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Monolithic Solid Bullets in Canada 2025: Top 5 Lead-Free Copper and Brass Options for Hunting

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Monolithic solid bullets are single-piece metal projectiles, typically made from copper or brass, engineered for reliable weight retention, deep penetration, and consistent flight. Increasingly adopted by Canadian hunters, outfitters, and shooters in jurisdictions with lead restrictions, these bullets deliver predictable terminal performance while complying with non-lead regulations. Consumers choose monolithic solids for reasons including high weight retention for deeper wound channels, reduced risk of core-jacket separation, excellent barrier performance through bone and heavy hide, and improved environmental stewardship compared with traditional lead-core bullets. In the 2025 Canadian market the category appeals to big game hunters, guides, and anyone prioritizing legal compliance and humane, one-shot ethical performance across a range of calibers and game species.

Quick Menu

1. Best All-Copper Monolithic

2. Best Fragmentation-Resistant Monolith

3. Not Monolithic — Jacketed E-Tip

4. Best Value Monolithic

5. Best Controlled Expansion Monolith

1
BEST ALL-COPPER MONOLITHIC

Barnes TTSX

Barnes

Barnes TTSX earns the best-in-class spot for monolithic solid bullets thanks to its long-established reputation for near-100% weight retention, deep controlled penetration and extremely consistent terminal performance, making it the go-to choice for large-game hunting where one-shot effectiveness matters. Compared with the other rounds on this list it trades a slightly higher street price for proven toughness and consistent expansion at broad impact velocities, giving shooters a technical advantage in reliability and wound channel predictability.

4.7
★★★★☆

  • High weight-retention

  • Match-grade accuracy

  • High weight-retention

  • Match-grade accuracy

Review Summary

94%

"Long-term users praise exceptional accuracy, near-100% weight retention and deep, straight-line penetration on big game; most negatives mention the premium price and occasional feeding issues in some platforms."

  • Rocket-tip flair

  • All-copper TTSX construction provides excellent weight retention and deep penetration.

  • Rocket-tip flair

  • All-copper TTSX construction provides excellent weight retention and deep penetration.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Eco-Friendly Living

Barnes TTSX earns the best-in-class spot for monolithic solid bullets thanks to its long-established reputation for near-100% weight retention, deep controlled penetration and extremely consistent terminal performance, making it the go-to choice for large-game hunting where one-shot effectiveness matters. Compared with the other rounds on this list it trades a slightly higher street price for proven toughness and consistent expansion at broad impact velocities, giving shooters a technical advantage in reliability and wound channel predictability.

  • High weight-retention

  • Match-grade accuracy

  • Rocket-tip flair

  • All-copper TTSX construction provides excellent weight retention and deep penetration.

  • Polymer tip improves ballistic coefficient and promotes controlled terminal performance.

  • High weight-retention

  • Match-grade accuracy

  • Rocket-tip flair

  • All-copper TTSX construction provides excellent weight retention and deep penetration.

  • Polymer tip improves ballistic coefficient and promotes controlled terminal performance.

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$150-300 CAD

2
BEST FRAGMENTATION-RESISTANT MONOLITH

Hornady GMX

Hornady

Hornady GMX stands out as a market leader by combining reliable monolithic construction with broad availability and generally aggressive pricing, delivering excellent expansion and high weight retention across many calibers. Relative to Barnes and other entries it often offers a better price-to-performance balance and wide ballistic selection, making it a preferred choice for hunters and reloaders who want monolithic benefits without a premium price tag.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Programmed expansion

  • Long-range ballistics

  • Programmed expansion

  • Long-range ballistics

Review Summary

92%

"Buyers report dependable expansion, high weight retention and very good accuracy across calibers; a few note slightly diminished expansion at very low velocities and higher cost versus lead bullets."

  • Copper party

  • GMX is a monolithic copper alloy design that resists fragmentation for deep penetration.

  • Copper party

  • GMX is a monolithic copper alloy design that resists fragmentation for deep penetration.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Eco-Friendly Living

Hornady GMX stands out as a market leader by combining reliable monolithic construction with broad availability and generally aggressive pricing, delivering excellent expansion and high weight retention across many calibers. Relative to Barnes and other entries it often offers a better price-to-performance balance and wide ballistic selection, making it a preferred choice for hunters and reloaders who want monolithic benefits without a premium price tag.

