Are Monolithic Projectiles banned from any ranges?

[NZVarminter]

Monolithic projectiles are the ones made from a single metal (usually copper) such are the Barns, more recently introduced Hornardy GMX and Nozler Etips.

These type of projectiles don’t deform as much on impact and absorb less energy during deforming so any ricochete travels further as they dont shed their velocity as quickly.

I'm told that internationally, there is a trend towards these type of projectiles for Military applications as they can be made in bulk for a fraction of the cost of lead/copper jacketed projectiles at something like 5c / projectile…. (So we have been screwed you years by Barns paying twice the price of lead projectiles!)

What the Military do, recreational firearm users usually follow! Plus there is the parallel push from environmental groups to ban lead projectiles. (already in place in Calafornia Condor habitat area)

Anyway the downside to this is that many rifle ranges have not been designed or certified to cater for the larger ricochete safety zone required for these projectiles, so they may need to be excluded from use of many existing rifle ranges, or additional operational constraints imposed or safety areas extended.

I'm curious if any of your ranges certificaiton specifically excluds monolithic projectiles?


Cheers

Grant

 

[watercam]

I shoot plenty of Barnes TSX and a few solids on paper and steel out to 600 yds. here in the Los Angeles area with no problem. On the plus side (aside from good terminal effect on game) the hits on steel are easily discernible from lead bullet hits by the copper colored splat. And they do splat. I think they are soft enough to deform on steel certainly. The ranges here do not allow steel core bullets because of fire hazard and do not have steel targets closer than 200 yds. because of ricochet potential.
For what it is worth...
Mike T.

 

[KevinThomas]

NZVarminter,

I think you've been given some bad information on at least one of your comments here; the cost factor. Most of the "green" military projectiles I'm familiar with have been a good bit more expensive than their jacketed lead counterparts. The push has been primarily to the "green" issue, and not one of cost savings. Typically, the standard cost of any bullet is most strongly influenced by the percentage of copper (giliding metal) used in its construction. As odd as this may sound, those thin jacketed match bullets cost the manufacturer less to produce than the cheaper than dirt FMJ bullets getting blown out at giveaway prices, because the FMJs have much thicker jackets, and hence a higher percentage of copper. The monolithic solids are pricier to produce, at least in terms of straight material costs.