During a discussion with a land agent recently, the subject of lead shot and its inevitable demise came up. Like most shooting people, I have grave concerns about the removal of lead but know little of the current alternatives. I tried bismuth out on some rooks many years back and decided I may as well have been throwing stones at them. In fairness, that can, on occasion, apply to my results when shooting with lead. I believe bismuth cartridges are now much improved, they would certainly need to be before I would fire them again.
I have never fired steel shot but am told it is rather good and when used in conjunction with a biodegradable cup wad is less damaging to barrels. Its disadvantages would appear to be safety (it ricochets) and density, given it is much lighter than lead and therefore has nothing like the same distance or killing power.
Tungsten Matrix is heavier than steel and far closer to lead in performance. Ignoring the cost, I have read some favourable reports.
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Shooting Gazette.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Shooting Gazette.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ONE TO ANOTHER
What are the ingredients for a stella season in the field and how should we approach comparing different seasons with each other?
Of tweeds and texts
Like it or not, mobile phones are part and parcel of everyday life. How do you use yours when out in the field, if at all?
The life and times of a retired moorkeeper
The remarkable story of one man's passion for gamekeeping and fieldsports.
Masters of our own destiny
While resistance to moving on from lead shot is deep rooted, game shooting can make great strides in securing its future if it changes now
The year past, THE YEAR TO COME
Shooting Gazette asked a host of leading figures in the game shooting community for their reflections on the highs and lows of 2019, what they are looking forward to about 2020 and also the one issue they are concerned about in the year ahead.
Davenport House Estate SHROPSHIRE
A shoot running on new lines uses its time-served assets to bring traditional shooting to a modern audience.
A WEIGHT ON YOUR MIND
Keeping ourselves in tip-top condition needn't be seen as nannying because we all know that when we see it elsewhere in our daily lives
Range Rover Evoque
Every bit the proper Range Rover, as Ben Samuelson explains.
The Keeper's View
Headkeeper David Whitby ponders the impact a ban on lead shot would have on shooting.
What December Means To Me…
When Shooting Gazette’s venerable list of writers and photographers aren’t producing thought-provoking copy and truly outstanding images, they are out in the field at every opportunity. December is a month just like any other, but with temperatures low and spirits high as Christmas approaches, we thought we’d share with you what our people get up to at this time of year.
