Posted on 12/18/2013 12:43:22 PM PST by Sleeping Freeper
When the last bullet-producing lead smelter closes its doors on Dec. 31, it will mark a major victory for those who say lead-based ammunition pollutes the environment, but others warn 'green' bullets will cost more, drive up copper prices and do little to help conservation
The bid to ban lead bullets, seen by some as harmful to the environment, started slowly more than a decade ago. But with two dozen states, including California, banning bullets made of the soft, heavy metal, the lead bullet's epitaph was already being written when the federal government finished it off.
First, the military announced plans to phase out lead bullets by 2018.
Then the federal Environmental Protection Agency, citing emissions, ordered the shutdown of the Doe Run company's lead smelter in Herculaneum, Mo., by year's end.
Whether by state or federal regulation, or by market forces, lead bullets will be all but phased out within a few years in favor of so-called green bullets, experts say. While many believe that this will help the environment by keeping lead from contaminating groundwater, others say switching to copper-based bullets will cost hunters and sportsmen more and have little effect on the environment.
"Whatever the EPA's motivation when creating the new lead air quality standard, increasingly restrictive regulation of lead is likely to affect the production and cost of traditional ammunition," the National Rifle Association said in a statement
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“does it really matter if its lead or steel that tears through the target?”
Yes.
Way too much has been made of the closing of Doe Run.
There’s still plenty of lead ore being smelted in Mexico and Canada...
Maybe body shops as well. Remember Cash for Clunkers where the government tried to get old cars off the road? Lots of lead was used to hold body parts together at seams. I've done body work on my 60s-era cars; hold a torch to the seams and lots of lead runs off into a collection pan. Newer cars used a substitute for lead that needs much higher temperatures and is not as easy to work with.
I have a good supply of lead and bullet molds. I’m also looking into making copper jackets for jacketed bullets. As for hunting, I already use copper Barnes bullets for most loads.
All the new wheel weights are made from Zinc, and it is not much good for making anything but fishing weights and lures, but it might make a good filler for copper jacketed bullets.
Stock up while you can.
“lead-based ammunition pollutes the environment ,but where does lead come from ,D’oh , LOL”
Hmmm ....
Maybe when the Chinese take over the Moon to colonize it, we can convince them to keep it lead-free.
Got to protect the Galaxy, you know.
I reload and have enough little blk & gold boxes on my bench for my grandkids, grandkids moose hunting seasons a long way down the road. Check out SPS and stock up with the best lead bullets out there while you still can; you won't regret it.
They want to make situations soooo dangerous - in order to rally around - once again - why all guns should be banned...they are trying to tunnel us all into a direction that will benefit their goals...
AZ Game & Fish helps promote ‘news’ from enviros that lead is making it’s way into the diet of endangered California Condors in the Arizona Strip and that the birds have become very sick. They (enviros) say that one or two of the condors have actually died from ingesting lead.
True or not, the propaganda is getting out there.
I thought the issue of water was that waterfowl pick it up and grind it in their gizzards.
DU will mess up a range (as far as EPA-type thinking).
I talked to a doctor about lead in the human body, such as a non-removed bullet. He said no problem, except maybe in a joint where the fluid there might dissolve the lead.
Winner, Winner- Chicken Dinner!!!
P.S. don't tell the Germans or they may take the lead in place of their Gold they asked for the other week. /s
Think of throwing a ping pong ball as hard as you can and then a rock of the same size and shape.
“I wonder what this will to to the price of tungsten.”
Whatever Putin say it will become, since most tunsten comes from Russia. Lov’n your EPA yet?
Is it illegal in CA to possess a lead bullet?
Virtually ALL ammo is made from recycled lead NOT from this smelter. The author is ill informed when he says it will have an immediate impact on ammo. Just remember to recycle your old car batteries.
I’m know I’m preaching to the choir, but I’m exhausted with people trying to save me from myself.
We have shot over the same dove field and the same duck pond for 87 years.
One a whim I had a friend who is a pinko environmental engineer test the soil and the water. It’s fine. No issues.
My grandfather walked around with about an extra 1lb of lead in him for 50+ years.
Hint: he didn’t die of lead poisoning.
Well, not immediately.
Texas banned lead shot shells back in the 80s or 90s for hunting waterfowl between the coast and IH 10 (not sure) and I had several geese that should have been in the freezer rather still flying. That was with a 10 gage 3 1/2 inch magnum. Feathers flew, and so did the birds.
It is rough on shotgun barrels too. You can't use the same powder / shot combo as in lead shot.
“While many believe that this will help the environment by keeping lead from contaminating groundwater....”
Huh. Must be because of all the recent instances of guns lost in unfortunate boat accidents.
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