Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Lead Free Bullets

Also posted this on the General Campfire...

With all of the second Obama Scare on components, firearms etc, like others I have found myself looking at alternatives to the items I have traditionally used.

Since 22 caliber stuff is so hard to find, I have started looking at 6mm since I also own some 243s and 6mm Rem.

I have also looked at some of the new Lead Free Bullets that both Hornady and Nosler how made available for states like California that are now banning lead bullets. Not being an environMENTAL wacko, as first I did not give much thought to Lead Free bullets. However I have ended up trying out a batch of different ones, and I have been pleasantly surprised.

What I have found out, besides being very very accurate, I have also noticed and liked the fact that they are traditionally longer than lead bullets of the same weight. That leads to a better BC, but also can be launched at the same MVs of their lead counterparts.

These bullets can be launched at some real Warp Speed velocities. Recently I have been playing with the Nosler 55 grain Lead Free Ballistic Tip. These can be ran at 3900 to 4000 fps out of several of my 243s. The are accurate at both high MV and lower speeds.

Took a few moments to pull out my digital calipers and measure a batch of varmint weight bullets I have on hand. Here is how the Nosler 55 grain Lead Free Ballistic Tip stands up to the length of other varmint bullets. The length of the bullet is each measured in mm.

1. Nosler 55 LF/BT: 23.22 mm
2. Hornady 65 V Max: 21.34 mm
3. Hornady 75 V Max: 23.81 mm
4. Barnes 75 X HP: 23.58 mm
5. Nosler 80 BTip: 24.88 mm
6. Sierra 60 HP: 18.70 mm
7. Sierra 75 HP: 20.95 mm
8. Sierra 80 SP: 22.50 mm
9. Sierra 85 HP: 23.91 mm
10 Hornady 58 V Max: 20.30 mm

As one can see, the Nosler does pretty darn well in the OAL of the bullet in ratio to many of the above bullets. Note it is longer than the Sierra 80 grain Blitz and just short of the Barnes 75 gr X bullet, and the Sierra 85 grain HP.

Consider this, plus being able to rocket it out at an MV around 4000 fps, and eye popping accuracy in each one of my 243s, this bullet has a lot of long range varmint potential.

I haven't had a chance to see how fur friendly it might be, but I am seeing it as a real potential long range performer. Definitely a nice step up compared with bullets in its weight class.. 55 to 65 grains. A 70 grain Nosler Lead Free Ballistic Tip certainly would be interesting!
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I've been using the .224 Nosler LF/BTs for a while. I generally like them. They seem to be a little more robust than Hornady 35 grain VMaxs, and a little less so than Barnes 35 grain VGs.

The Noslers have what appears to be copper BBs about the size of 12 shot or small in them. They are accurate. Since someone got me started with the Blue Dot loads, I have little use for 4000 FPS loads regardless of caliber, so I never pushed them that hard. I think the .223s are good for 100 yards anyway on coyotes, but haven't proved that with them yet. I would expect only one hole in the hide.

I believe I read that those 55 gr Noslers in 6mm are fur friendly, BUT I'm really interested to know how they perform at say 3000 fps. Please please please anyone w/ any input??? I too am a Blue Dot fan, and have no need to shoot a coyote over 100 yd.s.

So far I've found that 70gr Nosler bt's pass through, and Barnes VG's may not penetrate if they hit bone. Still looking for "mr. right" in the projectile dept.

Look to the Sierra 60 gr HP, or the 70 both work well in the 6 mm, and the velocity ranges are 1800 fps to 3800 fps. Never have been a real big fan of BT's though I have shot a bunch of them. Good accurate bullets, just too many inconsistent results over the years. Not a slam, but inside a 100 yards not too many 6 mm's are really what I would call fur friendly. JMO

Seafire,
Been shooting my 6 mils a lot lately too. Did get some 224 Speer 43 grain greens. Plan too shoot them in the 223, but really wanna see how the Swift will push em. I will let ya know.

I've tried all the lead free .22 cal bullets. Accuracy and terminal performace has been dismal compared to leaded alternatives. I've heard lots of people "talk" about lead free accuracy, but never seen anyone prove it on paper. Lead free bullets quickly turn my 1/2 MOA guns into 1+ MOA guns. Glad to hear someone is getting results.

As the government continues trying to restrict everything that has to do with guns. I have continued what I started years ago making my own bullets. It is expensive but sooner or later the government is going to raise the price so much you can't afford to by bullets. 22's can be made from rimfire cases.

I've been using Leadfrees in my 6mm-204 for a fe years and the 62gr VG's left huge exits on 100yrd coyotes when lauched at 3600fps, the 55gr NBTLFs work great, enough strength to break bone yet no exits so far on the two I kiled with them.

Stevens 200 Rechamberred ER Shaw 6x47mm sporter weight barrel


Rem 700 ADL Sporter weight barrel 243 Win