Copper versus Lead

[elksnout]

I did a search and didn't find anything (if indeed I did it correctly?) so here goes.... A close friend of ours works in the medical field and has asked me twice now to reconsider using lead ammo for my hunting. Says there is new research that some states are even not accepting hunter donated meat to food banks anymore because of lead. Then I watched a show the other night that scavengers are getting lead poisoning? Has anybody heard of this? Anyone using non lead ammo?

[wraithen]

Plenty of people using non-lead bullets for their hunting guns. They are being constructed now to be pretty effective at opening and taking up more space on impact. Little more expensive but it's not like you're shooting the hunting bullet every day. Scavengers dying from a single lead bullet on big game is laughable. They'd have to eat it. Seems to me they'd be just as likely to die eating a copper bullet that has opened on game. Either way the big sharp piece of metal probably does more damage than anything else.

All that being said, lead bullets in game sized rounds are probably more likely to end up buried in the earth for a decade or two than something deciding to eat it. Eating metal isn't something most animals would do on purpose, otherwise all the beer cans would disappear. As far as it being an issue just being in the ground, I find that pretty hard to believe. All in all, shoot what you want, just don't eat the bullets.

[Bob33]

This is not a new story. There have been concerns raised about lead in game meat for several years. Some choose to believe the studies, while others do not.

Google "lead in game meat" and read up to your heart's desire.  Here's just one of thousands:

http://www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=311:lead-recommedations&catid=34:ONB%20Articles&Itemid=54

[coachcw]

I trim my meat pretty well and like the damage that lead bullets cause , so to each his own . I havn't seen any critters in the woods that look to have been lead posioned . If my Familly only ate wild game then maybe it would be a concern .

[Curly]

Aren't lead bullets outlawed in CA?  Lead probably will be banned in this state too in the future.  I like Barnes TSX (100% copper bullets) but I don't think a lead ban is warranted.

[elksnout]

Like I said, I never thought much about it until recently. I too, cut away more meat from the wound area than I should and always have. But more from a blood shot meat perspective more than anything. Makes you wonder though. I think hunters as a group should lead the charge to be good stewards of the land. Just my take on that. I guess my question really should have been are copper bullets accurate and strong enough to use on big game?

[JimmyHoffa]

Yes, copper is more than strong enough to do the job.  The Barnes line does a great job on critters....just wish they were cannelured.

[bobcat]

I guess my question really should have been are copper bullets accurate and strong enough to use on big game?

Copper bullets are what are used when you really need or want a bullet that will stay together. The Barnes bullets I have recovered from game have always retained 90% of their weight.

[Bob33]

I guess my question really should have been are copper bullets accurate and strong enough to use on big game?

I use Barnes solid copper bullets almost exclusively because of their performance and accuracy in my rifles. I don't like lead schrapnel pieces in my meat but would not consider it a significant health risk to eat game killed with lead bullets.

[elksnout]

Thanks guys for the education today!

[Bofire]

some tiny amount of the deer comes in contact with the bullet, and a tiny amount of the copper comes "off" on that tiny amount of meat, that, if it is a heart/lung shot,  Or most Kill shots, is not meat you will eat anyway. This is a total load of BULL CRAP,

geeeez people, did God give you a brain? Stop trusting "studies".
Carl

[Ice Cap]

I shot a deer in Wyoming this year with a 180 grain TSX.
I recovered the slug just under the hide on the opposite side.
It mushroomed perfectly and when put on my powder scale the mushroomed bullet still weighed 180 grains!

[elksnout]

some tiny amount of the deer comes in contact with the bullet, and a tiny amount of the copper comes "off" on that tiny amount of meat, that, if it is a heart/lung shot,  Or most Kill shots, is not meat you will eat anyway. This is a total load of BULL CRAP,

geeeez people, did God give you a brain? Stop trusting "studies".
Carl

 Nice slam Carl. Yes I have a brain and used it today to ask questions about a subject I knew little about. Thanks to others on this forum I was better educated on said subject and can now make my own decision on which bullets to use should I choose to change. Not a big deal. Not intended to be a big deal. It's nice to know that you are such an expert and have little tolerance for the opinions of others. I guess my take away today should also include to not ask for advise on this site anymore. Thank you for that.

Elksnout

[ohopluke]

This is a great place to get many and varies opinions from many and varied people. And just like the many and varied studies out there, you need to wade through and find what you're looking for without wasting a lot of brain cells worrying about the yoderheads who are experts in every field. I'm not a poisoning expert but I am a medic and I wouldn't worry about that level of exposure. Chow down!

[jess]

I shoot berger bullets and they fragment inside the animal they are 95% lead with a copper jacket i always cut any blood shot and will always shoot bergers cause they kill fast.. And have a high BC way higher than any barnes which is important to me..