NON-LEAD 10mm hunting bullets?

[my_old_glock]

As some of you may know, California has passed a law banning lead for hunting. I think it will be a few years until lead will be completely phased out for hunting in 2019.

What are the options for non-lead hunting bullets and how do they perform? I seen some from Barnes, Hornady, and C.O.P. (copper only projectile).

I doubt I will need something that performs past 100 yards. Most likely something between 5 and 75 yards.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/lead-free/

In October, 2013 Assembly Bill 711 was approved by the Governor and chaptered into law by the Secretary of State. AB 711 added several sections to Fish and Game Code, one of which (3005.5(b)) requires a complete ban on the use of lead ammunition for any hunting purposes anywhere in the State by July 1, 2019. This section also requires the Fish and Game Commission to develop a phase-in regulation by July 1, 2015 designed to impose the least burden on California's hunters while still implementing the intent of the law. The new law builds on the previously enacted ban (described above) on the use of lead ammunition for big-game/non-game hunting within the range of the California condor.

[sqlbullet]

I don't load or use them because I don't hunt and they are expensive compared to more traditional designs.

That said, there are great options in copper solids.  In lots of ways they perform more consistently than lead core ammo.  There is an additional expense, but the hard-core hunters I know here in Utah almost all use copper solids, usually from Barnes, in their hunting loads.

[Rojo27]

Need a little more info about application:
What are you planning to hunt?
Handgun or rifle?
What caliber are you planning to use?

Broad strokes non-lead projectile POV:  They won't make game animal anymore dead than old fashion lead core but they certainly have their strengths and benefits IMHO.  I've used Barnes, Hornady GMX and Lehigh Defense control chaos non-lead in several calibers and never had a problem.  If you do your part and put the bullet where it's supposed to go (with enough velocity remaining to initiate expansion) they'll all work VERY EFFECTVELY. However, they're not magic and won't make up for poor shot placement.  I dont live in Cali (thank God; no offense intended) but tend to utilize non-lead ammunition as purely personal choice for hunting game animals intended for the table.  Used to harvest deer, hog, elk in various calibers.
Shot placement and keeping bullet velocity within the performance envelope (velocity) are Key to consistent success with non-lead (pure copper, copper alloy, brass) ammo IMHO.

Good Luck!

As some of you may know, California has passed a law banning lead for hunting. I think it will be a few years until lead will be completely phased out for hunting in 2019.

What are the options for non-lead hunting bullets and how do they perform? I seen some from Barnes, Hornady, and C.O.P. (copper only projectile).

I doubt I will need something that performs past 100 yards. Most likely something between 5 and 75 yards.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/lead-free/

In October, 2013 Assembly Bill 711 was approved by the Governor and chaptered into law by the Secretary of State. AB 711 added several sections to Fish and Game Code, one of which (3005.5(b)) requires a complete ban on the use of lead ammunition for any hunting purposes anywhere in the State by July 1, 2019. This section also requires the Fish and Game Commission to develop a phase-in regulation by July 1, 2015 designed to impose the least burden on California's hunters while still implementing the intent of the law. The new law builds on the previously enacted ban (described above) on the use of lead ammunition for big-game/non-game hunting within the range of the California condor.

[my_old_glock]

Need a little more info about application:
What are you planning to hunt?
Handgun or rifle?
What caliber are you planning to use?

10mm bullets for a Glock pistol

I will mostly be hunting small blacktail deer: 90-120# dressed.



.

[Rojo27]

10mm bullets for a Glock pistol

I will mostly be hunting small blacktail deer: 90-120# dressed.

.
[/quote]

Lead Free 10mm suggestions (commercial loads if u don't reload):
If your intent is to take blacktail with standard barrel length Glock 20 (suggest limiting range to 50 yards or LESS).
Buffalo Bore 155 grain Tac-Xp
Double Tap 140 grain Tac-Xp
Underwood 140 grain Xtreme Penetrator

Utilizing 6" KKM or Lone Wolf drop in barrel would be advised to really get the most out of the cartridge.
Good Luck.

[gandog56]

Good old Kommie Kalifornia deciding they know what is better for you than you do.

[The_Shadow]

Barnes

Cutting Edge Bullets
http://site.cuttingedgebullets.com/recommendations/new

[Shane668]

I like the Lehigh 140gr extreme penatrator but I'm fairly sure CA has a clause about not using non expanding bullets for hunting. That being said I don't have a lot of experience with  all copper hollow points in 10mm, but I've seen very impressive results with 200gr copper hollow points out of a 4" 44 magnum. At 30yds it pierced the skull of a 250lb sow. And we recovered the intact perfectly expanded projectile in the left rear ham. You're not going to get as good of penetration with the 140gr 10mm offerings but should be plenty of performance for pig and deer sized game.

[TXCOONDOG]

My XTP 180 is a great performer and I'm not switching unless the Texas Laws force me too:

[gandog56]

Just one more reason to move from stinking Kommie Kalifornia!

Just like I finally moved from the Soviet Socialist Republic Of Illinois!

[armadillo66]

When I was a kid, reloading bullets were hard to come by, this was in the 50's. The old men my grand dad shot with cut their own bullets out of copper wire. One guy had a 264 Win mag and he shot a bunch of coyotes with pieces of 6.5mm copper wire he cut to size & weight he wanted turned himself a point on them with a home made tool. I remember him telling my grandpa they weighed 145 grains, looked like a stubby pencil. Maybe not the greatest but he regularly dropped coyotes at really long ranges.
Never tried it, but I am thinking if you can get yourself some 10mm diameter copper rod, you could cut your own heavy hunting slugs that would be a big middle finger in the face of Kfornia.

[sqlbullet]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/diameter-10mm-Length-500mm-Brass-Round-Rod-Copper-Round-bar-DIY-hardware-Free-Shipping/32287707627.html

cut them to length and put them in a .400 swaged die with a bunch of pressure behind them (35,000 PSI?) and booom....DIY solids.

[TSP45ACP]

Just one more reason to move from stinking Kommie Kalifornia!

Just like I finally moved from the Soviet Socialist Republic Of Illinois!

I moved from Kommie Md 10 years ago......best move to date.

[Ramjet]

Dynamic Research Technology

I am really liking the 105 grain at 1700 FPS + from my 6" LS.  They make a 150 Grain as well.