SHOULD LEAD BE DEAD?

What is the most suitable material for airgun ammunition? The short answer is simple: lead. Amongst affordable metals, it is the most dense, and wins on the basis of fundamental physics. Also, it is soft enough to conform to the lands and grooves of the bore of a barrel and to seal acceptably well to maximise propulsion from a blast of air or CO2.

But the full answer requires further consideration. Lead is a toxin, its poisoning is cumulative and there is no “safe” level for humans or animals. It is capable of causing neurological damage, leading to learning and behavioural difficulties, particularly in children. At high levels it has the potential to damage most of the major organs.

Tetraethyl lead in petrol was a very effective way