Let’s bite the bullet 

.308 Win – Top Non-Toxic Ammo Options

The 308 Win is a popular calibre and can be used for the majority of UK deer, including red stags. A plus point for this calibre is the huge selection of factory ammo that is easily available, with it comfortably shooting anything from 150-gr to 180-gr. There are also an increasing number of lead-free bullets available and it is likely this will continue to increase as time goes on. The most important thing to remember when moving to non-toxic ammo is that it will perform differently. Do as much research as possible and test what works for you and your rifle before using it on any stalking outings. Here are a few of our favourites to get you started:

Hornady .308 Win ECX

The Hornady 308 ECX bullet is a monolithic bullet made of a one-piece copper alloy that’s designed for accuracy and performance across a variety of chamber designs and twist rates. The ECX stands for Extreme Copper alloy eXpanding. The bullet has a flat polymer tip that helps initiate expansion by driving back into a hollow cavity at the front of the bullet, creating uniform expansion. The bullet is designed to deliver deep penetration, 95% weight retention, and devastating terminal performance. The 125g bullets have good ballistic coefficients and produce field rivalling accuracy below 200m.

edgarbrothers.com

Sako .308 Win Powerhead Blade

Sako has developed the new lead-free BLADE bullet to meet the needs of the most demanding lead-free hunters. One of the challenges in development of the bullet with alternative materials has been the inadequate performance in either situations: not expanding for small game/long range impacts or fragmenting down on close situation/bone hits. With its Blade Tip, 100% pure ductile copper and 5-Stage terminal architecture, SAKO Blade offers excellent performance on different shooting ranges and various sizes of game.

gmk.co.uk

Winchester .308 Extreme Point Copper Impact

The Extreme Point Copper Impact rounds are very similar to Winchester’s Extreme Point lead-cored ammunition, with the only difference being a monolithic copper construction. You still have the large diameter polymer tip, in red, to initiate fast expansion on impact, with less likelihood of tip/meplat damage on loading, resulting in more consistent accuracy. Within the bullet, you also have a hollow point beneath the polymer tip, which optimises expansion, even at extended ranges. Being a monolithic bullet, you have nearly 100% weight retention after shooting, with limited fragmentation so Winchester recommends this type of ammunition “for hunting medium and very large game”.

browning.eu

Barnes TSX

The Barnes TSX (Triple-Shock X) has long been a benchmark in lead-free hunting ammunition, renowned for its consistent expansion and deep penetration. Crafted from 100% copper, the TSX bullet is engineered to retain nearly all its weight upon impact, ensuring a clean and ethical harvest. Stalkers appreciate the TSX for its versatility across various game sizes and its compliance with lead-free regulations. The bullet’s design minimizes barrel fouling, a common concern with monolithic bullets, allowing for extended shooting sessions without compromising accuracy. Available in a range of calibers, the TSX is suitable for everything from small deer to larger game, making it a reliable choice for stalkers seeking performance without environmental compromise.

highlandoutdoors.co.uk

Norma EcoStrike .308 Win

With a focus on sustainability and accuracy this round is designed to provide maximum performance and minimum environmental impact. The .308 Win ECOSTRIKE is a lead-free and delivers exceptional accuracy and stopping power. The 150-grain weight provides a perfect balance between velocity and kinetic energy allowing for a clean and humane harvest. The use of non-toxic materials also ensures that the environment is not harmed by lead contamination. Furthermore this product is optimised for a variety of hunting environments from dense forests to open fields. Its performance in terms of penetration, expansion and weight retention makes it an ideal choice for taking down game of all sizes.

gmk.co.uk