unleaded ammo

PAPA G · 10-30-2009, 07:29 AM

just curious, but i wanna know.

with the push to get the lead out of ammo, will that ever reach bullet casting??? scrap lead has been a handloaders need since the earliest of days. what do you see as a usable substitute that wouldn't require massive changes in technique and equipment.

TargetGunFan · 10-30-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAPA G

just curious, but i wanna know.

with the push to get the lead out of ammo, will that ever reach bullet casting??? scrap lead has been a handloaders need since the earliest of days. what do you see as a usable substitute that wouldn't require massive changes in technique and equipment.

Great question, it will need to be a gliding metal and hopefully have about the same density as lead. The problem is any alternative seems to be ridiculously over priced. We may all be forced to shoot steel sabot rounds before its all over.

Blackrock · 10-30-2009, 07:52 AM

I am shooting Barnes lead free Varmint Grenades with good results. They price is not to bad and the Prairie Dogs don't get lead poisoning.

Big Dog · 10-30-2009, 08:43 AM

For casting - pure tin. It is lighter than lead, and would be 'harder' - so you would likely have to go with a longer bullet to retain the same weight, or use a lighter load.
Tin is more expensive too, so your bullet costs will be higher.

338RUM · 10-30-2009, 09:43 AM

I will be shooting lead even if it is outlawed, I really don't care I think it is stupid we got lead from the ground right? why can't we put it back through shooting?

Zephri · 10-30-2009, 09:50 AM

*sarcasm*Wrong. lead comes from space, it's not a naturally occurring element on the earth. *end sarcasm*

magicjeep · 10-30-2009, 10:17 AM

Wrong again. Lead comes from those big bad assault rifles. Every knows that.

ArkansasHunter · 10-30-2009, 10:28 AM

I don't think individuals will have to give up casting lead bullets but I'd almost bet manufactures will someday.

I'm not opposed to lead free bullets if they can manufacture them to be as good as lead if not better.

Lead does leach back into the ground into our drinking water, so if improvements can be made at a fair cost bring it on...A.H

338RUM · 10-30-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zephri

*sarcasm*Wrong. lead comes from space, it's not a naturally occurring element on the earth. *end sarcasm*

Last time I checked we mined lead from the ground, I did not know we sent shuttles to space to collect it. I said " we get it from the ground" so please with the where it came from speech, It was here when we were born so blah! Although I did not know it ORIGINALLY came from space, thanks for the info, it is actually kinda neat!

Big Dog · 10-30-2009, 01:55 PM

Lead also occurs as the byproduct of the degradation of radioactive elements.
So, way back when, further than even Mr. Peabody ever went, all that Uranium or Plutonium cooked away, and lead was produced.

Then The Good lord gave unto Man the knowledge to cast it into all sorts of neat and nifty things.

sea_chicken1 · 10-30-2009, 02:08 PM

Thats interesting. There must have been a ton of uranium and plutonium.

SwedeSteve · 10-30-2009, 02:08 PM

Everything originated in space, if you do not believe in God.

I'm shooting the solid copper Hornady's and they do fine.

Big Dog · 10-30-2009, 02:12 PM

All space is God's crucible. I have NO problem reconciling science and religion. Even Natural Selection is fully proven, and God's method of propogating life. The extremists on both sides are just being contrary and pig-headed. It all works out in the end.

sea_chicken1 · 10-30-2009, 02:19 PM

It seemed to do the trick when I kicked the door back into the intruders face and drew on him. That was the fastest I have ever seen anyone run in my life. The boldness of criminals right now is a sign of the times to come with the economy going to hell.

SUBMOA · 10-30-2009, 04:01 PM

I think the swedes used wood in 6.5x55 seems like I rember seeing a listing of it for sale. must have been for close range practice. Interesting alternative though, not much other practicality.

GlockMeister · 10-30-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 338RUM

I will be shooting lead even if it is outlawed, I really don't care I think it is stupid we got lead from the ground right? why can't we put it back through shooting?

I agree. I mean, look where the battle at Gettysburg took places as well as other places. Look at the ones they made into memorial parks and how mice and green the grass and trees grow with all that LEAD in the ground from those battles.

Here's a couple links to some photos of memorial parks as examples. And there are plenty more. I have also never heard that no animals ever inhabit these places because of all the LEAD in them nor have I ever heard of any animals that have mutations from all the Lead in them...

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park - Photo Gallery (U.S. National Park Service)

http://www.nps.gov/gett/photosmultim...1&root_aId=100

Very beautiful land with beautiful green grass and trees if you ask me...

This is just yet another back-door attempt at stopping and or removing guns by those who don't like them and or who want more restrictions and regulations.

tommy · 10-30-2009, 04:54 PM

you could go to the store and buy up all them little pewter figureines thing and melt them down.i think pewter would be a good alternative to lead/copper

killsnapz · 10-30-2009, 06:13 PM

Well for all of you reloaders just start hoarding all of the dead car batteries you can. There is a poop load of lead in a battery. Enough to keep you casting for a while at least. Fight the power!

Michael

AK Hunter · 10-30-2009, 07:15 PM

Here is one for you at this time of year when we go out at night in search of Vampires we will need Wooden bullets.
Here is some in 7.62x39 just in time for the Vampires hunters.

