Moving from lead to copper?

Fargo Boyle · Oct 3, 2026

Forgive my ignorance, however I’m interested to know how the dg calibres have faired with transition from lead to copper.

Has that been driven locally (Africa) or is this a domestic (USA / specific states etc) driver that has effectively reduced use / availability of lead bullets?

What I’m intrested to understand is if copper will replace lead entirely for dg cartridges?
What, if any, are the trade offs? Has there been a calibre that has reduced in popularity/ efficiency when having to change from lead to use copper?

I ask as in the uk we are following a (now paused) EU REACH requirement to limit almost all lead ammunition. This has resulted in one of our most popular calibres .243 win, nearly becoming illegal (in Scotland) for use on our larger deer species until a change to the minimum bullet weight in legislation was implemented , effectively enabling this cartridge to be deer leagal with light bullets- to accommodate a change to less dense copper.

Is there any examples of something similar to this experience with (marginal) dg cartridges in Africa countries - which effectively makes them non compliant due to the move to copper?

Thanks

Doug3006 · Oct 3, 2026

I know that there is no ban on lead bullets in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe or Zambia. I believe the same holds true among the rest of the major safari countries. That said, I’ve used all copper bullets on Cape buffalo to great effect.

coyote wacker · Oct 3, 2026

If your wanting to shoot a equal weight copper or brass bullet to a copper-lead bullet. You would need to have a barrel with a faster twist to stabilize it.
Myself I prefer brass bullets using Cutting Edge Brand. I use in a 243 Win. there 55gr. ESP Raptor it harvests 200 lbs. deer like a hammer a shoulder shot they drop right at the shot.

https://cuttingedgebullets.com/products/243-6mm-55gr-esp-raptor?variant=46774657483050

Fargo Boyle · Oct 3, 2026

Doug3006 said:
I know that there is no ban on lead bullets in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe or Zambia. I believe the same holds true among the rest of the major safari countries. That said, I’ve used all copper bullets on Cape buffalo to great effect.

Thanks this is useful information.

Fargo Boyle · Oct 3, 2026

Yes this was / is the issue with trying to maintain 100 grns in a .243
Win. Most rifles have a slower twist that isn’t able to stabilise long 100grns copped bullets. As there are a lot of .243 win in use in the uk, the powers that be decided to reduce the 100 grns to 80 grns, thus eliminating the needs for a tight twist rate / new barrel/ calibre.

I wondered if given the min speciations for hunting dg in some African countries- did moving to copper effect those marginal calibres?

Doug3006 · Oct 3, 2026

“I wondered if given the min speciations for hunting dg in some African countries- did moving to copper effect those marginal calibres?”

None of the countries I’m familiar with have changed their minimums due to the advent of copper bullets. Also, the larger caliber all copper bullets shoot exactly the same as copper/ lead bullets. Except I find the to be more accurate. No need for different twist rates.

Hunter4752001 · Oct 3, 2026

In regard to the EU REACH requirement, the latest FACE bulletin indicates that bullets and slugs have been removed from the lead ban. Now shot is the issue in play.:

"The REACH restriction on lead shot has now entered its final scrutiny phase. After years of engagement, the final text is fundamentally different from the original proposal: bullets and slugs have been removed entirely from its scope, while the transition period for lead shot has been extended to seven years. FACE considers this outcome workable. Our priority must now be to use the transition period effectively and ensure that hunters across Europe have access to suitable ammunition, clear information and practical support."

In regard to the use of copper on African DG then it comes down to personal choice. For my buffalo I used 450g all copper 458 projectiles. All shots through and through penetration (including lengthways). I couldn't be happier. I believe monometal projectiles just perform better and are my hunting choice for all calibres and game.

Copper being less dense than lead, means that you will need to check if your rifling twist rate will stabilise your preferred projectile. Check by either consulting the manufacturer or using a stability calculator. Then check by firing actual groups to confirm. Just as an aside, many European rifle manufacturers seem to be using very dated twist rates in their products. These neither cope with modern heavy for calibre jacketed bullets or all copper bullets. I don't know why they're still doing this.

Because copper projectiles are longer than equivalent weight lead, you'll also need to consider case capacity. Have you got enough room for the powder charge without over compression?

Do you need the same weight projectile. In my experience a slightly lighter copper projectile out penetrates standard weight jacketed lead. Others may have different experience.

Fargo Boyle · Oct 4, 2026

Hunter4752001 said:
Do you need the same weight projectile. In my experience a slightly lighter copper projectile out penetrates standard weight jacketed lead.

I understand this was also a finding of the research the one of our government bodies, when using copper, did reducing the legal min bullet weight from 100 grns to 80 grns.

BeeMaa · Oct 4, 2026

Hunter4752001 said:
Do you need the same weight projectile. In my experience a slightly lighter copper projectile out penetrates standard weight jacketed lead. Others may have different experience.

I was using 180 grain copper jacketed lead bullets in my 300WSM hunting rifle. I changed rifles to a 300WM and in doing so I needed change bullets. The jacketed lead didn't shoot as well in the WM, but the 165 grain Barnes TTSX was lights out. That's what I've been using ever since and game keeps falling. I've also found that (in general) the exit wound is larger and I've never recovered a bullet. Most likely caused by the combination of increased speed of both the larger case capacity of the WM and the lighter bullet being able to move faster.

@One Day... had a thread about this a while back. He switched from jacketed lead to Barnes TSX for his WBY cartridges with amazing results.

