Potential lead ban?

[wildfowler.250]

So, possibly a how long is a piece of string question but.. folk seem fairly certain that a ban on lead bullets is likely,(given how wildfowling went I wouldn’t be too surprised).

But what I do wonder is whether this will likely only impact meat going into the game dealers? Or do you think there will be a blanket ban on their use on either deer or possibly leased land/all land? Shooting the odd deer a year for the freezer so I hope it’s not a blanket ban but interested to hear what people think.

(Main disappointment would’ve be that I think the smaller .22 calibers would struggle shoot a to be roe/Scotland legal with a copper bullet?).

 

[Pedro]

I would think that the legislators, if they are going for a reduction in lead would go where the most lead is spread about initially (unless they just ban it full stop). As you say, wildfowling has already gone "non-toxic" although the way it's done is different in Scotland (of course). So you would think that shotgun ammunition would be next in line if they think along those lines. However, if there's any thoughts of the legislators not wanting to poo in their own nest, maybe not. I expect we'd be surprised by the number of politicians who wield a shotgun occasionally in the game season.

Or perhaps they will do it because lead has been proven to irretrievably harm the eco-system and our insides. Or am I just being silly now?

 

[Orion]

(Main disappointment would’ve be that I think the smaller .22 calibers would struggle shoot a to be roe/Scotland legal with a copper bullet?).

Would .243 also have a problem with the 100gr minimum? Presumably a monolithic bullet of that weight might have stabilisation issues in standard twist barrels?

 

[wildfowler.250]

Would .243 also have a problem with the 100gr minimum? Presumably a monolithic bullet of that weight might have stabilisation issues in standard twist barrels?

I’m not well versed enough to say but would be very interested to know. .243 usually struggles with 100 grains at the best of times?

 

[25 Sharps]

Would .243 also have a problem with the 100gr minimum? Presumably a monolithic bullet of that weight might have stabilisation issues in standard twist barrels?

6.5 something shooting 120 gr non toxic will take over where the .243 leaves off

 

[enfieldspares]

My 6mm Remington Parker Hale wouldn't stabilise either 100 grain Nosler Partition nor 100 grain coated Remington Bonded Core. So I'd imagine that, yes, it'd be equally unsuccessful with non-lead in 100 grain.

 

[Orion]

Be an awful lot of .243s on Guntrader then if it does go through.

 

[wildfowler.250]

well hopefully it won’t come through. One bullet here and there stalking shouldn’t make much difference. From a food “health” point of view, I could see the public/consumers arguing against lead but otherwise a change doesn’t seem that worthwhile. There does seem to be more and more non toxic bullets advertised though. I can see the argument for getting ahead of the game but at the same time, may be better to resist it rather than just accept it’s coming..?

 

[Roestalker39]

So, possibly a how long is a piece of string question but.. folk seem fairly certain that a ban on lead bullets is likely,(given how wildfowling went I wouldn’t be too surprised).

But what I do wonder is whether this will likely only impact meat going into the game dealers? Or do you think there will be a blanket ban on their use on either deer or possibly leased land/all land? Shooting the odd deer a year for the freezer so I hope it’s not a blanket ban but interested to hear what people think.

(Main disappointment would’ve be that I think the smaller .22 calibers would struggle shoot a to be roe/Scotland legal with a copper bullet?).

Not to worry just keep paying the basc fees , that’s all that matters

 

[wildfowler.250]

Not to worry just keep paying the basc fees , that’s all that matters

Haha! Yes we’ve multiple segregated shooting organisations whilst the states have the NRA...some difference!

 

[kes]

If one is of a mind, all individual threats such as lead etc etc etc can be seen as diversions to see the end of lawful shooting - the 'death by a thousand cuts' syndrome.
If it were one issue you could see that for what it may be.
This is no single issue.

 

[User00040]

California banned lead ammunition for hunting a while ago. Barnes bullets are apparently very popular with hunters there.

