Outdoor Adventure USA

Non Lead Ammunition And Bullets

There is just no denying the growing popularity of non lead ammunition and bullets. And interestingly, this seems to be in addition to, or despite the forced use of, non lead ammo by certain states. Regardless of the circumstances, there is a whole new world of non lead technology that should interest you, especially if you appreciate highly accurate and effective bullet performance.

This net will offer information for non handloaders as well as those who make their own, for both rifles and hand guns.

For California hunters: The lead ban has some twists of which you should be aware. The NRA has prepared a guide to these new rules and it should help keep you in compliance and out of trouble. Click this link for a copy of the Guide: http://www.crpa.org/ab-711-compliance-guide/ .


QUICK REMINDER: The last net of the year will be on December 15, 2022. The topic will be Christmas gifts for the outdoorsman, and we need as many contributions as possible.

Background, History, and Technology

Any discussion of non lead bullets must include at least a brief history of lead bullets, as it gives us a foundation upon which we can compare lead to non lead. It also gives us a performance bar that non lead projectiles should meet, if not exceed. In a perfect world, it would be most helpful if the discussion of "non lead projectiles" could be completely free from the political bias that surrounds anything concerning the Second Amendment, but alas, it just ain't so. So, I will do my best not to wander into that mine field, but sometimes my resolve wears thin.

The use of lead dates back thousands of years. One of the more well known uses was by the ancient Romans who used it to make water pipes, some of which are believed to be still in use today. While lead does not often occur naturally in the earth's surface, the mining and processing of it is neither difficult nor uncommon. The first firearms did not use lead projectiles, but it wasn't long before firearm makers discovered the advantage of this very heavy metal.

The underlying reasons why lead was, and still is, the most common component in the manufacture of bullets are no secret:

• plentiful and cheap

• extremely malleable

• low melting point making it easy to shape into projectiles by common shooters

• high density

• can be alloyed with other metals for a harder bullet, suitable for higher velocities

The virtues of lead projectiles, which have existed for hundreds of years, still exist today. But, current technology has made some significant improvements, and one of the greatest advances has been the addition of other substances to the mix to create better and more effective alloys, and thus a better bullet. In an almost equal proportion, the metal jacket, for lead core bullets, and the bonding of the lead core to the jacket, have similarly advanced the effectiveness of lead bullets. The net effect of each of these three factors, has produced some of the most effective firearm projectiles we have ever seen. The standard that current lead bullet technology has set has created a very high bar which non lead bullets must meet, or surpass, if they are to remain viable.

That which follows, is my journey to meet that bar. A few axioms merit mention.

• one of the most common measures of the terminal effectiveness of a bullet is the energy imparted to the target, and usually measured in foot pounds of energy.

• Terminal effectiveness is likewise measured by the bullets ability to effectively and sufficiently penetrate the target, creating as much internal damage as possible for an ethical kill.

• The extent to which a projectile can maintain as much of its original weight as possible, will improve its ability to penetrate. The deeper the penetration, the more internal damage, and the greater probability of an ethical and humane kill.

• The extent to which a projectile can mushroom (or expand in size) will also aid in a quick, humane, and ethical kill.

PERFORMANCE

The most important quality of any bullet, regardless of its make-up, is PERFORMANCE, PERFORMANCE AND PERFORMANCE. While "terminal performance" is critical, there is more, much more!

The most valued qualities:

• stay together

• penetration

• minimal fouling

• accuracy

• maximum energy transfer

THE COPPER BULLET REVOLUTION

The American copper bullet revolution began in 1989 with the introduction of the "X Bullet" by Barnes Ammunition Company. Advertising claims and subsequent range testing showed that these new bullets possessed two qualities that were (and still are) highly valued by hunters and shooters:

• near total weight retention

• exceptional expansion (mushrooming.)

