There was a study done which said that lead found in condors had the same molecular breakdown as lead found in ammunition. Ammunition, according to the FBI Forensic Lab, has the same molecular breakdown as lead found in car batteries and other lead products because ammunition uses recycled lead to make bullets. I truly believe the condor is still struggling even though we have not been able to use lead based ammunition in condor country since what, 2007?
If you, as a scientist, are provided millions of dollars in grant money by a special interest group to find a problem, are you going to come back with information which busts the hypothesis you are trying to prove? I have been around too long to believe everything I read. Trust but verify. Everyone posting has relevant information and we should read as much into this topic to be informed sportsmen and women. Bottom line is we ALL need to be active in the preservation of our heritage and question results of all things which impact our community.
Paul, The non-lead rule only applies to hunting with a firearm. Pellet guns may still use lead. Target shooting may use either but lead is cheaper. Sighting in for a hunt should be done with the ammunition you will be using during the hunt (non-lead).
There seems to be a lot of misinformed people making comments on this column. Non-lead bullets used in hunting was the topic but folks are talking about bullets penetrating ballistic vests, fish getting high lead from just swimming through the water and a bunch of other nonsense. Here are some fact. ALL rifle bullets will penetrate the average police ballistic vest. They are designed to stop pistol ammunition which is traveling much slower. Most vests are designed to stop bullets up to a .38 special/.357 Mag. Additional plates can be added to stop larger rounds but most police do not have these plates.
While lead may leach out in water, the current disburses the concentrated area rapidly and is of no consequence to marine life. There have been numerous studies on the effects of lead in marine life and all attempt to stop the use of lead in fishing weights have been ended with the use of scientific based information.
Here is a good question. Did anyone of the folks posting call their elected representative or Fish and Game Commission to voice their opposition when all of this was being discussed? If not, are you part of the problem or part of the solution to keep hunting in California? No need to reply either way. Most hunters and shooters just want to be left alone to do their thing. Unfortunately, we as a community can no longer be the silent minority. We have to be smart because the anti-hunting groups are already three steps ahead of us and they have money and people to fight against our hunting heritage.
Copper and other non-lead bullets work just fine but they cost an average of $20 more per box of 20 than lead-based ammo. Part of the law was to establish a fund to provide rebates of the difference between the two box prices but was never established. Is this a way to stop the law from taking effect? Maybe. Non-lead flies differently than lead based bullets because they are often longer. Smaller calibers, less than 30 caliber, need a higher rate of twist (1 in 9 or faster) on the rifle in order to stabilize in flight. More companies are making strides to put out non-lead bullets but most manufacturers do not believe it is worth it to cater to California so we may be limited.
Get your ammo before July 1, 2019 so you do not have to get your background check in order to purchase. ammunition.
7 years ago
California's lead ammo ban in effect July 1There was a study done which said that lead found in condors had the same molecular breakdown as lead found in ammunition. Ammunition, according to the FBI Forensic Lab, has the same molecular breakdown as lead found in car batteries and other lead products because ammunition uses recycled lead to make bullets. I truly believe the condor is still struggling even though we have not been able to use lead based ammunition in condor country since what, 2007?
If you, as a scientist, are provided millions of dollars in grant money by a special interest group to find a problem, are you going to come back with information which busts the hypothesis you are trying to prove? I have been around too long to believe everything I read. Trust but verify. Everyone posting has relevant information and we should read as much into this topic to be informed sportsmen and women. Bottom line is we ALL need to be active in the preservation of our heritage and question results of all things which impact our community.
Keep the faith and shoot straight!
7 years ago
California's lead ammo ban in effect July 1Paul, The non-lead rule only applies to hunting with a firearm. Pellet guns may still use lead. Target shooting may use either but lead is cheaper. Sighting in for a hunt should be done with the ammunition you will be using during the hunt (non-lead).
7 years ago
California's lead ammo ban in effect July 1There seems to be a lot of misinformed people making comments on this column. Non-lead bullets used in hunting was the topic but folks are talking about bullets penetrating ballistic vests, fish getting high lead from just swimming through the water and a bunch of other nonsense. Here are some fact. ALL rifle bullets will penetrate the average police ballistic vest. They are designed to stop pistol ammunition which is traveling much slower. Most vests are designed to stop bullets up to a .38 special/.357 Mag. Additional plates can be added to stop larger rounds but most police do not have these plates.
While lead may leach out in water, the current disburses the concentrated area rapidly and is of no consequence to marine life. There have been numerous studies on the effects of lead in marine life and all attempt to stop the use of lead in fishing weights have been ended with the use of scientific based information.
Here is a good question. Did anyone of the folks posting call their elected representative or Fish and Game Commission to voice their opposition when all of this was being discussed? If not, are you part of the problem or part of the solution to keep hunting in California? No need to reply either way. Most hunters and shooters just want to be left alone to do their thing. Unfortunately, we as a community can no longer be the silent minority. We have to be smart because the anti-hunting groups are already three steps ahead of us and they have money and people to fight against our hunting heritage.
Copper and other non-lead bullets work just fine but they cost an average of $20 more per box of 20 than lead-based ammo. Part of the law was to establish a fund to provide rebates of the difference between the two box prices but was never established. Is this a way to stop the law from taking effect? Maybe. Non-lead flies differently than lead based bullets because they are often longer. Smaller calibers, less than 30 caliber, need a higher rate of twist (1 in 9 or faster) on the rifle in order to stabilize in flight. More companies are making strides to put out non-lead bullets but most manufacturers do not believe it is worth it to cater to California so we may be limited.
Get your ammo before July 1, 2019 so you do not have to get your background check in order to purchase. ammunition.