Here is the CDC page for copper and its harmful affects (and potential) on human health: ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Copper

If UK authorities are really concerned about lead in ammunition then bowhunting should be legalised. Arrow shafts are made from carbon and expandable broadheads are stainless steel.

Another point, I would be very impressed from a technical standpoint if a system was developed to tell what type of bullet was used on a deer, but as a taxpayer, very upset.

 

[slider]

All the FLS (formally Forestry Commission Scotland rangers) are moving away from .243 as they will soon be required to use non lead ammunition

 

[User00025]

All the FLS (formally Forestry Commission Scotland rangers) are moving away from .243 as they will soon be required to use non lead ammunition

Thought they were all on .270 anyway. Need them for Reds Sika and night shooting. Most FC stalkers are on lead free down here.

 

[Redleg]

Not sure is anyone is aware but just been sent this..!

"I have been made aware today that BASC and the countryside alliance have agreed a voluntary ban on lead shot on game shooting from 2024.
This will immediately have an affect on non steel proof gun prices as well as put another nail in the head of British game shooting.
The organisations as they have done to shooting that they did to hunting.
This was something that Europe was campaigning and now we have left Europe we should not have to obey those rules.
I expand on this by saying I am not adverse to lead being phased out but steel is not a suitable replacement. It is too hard and wounds a lot of birds"

 

[reloader54]

Not sure is anyone is aware but just been sent this..!

"I have been made aware today that BASC and the countryside alliance have agreed a voluntary ban on lead shot on game shooting from 2024.
This will immediately have an affect on non steel proof gun prices as well as put another nail in the head of British game shooting.
The organisations as they have done to shooting that they did to hunting.
This was something that Europe was campaigning and now we have left Europe we should not have to obey those rules.
I expand on this by saying I am not adverse to lead being phased out but steel is not a suitable replacement. It is too hard and wounds a lot of birds"

Basc voluntary lead ban

 

[Redleg]

Basc voluntary lead ban

This is the reply one of the guys got when the emailed BASC.

“Shooting and rural organisations are in the final stages of agreeing a position on sustainable ammunition and we hope to make a joint announcement on Monday. I can’t tell you any more than this, at this stage.”

 

[User00014]

There is naff all wrong with lead free, been using it for over 10 years, I can’t see what all the yowling is all about, it’s just another cartridge, pull the trigger and it will go bang and something will fall over.

 

[Harry mac]

There is naff all wrong with lead free, been using it for over 10 years, I can’t see what all the yowling is all about, it’s just another cartridge, pull the trigger and it will go bang and something will fall over.

All very well for a mainstream shotgun gauge or rifle calibre, but that's not the whole picture. Shooting is a much broader church than that. If you ban lead, what will happen to the lowly and ubiquitus .22LR, the air rifle pellet, the musket ball, the black powder rifle cartridge? This is NOT an environmental issue, it is an anti shooting measure that will damage our sport at every level. Some branches of the sport will be able to develop lead free alternatives; others won't. The branches or disciplines where an alternative can't be found will be the first to disappear, followed in due course by the rest, once suitable excuses can be found. The "anti" movement is a multi headed beast, lead is just one of its "heads".

 

[Harry mac]

Or perhaps they will do it because lead has been proven to irretrievably harm the eco-system and our insides. Or am I just being silly now?

Without trying to be flippant, yes, I think that is silly. The amount of lead ingested by people who eat a lot of shot game was shown to be inconsequential. A study in Scandinavia showed lead levels in such people to be slightly raised above those normally found in the population, but even that level fell well below what is considered harmful.
As for damaging the environment. How? Bearing in mind the amount of lead getting chucked around our countryside every day, why aren't we hearing from the water companies about elevated levels of lead in water. Why aren't farmers experiencing crop failure, and why aren't the Food Standards Agency complaining of lead contaminated peas and rape seed?
I'm firmly of the opinion that this is not an environmental issue. It is an anti shooting measure in an environmental disguise.