The earth is definitely showing signs of stress from her upright inhabitants. The air quality in some cities is so toxic multiple days of the year the government puts out alarming warnings about going outside, even for a just a few moments. Waters that used to be safe for recreation now contain PFAS levels known to cause cancer. Does all of this mean the hunting and angling community must stop using lead?
There are multiple players involved with the poisoning of our planet. Most of them big business and in the name of progress and technology. As an attempt to “clean up” our act, lead shot is being banned or severely restricted across the country. There are now clay courses that mandate lead shot only.
Pattern Density vs Pellet Penetration
I make no bones about it. I love lead shot. Lead is easier on the shooter’s shoulder and it can travel farther while maintaining energy and has a tremendous concussive power. One thing shooters need to understand is that when it comes to bird hunting, it’s the concussive power (pattern density) of shot not the pellet penetration that is so devastating to our winged quarry.
For proof, clean a few thousand birds. The number of pellets that are in vitals are incredibly low. Instead, you have lots of broken wings, legs, and internal damage from the density of the pattern.
Pattern density is the number of pellets that are counted within a designated circumference at a specific range. Pellet penetration is how far into the target those pellets are pushed.
Lead Shot
Lead shot is malleable and soft causing its deformation at the trigger pull. The pellets will deform again traveling down the barrel as they hit the choke, particularly if that choke is more restrictive. Lead patterns open quickly and maintain their energy downrange to the target. This means a lighter and slower load can be shot.
There are numerous misconceptions about lead. It can’t runoff into your well water. There’s a huge difference between elemental lead and organic lead. Elemental, a pure metal, is what is found in our shotshells. It is basically inert if left wild in nature only causing issues or reactions when mixed with acid, such as found in the digestive tract or if the dust is inhaled. Organic lead now largely banned is bonded to carbon groups and is highly toxic right from the jump. It was widely used in gasoline. You only need momentary contact to suffer the dangerous effects.
Steel Shot
Steel is three times harder than lead giving it more consistent and tighter patterns, but it quickly loses energy. This is why you must go up in shot size and velocity when swapping steel in for lead to ensure the shot gets to the target.
Because of the hardness of steel, you must watch your choke selection, unless you shoot a Fabarm. Typically, modified or tighter will cause your barrel to bulge, or worse. Fabarm barrels are the highest rated at 1630bar and allow you to shoot steel through ANY choke. Look for the fleur-de-lis stamp on other makes to see if it is indeed rated for steel.
All waterfowl hunting areas are non-toxic mandated, so steel and non-lead options are required. Lead will get you in serious trouble. At the end of the day, we all have choices we can make. Take time to make those choices educated decisions and not fear-based. If we were really concerned about the environment, we would do something about the millions of plastic wads we litter across the landscape. Just saying.
No matter what you select to shoot, be sure to share that time afield with friends and family members.
Kate Ahnstrom, owner of Virginia Shooting Sports is a certified, professional instructor of the Paragon School of Sporting. She has dedicated her life to sharing her passion for the outdoors and diversifying the dynamics on the clay course and the hunt field. Her tireless dedication to her students’ success is obvious in each and every lesson. Kate is on the pro staff for Syren, the resident pro at Bacon Farms Preserve, Artemis Ambassador, regional coordinatHer for HerUpland, department editor for Woods & Waters magazine, and contributing editor for Women’s Outdoor News. She and her husband, Mike enjoy their small farm in central Virginia where they have a menagerie of animals and plenty of room to train and work their beloved GSPs. Kate loves getting behind the barrel of her Syren Tempio Sporting 20ga for all things clay and feathered.
