Lead weights?
- Thread starter Crass3000
- Start date
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Every time this topic comes up i think about someone in the country of california whose 4 yo kid sits in the center of the interstate looking for tire thrown weights to lick. And in order to save the planet of kids that sit in interstate center lanes they ban lead so the kids will go somewhere else, like condemned buildings to get thier lead addiction satisfied. The day will come when all the lead will be gone or banned and the kids will now start choking on the non lead weights found once again found in the center lane of I5.
I made soft weights using lead shot. Got reclaimed shot cheap from a local shotgun range, ordered pouches online. FAR cheaper than buying weights, and since I got pouches rather than making my own they look just like anyone else's soft weights.
I made 4ea of 2lb, 3lb, 4lb and 6 5lb for my buddy and I.
Unfortunately I've got a little more skill now and I don't use them anymore unless I'm diving a thick wetsuit.
I made 4ea of 2lb, 3lb, 4lb and 6 5lb for my buddy and I.
Unfortunately I've got a little more skill now and I don't use them anymore unless I'm diving a thick wetsuit.
I don't think it's being phased out. My local trap and skeet club ONLY allows steel shot. However, another local "target" range only allows lead - no steel.
Lead is a fairly inert element. The area I live in an area that has some of the largest lead deposit in the world. Though it is no longer mined here, you can still find raw lead on or near the surface. It does not break down or weather.
The concern with waterfowl was with small shot sizes that would get picked up by birds for their gizzards, the ground up particles would then be digested and then cause lead poisoning.
If anyone is looking for coated lead pellets there are copper and nickel plated shot available to order from several different online reloading suppliers. You will also find a lot of “chilled” shot and “magnum” shot. The chilled shot is softer and slightly heavier than the magnum shot. The magnum shot is treated to be harder by the addition of antimony which makes the shot harder but slightly lighter, as each pellet is not pure lead.
The concern with waterfowl was with small shot sizes that would get picked up by birds for their gizzards, the ground up particles would then be digested and then cause lead poisoning.
If anyone is looking for coated lead pellets there are copper and nickel plated shot available to order from several different online reloading suppliers. You will also find a lot of “chilled” shot and “magnum” shot. The chilled shot is softer and slightly heavier than the magnum shot. The magnum shot is treated to be harder by the addition of antimony which makes the shot harder but slightly lighter, as each pellet is not pure lead.
This is from the Colorado regulations:
nonToxIC sHoT
1. It is illegal to use or have toxic (lead) shot, either in shotshells
or as loose shot for muzzleloading, while taking or attempting to take ducks, geese or coots in Colorado. This includes
national wildlife refuges open to hunting. Toxic shot, either in
shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading, cannot be in a
hunter’s gun, on his/her person or near a hunter taking or attempting to take waterfowl. Store lead shot in your vehicle. You
can store lead shot elsewhere if it’s not readily accessible while
hunting waterfowl.
2. Nontoxic shot is required in commercial wildlife parks, field
trials and dog-training while hunting captive-reared mallards.
3. Nontoxic shot is any type approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Go to: Fish and Wildlife Service
nonToxIC sHoT
1. It is illegal to use or have toxic (lead) shot, either in shotshells
or as loose shot for muzzleloading, while taking or attempting to take ducks, geese or coots in Colorado. This includes
national wildlife refuges open to hunting. Toxic shot, either in
shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading, cannot be in a
hunter’s gun, on his/her person or near a hunter taking or attempting to take waterfowl. Store lead shot in your vehicle. You
can store lead shot elsewhere if it’s not readily accessible while
hunting waterfowl.
2. Nontoxic shot is required in commercial wildlife parks, field
trials and dog-training while hunting captive-reared mallards.
3. Nontoxic shot is any type approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Go to: Fish and Wildlife Service
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