Five of the Best: Lead-Free .308 Win Ammunition

With the lead shot ban progressing fast, now is the time to switch to eco-friendly alternatives. But not all non-toxic ammunition performs the same way. You’ll need to test options to find what works best with your rifle.

Here are five proven lead-free .308 Win options to get you started.

Winchester .308 Extreme Point Copper Impact

This round closely mirrors Winchester’s Extreme Point lead-core design but swaps in a monolithic copper bullet. It still features a red polymer tip for fast expansion on impact. The tip resists damage during loading, which helps maintain accuracy.

A hollow point sits beneath the polymer tip. This ensures strong expansion at longer distances. Since it’s a solid copper bullet, it retains nearly 100% of its weight and breaks up very little. As a result, Winchester recommends it for medium to very large game.

More at browning.eu

Barnes TSX

The Barnes Triple-Shock X is a long-standing favourite among stalkers. Made from solid copper, this bullet delivers reliable expansion and deep penetration. It also keeps almost all its weight after impact, which helps ensure a clean, ethical shot.

Stalkers choose the TSX for its flexibility and its compliance with lead-free rules. Its design reduces barrel fouling, so you can shoot more without losing accuracy. With options in many calibres, it suits a wide range of game species.

More at highlandoutdoors.co.uk

Sako .308 Win Powerhead Blade

Sako developed the Blade to handle both close-range bone hits and long-range shots without fail. This has been a common weakness in many lead-free rounds. The Blade solves it using a five-stage terminal architecture and 100% ductile copper.

The bullet features a unique Blade Tip that ensures it expands when needed but doesn’t fragment too easily. It performs reliably at different distances and on a wide variety of game.

More at gmk.co.uk

Norma Ecostrike .308 Win

Norma’s Ecostrike balances speed and impact well. The 150-gr bullet delivers strong kinetic energy while staying accurate. It’s also entirely lead-free, so it avoids environmental damage.

Importantly, this round adapts well to dense forests and open terrain. It offers excellent penetration, reliable expansion, and high weight retention. That makes it a solid choice for both small and large game.

More at gmk.co.uk

Hornady .308 Win ECX

The Hornady ECX (Extreme Copper alloy eXpanding) is a one-piece copper bullet. It’s built for precision and performs well across various rifle types and twist rates. The flat polymer tip drives into a front cavity to trigger uniform expansion.

The 125-gr bullets penetrate deeply and retain up to 95% of their weight. While they work best under 200m, they hit hard and shoot accurately. They are a strong choice for medium game hunters who want ethical results.

More at edgarbrothers.com