Hunting Ammunition: Make the Right Choice for Each Game Type and Environment

Choosing between lead and steel shot ammunition is an important factor when planning your hunting trips. Both types of ammunition have distinct characteristics, affecting not only the effectiveness of your shots, but also your compliance with environmental regulations. Depending on the game you are hunting and the area you are in, the type of ammunition you use can make all the difference.

1. Lead Ammunition: The Tradition

Lead has long been the standard material for hunting cartridges. Valued for its high density properties, it allows for better penetration into targets and guarantees a long range. Hunters often prefer it for its ability to deliver dense and precise shot patterns, ideal for medium and large game.

Advantages of lead :

• Superior Range and Penetration : Due to its high density, lead retains its velocity and kinetic energy better over long distances.
• Versatility : Available in a wide variety of calibers and lead sizes, it is adaptable to many types of game, from small game to larger mammals.
• Control and Accuracy : Lead generates tighter shot patterns, making it ideal for shots requiring high precision.

Disadvantages of lead :

• Environmental impact : Lead, when left in the environment, can contaminate soil and water, posing a problem for wildlife and the ecosystem. Severe lead poisoning (lead poisoning) is potentially fatal.
• Regulation : More and more areas, particularly wetlands and nature reserves, are banning the use of lead due to its toxic effect on the environment and animals.

2. Steel Ammunition: The Eco-Friendly Solution

With increasing restrictions on lead, especially in wetlands or protected areas, steel has become a popular alternative. Although it is less dense than lead, which slightly reduces range and penetration, it is environmentally safe and approved in areas where lead is prohibited.

Advantages of steel :

• Environmentally friendly : Unlike lead, steel does not cause pollution in soil or waterways, making it suitable for use in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Less Expensive : In general, steel ammunition is more affordable, making it an economical choice for hunters.
• Lightness : The lightness of steel allows for higher velocities at the exit of the barrel, which partly compensates for its lower density.

Disadvantages of steel :

• Less Range and Power : Due to its lower density than lead, steel loses energy more quickly over long distances, reducing range and impact.
• Adaptability : Steel can be more difficult to use with some weapons, especially older rifles that are not designed to handle this harder material.

3. When to use Lead or Steel?

The choice between lead and steel depends mainly on the type of game you are hunting, hunting conditions and local regulations.

• Lead ammunition : Ideal for large game hunts in unregulated areas, where maximum shot power and long range are required. This includes hunting large mammals such as wild boar and deer in forested or mountainous terrain.

• Steel ammunition : Preferred in wet and protected areas, such as when hunting migratory birds, due to ecological regulations. Perfect for environments where respect for the ecosystem is a priority, without compromising the effectiveness of the hunt.

4. Lead-free cartridges: What other materials than steel?

With the increasing ban on lead ammunition in some protected areas, hunters are looking for alternative solutions that comply with regulations while ensuring effective performance. While steel is the most well-known option, there are now other innovative materials that offer comparable, or even better, effectiveness in some cases. These lead-free alternatives are particularly appreciated for their low environmental impact and their ability to adapt to different types of game and weapons.

a) Bismuth ammunition

Bismuth is a popular alternative to lead and steel. This metal, denser than steel, offers similar performance to lead in terms of penetration and range, while being non-toxic and biodegradable. It is often recommended for hunters looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative without compromising effectiveness, especially when hunting small game or migratory birds.

Benefits of Bismuth :

• High density : Closer to that of lead, which allows for more powerful shots and better penetration.
• Compatibility with Older Guns : Unlike steel, bismuth is softer and can be used with older guns that would not withstand the hardness of steel.
• Environmentally friendly : Non-toxic, it poses no risk to wildlife and ecosystems.

Disadvantages :

• High Cost : Bismuth is more expensive than steel or lead, which may limit its use for certain categories of hunters.
• Availability : Less common than steel, it may be harder to find in some areas.

b) Tungsten ammunition

Tungsten is one of the most powerful materials among lead-free alternatives. It is denser than lead, making it an extremely powerful choice for hunters looking to maximize range and impact force. Used in alloys or mixed with other materials, tungsten is ideal for long-range and big-game shooting.

Advantages of tungsten :

• Exceptional density : Greater than that of lead, which means better conservation of speed and kinetic energy over long distances.
• Long Range Effectiveness : Perfect for big game hunting or open terrain requiring long range shots.
• Versatility : Usable in a wide range of calibers, for modern rifles as well as precision carbines.

Disadvantages :

• Very High Cost : Tungsten is one of the most expensive materials on the ammunition market, which may limit its use to specific situations or experienced hunters.
• Weapon Wear : Its density and hardness can wear out certain internal parts of weapons more quickly, particularly barrels.

c) Zinc ammunition

Zinc is another emerging alternative to lead and steel ammunition. Although less dense than lead, it offers an affordable and environmentally friendly option for hunters who want to avoid toxic materials. It is primarily used for cartridges intended for small game hunting and in certain environmentally sensitive areas.

