Posted on 12/21/2014 6:40:50 AM PST by rellimpank
Lead is malleable.
Some opinions about lead ammunition are not.
That’s what critics of lead bullets and shells are finding as they advocate a switch to nontoxic alternatives such as steel.
In a fight reminiscent of the climate-change debate, evolving evidence of threats to the environment, wildlife and humans from lead ammo and tackle is facing a firing squad of politicians and special-interest groups.
Caught in the crossfire are hunters and anglers. So is the Environmental Protection Agency, a favorite target of rural-state lawmakers like U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who is a co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.
Thune said he inserted the provision in the recently approved $1.1 trillion congressional spending bill that bans the EPA from regulating lead in ammunition and fishing tackle — at least through September, when the spending bill expires. He wants to keep the EPA from getting its “tentacles” into hunting and fishing.
“I don’t know why the EPA needs to cast its net even wider and overreach yet again on another issue,” Thune said.
(Excerpt) Read more at rapidcityjournal.com ...
I'd love to be able to buy copper plated steel bullets. Love it. Bring it on.
yeah..._Resident Soetoro is prepared to do damage to the 2nd by executive order soon...perhaps before the new year.
the lead ban could be one of them
Copper washed steel bullets are everywhere. Russian & U.S. military ammo as far back as WWII or maybe even earlier.
How about producing steel ammo with a tungsten insert? That's non-toxic...:)
There are some applications where only lead will do.
I prefer black tips.....I’ve seen what they do. Can’t buy them cheaply for sure. Have trouble even finding them for 30’06
I have a full bandolier of Garand black tips in clips. I want more.
Well, I know why, and so does anyone else with a shred of interest in saving the Republic.
Why is Thune so stupid?
He knows. He is trying to reach low information voters with a “soft sell”.
Tell them the EPA is a tool of totalitarians, and they might reject it altogether.
Tell them that he does not know why the EPA is acting so totalitarian, and they may accept it.
I...probably shouldn’t even talk about it. ;)
They aren’t illegal, but I get your drift.
Not only that...but by banning lead in ammo, they drive up ammo costs and make ammo generally scarcer. The AGENDA is to ban gun ownership. If they can’t do it directly, use the EPA to stop ammo sales, which indirectly have the same effect as a gun ban.
Since lead is easily melted and poured into molds, perhaps we should seriously consider buying bars of it and hiding them. You never know when you’ll need to self load ammo due to government overreach. Save your brass, too!
Sudden W poisoning isn’t toxic?
Won’t steel bullets ream out the rifling on barrels a lot faster?
You use copper jackets to prevent that. The big problem is one of sectional density, given 2 projectiles of equal size and shape but different weight the heavier projectile retains more energy, maintains velocity better and flies farther.
outofsalt : “Won’t steel bullets ream out the rifling on barrels a lot faster?”
SWAMPSNIPER : “You use copper jackets to prevent that....”
Bullet jacket material for much of US 30 cal rifle ammunition has been steel, with a thin copper plating, since the early 1950s at least. This includes 30M2 Ball and AP, and 7.62x51 NATO Ball M59 and M80. Go test some with a magnet.
Barrel wear rate differences between the plated steel and “gilding metal” (a specialized brass alloy, used in most jacketed applications in sporting ammunition since late 1920s) have never been disclosed. DoD numbers probably wouldn’t mean much to the civilian user anyway: other factors (bore size and finish, configuration of lands/grooves, projectile size and finish, propellant type, bore and projectile plating, dimensional differences from one manufacturer to the next, ambient conditions, and rate of fire) may dominate.
5.56x45 ball M193 has never been loaded with steel jackets.
Heavier projectiles enjoy the edge in energy only when muzzle velocity is equal. Given the limits on maximum chamber pressure, ammunition producers are often forced to provide lower velocities for heavier bullets, because they would otherwise exceed the pressure limits.
EPA is well-known in the outdoor/fishing/hunting products industry, for proposing bans on lead. Happens every few years; more likely to succeed each time.
But then they’ll ban them because they’re “armor piercing cop killer” bullets! See, it’s a win/win for the forces of darkness. Plus, how many rounds do you get per barrel change when you’re shooting steel bullets, like 12?
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