Fargo Boyle · Oct 4, 2026

Hunter4752001 said:
The REACH restriction on lead shot has now entered its final scrutiny phase. After years of engagement, the final text is fundamentally different from the original proposal: bullets and slugs have been removed entirely from its scope, while the transition period for lead shot has been extended to seven years.

This is the position at the EU level currently.

However, the UKG is still moving forward with the prior EU REACH proposals which includes a band on lead calibres >6mm, plus all lead shot by end of 2029. This is unlikely to shift again to marry with the latest reach proposals.

BeeMaa · Oct 4, 2026

The US banned lead shot for waterfowl hunting in 1991. California banned lead for all hunting bullets in 2019. Other states have not followed in California's footsteps, but some have introduced legislation to do so. Example - Iowa, non-lead ammunition is required to hunt all game animals except for deer and turkey on selected public hunting areas in both north central and north west Iowa. And there are many other states lining up with their own version that makes sense to them.

I have moved away from lead over the past 7 years for many hunting pursuits and legislation is one of the reasons. I'm glad I have an accurate option for my rifles (Barnes TSX/TTSX) but for shotguns the price spike of TSS is a cause for concern. I will most likely be moving to copper & bismuth for scattergun hunts.

It is the responsibility of the hunter to know the regulations where you are hunting. Please keep this in mind because paying the price in some of these states can be costly. Here is a website with some information on the subject.
Congressional Sportsmen Foundation

Same'Ol · Oct 4, 2026

i've been slowly switching over each rifle to solid copper bullets, specifically Barnes TTSX bullets. the results are impressive so far. my previous brand was the Nosler AB's, which is a damn good bullet and have nothing negative to say about it. the only thing is one does get a bit more fouling, but thats easily taken care of with some Butch's Bore Shine.

ftrovato · Oct 4, 2026

It's hard to argue with the results that solid copper delivers.

However, as an older guy (that started using copper in the late 80s' when barnes released them) I still have a soft spot in my heart for Nosler Partitions (non dangerous game smaller than eland) and Swift A-Frames on animals with heavy muscle structure and dangerous game.

Also I find it easier to work up hand-loads for Barnes & Swift with less copper fouling in a barrel.

I dont know that today's copper can replace bonded bullets. I've seen several examples of them not expanding property in large caliber rifles when not driven fast enough.

BTP-KennethWRoyce · Oct 9, 2026

I'm about equally fond of Swift A-Frames and Barnes TSX, though I'd resent having no lead bullet options due to regulations. A-Frames are more case versatile; not everything can throw a caliber-heavy monolithic copper.

BeeMaa · Oct 9, 2026

There are also those instances where copper is not right for the application. I've never hunted leopard myself, but I've heard it time and again that you want a fast opening "soft" bullet for this hunt. Something like a Nosler Partition or Norma Oryx.

matt85 · Oct 9, 2026

Mono-metal bullets have their advantages and disadvantages. I like them in larger calibers but do not entirely trust them in smaller calibers. I have yet to see a DG mono-metal expanding bullet that I truly believe to be superior to the Swift A-frame.

It also doesnt help that most of my hunting rifles are antiques designed/regulated for lead bullets. For example; my Sauer 16g/16g/8mm drilling has fixed sights set up for an 8mm (.318") 200gr round nose bullet at 2300fps. I have never been able to get any other bullet shape/weight to match the sights.

Gomer · Saturday at 8:58 AM

I live in the US and my state tends to follow on California’s coattails when it comes to firearms. I have been anticipating a lead ban.

I haven’t shot anything bigger than elk with a copper bullet. Most of the animals I shot with the TSX were deer. I don’t think they kill as fast as jacketed lead unless driven fast (130gr TTSX at 3450+). So, I decreased bullet weights in everything to increase velocity and kept shots within 300 yards.

Then the TTSX came out. These seemed to open better, so I increased bullet weight a little bit (168gr at 3200). This has been a happy spot for me. It’s a heck of a load.

But now the 175gr LRX has entered the chat.

BeeMaa · Saturday at 9:24 AM

@Gomer - The TTSX .30 cal 165 grain in a 300WM is quite good medicine. I’d even be happy to go down to 150 grain for anything elk sized and smaller.

Gomer · Saturday at 9:53 AM

BeeMaa said:
@Gomer - The TTSX .30 cal 165 grain in a 300WM is quite good medicine. I’d even be happy to go down to 150 grain for anything elk sized and smaller.

I use the 150gr TTSX in one of my 30-06s. Incidentally, the load gets an average velocity of 3006 fps.

I could almost do all of my non-DG hunting with the 30-06. I have an M70 that uses a 180gr A-Frame load, and an M700 that uses that TTSX load.

45-70guy · Sunday at 6:28 AM

Confirmed recovery of 1 barnes 225g tsx at 203 yards was a perfect mushroom and 100% weight retention.
All others at that distance and closer were pass throughs.
A bonded bullet , my favorite being a North Fork, is hard to compare.
Same shots and very high weight retention ( 95+%) except most north forks are found on inside of the off side hide.

Moving from lead to copper?

Fargo Boyle

Doug3006

coyote wacker

Fargo Boyle

Fargo Boyle

Doug3006

Hunter4752001

Fargo Boyle

BeeMaa

Fargo Boyle

BeeMaa

Same'Ol

ftrovato

BTP-KennethWRoyce

BeeMaa

matt85

Gomer

BeeMaa

Gomer

45-70guy

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