Abstract: The projectile is made of a virtually lead free steel alloy containing tellurium. This projectile is more environmentally safe compared to conventional lead bullets. The tellurium in combination with a small amount of lead provides a steel alloy having a high machinability and good lubrication properties, thus reducing frictional wear inside a rifle bore when the bullet is passed therethrough. Additionally, a thin anticorrosive coating may be applied on the bullet. The coating may comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc and nickel. An additional lubricating coating comprising polytetrafluoroethylene may also be applied on the projectile. The projectile has a grooved guide section that is permitted to be deformed by the rifle bore without destroying the rifle bore when the projectile is fired in a rifle.