banned hunting ammo

[n.c.outlaw2024]

Since lead shot for hunting is completely banned in my area, can anyone please recommend a good quality steel alternative? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mark M.]

Since lead shot for hunting is completely banned in my area, can anyone please recommend a good quality steel alternative? Thanks in advance.

If you're loading your own Tungsten Carbide, greatly out preforming lead

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Depends what your hunting?

 

[n.c.outlaw2024]

a variety of species thatcan be taken at any time.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Steel shot is ok for small critters/birds. Bismuth would be ok for rabbits, squirrel, small ducks, pheasant/quail just up size 1.5 sizes. 6-7.5 lead shot use 5-6 bismuth. Larger furry critters( or geese/large ducks) tungsten shot would have a big advantage and a much higher cost.

 

[n.c.outlaw2024]

Steel shot is ok for small critters/birds. Bismuth would be ok for rabbits, squirrel, small ducks, pheasant/quail just up size 1.5 sizes. 6-7.5 lead shot use 5-6 bismuth. Larger furry critters( or geese/large ducks) tungsten shot would have a big advantage and a much higher cost.

thank you.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Federal/Win #6 steel for doves, most economical non lead factory ammo. Use steel shot in modern shotguns(typically will have choke tubes). Bismuth for older shotguns.

 

[Bill K]

Non lead shot shells have not been allowed in Ca and other places for years. But if you are just getting into scattergun on birds/game, start with bismuth, then try some tungsten or some other makes and see which your gun likes best, as to patterns. Talk too or read the information regarding the various types of shot and size need or is considered best for the birds you are going to hunt.

 

[DRK]

Since lead shot for hunting is completely banned in my area, can anyone please recommend a good quality steel alternative? Thanks in advance.

Won't be long before no one can hunt with leaded ammunition.

 

[RegionRat]

When in need of non-lead shells of any kind, make sure you shop for them as early as you know what you want.

Do not wait till seasons get close or you may get left high and dry locally and then you would find yourself struggling to find anything at all.

Get samples early enough to test in your context and gun. Pattern test is recommended for all of these, and functional testing for semi-auto is a must.

I will go on record saying steel shot sucks. While it can work, it sucks when compared to lead.

Expect sticker shock when you see what Bismuth costs, and then you will go out of your mind when you see what Tungsten costs. YMMV

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

 

[SVT_Tactical]

I use boss shotshells for waterfowl. It's great stuff.

 

[Knotwild]

Keep in mind that you might have to learn how much to lead depending on what metal you choose to use. Steel is fast, requiring less lead, but that speed drops off fast, to the point you can see it ruffle a ducks feathers yet not bring him down. A lot of people use it because it's usually the cheapest alternative, but it really is inefficient.

 

[209jones]

If you buy by the box, it's pot luck, if you buy by the case, it's a good idea to check the lot nbr and pattern a box of it first. I've had high dollar rounds that patterned like krap, and low end stuff that was better, and vice versa, then go buy the case or whatever of that lot, after testing it. I've found the ammo lot makes more difference than the brands of chokes too. Often see the fast stuff won't pattern as well as the slower stuff, I've whacked a pile of snows and specks & ducks with 1400-1450fps #3,2,BB 1-1/4oz over the last 9 yrs with a SXS, just as many as I did in 5-6 yrs with the higher speed and bigger payload stuff.

 

[ben-o]

There are plenty of great options for non-toxic bird hunting loads, but the best choice depends on what you are hunting, the distance you are shooting, the specifics of your shotgun (a vintage double barrel vs modern), and your budget. Provide some of these details and I’m sure you’ll get some good answers

 

[RabbitSlayer]

A heavy 12 ga 2 3\4" load of #4 steel for general upland. Tungsten and bismuth are maybe worth it for pheasant, but I am not willing to pay that for rabbits and quail.

Even better, move to a free state. I left CA primarily cuz the lead ammo ban and no mail order ammo.

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

Since lead shot for hunting is completely banned in my area, can anyone please recommend a good quality steel alternative? Thanks in advance.

What about monolithics? I can't use lead in my area either, but find both the Barnes and Hornady monolithics to show XLNT results. Cost is much higher, but I consider it the cost of doing business. Most people don't use that many hunting bullets. It does make sense to not have lead in your game meat, IMO, and my opinion only.

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

A heavy 12 ga 2 3\4" load of #4 steel for general upland. Tungsten and bismuth are maybe worth it for pheasant, but I am not willing to pay that for rabbits and quail.

Even better, move to a free state. I left CA primarily cuz the lead ammo ban and no mail order ammo.

Evidentally, the shipping is being overturned, but doesn't help you now. I have pondered getting out of here also, but I've been here for 66 years and growing...there is some beautiful hunting in CA and we have a lot of BLM land. Some states such as TX, although much bigger than CA, have no BLM land at all from my understanding.

 

[DRK]

Even better, move to a free state. I left CA primarily cuz the lead ammo ban and no mail order ammo.

Evidentally, the shipping is being overturned, but doesn't help you now. I have pondered getting out of here also, but I've been here for 66 years and growing...there is some beautiful hunting in CA and we have a lot of BLM land. Some states such as TX, although much bigger than CA, have no BLM land at all from my understanding.

I live in a very free state, Indiana, however, I think in the coming years leaded ammunition for hunting will be phased out like it was for waterfowl in the early 90s. Likely, first it will be public land & then extend to private. I don't see leaded ammunition being banned for possession or target shooting.

KW, you guys out west are blessed to have public land & real hunting. Out here, you either have to be a land owner or know one to hunt, vert little public land.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Worse part of lead bans, not based on real science. Part of the effort to disarm America.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I live in a very free state, Indiana, however, I think in the coming years leaded ammunition for hunting will be phased out like it was for waterfowl in the early 90s. Likely, first it will be public land & then extend to private. I don't see leaded ammunition being banned for possession or target shooting.

KW, you guys out west are blessed to have public land & real hunting. Out here, you either have to be a land owner or know one to hunt, vert little public land.

I don't see it happening for a while. I see it being banned for target shooting on public land too. I live in the desert and well established spots get crazy amounts of lead. CA is just nuts. First state to ban ALL trapping, think they banned bobcat hunting, banned coyote contests, banned hounds for bears, background checks for ammo, no mail order ammo Tried to ban lead fishing tackle, not sure of that passed. Removing hundreds of water guzzlers from public land so the birds will die off and nobody will have a reason to go out there. Industrialization of our deserts for green energy is no problem though....