Barrel life and non lead bullets?

[Trapper243]

Has anyone shot enough non lead rounds to determine what they due to a barrel, and barrel life? Ca. has mandated this stuff for all hunting. Being that I practice and hunt with the same guns, and hunt quite a bit, I am curious what to expect. Should I start stocking up on barrels? One of the hardest things to take, besides the low BCs is the cost of the bullets. They look to be running double the cost of normal bullets. Makes me wonder what one could stick into a J4 jacket that would keep California happy. Or, I just sacrifice a rifle or two and the rest will be used for targets and in other states.

 

[jonbearman]

I doubt you are going to need to stock up on barrels.The new bullets are made out of copper and that's the gilding metal on all bullets,so I wouldn't be very worried that way. Call Barnes and see what they feel about it since they started making them a while ago.

 

[watercam]

Copper is softer than gilded bullets. I hunt in California and have been using Barnes bullets since before they were mandated (simply because I like the terminal ballistics). I have over 1000 near-max rounds through my '06 barrel with no signs of wear in the throat or anywhere else. Being softer the copper does tend to built up a bit more. I did find that lapping the barrel with 600 grit lapping compound/patch on a brush method to smooth the bore a bit did help with the copper build-up but for normal sight-in/practice/go hunting regimen it really is no problem.

 

[Trapper243]

watercam, that is good to hear. From what I have read, the Barnes are all copper. The Nosler E-tip and Hornady GMX are gilded. 5% zinc 95% copper. I am trying to decide what to try. The BC runs higher on the E-Tips, only tried a few in loaded ammo and accuracy was good. I have not run them at distance yet to check the BC. The GMX has a higher BC than the Barnes also, but, in 6.5 mm running the GMX out to 800 yards the BC seems exaggerated and accuracy was not the best. Around 1 MOA. Barnes, running a 127 LRX accuracy is under .5 MOA and the BC to 800 seems to be right on the money. Testing on the GMX and LRX was in a 6.5 Creedmoor with a Krieger 5R 8 twist in a Surgeon Scalpel. Not sure if one type of rifling is better than another or not. Right now I am trying to decide what to re-chamber and barrel my .243 to, in order to optimize monolithic ammo. It needs a new barrel anyway. If I keep it 6mm I will probably go 8 twist, or just go 6.5 on it also as at least I know the 127LRX works.

 

[FeMan]

I have used Barnes almost exclusively for the past ten years. I shoot quite a bit and hunt every chance I get. I have gone through barrels, but not any faster than expected. You need to keep up with the copper removal on the Barnes. I have not tried the other lead-free bullets. I have looked at them and decided not to over concerns about terminal performance at long range. The Barnes have proven 100% relaible out to 800 yards (my farthest kill) for me. From the adds, particularly for the GMX, the other bullets do not appear to have as much expansion at lower velocities (1700 to 2000 fps). I have no idea whether or not they do well going that slow, but the adds showing expansion at different velocities sure make me wonder.

 

[Jeff A]

FWIW, I believe that us folks in California have a couple of years before this takes effect.

 

[FeMan]

I believe you can hunt with lead bullets up until 2018. I feel sorry for the farmers in Cedarville. The ground squirrels are going to over run them!

 

[Trapper243]

They have until that time to implement it. A friend was at the last commission meeting and from the sounds of things it will probably be implemented on State lands starting 2015. I just wish we had some high BC frangible rounds out there to work with. I don't need 90% weight retention on squirrels or coyotes. I don't even want to think about the rimfire implications. I have the 22LR dialed to 200 for squirrels, but the tin stuff is going to make it tough past 50. From what little testing I did with them, I wonder If I would be better off with a high powered air rifle.

 

[3Ackleys]

I have shot barnes bullets out of my 270 Winchester winlite for 29 years- 1800+ rounds so far. it will still shoot 3 shots with imr4350 into 3/8" ( last week)
It has taken many, many big game animals- Elk, Moose, White tails, Muleys, Bear, & Antelope over the years with most everyone 1 shot kill having an exit wound the size of a half dollar
My son took it over when he started hunting 3 years ago and has taken 3 elk-145yds, 545yds & 260yds all 1 shot kills.
So if you HAVE to use a barnes and your gun will shoot them ( I have had a couple that wouldn't) you will be fine.
The government telling you have to use them - not so fine!