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Best copper or bronze mono-metal bullet for expansion?

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Arken7mm

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I recently bought a rifle chambered in 300 RUM, 28" inch barrel, 1:8" twist. Looking to hunt with it and shoot heavier 220gr to 250gr. My experience with the 300 RUM is limited. My shooting so far has been with Hornady ELD-X 220gr, A-Tip 230gr and 250gr, and Berger LR Hybrid and Elite Hunter 245gr.

I'm looking to get into non-lead bullets for hunting to collect meat (deer, elk, caribou, moose).

What are the better expanding copper or bronze mono-metal bullets on the market that don't "pencil" through that you've used? Specifically, if shooting an animal through the lungs through soft tissue which bullet expands and causes lots of shock and damage and isn't too sensitive on velocity? Trying to avoid shoulder/heavy bone shots and meat loss. I don't want any lead in my meat. Do any perform better in 300 RUM 28" inch barrel in the 220gr to 250gr ?

There's quite a few mono metals today...

Barnes: TSX, TTSX, VOR-TX, LRX
Hammer: Shock Hammer, Hammer Hunter, DeadBlow Hammers, Absolute Hammers,
Hornady: CX
Norma: Eco Strike
Sig: Copper Hunting
Winchester: Copper Impact

Would the Hammer DeadBlow expand the most?
 
Last edited:
Well first probably find a bullet maker with monos that heavy (220-250) in 30 cal. Both Barnes and Hammer don't make them that heavy. Probably would be too long and hard to stabilize for most. Barnes tops out a 212 and Hammer at 214. Many go lighter in monos to keep the speed up for better expansion. Heavy Monos are long so powder capacity gets taken up. I'd probably look at something in the 190 Range for your RUM or try the heavys mentioned above as you've got the twist rate to stabilize them. I've got no experience with the RUM but saw your weight requirement and just added my observation. Good luck!
 
Arken7mm said:
I recently bought a rifle chambered in 300 RUM, 28" inch barrel, 1:8" twist. Looking to hunt with it and shoot heavier 220gr to 250gr. My experience with the 300 RUM is limited. My shooting so far has been with Hornady ELD-X 220gr, A-Tip 230gr and 250gr, and Berger LR Hybrid and Elite Hunter 245gr.

I'm looking to get into non-lead bullets for hunting to collect meat (deer, elk, caribou, moose).

What are the better expanding copper or bronze mono-metal bullets on the market that don't "pencil" through that you've used? Specifically, if shooting an animal through the lungs through soft tissue which bullet expands and causes lots of shock and damage and isn't too sensitive on velocity? Trying to avoid shoulder/heavy bone shots and meat loss. I don't want any lead in my meat. Do any perform better in 300 RUM 28" inch barrel in the 220gr to 250gr ?

There's quite a few mono metals today...

Barnes: TSX, TTSX, VOR-TX, LRX
Hammer: Shock Hammer, Hammer Hunter, DeadBlow Hammers, Absolute Hammers,
Hornady: CX
Norma: Eco Strike
Sig: Copper Hunting
Winchester: Copper Impact

Would the Hammer DeadBlow expand the most?
Click to expand...
As others have noted, you need to figure out the type of bullet you need/want - mushrooms (remains intact), sheds petals on impact, sheds petals above a set velocity on impact, or fragmenting bullet (Titan and DRT are the only ones I know that makes this type of bullet). @JAYgs8163 brought up a good point: find the bullet maker that makes the bullet weight you want and go from there. I have compiled a list of lead-free bullet manufacturers (some you cannot get here in the US) throughout the years, but I have not updated it in the last year. Good luck!

https://www.apex-outdoors.com/
https://axebullets.com/
https://badlandsprecision.com/
http://balistixbullets.com/home/
https://www.barnesbullets.com/
https://www.brenneke-ammunition.de/en/rifle-ammunition/lead-free-ammunition/
https://www.cavitybackbullets.com/
https://cuttingedgebullets.com
https://drtammo.com/
https://fortscottmunitions.com/collections/reloading-rifle-projectile-bullets
https://www.foxbullets.eu/
http://www.gscustomusa.com/tdhv.html
https://hammerbullets.com/
Nielsen Sonic (Nielsen Gun Parts) - https://www.deergear.co.uk/reloading-supplies/p/style-03-efmxs

http://impalabullets.co.za/
https://www.lapua.com/product/224-naturalis-hunting-bullet-n566-32-g-50-gr/
https://www.haslerbullets.com/en/monolithics-bullets/
https://www.hornady.com/
http://www.sapremiumbullets.co.za/sapremium-kriek.html
https://www.lehighdefense.com/bullets.html
https://makerbullets.com/
https://www.mcguireballistics.com/
https://www.mrrbullets.com/en/technology
https://www.northforkbullets.com/north-fork-bullet-design
https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en...-ecostrike-30-06-springfield-165gr---20177492
https://www.nosler.com/products/bullets.html
https://www.novxammo.com/
https://outeredgeprojectiles.com.au/
https://patriotvalleyarms.com/solid-bullets/
https://www.pbm-ammo.com/bullets
https://peregrinemonolithics.com/
http://prvipartizan.com/leadless.php
https://www.remington.com/in-the-news/in-the-news-april142023.html
https://www.rhinobullets.co.za/solids-brass
https://rws-ammunition.com/en/infotainment/faq-frequently-asked-questions/lead-free-ammunition
Sabatti –
Sako - https://egunroom.com/sako-blade/
http://www.sapremiumbullets.co.za/sapremium-kriek.html
https://sinterfire.com/projectiles/
Titan monolithic fragmentation bullets -
https://www.viperbullets.com/shop/
https://www.virtusprecision.co.uk/products/
https://www.warner-tool.com/flat-line-bullets/
https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/Deer-Season-XP-Copper-Impact
Yew Tree Bullets - https://www.copperbullets.co.uk/online-shop/tipped-long-range
 
Cutting Edge has a 220 gr and a 230 gr that will work in a 1-8" twist.
You must single feed though as they are long.

Here's a link to the 220 gr.

cuttingedgebullets.com

.308 220gr SINGLE FEED Lazer-Tipped Hollow Point - 50ct

.308 220gr SINGLE FEED monolithic, solid copper match-grade bullet. Our LAZER line of bullets is the #1 used bullet in extreme long-range shooting competitions across the world. These lathe-turned projectiles have a high BC and an unprecedented BC Extreme Spread number, making them the most...
cuttingedgebullets.com cuttingedgebullets.com
 
VinceMule said:
Op, I think you are worrying way too much about lead in your meat.
Click to expand...
I wasn't going there, but yes, I agree! 🤣 👍
deer-eats-popcorn_64.gif
 
In terms of ballistic performance the Apex Afterburner 194 grain would be near the top of the heap in a 308 mono. It's the type that sheds the nose upon impact. According to Fordy in Australia the afterburners expand well down to at least 1800 fps. In a 28 inch barrel you should be around 3200 fps. That bullet would carry 1800 fps to 1300 yards at my elevation of 4500ft.

I do think the Bergers or ELDM would probably be better killers at long range. But either one would be deadly.
 
Lee7588 said:
So are you looking for a bullet that sheds its pedals or retains it's weight?
Click to expand...
I'm not leaning towards one or another but, whichever one and brand is more accurate out of my rifle. I'm going to be testing both from different brands out of my barrel for accuracy. I won't limit myself to one function or brand.
 

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