I'm thinking of using a Remington 700 LTR for both sniping and hunting. I live in Kalifornia where lead-free ammo is required in some places.

Has anyone found a good lead-free load that works well in the Remington 700 LTR?

Thx!

Hunter 308

Every rifle is different, but anything loaded with a 150 grain TSX would be the place I'd start.

What are you hunting? What ranges are you talking about?

I would try the TTSX tipped version (150 grain, .420 BC). Probably 150 grain is the most effecient for the little 308Win.
Barnes has a new bullet 1575 gn LRX with a higher BC. But it will be long and a little slow in a 308.
TYPE LRX BT
DIA. .308
WGT. 175 gn
LGTH. 1.476"
S.D. .264
B.C. .508
Req. Twist 10"

Nosler also has an "E-tip bullet" (150 grain, 1.293", .469 BC,) and Hornady has a GMX (150 gn., .415BC).
Just remember that heavier monometals are long in a 308 so you should probably limit choices to 150 grains in order to have enough capacity to reach max velocities of the 308 Win cartridge. 150 grains is plenty for California deer, should you seen any.

since the fit between any barrel and the bullet is unique, I would try all three 150 grain bullet above. Then choose the mose accurate at 2700-2820 fps. For California deer you can also go down to the 130 grain Barnes TTSX. While the BC drops to .350, the velocity can probably pass 3000fps and it will be more than enough for a 125-175 lb. deer. For elk or Rocky Mountain mule deer you could go back to 150 or 165.

I found that the Barnes copper bullets with the blue coating shot to more-or-less the same point of aim as Nosler Partition bullets ( 7mm, 145 grains).

I've used 150TSX since they came out with zero complaints. You can drive them fast enough for decent ballistics and they work.

Hunter, What sniping bullet are you using now?

In the service, just before I got out we were switching to the 175gr, although lead core and shorter than the copper, it's higher B.C. made it viable at distances well beyond what I shoot game at. My point is more to the idea that killing a deer in the "Condor" zone isn't going to be the hard part. Finding one to shoot may be, but then they are small and don't take a lot to drop one.
Sniping is the part that I'd give much consideration. What or whom, distance you are proficient at, and then consider B.C. and bullet performance.

If you're out whacking at coyotes and rocks at 800 yards it may be different than if you are only going out to say 250 or 300.

P.S. I lived in the zone for several years and shot mostly with quarterbores. My biggest was close to 250 yards with a .25-06. I don't think I could have stalked closer fast enough to catch him due to the terrain. A couple others were with a Roberts. I think they worked great and were perfect size for deer, and plenty for those distances I shot at. They're pretty skitish and don't hold still much to be shooting way out.

Hunter 308

If you are asking about factory loads, I have had excellent accuracy, and killing power with the Federal 150gr Barnes X bullet and the Federal 180gr Barnes MRX.

I think for California deer the 150 gr. X would be an excellent choice.

You will need to try the projectiles to find what works. No barnes would shot worth a damn in any of my Rems but would in a mates.

Rule 303

You brought up a very true point.

Barrels either love or hate X bullets.

IF I had a rifle that did not like X bullets I would try the Hornady Monolithic HP's.

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Looks like I'll start with 150 Gr copper loads and see what happens.

As for some of the questions that came up in case it changes your answers:

- The 700 Light Tactical Rifle (LTR) is optimized for the Federal 168 Gr Match rounds, so that's what I'd use for sniping (I haven't bought the rifle yet)

- As for hunting, I'd be going after pigs, deer and coyotes to whatever range I could get the copper ammo to group. On a deer-sized animal, 440 yards (quarter mile) would be nice. My longest shot to-date was 298 yards at a Red Stag in New Zealand, but that was with a borrowed 270.

Thx! - Hunter308