[onehorse]

I'm not sure what the discussion is here: how we feel about the possible banning of lead bullets, or the performance of copper bullets, so I'll answer both. For my part, I don't have a problem with banning lead. In any form, it's pretty detrimental to the environment... as well as humans.
As for performance, I have used the Hornady GMX (which is not made of pure copper, but gilding metal which is a little harder) and the Barnes TSX and TTSX - very close to the TMX functionally. All these bullets have been very accurate in all my rifles (as accurate as lead, for sure) and the TTSX has been very bad news for a couple of nice Montana bucks. Everyone that I know who has used copper like it. It's not mandatory here, but they still are isung it.

 

[onehorse]

onehorse, any problems with copper fouling with the Barnes?

No. I use several solvents, but the most aggressive - that cleans out everything - is Sweet's 7.62. If you use it, be sure not to leave it in your barrel longer than directed, wipe it it all out and BE SURE to run a swab with a little oil on it through your barrel when you are through cleaning.

 

[onehorse]

Did you stay with the same weight bullet in the solid alloy bullets or did you go down one weight size? I personally use 165gr in 30 cal in my 30-06s. Should I then plan on going down to 150gr bullets in 30 cal for my 30-06s if I was looking for a similar length bullet with similar performance on game?

Karl

I use 150 gr. TTSX bullets in my 300 SWM for deer and elk, and that's plenty coming out of this gun at a little over 3000 FPS. All the copper bullets are noted for extreme penetration, so you don't need the weight to achieve that. Also, I like the idea of a faster bullet. I believe the 165 grainers would be great, but, honestly, I don't think the 180 gr. will give any better performance.