even if it’s not required?

This is for my 350 Legend. (Straight-wall state.) Hunting Sika and White Tail.

As an environmentalist I do like the idea of monometal copper over lead-core. As an ethical hunter, my top priority is a clean, quick kill. We can take the ‘inconvenience’ of having to re-zero out the equation: I don’t mind doing it at all. I just want to choose the bullet that will make the cleanest kill, I think. Does copper have any advantage or disadvantage vs lead-core in that regard?

What would you do in this situation?

TIA

 

[ehayes]

I’d stick with the lead.

Lots of opinions on this. I live in a lead free state and have some experience with mono metal.
Non lead, specifically mono metal will kill the animal if placed correctly. However, On average compared to a quality expanding lead bullet the animal will run farther resulting in a tougher tracking job in terms of distance and with less blood. You will likely have less meat damage which is good for processing.

there are lots of lead bullets, so even within that category there are better or worse options. All things being equal meaning shot placement and full expansion, a quality expanding lead bullet will result in more blood and shorter tracking job, less likely to lose the animal.

 

[Smithb9841]

I would stick with Lead

I live in a state where lead free is mandatory and I specifically shoot lead anytime I leave the state because it’s more effective.

 

[CJ_BG]

350 legend is already going to produce smaller wounds, copper bullets are going to accentuate that.

 

[randy66]

I choose to use lead free for environmental and health reasons. I have seen no appreciable difference in recovery of animals since switching many years ago. If you do your part on placement I feel that you will be happy with the results of lead free alternatives.

 

[Jdeck09]

Depends on how it shoots. I had horrible luck with copper out of my 6.5 prc. It couldnt even get it within a 12 inches. Lead was sub-moa. So I went with ELD-X.

 

[HunterGatherer]

This is sort of a follow up to a previous thread I started.

For an upcoming mentored hunt I was initially led to believe that copper ammo would be required—and so (per that other thread) I was advised to re-zero my rifle for that new ammo. It’s currently zeroed for the lead-core ammo I’ve always used.

It turns out that copper ammo is not required at this location until next season. So lead-core is fine.

What I’m wondering: should I still make the switch, even if it’s not required?

This is for my 350 Legend. (Straight-wall state.) Hunting Sika and White Tail.

As an environmentalist I do like the idea of monometal copper over lead-core. As an ethical hunter, my top priority is a clean, quick kill. We can take the ‘inconvenience’ of having to re-zero out the equation: I don’t mind doing it at all. I just want to choose the bullet that will make the cleanest kill, I think. Does copper have any advantage or disadvantage vs lead-core in that regard?

What would you do in this situation ?

Switched to copper many years ago and haven’t looked back. Every animal I’ve shot with copper, every animal my friends have shot with copper, has died in sight. I really enjoy not having lead in the meat I feed to my family. I figure, If I can kill a bull elk with a broadhead doing 270fps, pretty sure a copper bullet at 2800fps (or 2000fps @ 400yds) will get it done

 

[North of 60]

With deer, that cartridge and reasonable shots, i wouldn't worry about copper unless you just want to switch early...either should easily work on deer.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Depends on how it shoots. I had horrible luck with copper out of my 6.5 prc. It couldnt even get it within a 12 inches. Lead was sub-moa. So I went with ELD-X.

Curious which bullet you tried in the PRC. I got one recently and want to work up a copper load for it.

 

[SDHNTR]

It won’t matter short range with a short range cartridge. Use what you want to use. I shoot copper almost exclusively. It works just fine.

 

[plebe]

The 350 Legend Bear Creek Ballistics ammo got good reviews on other 350 Legend threads. It’s all copper. Maybe look into that for caliber specific performance feedback.

Good luck with your hunts.

 

[hiker270]

Not a fan of copper in a cartridge with lower fps and energy.

 

[coyotekilla]

I tried a copper bullet for coyote just cause found the 50 barnes ttsx in 223 to kill as well or better than the 50 gr vmax & 55 soft point ive been using. Accuracy as well was on point (1/2 moa).

The bullets cost more, but they perform. I'll tell you in rifle season how the 225 ttsx does in my 358 win on deer.

 

[Macintosh]

This is primarily a western-focused and long-range focused forum, so just a reminder that most of the responses you get will be informed by that use case. Copper has disadvantages past 350-400 yards because it relies on higher impact velocity than lead in order to upset properly; and BECAUSE it doesnt fragment, it creates a smaller wound than a fragmenting lead bullet would. You’re using a low-velocity cartridge which is using copper bullets designed to expand at lower velocities than most of the rifle calibers folks here are using, so keep that in mind too…but given you will never have the opportunity to use it at more than short range, I wouldnt consider it a handicap. Ive been using copper ammo in a variety of cartridges (including low velocity muzzleloader bullets) for going on 7 years, I have not had any issue with effective kills or long tracking jobs, any issues are easily attributed to shot placement. Use whatever you want, they all work fine for what you are doing. At some level its an emotional decision as much as on objective one.