Lead bullets

[Drotis]

So I read where the EPA has shut down the only lead smelting plant left in the USA. I Realize that most of the lead used in industry is recycled, but this would have to have an impact on lead ammo. Only a matter of time, IMO, before they ban the sale of lead bullets and shot altogether. Maybe this has at least something to do with people hoarding .22lr.

 

[Thegeek]

No, it's just an end-around "benefit" of gun control that is obtained. Guns are worthless without ammunition. Can't get the guns, take away the ammo. Pretty old story. Thankfully, technology will solve this issue. It'll just be pricey. They already have sintered copper "lead free" bullets. Getting them to have the same properties and weight of lead is the trick. I'm thinking a heavy polymer isn't too far off in the future now that they've created the market.....

 

[HoughMade]

How much "virgin" lead from that smelter did American ammo manufacturers use?

...and I'm sure glad someone's finally gotten around to this topic.

 

[Drotis]

Admittedly I don't know the answer to the question of where most US ammo plants get their lead. I seem to remember that 80-90% of lead used in US manufacturing comes from recycling, primarily car batteries. If the current admin has its way, the EPA will ban the sale of, or possibly the use of, any ammo containing lead. In that case, lead supply won't matter. My takeaway is that some ammonia about to get more expensive to manufacture.

 

[Drotis]

Ammo. Ammo. Damn auto correct. Gets me every time!

 

[45fan]

If people were paying attention, not too long ago there was an attempt at taking lead ammo off the shelves by the EPA, but apparently they EPA lacks the authority to reach into sporting arms ammunition. Im not saying it cant happen, but there is a lot of red tape to get through before it can. If it were that simple, Obama would have already hit that button.

 

[Leadeye]

There will always be a demand for lead here in this country, imported lead will just take the place of domestic, just like everything else in the economy.

 

[PRasko]

A lot of lead is imported from the likes of china to make car batteries. The majority of ammo, 70-80% is the guesstimate, is made from recycled lead from those batteries.

Prices may jump, but not significantly. IMO.

 

[BrewerGeorge]

There will always be a demand for lead here in this country, imported lead will just take the place of domestic, just like everything else in the economy.

This. We like to keep our pollution in the 3rd world.

 

[fuddus99]

Plenty of lead to go around. Just one less place that'll be creating it. Car batteries (and other batteries), old TVs, Monitors, and a helluva lot of other electronics use lead that will ultimately end up being recycled.

 

[Mark 1911]

No noticeable impact on sales so far. The ammo supply is so bad already, who would know the difference?

 

[Drotis]

Agree with most all comments so far, but I still think the EPA will try to ban shooting lead bullets or shot outdoors, citing harm to the environment. ie the squirrels might eat some and get lead poisoning, or it will get into lakes and streams. This is no more far-fetched than the other crap they pull.

 

[BogWalker]

A lot of lead is imported from the likes of china to make car batteries. The majority of ammo, 70-80% is the guesstimate, is made from recycled lead from those batteries.

Prices may jump, but not significantly. IMO.

This has been brought up many times, and I think the percentage if higher than 80% even. General consensus was that the only reason this would cause a significant price rise was if it caused people to panic.

I'm surprised as well the EPA hasn't tried harder to ban lead in bullets.

 

[fuddus99]

What's the Most Recycled Product in the U.S.? - Scientific American

 

[danielson]

I also expect the EPA to ban the use of lead ammo. I just hope we can find a substitute, since its unrealistic to expect someone to be on our side in government, top stop it from happening in the first place.
It just gets worse and worse, every year...

 

[BrewerGeorge]

The EPA is prohibited from regulating lead in bullets. Plus, in the two most recent lawsuits brought to try to force the EPA to regulate lead ammo, the EPA has sided with the NRA is resisting these demands. That is the EPA itself knows it doesn't have the power to regulate lead bullets, but gun control groups keep suing to try to force them to do so, and so far the lawsuits keep getting dismissed.

 

[Drotis]

BrewerGeorge that's good news and I'm glad to hear it. However, there are many things I thought I'd never see happen in this country that are happening now.

 

[in625shooter]

Everyone up in arms needs to research before following the hype. Some of our own gun folks are more into spreading the doom and gloom BS more than the other side

NRA-ILA | U.S. Ammunition Industry to Survive Closure of Lead Smelter

 

[ChalupaCabras]

Go read the FAQs on CCIs website. They claim outright that the shutdown of the lead smelter will not impact their production.

Get over it people.