Thread: Lead bullets and their risk to human health

Originally Posted by No.3

If we all went over to alternative ammo, the price would come down I expect due to volumes.

It has been the direct opposite to this with shotgun ammunition.

Originally Posted by Kune

It has been the direct opposite to this with shotgun ammunition.

It's a relative thing - all ammo has got dearer, might be better to phrase it that the price increases would not be so large???

Originally Posted by No.3

It's a relative thing - all ammo has got dearer, might be better to phrase it that the price increases would not be so large???

Considering steel is way cheaper than lead steel shot is not only still dearer than lead shot, it's way more expensive than it should be

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Considering steel is way cheaper than lead steel shot is not only still dearer than lead shot, it's way more expensive than it should be

Steel shot cartridges at least trap were initially significantly cheaper than lead I think 20% at least. Now they are the same. Certain events ( handicap by distance and gymcrak) can't be shot using steel as there's not enough residual energy as iron is 32% lighter than lead.
copper is about 25% lighter so to retain similar bullet weight you have a longer bullet that may give problems with stability.

Steel may be cheaper than lead but what does it cost to process it from billet to shot?

Originally Posted by techno retard

Steel may be cheaper than lead but what does it cost to process it from billet to shot?

Exactly, it's much cheaper as I understand it to produce lead shot than steel. The difference as I understand it is the steel is more labour intensive to ensure it's actually round and not odd-shaped - steel can't be dropped and then graded into sizes and/or reject like lead can.