The end of lead = the end of 22LR?

[nCognitos]

Considering the cost many of the target shooters would simply give up. It won't be viable to spend a fortune to use non lead alternates for target shooting

It will certainly deter the casual target shooter but club shooters are already paying 13p a round for SK Rifle Match, 19p a round for Lapua Center-X and 26p a round for Tenex. If non-lead ammo comes in at 20p a round I think most club shooters will continue and buy it for outdoors.

I suppose we will still be able to buy lead for indoor shooting, where it is all contained in bullet traps. Indoors, it's the danger of ricochet that worries me.

 

[landowner]

Is there a consensus on which calibre to switch to instead of 22LR for rabbits? Or even CWD/MJ?

 

[Pellet Pinger]

Is there a consensus on which calibre to switch to instead of 22LR for rabbits? Or even CWD/MJ?

For rabbits? Buy some ferrets.

 

[Apthorpe]

I'll give some a try, but not being subsonic is a very serious disadvantage. Being twice the price is also a major irritation.

Is there a consensus on which calibre to switch to instead of 22LR for rabbits? Or even CWD/MJ?

Yes. A Blaser in .22 Creedmoor.

 

[One on top of two]

I'll give some a try, but not being subsonic is a very serious disadvantage. Being twice the price is also a major irritation.

Yes. A Blaser in .22 Creedmoor.

Thats a lot of barrel life for a bunny .

 

[Overlay]

17 Mach 2 is a cracking rabbit round, I'm hoping that will still be available in a accurate non lead, mine is a sako with a barrel change facility, if no decent ammo that will change to a 22 rimmy after I've used all the ammo up I’ve got for it

restrictions cutting in yet again

 

[MW73]

I was one of the very first matey of the Original mob , I was member 185 .
It’s a very strange place nowadays . I certainly don’t belong anymore .

What makes you say that out of curiosity?

 

[Heym SR20]

Have any of you actually read the warnings on the side of box of ammunition. Here is a box of Eley 22lr Sub and Federal 223

 

[Pete1774]

FAC air?

A shooting friend of mine has two FAC air rifles, an FX Imact M3 and an Urgan. These produce around 90 and 75 f/p of muzzle enery respectively and they are certainly equal to, or better than, 22LR in terms of accuracy at 100+ yds. BUT, they still use lead ammo. There are a selection of non lead pellets around but realistically they are only useable in sub 12 air rifles over shorter ranges whereas these rifles perform better with heavy lead slugs. The biggest downside is the cost of these rifles; £1,600 upwards plus an air bottle, scope etc. Yes there are cheaper FAC air rifles but these don't have the same power, typically around 30 to 40 f/p in .22 cal. which, from my experience with a FAC BSA R10 and an Air Arms S510 XS, means that they are only useful for rabbits out to about 70 or 80 yds. So its not just the 22LR shooters with a doubtful future.

 

[Heym SR20]

The 17 HMR works well with non toxic.

If you want silence then a PCP air rifle, probably FAC rated.

A 22lr is challenged by its slow twist rate barrel. Most are 1 in 16”. Given the popularity of the 22, especially in the US I would be surprised if manufacturers are not working on solutions.

 

[Pete1774]

Have any of you actually read the warnings on the side of box of ammunition. Here is a box of Eley 22lr Sub and Federal 223View attachment 272551

Asbestos underpants?

 

[VSS]

A likely outcome of the end of lead ammo will be the end of 22LR as a viable calibre, among other devastating effects on the dying industry of shooting?

Discuss.

The end of the 22lr as a result of a lead ammo ban is about as likely as the end of electricity due to dwindling fossil fuel reserves.

 

[Bowland blades]

Well, I mainly use 22 hornet now for rabbits ( jacketed lead ) , the 22lr get used but when i am looking at a dozen being a fair bag it has no great place economically. It also gives me a truly fox capable rifle and a lot more reach. You can now buy 22 hornet non toxic but only in factory and it seems its all with the importer for RFDs to order in and of course its way too much cost at present .
Any company that can manufacture 22lr none toxic that really work in std twist barrels will however make an absolute fortune, so i guess that means watch this space ? There is a lot of money in 22 lr sales !

 

[hammo]

I am getting a .22WMR at some poiunt in the near future, cant find any non lead ammo on sale so far.....

 

[Bowland blades]

I am getting a .22WMR at some poiunt in the near future, cant find any non lead ammo on sale so far.....

i suspect a lot of it is at the uk distributer end of things , sat in warehouses as rfds aint going to be ordering in and having it sat there unsold at the current prices they will want it out the door fast

 

[Bo Diddley]

I was one of the very first matey of the Original mob , I was member 185 .
It’s a very strange place nowadays . I certainly don’t belong anymore .

Do tell us more??

 

[One on top of two]

just a different crowd .

 

[Smellydog]

I am getting a .22WMR at some poiunt in the near future, cant find any non lead ammo on sale so far.....

Mine liked Hornady 25gn ntx..

 

[malmick]

This makes interesting reading. I'd certainly get a box of each and try them out in my .22's when I can get them locally.

 

[Heym SR20]

This makes interesting reading. I'd certainly get a box of each and try them out in my .22's when I can get them locally.

Interesting article. I have tried the RWS in my 22 Brno Mod 2. Accuracy at 50yds - well most went into a group the size of a 50rd 22lr box of ammo.

I suspect one of the challenges with most 22s, especially those of considerable vintage is that they are rarely cleaned and so will have a considerable level of lead and lubricant fouling built up in the rifling.

It would be interesting to see how these zinc bullets perform after a deep so you get good grip on the rifling.