  • Programmed expansion

  • Long-range ballistics

  • Copper party

  • GMX is a monolithic copper alloy design that resists fragmentation for deep penetration.

  • Polymer tip and streamlined profile deliver good BC for hunting at extended ranges.

  • Programmed expansion

  • Long-range ballistics

  • Copper party

  • GMX is a monolithic copper alloy design that resists fragmentation for deep penetration.

  • Polymer tip and streamlined profile deliver good BC for hunting at extended ranges.

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$130-250 CAD

3
NOT MONOLITHIC — JACKETED E-TIP

Nosler E-Tip

Nosler

Nosler E-Tip monolithic rounds are positioned as a long-range hunting-focused option that pairs aerodynamic polymer tipping and tuned monolithic profiles to maximize ballistic coefficient and retained terminal energy on distant targets. Compared to Barnes and Federal Trophy Copper it favors ballistic efficiency and downrange performance, offering a competitive compromise between precision and reliable terminal effects for hunters prioritizing extended-range shots.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Controlled expansion

  • Hunting-optimized BC

  • Controlled expansion

  • Hunting-optimized BC

Review Summary

88%

"Users appreciate razor-like accuracy and controlled expansion from the polymer-tipped monolithic design, making it a repeatable hunting shot; some reviewers report tip-shearing in certain actions and find it pricier than alternatives."

  • E-Tip wink

  • E-Tip is a jacketed lead-core bullet with a polymer tip optimized for rapid expansion.

  • E-Tip wink

  • E-Tip is a jacketed lead-core bullet with a polymer tip optimized for rapid expansion.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Nosler E-Tip monolithic rounds are positioned as a long-range hunting-focused option that pairs aerodynamic polymer tipping and tuned monolithic profiles to maximize ballistic coefficient and retained terminal energy on distant targets. Compared to Barnes and Federal Trophy Copper it favors ballistic efficiency and downrange performance, offering a competitive compromise between precision and reliable terminal effects for hunters prioritizing extended-range shots.

  • Controlled expansion

  • Hunting-optimized BC

  • E-Tip wink

  • E-Tip is a jacketed lead-core bullet with a polymer tip optimized for rapid expansion.

  • High ballistic coefficient and consistent flight characteristics for long-range accuracy.

  • Controlled expansion

  • Hunting-optimized BC

  • E-Tip wink

  • E-Tip is a jacketed lead-core bullet with a polymer tip optimized for rapid expansion.

  • High ballistic coefficient and consistent flight characteristics for long-range accuracy.

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$120-220 CAD

4
BEST VALUE MONOLITHIC

Federal Trophy Copper

Federal

Federal Trophy Copper offers strong value as a factory-loaded monolithic solution, combining copper bullet construction with the convenience and consistency of factory ammunition at a generally lower cost than premium monolithic-only options. When measured against Barnes, Hornady and Nosler it competes on price and availability while delivering dependable penetration and expansion suitable for most big-game applications, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious hunters who still want lead-free performance.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Consistent penetration

  • High weight-retention

  • Consistent penetration

  • High weight-retention

Review Summary

89%

"Hunters like the consistent accuracy, solid weight retention and generally lower price than premium monolithics; a minority feel expansion can be a touch less aggressive on very large game compared with top-tier competitors."

  • Bone-buster grin

  • Federal Trophy Copper is an all-copper monolithic bullet engineered for uniform expansion.

  • Bone-buster grin

  • Federal Trophy Copper is an all-copper monolithic bullet engineered for uniform expansion.

Recreational Enjoyment

Eco-Friendly Living

Skill Development & Mastery

Federal Trophy Copper offers strong value as a factory-loaded monolithic solution, combining copper bullet construction with the convenience and consistency of factory ammunition at a generally lower cost than premium monolithic-only options. When measured against Barnes, Hornady and Nosler it competes on price and availability while delivering dependable penetration and expansion suitable for most big-game applications, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious hunters who still want lead-free performance.

