First Look: Winchester Deer Season XP Copper Impact

The lead-free bullet market is constantly expanding, and for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the original idea of abandoning a copper jacket drawn around a lead core prevented the phenomenon of jacket/core separation, giving deep penetration. Secondly, the regulations in California (and I hope it ends there) prevent the use of lead core ammunition. Without getting into the merits of those laws, the copper (or at least lead-free) bullet is most definitely here to stay.

Winchester has hopped on board, offering their Deer Season XP line with an all-copper bullet. If you recall from the 2017 SHOT Show releases, Winchester’s Deer Season XP line features a large polymer tip (black for the lead core bullets) and a deep hollowpoint for the rapid expansion that will switch a deer’s nervous system off.

The Deer Season XP Copper Impact will give a bit better structural integrity, and still maintain the deep penetration associated with the monometal construction. To differentiate from the original Deer Season XP line, Winchester employs a bright red polymer tip. Being all copper, lighter for caliber bullets can be employed without fear of bullet breakup, along with a healthy muzzle velocity.

Deer Season XP Copper Impact is available in .243 Winchester (85-grain), .270 Winchester (130-grain), .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and .300 Winchester Magnum (all 150-grain).

For more information, go to winchester.com.