Lead Free Primers

[User00040]

Hi all,

As some will be aware, lead styphnate is a component in nearly all rifle, shotgun and handgun primers. However, there are 'green' alternatives that use Diazodinitrophenol instead (no, I don't know what it is but Wiki will tell you: Diazodinitrophenol - Wikipedia)

A 2014 study raised questions about their reliability. Included was a statistic regarding lead exposure as a result of lead-based primers.

However, the US military has adopted M855A1 ammunition uses lead free primers (rumour has it these are made by Sellier & Bellot). Without going into the weeds and discussing that round, S&B is supposedly a major manufacturer of lead free primers now. So is Federal who are listing its Catalyst lead-free primer (which uses Bismuth ! styphnate - see article) as a component on their Premium line.

However, as far as I can assertain, no one is selling lead-free primers as a component.

Food for thought; I doubt many have thought much about this. Hope BASC is not reading this we will be told to phase out all firearms and we will have to adopt air-based alternatives within 5 years.

 

[Freeforester]

If you're getting that close stalking them that the meat could be contaminated by the primer residues, may I recommend you try a captive bolt gun? It'll save you a fortune in optics and mounts, but you'll probably spend a bit more on the knee patches for yer breeks!

 

[Smellydog]

Of course the real solution is to legalise archery equipment. Like other countries do.

 

[User00040]

Of course the real solution is to legalise archery equipment. Like other countries do.

Totally agree, however once the government makes a decision to ban something it is unlikely to ever be reversed. Not to mention what all the greenies would say.

However, having seen the current standard of archery in the UK, it does make you wonder what the hell happened to it all. Sad!

 

[CarlW]

Totally agree, however once the government makes a decision to ban something it is unlikely to ever be reversed. Not to mention what all the greenies would say.

However, having seen the current standard of archery in the UK, it does make you wonder what the hell happened to it all. Sad!

Don't worry. If this virus carries on, we'll all be back in the stone age, shooting bows and arrows, before you can say 'hand me that pangolin'...

 

[Andy RV]

As far as I’m aware the M855A1 is not using lead free primers, they’ll be using milspec CCI No. 41.

 

[paul o']

horrid round even at very low fps way under 2k fps its a shredder be eating bits with every bite lol perfect for pest control

 

[User00040]

As far as I’m aware the M855A1 is not using lead free primers, they’ll be using milspec CCI No. 41.

Thanks for raising that, having re-read the papers that is correct, they are still using the lead-based CCI.

 

[Laurie]

Thanks for raising that, having re-read the papers that is correct, they are still using the lead-based CCI.

There's a simple reason for that. No lead-free compound primer has yet been produced that combines lead styphnate's reliability under all temperatures and conditions with its good storage life. Lead-free gives poorer performance and also deteriorates much faster.

As a result this type is usually only specified for ammunition likely to be used indoors where lead build-up and pollution may be a problem, ie .22 rimfire and target centrefire pistol rounds. Many powders had to be modified to retain performance with this primer type. When Hodgdon Titegroup was introduced maybe 20 years ago, much was made by Hodgdon Powder of its designed-in compatibility with lead-free primers.

"As the name implies, this spherical propellant was designed for accuracy. Titegroup’s unique design provides flawless ignition with all types of primers, including lead-free versions."

 

[User00040]

There's a simple reason for that. No lead-free compound primer has yet been produced that combines lead styphnate's reliability under all temperatures and conditions with its good storage life. Lead-free gives poorer performance and also deteriorates much faster.

As a result this type is usually only specified for ammunition likely to be used indoors where lead build-up and pollution may be a problem, ie .22 rimfire and target centrefire pistol rounds. Many powders had to be modified to retain performance with this primer type. When Hodgdon Titegroup was introduced maybe 20 years ago, much was made by Hodgdon Powder of its designed-in compatibility with lead-free primers.

"As the name implies, this spherical propellant was designed for accuracy. Titegroup’s unique design provides flawless ignition with all types of primers, including lead-free versions."

Thank you for your input Laurie, I learnt a lot from reading your articles on primers.

Eyes opened by the fact that was 20 years ago!