Lead ban announced!

[dromia]

Another absolute failure by the "national" bodies to support shooting and gun ownership!

Fecking BASC have supported the ban on shot which has just undermined every other use of lead.

I have yet to see robust scientific evidence to support the ban, anyone able to point me to it?

The fecking water companies can pollute our land and rivers with aplomb and no one bother to legislate against that.


"Government announces lead ammunition ban

The Government has today (Thursday 10 July) announced that legislation will be introduced to restrict the use of lead in ammunition in England, Scotland and Wales.

The proposals include:

• A ban on shot containing more than one per cent lead;

• A ban on bullets with more than three per cent lead;

• A three-year transition period for most outdoor shooting, with two years for ranges to introduce pollution controls.

Exemptions will include airguns, small-calibre bullets for live quarry and managed outdoor ranges.

BASC has long advocated for a phased transition away from lead shot for live quarry shooting, backed by evidence and support for shooters. We recognise this is a major step and will continue working to ensure the transition is practical, proportionate and supported by supply chains and clear guidance.

Read the BASC statement here
Key points

• Lead shot will still be permitted for some target shooting uses under specific conditions.

• Airgun pellets and small-calibre bullets used for live quarry shooting will remain outside the scope of the ban.

• The full ban is expected to come into effect by summer 2029, following a three-year transition period beginning in 2026.

• We will provide further details as the legislative process unfolds and continue engaging with Defra to represent the interests of the shooting community at every stage.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch. You can also visit our website for updates, advice and guidance."

[Blackstuff]

What boils my 'water' is that this was given legs because of irresponsible wetland shooters not using steel when they should've been, yet they will be completely unaffected by it.

Its death by a thousand cuts but practical shotgun has just had its throat slit

[Pete]

Is there really a practical alternative to lead cored bullets that will expand on impact for humane deer culling, or is that an exemption?

Pete

[dromia]

Its death by a thousand cuts but practical shotgun has just had its throat slit

Absolutely and no-one other than those involved seemed to have fought your corner.

As shooting dies, one discipline will shaft any other just to keep their own vested interest going that little bit longer.

[Chapuis]

Is there really a practical alternative to lead cored bullets that will expand on impact for humane deer culling, or is that an exemption?

Pete

Practical alternatives in mainly popular calibres and chamberings have been around for many years. Quite a few stalkers have already voluntarily transitioned to lead free alternatives. Although I don't really subscribe to the need to change I have only just started down the copper bullet route in my .308win rifles and have successfully tested the original PPU Grom (although not the Z-Grom )bullet in my 8mm.
Reports of success with lead free for stalking vary considerably, the only solution though rather costly is to try various bullets and find out for yourself.

[dromia]

I know quiet a few Keepers and estate stalkers who have been using lead free bullets, not through choice but as a requirement of their employers the estate owners.

They say that accuracy, minute of red deer, is fine but they have at least double the runners!

[Pippin89]

Is there really a practical alternative to lead cored bullets that will expand on impact for humane deer culling, or is that an exemption?

Pete

Sure!... There is one other metal that matches lead for density and malleability. Gold!

[redcat]

Collecting gold will soon be a cheaper hobby than shooting.

Redcat

[hitchphil]

Actually the NGOs did a lot of work lobbying & securing exemptions for ranges that include certain shotgun layouts as well as rifle & smallbore ranges. So standard target rifle, practical rifle, practical shotgun & even DTL / Skeet can be exempted & unaffected.
Note also the exemption for anything sub .243 or 6.17mm, so sufficient to drop most smaller deer & vermin.

No amount of scientific evidence was going to turn this law, the HSE lot had it all pre agreed, the object of the exercise was to moderate its effects, & the NGOs did that.