Hunt lead free SD

[jryoung]

Ventana Wildlife Society in CA does this. In the past I was able to get a box of loaded ammo, then they began to offer components and I got two boxes of Barnes TTSX bullets.

 

[oxn939]

Are the sharp copper particles more beneficial to their digestive system?

Is copper no longer considered a heavy metal?

I shoot behind the shoulder through the heart. I dont eat bloodshot meat so getting lead in my meat is not possible.

Copper passes harmlessly through the digestive systems of pretty much all mammals. This is simple chemistry- the acid of the human (and raptor) stomach is not strong enough to dissolve copper. Additionally, lead breaks down into thousands of microfragments that increase its surface area (read: absorption) by hundreds of times more than copper. So, while copper is a metal, it is virtually harmless. Lead, of course, is the opposite.

Even if you are able to shoot your animals perfectly through the vitals 100% of the time, lead microfragments can travel 18 inches or more from the permanent wound cavity. So, essentially, the only way to ensure you're not eating lead would be to waste the entire front half of the animal.

I strongly oppose forcing people to do anything, and there are still some applications where lead is useful such as antique muzzleloaders shooting patched round balls. But if we're being honest, there is no advantage to using lead in modern centerfire rifles. Copper ammo is more reliable and effective, and all lead does is introduce carcinogens to the ecosystem and your family.

 

[Wyoming270]

Copper passes harmlessly through the digestive systems of pretty much all mammals. This is simple chemistry- the acid of the human (and raptor) stomach is not strong enough to dissolve copper. Additionally, lead breaks down into thousands of microfragments that increase its surface area (read: absorption) by hundreds of times more than copper. So, while copper is a metal, it is virtually harmless. Lead, of course, is the opposite.

Even if you are able to shoot your animals perfectly through the vitals 100% of the time, lead microfragments can travel 18 inches or more from the permanent wound cavity. So, essentially, the only way to ensure you're not eating lead would be to waste the entire front half of the animal.

I strongly oppose forcing people to do anything, and there are still some applications where lead is useful such as antique muzzleloaders shooting patched round balls. But if we're being honest, there is no advantage to using lead in modern centerfire rifles. Copper ammo is more reliable and effective, and all lead does is introduce carcinogens to the ecosystem and your family.

The medical world considers copper to be far less inert than you seem to.

Copper Toxicity - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

 

[NoWiser]

A few years ago I had someone from the local raptor center out when a sick owl showed up on our lawn. It was late fall and, while I don’t think it had anything to do with the owl, she said they can’t keep up the few weeks during and shortly after deer season due to all the sick birds from the gut piles. When I mentioned that I switched to copper years ago, she couldn’t stop thanking me.

 

[Wyoming270]

A few years ago I had someone from the local raptor center out when a sick owl showed up on our lawn. It was late fall and, while I don’t think it had anything to do with the owl, she said they can’t keep up the few weeks during and shortly after deer season due to all the sick birds from the gut piles. When I mentioned that I switched to copper years ago, she couldn’t stop thanking me.

Do they do labratory testing for lead poisoning, or simply assume eveyone is gut shooting the animals and the bullets dont pass through the animal?

 

[NoWiser]

I think the symptoms of lead poisoning are fairly obvious to those who deal with sick raptors on a daily basis. I really don’t think she had any reason to lie to me.