Benefits of Zinc :

• Lightweight and Affordable : Zinc is an economical material, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious hunters.
• Environmentally friendly : Like bismuth and tungsten, zinc is non-toxic and does not pollute soil or waterways.
• Less Recoil : Due to its light weight, zinc ammunition generally generates less recoil, which can improve accuracy on successive shots.

Disadvantages :

• Reduced Range and Impact : Due to its lower density, zinc does not penetrate as well as lead or tungsten, limiting its use for larger game or at long range.
• Limited Availability : Less common than other alternatives, may be harder to find depending on region and gun store.

d) Copper Ammunition

Copper is an increasingly popular lead-free alternative for hunters looking for lead-like performance while avoiding negative environmental impacts. This material is particularly popular for big game hunting because it offers good expansion and effective penetration. Copper bullets are often monolithic, meaning they do not fragment upon impact, minimizing the risk of fragment contamination.

Benefits of copper :

• Controlled Expansion : Copper deforms on impact, providing constant expansion that allows for maximum effectiveness on larger game.
• Non-toxic and environmentally friendly : Unlike lead, copper is non-toxic and does not contaminate soil or waterways.
• Fragmentation Resistance : Copper ammunition often remains intact after impact, improving game recovery.

Disadvantages :

• Lower Density than Lead : Although effective, copper does not have the same density as lead, which can slightly reduce penetration on very long range shots.
• Higher Cost : Copper cartridges are often more expensive than lead or steel ammunition.

e) Comparison of lead-free materials

2. Calibers and Types of Cartridges for Small and Big Game.

The choice of calibers and types of cartridges is essential for a successful hunt. Whether you are hunting small game such as hares and pheasants or big game such as wild boars and deer, the cartridges must be chosen according to your weapon, the shooting distances, as well as the type and size of the game. The performance of the hunt depends not only on your technique, but also on the optimization of your equipment.

Shotguns are widely used for hunting small game as well as big game, depending on the ammunition. The caliber of the shotgun plays a crucial role in the performance of your shots and the type of game you hunt.

• Caliber 12 :

  • Small Game : The 12 gauge is the most versatile for hunting small game, such as pheasants, rabbits or partridges. It offers excellent shooting capacity, a wide range of pellet sizes, and good shooting coverage.
  • Lead Size : Leads #7 to #9 are best suited for small game, allowing good dispersion of projectiles at short and medium range.
  • Big Game : For big game hunting with a 12 gauge shotgun, it is recommended to use slugs , which are ideal for short and medium range shots.

• Caliber 16 :

  A traditional caliber that is increasingly rare but still prized by some hunters, particularly for small game hunting. The 16 gauge is between the 12 and 20 gauges in terms of power and recoil, offering a good compromise for hunting feathered game.

• Caliber 20 :

  • This lighter caliber is often preferred for small game hunting, especially for hunters who want a more maneuverable rifle with reduced recoil. The 20 gauge is ideal for pheasants, rabbits, and migratory birds.
  • Shot Size : Shots from #7 to #9 are also suitable for hunting small game with a 20 gauge shotgun.

• Slug ammunition :

  For big game, such as wild boar or deer, 12 or 16 gauge shotguns can be equipped with ball cartridges. Brenneke and FIER bullets are particularly effective for penetration and massive impact, ideal for short-range shots in denser terrain.

Rifles are primarily used for big game hunting, offering greater accuracy at medium and long ranges compared to shotguns. The caliber of the rifle must be carefully chosen according to the size of the game and the shooting distance.

• .308 Winchester :

  This versatile caliber is one of the most popular for hunting big game, such as deer and wild boar. It combines good stopping power, long-range accuracy, and ample ammunition availability. The .308 is often recommended for hunters who practice in open terrain, where medium and long-range shots are common.

• .30-06 Springfield :

  An iconic caliber, the .30-06 is prized for its power and versatility, especially in wooded and mountainous environments. It is ideal for large game, such as deer or wild boar, offering a good balance between shooting power and accuracy.

• .300 Winchester Magnum :

  The .300 Win Mag is used for very long range shooting and for particularly tough game, such as large deer or elk. This caliber performs very well in open terrain and in the mountains, where long shooting distances are common.

• 7x64mm Brenneke :

  This European caliber is popular for driven hunts and long-range shooting. It is particularly suitable for large game, such as deer or wild boar. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for hunters looking for good accuracy over medium distances.

• .243 Winchester :

  A lighter caliber, often recommended for hunting deer and other medium-sized game. It offers low ballistic deviation and good accuracy, making it perfect for medium-range precision shooting.

For rifles, it is advisable to use controlled expansion bullets, designed to penetrate deeply while maximizing impact and expansion inside the body of the game. These ammunitions are ideal for ensuring a quick and ethical kill on large animals.