Hello, I just bought my 1st bolt rifle. It's a Tikka 7mm-08. Is there anything else besides the Barnes 120 TTSX BT ammo that is lead free? Not ready to start loading my own. Living in CA makes it no fun... Thanks in advance.
In her Tikka 7-08 compact my Daughter shoots the Hornaday 139 GMX. She hunts in a lead free zone in central CA. I think Federal also had a copper lead free but its not a Barnes.
Ive used the federal premium which is loaded with the Barnes 140 TSX and so far am impressed with their accuracy and exit. I stocked up on them at $1 per round.
The TSX in the attached file was shot at about 125 yards into a quarting too hogs front shoulder and recovered in the opposite rear ham.
Ive bought a couple of boxes of the Vor Tx 120 ttsx for the GF's 7mm08 to see how they do.
For what I shoot I found the discontinued Federal with the Barnes TSX is the most accurate ammo I have ever purchased, in 25-06 my Forbes shoots it into tiny sub-moa groups.
While the new federal trophy bonded tip ammo is not nearly as accurate, due to work commitments I haven't had much range time the past couple of years to work on loads so when I have a spare minute at work I call gun stores up and down California tracking down old Federal TSX's ammo. Scored 4 boxes in Fresno and 3 in Costa Mesa it wasnt cheap but I am ready for deer season years to come!
I shoot 120 TTSX in my 7-08 but if I was limited to factory ammo and lead free, my first choice would be Hornady 139 gr GMX
Have you taken anything with the GMX? I had read that it was a little harder than the TSX and didnt open quite as easily.
I have not with 7-08 but I have been pleased with the 80 gr gmx in 243. From what I've read on this site, I don't think there is much difference for most applications. I've also shot the barnes vortex factory ammo in other calibers and been pleased but it's kinda pricey.
