Zeroing In on Lead in Hunters’ Bullets

[AtheistCrusader]

24. Not true.

It is banned nationwide for waterfowl.
It is also banned for upland bird hunting on any national wildlife refuge where waterfowl are present.

So, by itself, no, it is not the 'biggest' use of shot across the country. It is still used and legal for use at the federal level for upland birds off NWF lands. (Some states are banning it for certain regions as well, including upland bird hunting.)

This leaves:

1. Some states allow it for upland bird hunting on various lands.
2. Trap, skeet, etc.
3. Target practice in forest lands, etc.

So if one is to be concerned about lead entering the environment in this concentrated pellet form, and left as contamination, the issue is still quite large.

Steel shot performance is slightly inferior to lead, but pretty close with a properly choked shotgun, and there are other options like Tungsten as well. You might just have to go one to one and a half shot size larger with steel to accomplish the same job, energy-wise. Just choose your shot size based on desired pellet weight, and ignore the actual shot size entirely to accomplish the same job, and in doing so, you'll get the same range, same energy, and deeper penetration, at the cost of a few less pellets in flight (as they will be larger, less room for pellets per load)


Cost wise, they are pretty darn close.