Lead free bullets for the .308 Winchester
All three Fox Classic Hunter .30 calibre weights in the .308 Winchester, and why this is one of the easiest cartridges to move off lead.
Last updated 28 July 2026
The .308 Winchester is the other great British deer cartridge alongside the .243, and it is arguably the single easiest to convert to lead free. It fires a .308 inch bullet and Fox makes three Classic Hunter weights at that diameter.
Which weight
| Weight | G1 BC | Length | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130 gr | 0.259 | 28.8 mm | Fast and flat, woodland |
| 150 gr | 0.307 | 32.1 mm | The default choice |
| 165 gr | 0.359 | 34.6 mm | Big deer, maximum penetration |
The 150 grain is the answer for most people. It is the classic .308 weight, handles every British deer species, and is the easiest of the three to develop a load around.
The 130 grain is genuinely fast and very flat inside woodland ranges, though its 0.259 BC is the lowest in the Fox range and it sheds velocity quickest at distance. The 165 grain is the heaviest bullet Fox makes and the choice for red and sika.
Why the .308 converts so easily
The .30 bore routinely stabilises 180 grain and heavier lead bullets, so a 34.6mm monolithic is nothing unusual. Standard 1:10 or 1:12 twists handle all three Fox weights, and the length penalty that catches out 6mm shooters simply does not bite in a .30 calibre. There is no twist rate question to answer here.
Related guides
Bullets for the .308 Winchester
Projectiles only — no powder, primers or loaded ammunition.
What is the best lead free bullet for a .308 Winchester?
The Fox Classic Hunter 150 grain. It is the classic .308 weight, suits every UK deer species and is the most straightforward of the three to load.
Is 130 grain too light for a .308?
No. Monolithic bullets retain most of their weight rather than shedding a lead core, so a 130 grain penetrates far better than the number suggests. It is a deliberate design for fast, flat woodland shooting.
What twist rate does a .308 need for lead free bullets?
The standard 1:10 or 1:12 twist found on almost all .308 rifles handles all three Fox weights. Twist rate is rarely an issue in .30 calibre.
Read next
Oxon Deer stocks the full Fox Classic Hunter range in 6mm, 6.5mm, .270 and .308, in boxes of 50. Browse the shop.