  • Consistent penetration

  • High weight-retention

  • Bone-buster grin

  • Federal Trophy Copper is an all-copper monolithic bullet engineered for uniform expansion.

  • Offers competitive pricing with reliable weight retention and penetration.

  • Consistent penetration

  • High weight-retention

  • Bone-buster grin

  • Federal Trophy Copper is an all-copper monolithic bullet engineered for uniform expansion.

  • Offers competitive pricing with reliable weight retention and penetration.

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$140-260 CAD

5
BEST CONTROLLED EXPANSION MONOLITH

Hornady CX

Hornady

Hornady CX occupies a niche as a technically refined monolithic hunting bullet that emphasizes tuned nose geometry and alloy treatment for controlled expansion and high retained weight, offering a modern alternative within Hornady’s lineup. It typically sits between the GMX and Barnes TTSX in terms of terminal aggressiveness and cost, giving shooters another balanced option when choosing between maximum penetration, aerodynamic performance and price.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Stable trajectory

  • Predictable expansion

  • Stable trajectory

  • Predictable expansion

Review Summary

87%

"Generally praised for reliable performance, good weight retention and solid accuracy at a competitive price point; some long-term users prefer GMX or Barnes for marginally better expansion or terminal performance."

  • Copper charm

  • Hornady CX is a copper alloy monolithic designed for controlled expansion and high retention.

  • Copper charm

  • Hornady CX is a copper alloy monolithic designed for controlled expansion and high retention.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Eco-Friendly Living

Hornady CX occupies a niche as a technically refined monolithic hunting bullet that emphasizes tuned nose geometry and alloy treatment for controlled expansion and high retained weight, offering a modern alternative within Hornady’s lineup. It typically sits between the GMX and Barnes TTSX in terms of terminal aggressiveness and cost, giving shooters another balanced option when choosing between maximum penetration, aerodynamic performance and price.

  • Stable trajectory

  • Predictable expansion

  • Copper charm

  • Hornady CX is a copper alloy monolithic designed for controlled expansion and high retention.

  • Optimized ogive and polymer tip enhance ballistic coefficient and downrange performance.

  • Stable trajectory

  • Predictable expansion

  • Copper charm

  • Hornady CX is a copper alloy monolithic designed for controlled expansion and high retention.

  • Optimized ogive and polymer tip enhance ballistic coefficient and downrange performance.

Order Now

$140-280 CAD

What Research and Testing Show About Monolithic Solids

Laboratory and field testing, including standardized ballistic gelatin trials and controlled range work, consistently demonstrate the core benefits of monolithic solid bullets. Peer-reviewed and government testing has highlighted improved weight retention and deep penetration compared with many conventional lead-core expanding bullets, especially when encountering heavy bone or thick hide. Material science also explains their behavior: the single-piece copper or brass construction resists separation and offers predictable deformation or controlled non-expanding trajectories depending on design. Environmental monitoring and wildlife health studies have supported the move to non-lead ammunition in certain regions by showing reduced lead exposure risk to scavenging wildlife.

Ballistics gelatin tests commonly show monolithic solids retaining a high percentage of original weight, often exceeding 90% in controlled trials, which supports deep, straight penetration.

Single-piece construction prevents core-jacket separation and improves performance through bone, increasing the chance of effective one-shot kills on large game.

Doppler and high-speed video testing used by manufacturers and independent labs demonstrate consistent velocity and predictable terminal path compared with some fragmented designs.

Environmental and wildlife studies link reduced use of lead ammunition to lower lead exposure in scavengers and predators, prompting regulations and voluntary adoption in many hunting areas.

Material properties of copper and brass provide good uniformity for manufacturing, which helps with accuracy and repeatability across shots.

In Canada for 2025, monolithic solid bullets are a practical, regulation-aware choice for hunters and shooters who want deep penetration, reliable weight retention, and non-lead performance. The top options covered here include Barnes TTSX, Hornady GMX, Nosler E-Tip, Federal Trophy Copper, and Hornady CX. For most big game hunters seeking a proven balance of accuracy, terminal performance, and wide availability, the Barnes TTSX is the best overall choice among these five. We hope you found what you were looking for; use the search to refine by caliber, grain weight, or intended game to expand your options and find the best match for your needs.

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