Lead free bullets for the .30-06 Springfield

Fox Classic Hunter in the .30-06: more case capacity, a long action and no twist rate worries.

Last updated 28 July 2026

The .30-06 has been taking deer for well over a century and shows no sign of stopping. It uses the same .308 inch bullet as the .308 Winchester, so all three Fox Classic Hunter weights load into it — with rather more room to work.

Which weight

The 165 grain is the natural .30-06 choice. The case has the capacity to push a heavier bullet properly, and at 0.359 BC with the best weight retention in the range it is well matched to red, sika and big fallow. The 150 grain is the versatile all-rounder; the 130 grain is available for a fast, flat woodland load.

The long-action advantage

More case capacity than a .308 Winchester, so a long monolithic intrudes proportionally less into the powder space.
A long action in every .30-06 rifle, so magazine length rarely constrains seating depth.
Standard 1:10 twist, ample for the 34.6mm 165 grain.

One of the most forgiving cartridges for lead free

Between the case capacity, the long action and the .30 bore's tolerance of long bullets, the .30-06 presents fewer of the usual monolithic obstacles than almost anything else.

We do not publish load data

Velocities here are approximate and for orientation only. Always work from current published data for your cartridge, bullet weight and powder, and work up from the starting charge. See reloading Fox Classic Hunter.