A Guide to Hunting with

Non-lead Ammunition

A legacy of conservation • America’s first conservationists were hunters.

• Hunters help to manage resources for healthy wildlife.

• They have generated billions of dollars for conservation since the 1930s.

Using non-lead ammunition is a way to continue this proud tradition. Many hunters are making the switch because they find that non-lead bullets offer the same great performance they would expect from any premium ammunition. And they hold one distinct advantage: they are healthier for humans and wildlife.

Information in this brochure is drawn from dozens of scientific studies and years of research. For more details, visit huntingwithnonlead.org.

The factsNon-lead ammunition is designed as a premium option. As with any change to a new type of ammunition, there are techniques for success. Learn more at huntingwithnonlead.org.

Non-lead ammunition is available in a wide range of calibers both online and at major retail outlets. Options at local ammunition retailers may vary. Talk with your local dealer for details. Purchasing from a custom loader or reloading can give you more bullet options and more accurate ammunition, but may cost more.

Make sure to clean and maintain your firearms properly. Non-lead fouls the barrel the same as copper-jacketed lead bullets.

AccuracyNon-lead bullets offer exceptional accuracy and terminal performance.

If you have a lead bullet that works, try a slightly lighter non-lead bullet. Bullet lengths will be similar and will better match your barrel’s rifling.

Whether you’re shooting from 60 or 600 yards, it’s worth dialing in your ammo before heading into the field. Try different brands and grain weights to see which works best for your gun. Many custom loaders offer sample packs to trial shoot without the need to purchase several boxes of ammo.

Non-lead bulletsNon-lead bullets were initially developed in the 1980s as a premium, high performance alternative. They are now available in a wide variety for different types of hunting.

Shotgun Slugs

Slugs for rifled and smooth barrels Sabot slugs for rifled barrels and rifled slugs for smooth barrels offer exceptional accuracy and performance on big game.

Shot ShellsTungsten, bismuth, and steel are all proven non-lead options for upland game. Be sure your shotgun and choke tube are approved for use with your chosen shot type.

tipped shotgun slug

muzzleloaderhollow point

saboted hollow-tip shotgun slug

saboted tipped shotgun slug

round ball full bore diamter x sec

foster type slug

tipped shotgun slug

muzzleloaderhollow point

saboted hollow-tip shotgun slug

saboted tipped shotgun slug

round ball full bore diamter x sec

foster type slug

tipped shotgun slug

muzzleloaderhollow point

saboted hollow-tip shotgun slug

saboted tipped shotgun slug

round ball full bore diamter x sec

foster type slug

Rim-fire A variety of non-lead rim-fire cartridges are available in frangible and solid hollow point.

Full bore and round ballsFull bore copper bullets are available in a variety of diameters and bismuth/tin alloy is available for casting round balls and conicals.

SteelThe least dense shot option is also the most economical. Shotguns must be rated to shoot steel shot (most modern firearms are).

Sabots Saboted bullets made of copper and copper alloys are exceptionally accurate and expand rapidly on big game.

Muzzleloader OptionsSabots, full bore bullets, and alloys for round balls are available for inline and traditional muzzleloaders.

A G U I D E T O N O N - L E A D A M M U N I T I O N T Y P E S F O R D I F F E R E N T U S E S

G E T T H E M O S T O U T O F Y O U R N O N - L E A D A M M U N I T I O N . V i s i t H u n t i n g W i t h N o n L e a d . o r g f o r t i p s f o r s u c c e s s .

Bismuth Soft and dense, bismuth is a great choice for older shotguns with softer barrels.

TungstenTungsten-based shot is denser that lead and is recommended for shotguns rated for steel.

Monolithic hollow-point and tipped bullets Monolithic bullets made of copper and copper alloys expand rapidly and penetrate deeply through vitals on big game and large predators.

Frangible bullets The non-lead cores are designed for maximum shock and minimum pelt damage on small game and furbearers.

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers

muzzleloadersabot hollow-point

foster-type slugmuzzleloadersabot tipped

saboted slug

full-bore x-section

round ball

shot shelllarge shot size

shot shellsmall shot size

shot shell3 layers