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

THE LEAD-FREE FUTURE

As it stands, it appears Canada’s hunting community is gaining confidence in monolithics. In a 2018 membership survey, for example, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters found that a full 20 per cent of respondents had purchased lead-free ammunition for applications other than waterfowling. Looking forward, we should expect that manufacturers will develop even better lead-free rifle bullets, just as they’ve done with non-toxic shotshells.

What I hope won’t happen, and what I don’t think is necessary, is the institution of regulations mandating the use of lead-free rifle ammunition in Canada. To date, California is the only North American jurisdiction to have banned all lead ammunition, and I’ve yet to hear anything suggesting other states or provinces are contemplating similar legislation.

None of us needs to be told that lead is bad for the environment and our health; that’s why most consumer products, including gasoline and paint, no longer contain lead, after all. And again, as hunters we’re the ultimate conservationists, and none of us wants to impart harm unnecessarily on wildlife of any description. So, as we learn more about the negative impacts of lead-core bullets on non-targeted wildlife, and as the performance and availability of monometals continue to improve, I’m confident we’ll see a steady, voluntary migration toward a lead-free future.

Hunting editor Ken Bailey is increasingly using lead-free ammunition for all hunting.

GETTING THE LEAD OUT

Virtually all of the major ammunition manufacturers now offer one or more factory-loaded, non-toxic rifle cartridge line for hunting. The lead-free options for muzzleloader bullets, shotgun slugs and rimfire rounds, meanwhile, are more limited, but growing with time. The following are among the most popular lead-free cartridge options now available for rifle hunters.

BARNES BULLETS • VOR-TX Rifle

FEDERAL • Premium Trophy Copper • Power-Shok Copper Rifle • Premium line with Barnes TSX bullets

HORNADY • Outfitter Ammunition • MonoFlex LEVERevolution • NTX Superformance Varmint

NORMA •ECOSTRIKE • EVOSTRIKE

NOSLER • Expansion Tip • Ballistic Tip Lead-Free Varmint

REMINGTON • Premier CuT

SAKO • Powerhead Blade

WEATHERBY • Select Plus, loaded with Barnes TTSX bullets

WINCHESTER • Copper Impact • Varmint LF • Varmint X Lead-Free