"risk exposure to the toxic metal" That doesn't sound like an indictment of eating hunted game animals shot with lead bullets. I am wondering if these studies examined the lead levels of people who take in a majority of their protein from hunted sources. I don't see any mention of shotgun shell hunting in there either- and there is usually a choice to use lead or steel shot. I do know that the military is switching away from lead bullets because of the lead contamination at their firing ranges and war zones - but that is a tremendous amount of shooting taking place in both instances. Lead is bad for your health and the environment to be sure but a lone hunter in the woods? Really?

As a hunter, I am strongly considering transitioning my game loads to lead-free bullets, more for the sake of scavengers than the health of myself and my family. I think I can judiciously trim around the bullet channel, but scavengers (including birds of prey) will not. Non-lead bullets may cost more, but I am willing to make the switch for the sake of wildlife. I can still use my boxes of lead bullets for target practice.

Thanks for your responses, Bob and Bryan.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone out there know how MUCH more steel bullets or shotgun ammunition costs than lead? And are there other cheaper alternatives, like low-grade iron or something?

Tom Pelton

Tom,

Thanks for posting my comments!

Rifle bullets don't use steel. Current options include copper and copper alloy bullets. Shotguns can use loads that are called "steel," but they are typically combinations of various heavy metals or alloys.

Re rifle bullets: The question of price can get fuzzy. There are some high-end loads with lead that would be comparable with non-lead loads. Depending on a variety of factors, I would expect non-lead loads to cost 20-100% more than a rifle round with a lead bullet.

Thanks,
Bob