Lead-free rifle ammunition
The new monolithics
Over the last 10 years the interest in lead-free cartridges increased significantly among big game hunters while the industry started to offer new designs and materials.
Some of these new lead-free bullets are based on the traditional design (jacketed) with a core in tin or zinc. But the most popular big game lead-free bullets are based on a monolithic design in solid copper or copper alloy.
The main advantage of a monolithic bullet is its near full mass retention. It means the bullet will keep almost 100% of its initial weight after the expansion process.
The major benefits for the big game hunters are:
Higher energy transfer
By keeping almost 100% of its initial weight, the bullet transfers a maximum of energy to the game, ensuring a high knockdown power.
The Winchester Extreme Point Copper Impact has a unique monolithic bullet design with a deep and large cavity covered by a very large plastic tip. The bullet expansion is guaranteed in all conditions. But thanks to the largest impact diameter you can find in a big game hunting bullet, the energy transfer is immediate and maximized.
Deeper penetration
The near full mass retention of a monolithic bullet offers the deepest penetration, even through the large bones and dense tissues of big game. For most shots, it will mean an exit hole for an easily traceable blood trail.
Deeper penetration
The near full mass retention of a monolithic bullet offers the deepest penetration, even through the large bones and dense tissues of big game. For most shots, it will mean an exit hole for an easily traceable blood trail.
Improved accuracy
The plastic tip improves the bullet accuracy. On the Winchester Extreme Point Copper Impact, the red polymer tip and the aerodynamic bullet profile guarantee the extreme accuracy you need for your hunt.
All the Browning/Winchester rifles are compatible with lead-free ammunition.
The lead-free jacketed bullet
Lead-free Jacketed bullets are built with a traditional brass jacket and a core made of alternative materials, such as alloys of zinc or thin. The advantage of this design is an immediate expansion on lighter game. This is the case of the Winchester Varmint-X sans plomb bullet designed for varmint like foxes. Associated with a hollow point tip, it guarantees an explosive fragmentation.
Always safety first
Whatever the ammunition you will use, lead or lead-free, it is always important to strictly follow the basic safety rules: be certain of your target, of your line of fire and what lies beyond your target.
In all circumstances, never aim at hard surfaces, water, or trees.
Another universal rule is to ensure that your shot is facing downward. When shooting a monolithic bullet, this principle is even more important as the likelihood for the bullet exiting the game is higher.
Popular resources
CIP Standards
The C.I.P. lays down common rules and regulations for the proof of weapons and their ammunition in order to ensure the mutual recognition of Proof Marks by its member states. Fourteen countries are C.I.P. Member States.
Winchester website
You can find all our products on our WINCHESTER website.