That was enough to pique my interest, and I was sold. Shortly after the 1989 introduction, I bought up every box of Barnes X Bullets I could find, many of which I still have. In the ensuing years I have tested the X bullets with varying levels of success, but I start with the initial confirmation of the above two qualities

INITIAL X BULLET TESTING

The Tested Bullets - Both 30 caliber (.308) at 165 grains

Nosler (One of my top favorite cup and core bullets)


Barnes X


Bullets after firing

Nosler


Barnes



Test Results

For this shooter, this test (along with dozens of my other similar tests) supported my view that copper bullets performed as well, if not better than their lead competitors, that is, with respect to expansion and weight retention. And, while these are my results, they, IN NO WAY impugn the quality or performance of Nosler bullets. In fact, I have successfully relied on the Partition bullets for their exceptional accuracy and reliability, and when permitted, will continue to do so.


ACCURACY

In the decade or so which followed the introduction of the X Bullet, there were 2 different problems which became increasingly evident with the X bullets which were not anticipated by Barnes. And, they were problems that neither the weight retention nor expansion qualities could overcome. As of today, these problems have been addressed, and solved (and it seems copied by the ever increasing number of copper bullet manufacturers.) This discussion will be reserved for the net, but the following pictures will be used as part of this discussion.


THE CURE



QUICK NOTE: While many lead bullets have "bonded cores", meaning that they have secured (or bonded) the lead to the jacket, not all bullets have this feature, and the last thing that you want is to have the lead break free from the jacket and have this happen:

Handloading (Reloading)

Handloading with non lead bullets, or copper bullets, requires special attention and adjustments to normal practices. Initially these adjustments were due to two reasons, density differences and bearing differences between lead and copper. The bearing difference being at least a partial function of the density difference.

Initially, handloaders need to acknowledge and take into account this density difference. Density boils down to the different weights that each metal presents for a given volume. Here are some examples of weights for different metals for cubic foot of each:

Aluminum 169 lbs.
Copper 559 lbs.
Silver 655
Lead 709 lbs.
Gold 1206 lbs

Clearly, lead is denser than copper, and given equal volumes, the copper will weigh less that the lead. So, in order to achieve the same weight for any caliber, the copper needs to be longer than lead. And, when cartridge overall length (COL) is an issue. the only way to handload copper projectiles is to seat them deeper into the case, and that means less room in the case for powder. Translation: lower velocity due to less powder, (not always true, however.)

Here are the visual realities of lead bullets and copper bullets of the same weight:

These are both .45 caliber, 300 gr. bullets, but notice the difference in length of the all copper Cutting Edge bullet over the lead core Freedom Arms bullet.


These are both .30 caliber bullets, but notice the Lehigh on the left, which is a 152 gr. all copper bullet, and the shorter one on the right, which is a heavier165 gr. lead core bullet. Even at a greater weight, the lead bullet is shorter.


The major safety concern with copper bullets, given their longer size, arises when handloaders use the same powder charge as lead bullets and then attempt to seat copper bullets to the same OAL (over all length) as lead bullets of the same weight. One of three things can happen:

• the bullet will not seat against the powder charge, resulting in a longer OAL

• the powder charge will get compressed

• the base of the bullet will use up more of the free space in the case

Danger lurks in EACH of these scenarios, and a reduction of gun powder is the usual (almost universal) cure.

Today there are quite a few bullet manufacturers who offer non lead alternatives to lead, and all of which are made from copper or some sort of copper alloy. And, with the risks so high for an error, there is no reason to not consult the loading data, which is available from just about every make of copper bullets. In fact, Barnes offers, free of charge, one of the very best loading data resources for copper bullets that I have seen. Click on this link to find the Barnes copper bullets of your choice: https://www.barnesbullets.com/load-data/

CONCLUSION

The evolution of the copper bullet has seen some impressive technology upgrades, and, whether you are forced to use these non lead bullets or just want some impressive performance, copper has you covered.

My proof. The following target was placed at 100 yards, using handloads of Lehigh 152 gr. CC copper bullets. As the attorneys say, "I rest my case."

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