Oxon DeerOxon Deer Limited

The best lead free bullet for red deer

Bullet choice for Britain's largest deer, the legal minimums in England, Wales and Scotland, and why penetration matters most.

Last updated 28 July 2026

Red are the largest land mammal in Britain — a Highland stag can exceed 200kg — and the species where bullet construction earns its money. Shots are often taken on open hill at longer ranges than woodland stalking allows, and frequently in wind. Penetration, retained energy and a decent ballistic coefficient all matter.

  • 6.5mm (.264) 139gr — the highest BC in the Fox range at 0.425, and the natural hill-stalking choice in 6.5mm.
  • .270 (.277) 145gr — the heavier .270 option, with deeper penetration for the largest bodies.
  • .30 (.308) 165gr — the heaviest bullet Fox makes, and the maximum-penetration answer.
  • 6.5mm 123gr and .270 130gr — both entirely capable on red at moderate range.
The 6mm is not the tool here
We would not suggest the 6mm (.243) for red deer. It is legal in England and Wales if the energy requirement is met, but there are better options in the range and red deer deserve them.
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 WalesRifle of at least .240 inches calibre and muzzle energy of at least 2,305 J (1,700 ft-lb), firing an expanding bullet
ScotlandBullet of at least 80 grains (5.3g), muzzle energy at least 1,750 ft-lb, muzzle velocity at least 2,450 ft/s

Summary only. Confirm against the primary sources listed at the foot of this page.

Scotland reduced the minimum bullet weight for red, sika and fallow from 100 grains to 80 grains on 3 November 2023, expressly to make more non-lead options available. Every 6.5mm, .270 and .30 calibre weight in the Fox range sits comfortably above that.

Hill stalking and range

Open hill work is where ballistic coefficient stops being an abstraction. Longer shots, exposed ground and constant wind mean a bullet that holds velocity is doing real work — both for the point of impact and, critically, for arriving fast enough to expand reliably. The 6.5mm 139 grain at 0.425 is the strongest option in the range on that measure.

That said, know your limit. Every expanding bullet stops expanding below a certain impact velocity — see terminal performance.

What is the best calibre for red deer in the UK?

The .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 and 6.5mm cartridges are all well proven on red. The larger .30 calibre cases give the most margin on the biggest Highland stags.

Which Fox bullet is best for red deer?

The 6.5mm 139 grain for its high ballistic coefficient on open hill, the .270 145 grain for deep penetration, or the .30 calibre 165 grain as the heaviest in the range.

What is the minimum bullet weight for red deer in Scotland?

80 grains, with muzzle energy of at least 1,750 ft-lb and muzzle velocity of at least 2,450 ft/s. The weight minimum was reduced from 100 grains on 3 November 2023 to widen non-lead choice.

Is .243 legal for red deer?

In England and Wales the requirement is a minimum of .240 inches and 1,700 ft-lb, which a .243 can meet. In Scotland the 80 grain, 1,750 ft-lb and 2,450 ft/s minimums apply. Legality aside, a larger calibre is a better match for the species.

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