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The best lead free bullet for muntjac

Bullet choice for muntjac, the separate legal minimums that apply to them in England and Wales, and why placement beats power.

Last updated 28 July 2026

Muntjac are the smallest deer most stalkers will encounter — a big buck is around 15kg — and they are shot year-round in England and Wales, where they have no close season. Bullet choice is less about power than about a flat trajectory and a bullet that will not wreck a small carcass.

  • 6mm (.243) 80gr — ideal. Light, fast and flat, with modest carcass damage.
  • 6.5mm (.264) 100gr — the flattest-shooting 6.5mm option and well matched to the species.
  • .30 (.308) 130gr — if a .30 calibre is what you own, the lightest weight is the sensible pick.

The general rule holds firmly here: the lightest weight in your diameter is the right one. There is no argument for a 165 grain bullet on a 15kg deer.

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.

Muntjac are one of the two species that England and Wales treat separately, with a lower threshold than red, fallow, sika and roe.

JurisdictionMinimum requirement
England and Wales (muntjac and Chinese water deer)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

Muntjac are not native to Scotland in significant numbers; check the Scottish position if relevant to you.

You can use less, but you do not have to
The lower threshold permits a smaller calibre for muntjac in England and Wales — it does not require one. Most stalkers use their normal deer rifle, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Practical considerations

Muntjac are usually shot at close range in thick cover, often from a high seat. Two things follow. Trajectory barely matters inside 80 metres, so any weight in the range will shoot flat enough. And a pass-through is close to guaranteed, so knowing your backstop is more important than usual.

On carcass damage: a small animal offers little tissue to slow a bullet, so a fragmenting lead bullet can do disproportionate harm to the meat. A monolithic that holds together is a meaningful improvement on a species this size.

What is the minimum legal calibre for muntjac in England?

England and Wales set a separate, lower threshold for muntjac and Chinese water deer: a rifle of at least .220 inches firing an expanding bullet of at least 50 grains with at least 1,000 ft-lb of muzzle energy.

Can I use a .22 centrefire on muntjac?

In England and Wales the statutory minimum for muntjac is .220 inches with a 50 grain expanding bullet and 1,000 ft-lb, which some .22 centrefire loads meet. Confirm your specific load against the current legislation and check any conditions on your certificate.

Which Fox bullet is best for muntjac?

The 6mm (.243) 80 grain if you have a .243, or the lightest weight in whatever diameter you shoot. There is no benefit to a heavy bullet on an animal this size.

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