California legal bullets

Guns Magazine, July, 2008

Q: Starting July 2008, California will ban the use of bullets containing lead for hunting all big-game animals and coyotes. Most of what I read suggests using copper or copper/tungsten bullets if greater penetration is needed. Do you have any suggestions for deer hunting? I reload for 6.5x55, 7mm-08 and .30-06.

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Walter T.

Anaheim, CA

A: Check out Barnes Bullets (P.O. Box 215, American Fork, UT 84003, (800) 574-9200, www.barnesbullets. com) for California legal bullets for just about any caliber from .22 to .50 BMG including many metric sizes. Barnes makes the Triple-Shock X bullet suitable for all our game in all the calibers you list. Federal (900 Ehlen Drive, Anoka, MN 55303, (800) 322-2342, www. federalcartridge.com) is loading the X in many calibers, too, from .243 to .458 Winchester.

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Nosler (EO. Box 671, Bend, Oregon 97709, (800) 285-3701, www.nosler. corn) makes homogenous bullets legal for use in California, too. The E-Tip bullet features a polycarbonate tip to initiate expansion. It is available now in .308 150- and 180-grain versions and, by press time, the .270 130-grain and 7mm 150-grain bullets should be available.