Thought we’d completely dealt with the threat of poisonous lead in our hunting ammunition? Think again

THE NON-TOXIC ALTERNATIVES

Lead has always been a good choice in hunting ammunition—it’s readily available, inexpensive, dense, and easily formed into a variety of shapes and sizes. It also possesses excellent ballistic properties, making it the standard for hunting bullets for well over a century.

The first lead-free rifle ammunition readily available to the hunting community was the Barnes X Bullet, introduced in 1989. It was created by Randy Brooks, the owner of Barnes Bullets, who was inspired during an Alaskan bear hunt to construct an all-copper bullet—without a jacket or lead core—that would provide more reliable and consistent terminal performance. Looking back, it’s interesting to note that Brooks didn’t develop this innovative bullet for its environmental or health-related benefits, but for its performance. I can’t imagine he had any idea at the time just how influential his idea would become.

Often referred to as “monolithic” or “monometal” bullets, inferring they’re made with a single material (copper), many of today’s offerings are actually constructed of a copper alloy, usually incorporating zinc. Whatever the case, they’re becoming increasingly popular in the marketplace.

At this year’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, for example, I checked out the latest offerings from the Kinetic Group, the parent company of Federal, Remington, CCI and HEVI-Shot, among other ammunition brands. Of the new products being promoted, one of just two new Federal big-game bullets was an all-copper shotgun slug, while Remington’s only new big-game offering was a cartridge featuring a copper alloy bullet. (Federal also introduced a new steel/bismuth shotshell for upland birds, while HEVI-Shot showcased its new all-steel upland loads.)

The direction the industry is taking is clear, and as a Kinetic Group spokesperson said, “We make many, many types of ammunition based on our customers’ needs and preferences. Market trends and demands show a growing need for various types of ammunition, and we’re delivering.”