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The best lead free bullet for Chinese water deer

Bullet choice for Chinese water deer, the lower statutory threshold that applies to them, and what their habitat means for shot selection.

Last updated 28 July 2026

Chinese water deer are a localised speciality — largely East Anglia and the fens — and at roughly 11 to 18kg they sit alongside muntjac as the smallest deer commonly stalked in Britain. Like muntjac, they fall under the lower statutory threshold in England and Wales.

  • 6mm (.243) 80gr — the natural choice.
  • 6.5mm (.264) 100gr — flat and entirely sufficient.
  • .30 (.308) 130gr — the lightest .30 calibre option if that is your rifle.
Confirm the law where you stalk
Deer legislation is devolved and the minimums differ between England and Wales and Scotland. This is a summary, not legal advice, and the rules change. Check the current position against the sources at the foot of this page before relying on it.
JurisdictionMinimum requirement
England and Wales (Chinese water deer and muntjac)Rifle of at least .220 inches calibre, bullet of at least 50 grains, muzzle energy at least 1,000 ft-lb, expanding bullet
England and Wales (all other species)At least .240 inches and 1,700 ft-lb

What the habitat changes

CWD ground is typically flat, open fen and reed bed. That produces a distinctive set of problems:

  • Long shots across open ground are common, so trajectory and wind matter more than they do on woodland muntjac. A higher ballistic coefficient earns its keep here.
  • Backstops are often poor. Flat fen offers very little behind the animal, and a monolithic bullet on a small deer will pass through. This is the species where shot selection discipline matters most.
  • Shooting from a high seat helps considerably with the backstop problem.
The one case for a heavier weight
If your CWD shooting is genuinely long-range across open fen, the higher-BC options — the 6.5mm 123gr in particular — hold velocity better and drift less, which is worth more than the extra mass is worth on the animal itself.
What calibre is legal for Chinese water deer?

England and Wales apply a lower threshold to Chinese water deer and muntjac than to other species: at least .220 inches, a 50 grain expanding bullet and 1,000 ft-lb of muzzle energy.

Which Fox bullet suits Chinese water deer?

The 6mm 80 grain or the 6.5mm 100 grain for typical ranges. If you shoot long across open fen, the 6.5mm 123 grain offers a better ballistic coefficient and less wind drift.

Where are Chinese water deer found in the UK?

They are concentrated in East Anglia, the fens and parts of the surrounding counties, with smaller populations elsewhere.

Oxon Deer stocks the full Fox Classic Hunter range in 6mm, 6.5mm, .270 and .308, in boxes of 50. Browse the shop.