I've been testing different non-lead ammunitions for a few years and have always used lead ammo in the end due to the poor result (doesn't expand, doesn't give a quick kill unless it's a headshot).
I'm now pleased to say that there are two excellent non-lead ammo available that I tried when I last went rabbit and jackrabbit hunting. Last weekend we got 15 cottontails and 6 jacks during 2 days and the shots seemed to do as good job as the previous lead round-nose or better
For 22lr we used: CCI copper-22 (copper polymer), 1850 fps. 21 grains.
It's a low grain and with a very high speed. That together with the copper polymer seems to create enough shockwave that it gives very quick kill shots. I believe the polymer expands or fragments but I haven't done a ballistic gel test. The 22lr, low grain, high velocity is NOT a tack driver. With a 10/22 it was good enough for 5-40 yard shots, I tried it with a short barrel chipmunk and it was absolutely shotgun pattern at 20 yards. So definitely verify it's accuracy on your gun.
For neck, vital area, or headshots at longer distances, 70+ yards, that I did with a CZ bolt action (long barrel), I used Norma match lead-round nose still as the CCI lead-free isn't accurate enough for that distance.
![Image]()
For 22 wmr we used CCI 22 wmr - TNT Green. It's a lead-free hollow-point, 30 grain - 2050 fps, that expands/fragments very efficiently in a small animal like a rabbit or jackrabbit/hare. If anything I would say that shot placement here is very important. neck, head, or at worst vitals. It practically (TNT) explodes on impact and it'll blow a big chunk of the animal out. Gory spectacular and suitable if you can make head/neck shots.
![Image]()
I'm now pleased to say that there are two excellent non-lead ammo available that I tried when I last went rabbit and jackrabbit hunting. Last weekend we got 15 cottontails and 6 jacks during 2 days and the shots seemed to do as good job as the previous lead round-nose or better
For 22lr we used: CCI copper-22 (copper polymer), 1850 fps. 21 grains.
It's a low grain and with a very high speed. That together with the copper polymer seems to create enough shockwave that it gives very quick kill shots. I believe the polymer expands or fragments but I haven't done a ballistic gel test. The 22lr, low grain, high velocity is NOT a tack driver. With a 10/22 it was good enough for 5-40 yard shots, I tried it with a short barrel chipmunk and it was absolutely shotgun pattern at 20 yards. So definitely verify it's accuracy on your gun.
For neck, vital area, or headshots at longer distances, 70+ yards, that I did with a CZ bolt action (long barrel), I used Norma match lead-round nose still as the CCI lead-free isn't accurate enough for that distance.
For 22 wmr we used CCI 22 wmr - TNT Green. It's a lead-free hollow-point, 30 grain - 2050 fps, that expands/fragments very efficiently in a small animal like a rabbit or jackrabbit/hare. If anything I would say that shot placement here is very important. neck, head, or at worst vitals. It practically (TNT) explodes on impact and it'll blow a big chunk of the animal out. Gory spectacular and suitable if you can make head/neck shots.
