Getting over the lead Blues
It is becoming increasingly evident how difficult the position cartridge companies have been plunged into is, following the rush to replace lead shot with non-toxic ammunition for game that enters the food chain. Note that nothing has actually been ‘banned’ as yet despite the language often heard when shooters discuss the topic. However, with members of the National Game Dealers Association expressing its intention to decline handling game shot with lead from 1 July 2022, well ahead of the ‘voluntary phasing out’ of lead shot over five years, it begins to feel more and more like a ban.
Cartridge companies have clearly been put in an invidious situation. Their work in developing a comprehensive range of ammunition for all types of shooting in all calibres has been done over 20, 30 and more years. But now key areas of their businesses are required to undergo rapid change. With the added issue of replacing the oil-derived HDPE wads with eco-friendly wads, the already hugely difficult task has become harder still to overcome.
The current shortage of some key basic components, such as primed cartridge cases, wads and propellant powders, with manufacturers affected by Covid lockdowns, plus material supply issues, increasing raw material costs and very high demand from the US, have all conspired to worsen the cartridge manufacturers’ position.
As mentioned in my earlier steel shot article
