BASC update on voluntary transition away from lead shot and and single-use plastics for live quarry.

[Conor O'Gorman]

As we enter the fifth year of the eight major shooting organisations’ voluntary transition away from lead shot and single-use plastics for live quarry, it seems a good time to reflect on the significant achievements made over the past four years. BASC's Terry Behan looks at the progress so far.

Moving forward for the future of shooting

A commitment was made in 2020 to a voluntary transition away from lead shot and single-use plastics. Terry Behan looks at the progress so far.

basc.org.uk

 

[greylag]

"There are now more than 140 types of sustainable cartridge available, ranging from 12 gauge to 16 gauge. Smaller gauge cartridges are on the horizon, and bismuth and alternative shot products are suitable for the few guns that cannot use steel shot."

Not much of a range is it Conor...... what are the alternative shot products to bismuth for the "few" guns that cannot use steel

 

[25 Sharps]

"There are now more than 140 types of sustainable cartridge available, ranging from 12 gauge to 16 gauge. Smaller gauge cartridges are on the horizon, and bismuth and alternative shot products are suitable for the few guns that cannot use steel shot."

Not much of a range is it Conor...... what are the alternative shot products to bismuth for the "few" guns that cannot use steel

11 out of my 13 shotguns can’t shoot steel!

 

[greylag]

11 out of my 13 shotguns can’t shoot steel!

Where is the alternative to plastic wads for small gauges and steel

 

[Greenmist]

.

 

[Liveonce]

Any idea when the HSE are going to announce what’s happing?

 

[Mr. Gain]

The evidence for harm -environmental or human- from lead shot or projectiles is so flimsy, the "precautionary principle" so discredited compared to the principle of proportionality, and the costs to industry and consumers so high, that I remain baffled (and angry) that BASC and other orgs rolled over (without consulting their members) in the face of a patently anti-shooting "narrative" (a.k.a. propaganda campaign) and continue to do so. Put your collective feet down, dig your unified heels in, locate your collaborative backbone, and demand evidence consistent with proportionality -i.e. massive, hard evidence of illness or death. If it existed, the antis would have presented it already. They haven't, ergo they can't, ergo it doesn't exist.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

"There are now more than 140 types of sustainable cartridge available, ranging from 12 gauge to 16 gauge. Smaller gauge cartridges are on the horizon, and bismuth and alternative shot products are suitable for the few guns that cannot use steel shot."

Not much of a range is it Conor...... what are the alternative shot products to bismuth for the "few" guns that cannot use steel

There is a list here:

https://basc.org.uk/download/358749/?tmstv=1685980747

It will be updated in due course with more options that have since become available.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Any idea when the HSE are going to announce what’s happing?

I don't know. The last update was here:

HSE requests extension to timeline on lead ammunition restrictions

The HSE has requested an extension to the timeline for the final stage of its lead ammunition review in England, Wales and Scotland.

basc.org.uk

When there is a further update I will post it.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

The evidence for harm -environmental or human- from lead shot or projectiles is so flimsy, the "precautionary principle" so discredited compared to the principle of proportionality, and the costs to industry and consumers so high, that I remain baffled (and angry) that BASC and other orgs rolled over (without consulting their members) in the face of a patently anti-shooting "narrative" (a.k.a. propaganda campaign) and continue to do so. Put your collective feet down, dig your unified heels in, locate your collaborative backbone, and demand evidence consistent with proportionality -i.e. massive, hard evidence of illness or death. If it existed, the antis would have presented it already. They haven't, ergo they can't, ergo it doesn't exist.

There have been 4 years of consultation about the voluntary transition and that consultation continues.

 

[old 30-06]

Voluntary ? B A S C position on the transition ? The shooting organisations are the reason we are in this mess ! Consultation first, science and research second, then possible developments and solutions before an announcement should have been the way.

 

[Morkai]

Maybe BASC could ship a few slabs of these cartridges to its members so we can try them without wasting anymore money.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Voluntary ? B A S C position on the transition ? The shooting organisations are the reason we are in this mess ! Consultation first, science and research second, then possible developments and solutions before an announcement should have been the way.

I would be grateful if you could elaborate on what you think the mess is and why you think shooting organisations are the reason we are in this mess. If you prefer to reply by PM that is fine.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Maybe BASC could ship a few slabs of these cartridges to its members so we can try them without wasting anymore money.

Thousands of BASC members have attended events to try out alternatives. If you are interested please check out BASC magazine or our events page for more opportunities.

 

[Morkai]

Thousands of BASC members have attended events to try out alternatives. If you are interested please check out BASC magazine or our events page for more opportunities.

I will look out for that, thank you.

Did any come out as a clear winner with those that tried them?

 

[old 30-06]

Conor O'Grman, The mess is that a large number of air rifles cannot fire a non lead projectile to be lethal. A 22lr struggles as well. 28 bore and 410 shotguns currently have no non lead alternative cartridges. 12 bore non lead and non plastic ammunition is extreemly expensive. All the major shooting organisations were the body which just announced to the world that we were going to completely dispense with lead, prior to consultation, thought or notification. I am old and not too good with a computer, so find pm's difficult, hence the open reply..

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

I will look out for that, thank you.

Did any come out as a clear winner with those that tried them?

Some feedback here:

Try BASC’s sustainable ammunition days

Dr Peter Marshall, BASC's head of training and education, writes about the new sustainable ammunition days and the recent trial event that took place.

basc.org.uk

Why sustainable ammunition days are a superb introduction to steel shot

Explore expert insights and reviews on Why Sustainable Ammunition Days Are A Superb Introduction To Steel Shot gear. Find top-rated equipment, tips, and gear.

www.shootinguk.co.uk

 

[Morkai]

Some feedback here:

Try BASC’s sustainable ammunition days

Dr Peter Marshall, BASC's head of training and education, writes about the new sustainable ammunition days and the recent trial event that took place.

basc.org.uk

Why sustainable ammunition days are a superb introduction to steel shot

Explore expert insights and reviews on Why Sustainable Ammunition Days Are A Superb Introduction To Steel Shot gear. Find top-rated equipment, tips, and gear.

www.shootinguk.co.uk

Thank you.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Conor O'Grman, The mess is that a large number of air rifles cannot fire a non lead projectile to be lethal. A 22lr struggles as well. 28 bore and 410 shotguns currently have no non lead alternative cartridges. 12 bore non lead and non plastic ammunition is extreemly expensive. All the major shooting organisations were the body which just announced to the world that we were going to completely dispense with lead, prior to consultation, thought or notification. I am old and not too good with a computer, so find pm's difficult, hence the open reply..

Thanks. The organisations announced a voluntary move away from lead shot for live quarry shooting. That did not include airgun pellets or 22lr. Options for 28 bore and 410 shotguns are coming online but limited. Nobody announced that we were going to totally dispense with lead. Hope that helps.

 

[Steve Q]

As far as I am aware the intention is that where lead can be recovered (e.g. On ranges), lead for target shooting will not be banned, so no issue for air rifles or .22.
For shotguns where there are no sustainable alternatives (yet!), anyone keen to use those calibre could always reload their own cartridges unless the market catches up.
In terms of cost, unfortunately there is a price to preserving public health and saving the planet. Or do we want to leave our grandkids a pile of cash and a polluted planet?
I am definitely not a "tree hugger" but we cannot keep putting cost ahead of progress (otherwise I assume the nay sayers will be riding a horse as the running costs as lower than a car!)