Allround caliber for lead-free...?

[DonBogaerts]

Good day to everyone..
I will firstly introduce myself. Dutch Hunter mainly hunting in Germany and the Netherlands. Family man and self employed. I do re-load but not always got the time unfortunatly.

So therefore my question. Looking for a new allround caliber (fox-deer-wild boar also driven hunts).
As I have to hunt lead-free in some area's I am looking for the following:
140 to 175 gr. lead-free bullet.
Factory ammo available.
3000 fps minimal muzzle speed.

We hunt till max 300 meters out here but allot of forest erea's so 9 out of 10 shots will be within 150 meter.
What would be your top 3 calibers/cartridge? (anymore info just ask..)

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[DonBogaerts]

add.. info... This would be next to my long range hunting/range rig: Bergara HMR B14 in 6.5 creed. S&B polar scope t96 4-16 BDC scope.

 

[HARPERC]

Tough to say without knowing availability but, 1) a.30-.300 Winchester Magnum, or .30-06 2) a 7mm- 7SAUM or 7mm Remington Magnum, 3) a 6.5 .264 Winchester Magnum, or .26 Nosler.

Another 6.5 Creed would also work with good bullets for the game, and distances mentioned.

 

[DonBogaerts]

Tough to say without knowing availability but, 1) a.30-.300 Winchester Magnum, or .30-06 2) a 7mm- 7SAUM or 7mm Remington Magnum, 3) a 6.5 .264 Winchester Magnum, or .26 Nosler.

Another 6.5 Creed would also work with good bullets for the game, and distances mentioned.

IF nosler was availeble here.. I knew the caliber and the gun i would be buying next sadly all American is quite difficult to come by on guns & ammo.. but not impossible. Luckily I dont mind ordering my stuff in on time but Weatherby and Nosler are currently not sold as far as I know on mainland europe.... the 7mm range look very interesting as the next gun will be replacing my 7x64 brenneke. For driven hunts I would be shooting several shots in a short time (sometimes 2 mags at a time). Would this influence the choice much or? this would be mainly in winter time (low temp 5+ degrees to -20 degrees).

 

[Country Bumpkin]

My most recent setup would fit your bill. 7mm Rem Mag shooting Barnes 150 TTSX (not sure if you can get those easily or not). Everything I read about them says they hit like a 160-170 bullet.

I'm running mine through a 24" proof carbon fiber barrel, consistent 3/4" 5-shot groups. I'm not much of a shooter, and my overall setup is under 9 lbs, so I think it's pretty good.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I think I would look at the 30-06.

Steve

 

[DonBogaerts]

I think I would look at the 30-06.

Steve

would the 30-06 be over 3000 fps with factory ammo? also those hammer bullets look very interesting. I dont suppose the are being sold in Europe?

 

[DonBogaerts]

My most recent setup would fit your bill. 7mm Rem Mag shooting Barnes 150 TTSX (not sure if you can get those easily or not). Everything I read about them says they hit like a 160-170 bullet.

I'm running mine through a 24" proof carbon fiber barrel, consistent 3/4" 5-shot groups. I'm not much of a shooter, and my overall setup is under 9 lbs, so I think it's pretty good.

Sounds good. you got a picture of your set up?

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Sounds good. you got a picture of your set up?

I forgot to say, I'm getting 3,050 FPS with the factory Barnes. They line up perfectly with my leupold varmint reticle our to the 600 yd stadia (if zero'd at 200).

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Here's a few more, I haven't taken any glamour shots yet, should have the scope back to Black this weekend.

 

[DonBogaerts]

Here's a few more, I haven't taken any glamour shots yet, should have the scope back to Black this weekend.

Looks awesome. Is that a BAT action or? whats your experience with the carbon barrel? worth the extra money? BIT of topic I know. sorry.

 

[NEMTHunter]

would the 30-06 be over 3000 fps with factory ammo? also those hammer bullets look very interesting. I dont suppose the are being sold in Europe?

Hornady Superformance lead free GMX is claimed to be 3080 fps with a 150 gain bullet.

If you reload with a 150 grain bullet you can get over 3000 fps as well. Some load data claims 3000 plus fps with a 165 grain bullet.

 

[J E Custom]

My experience with mono metal has been that the mono metal bullets need velocity to perform well and the performance window has been narrow. The best performance was near the max recommended design velocity, with velocities on the bottom end being inconsistent in there performance. (Expansion characteristics).

With your range limits, you should be OK if you can keep the velocity between 2500 and 3100 ft/sec for most mono metal bullets. Some custom bullets Like the Hammer have a better performance range of velocities and if you can get them they will work like conventional bullets.

Obviously, Bigger calibers would be best for wild boars and larger game, but if you can keep he velocity at or around 3000 ft/sec at POI all of them should perform well I would limit my self to no less that a 6.5 that met these requirements because of the running shot possibility's.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

 

[RockyMtnMT]

We are getting just over 3000fps with our 166g Hammer Hunter in 30-06 26" barrel.

If we can get the U.S. ITAR regulations dropped them We will be able to ship outside the U.S. supposedly this is happening.

Steve