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Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

theecologist.org

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Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#2
It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets.

I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I have heard anecdotes about steel shot having less stopping power than lead.

Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#3

It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets. I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I hav…

In regards to steel shot having less stopping power its due to the density differential between steel and lead. Generally when people say stopping power they are describing the amount of force exerted and more mass equals more force (assuming the same velocity).

Lead Free ammunition exists in various forms and the terminal ballistics can be different than lead ammunition. So many compositions are possible and this is a massive topic that is quite hotly debated and studied in the firearms community.

Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#4

It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets. I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I hav…

Honestly, there are differences. Do they matter? IMHO, no.

Most "stopping power" debates are talking about rifles that are vastly capable with or without lead bullets, and with the bans that have happened, the tech has moved forward. e.g. Barnes Bullets (which are copper) are considered a premium round, not just a premium non-lead round. And they aren't really overpriced.

WRT shotguns, I don't know this end as well, but the ammo market could use some forced innovation (the firearms market in general lacks innovation).

Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#5

It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets. I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I hav…

my bullet is not murderous enough :(

I guess the Condor is done in the US.

Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#7
post #3

It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets. I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I hav…

In regards to steel shot having less stopping power its due to the density differential between steel and lead. Generally when people say stopping power they are describing the amount of force exerted and more mass equals more force (assuming the same velocity). Lead Free ammunition exists in various forms and the terminal ballistics can be different than lead ammunition. So many compositions are possible and this is…

It is not just mass. Hollow points are considered to have more stopping power because they mushroom to a greater diameter and impart more energy to the target. A steel round of greater mass can pass through the target with greater ease imparting much less energy.

Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#8
post #4

It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets. I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I hav…

Honestly, there are differences. Do they matter? IMHO, no. Most "stopping power" debates are talking about rifles that are vastly capable with or without lead bullets, and with the bans that have happened, the tech has moved forward. e.g. Barnes Bullets (which are copper) are considered a premium round, not just a premium non-lead round. And they aren't really overpriced. WRT shotguns, I don't know this end as well,…

This is specifically in regards to shotgun ammunition as steel shot vs lead shot have large differences due to the density differential.

Source: https://www.hunter-ed.com/alaska/studyGuide/Two-Major-Differ...

Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#9

It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets. I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I hav…

The article talks about use of lead-based ammunition for wildlife hunting. I see no problem with it. Sure, solid copper rifle bullets are expensive, but you only need one of them per hunting season. Ok, a box to zero the rifle.

As long as lead remains legal to use at the shooting range (where the vast majority of rounds is spent, and most lead is subsequently recovered and reprocessed), it's not a big deal.

Re: Condors or Lead Ammunition? (2015)

#10

It seems questionable to me that the article doesn't discuss differences in performance or other drawbacks of non-lead bullets. I'm not an expert, but a quick Google search suggests that they may be more expensive, less easy to find, and more likely to pass through targets. I found at least one article that claimed they may have greater stopping power since they do not break up in the target as easily. However, I hav…

Hunter here. For big game like deer and moose, I actually prefer copper ammo. With lead shot, if I hit the shoulders or haunches and my family or I eat that meat, there's a very good chance we're eating bits of lead. Most Lead bullets disintegrate on impact, while copper bullets rarely fragment and penetrate deeper.

If I wasn't eating the meat, I could see the argument for lead, but it's a weak one at best. In my own experience copper bullets do not go all the way through large game. And I don't believe in hunting for purely for sport.

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