Recommendations for lead-free rimfire

[Chubbs103]

California goes completely lead-free for hunting in a couple of weeks. I was wondering if anyone has experience with any of the lead-free .22LR that is out there. Specifically, I will be hunting rabbits and squirrels.

I have heard .17HMR and .22WRM do a little better lead-free than .22lr, but I doubt I can justify a new rifle...and I like the .22s I have.

I'll lead turn your "get out of California" comments. I'm active duty and stationed here.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A friend tried the CCI Copper-22 ammo and was not impressed but it worked well enough if you have no other choice. It has a velocity similar to the CCI Stinger ammo which I would blame for the lack of pinpoint accuracy. Most 22s don't like 1800 fps lol. Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible just not up to his usual accuracy.

If your rifle likes ammo with higher speeds it will probably love this ammo. Sorry this is a second hand report since I have not personally shot this ammo.

 

[swsig]

A friend tried the CCI Copper-22 ammo and was not impressed but it worked well enough if you have no other choice. It has a velocity similar to the CCI Stinger ammo which I would blame for the lack of pinpoint accuracy. Most 22s don't like 1800 fps lol. Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible just not up to his usual accuracy.

If your rifle likes ammo with higher speeds it will probably love this ammo. Sorry this is a second hand report since I have not personally shot this ammo.

While I have not shot CCI-Copper, my Ruger Standard shoots more accurately with CCI Stingers than with any other round. Yeah, I know the Standard is not a rifle, but I would trust any high velocity CCI .22lr ammo to do the job.

 

[bigmoneylewis]

You don't want "lead free" . Lead free is another term for "green" ..aka..shelf life . A back door approach to ..well you know.
Changing the primer composition for the environment simple put in other terms means, your ammo will not fire in 5 years .
Seriously .

Lewis

 

[Texas40]

Start hunting squirrels and rabbits with a 410 with steel shot shells. Texas has similar restrictions on water fowl no lead allowed only steel.



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[Inusuit]

You don't want "lead free" . Lead free is another term for "green" ..aka..shelf life . A back door approach to ..well you know.
Changing the primer composition for the environment simple put in other terms means, your ammo will not fire in 5 years .
Seriously . Lewis

I'd like to see your source for that information.

 

[Chubbs103]

You don't want "lead free" . Lead free is another term for "green" ..aka..shelf life . A back door approach to ..well you know.
Changing the primer composition for the environment simple put in other terms means, your ammo will not fire in 5 years .
Seriously .

Lewis

As I read it, the regulations only require a non-lead projectile. It does not mention the priming compound.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As I read it, the regulations only require a non-lead projectile. It does not mention the priming compound.

I think you are correct. They are afraid the Condors will eat the entrails with a lead bullet in it and die. Nothing about them breathing in the primer compound lol.

 

[Chubbs103]

In case anyone was wondering how it all worked out...

I decided on the CCI lead free, 21 grain for my lead-free rimfire. It is the only option that proved readily available. I use Barnes for all of my centerfire hunting.

It shoots consistently high in everything I have run it through, but groups are acceptable at 50 yards. I hear groups open up considerably at 100, but that is outside my requirement for a hunting rimfire.

Yesterday, I wanted to see how my Win 52 liked it because I wanted to take it squirrel hunting. It shoots about 8 inches higher than most of what it gets fed. That is too much of a difference for me. I am going to leave my 10/22 zeroed as dedicated lead free (it shoots about 4 in higher than lead in the Ruger).

If anyone cares, it ran across the chrono with an average speed of 1986 fps (24" barrel).

 

[44specialfan]

Chubbs103 ... Thanks for closing the loop with us on your ammo test results. That’s a more significant difference than I would have expected. Best of luck with the tree rats and thanks for your service to our Nation.

 

[max503]

This is the first I've ever heard of lead free 22's. Or a total lead ban on hunting ammo. We have to use lead-free shot in migratory refuge areas.

 

[Skeet 028]

I had some Winchester lead free 22s.. If I remember correctly they were made with light tin bullets They shot pretty badly in my Remington 504 and the Win 52. Shot them in an old Win 69 and they were just acceptable. Got them in an estate buy. I just checked and I have one more box left. Going to a gun show near me...soon. The box states 20 gr tin projectile at I think 1650 FPS. Heck they only cost me about 50 cents a box anyway. But I do like to hit what I am shooting at. Oh...I shot some cottontails using them..when I hit one they DID dispatch the critter. Inside 20-25 yds they were about angle of wabbit