Yes there called blanks, but they have a real wood bullet.
Didn't the Germans try wood bullets at the end of WWII?
So who needs Lead.

tommy · 10-30-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killsnapz

Well for all of you reloaders just start hoarding all of the dead car batteries you can. There is a poop load of lead in a battery. Enough to keep you casting for a while at least. Fight the power!
Michael

right now i have about 50 batteries and another lbs of raw lead.i uesualy sell the batteries for 4.00 a piece but now i'm thinkin just cut them up and save the lead it's gonna be worth it's weight in gold soon

10-30-2009, 07:29 AM	#1
PAPA G Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Somerset, Guntucky Posts: 9,603	unleaded ammo just curious, but i wanna know. with the push to get the lead out of ammo, will that ever reach bullet casting??? scrap lead has been a handloaders need since the earliest of days. what do you see as a usable substitute that wouldn't require massive changes in technique and equipment. __________________ MOE! LARRY! THE CHEESE!

10-30-2009, 07:52 AM	#3
Blackrock Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Arizona's Gila Valley Posts: 974	I am shooting Barnes lead free Varmint Grenades with good results. They price is not to bad and the Prairie Dogs don't get lead poisoning. __________________ "I only use my gun whenever kindness fails" Forbidden fruits create many jams

10-30-2009, 08:43 AM	#4
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,104	For casting - pure tin. It is lighter than lead, and would be 'harder' - so you would likely have to go with a longer bullet to retain the same weight, or use a lighter load. Tin is more expensive too, so your bullet costs will be higher. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

10-30-2009, 09:43 AM	#5
338RUM Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lonaconing, MD Posts: 1,388	I will be shooting lead even if it is outlawed, I really don't care I think it is stupid we got lead from the ground right? why can't we put it back through shooting? __________________ What doesn't kill me has made a HUGE tactical mistake!

10-30-2009, 09:50 AM	#6
Zephri Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN. "The city where nothing happens." Posts: 1,223 Blog Entries: 6	sarcasmWrong. lead comes from space, it's not a naturally occurring element on the earth. end sarcasm __________________ "All rifles need a sharp pointy object on the end!"

10-30-2009, 10:17 AM	#7
magicjeep Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Central NJ Posts: 497	Wrong again. Lead comes from those big bad assault rifles. Every knows that.

10-30-2009, 10:28 AM	#8
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 18,445	I don't think individuals will have to give up casting lead bullets but I'd almost bet manufactures will someday. I'm not opposed to lead free bullets if they can manufacture them to be as good as lead if not better. Lead does leach back into the ground into our drinking water, so if improvements can be made at a fair cost bring it on...A.H __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER

10-30-2009, 01:55 PM	#10
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,104	Lead also occurs as the byproduct of the degradation of radioactive elements. So, way back when, further than even Mr. Peabody ever went, all that Uranium or Plutonium cooked away, and lead was produced. Then The Good lord gave unto Man the knowledge to cast it into all sorts of neat and nifty things. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

10-30-2009, 02:08 PM	#11
sea_chicken1 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everett WA. and Norfolk VA. Posts: 1,207	Thats interesting. There must have been a ton of uranium and plutonium.

10-30-2009, 02:08 PM	#12
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 26,420	Everything originated in space, if you do not believe in God. I'm shooting the solid copper Hornady's and they do fine. __________________ In the absence of orders, ATTACK !!

10-30-2009, 02:12 PM	#13
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,104	All space is God's crucible. I have NO problem reconciling science and religion. Even Natural Selection is fully proven, and God's method of propogating life. The extremists on both sides are just being contrary and pig-headed. It all works out in the end. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

10-30-2009, 02:19 PM	#14
sea_chicken1 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everett WA. and Norfolk VA. Posts: 1,207	It seemed to do the trick when I kicked the door back into the intruders face and drew on him. That was the fastest I have ever seen anyone run in my life. The boldness of criminals right now is a sign of the times to come with the economy going to hell.

10-30-2009, 04:01 PM	#15
SUBMOA Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: mountain home , ar Posts: 125	I think the swedes used wood in 6.5x55 seems like I rember seeing a listing of it for sale. must have been for close range practice. Interesting alternative though, not much other practicality.

10-30-2009, 04:54 PM	#17
tommy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: schriever la Posts: 5,041	you could go to the store and buy up all them little pewter figureines thing and melt them down.i think pewter would be a good alternative to lead/copper __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

10-30-2009, 06:13 PM	#18
killsnapz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Norwalk CT Posts: 496	Well for all of you reloaders just start hoarding all of the dead car batteries you can. There is a poop load of lead in a battery. Enough to keep you casting for a while at least. Fight the power! Michael

10-30-2009, 07:15 PM	#19
AK Hunter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: S.W. Indiana Posts: 161	Here is one for you at this time of year when we go out at night in search of Vampires we will need Wooden bullets. Here is some in 7.62x39 just in time for the Vampires hunters. Yes there called blanks, but they have a real wood bullet. Didn't the Germans try wood bullets at the end of WWII? So who needs Lead. Last edited by AK Hunter; 10-30-2009 at 07:18 PM.