Advantage of Lead Free Ammunition over Lead Bullet in Game Hunting
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Lead-free ammunition is growing in popularity as alternatives to lead-based bullets given the health risks that lead poses to humans, wildlife, and the environment. In standard ammunition rounds, lead is the major constituent of the projectile mass.
• Lead bullet fragmentation • Fragmentation in current lead-based bullets is an outcome of their design; the aim is that the anterior part of the ammunition enlarges to double its original diameter. However, one effect of this enlargement is that tiny pieces of lead break off from the bullet's tip as it collides and moves through its target. Tiny particles of lead are left behind in the body of the hunted animal which can be ingested during consumption, either by humans or carnivorous animals. This has been one of the main factors leading to the endangerment of the California condor. The high deer population that is hunted within the condor range leaves large numbers or lead contaminated corpses, which has resulted in anywhere from 45 to 95 of the condor population testing positive for lead exposure.
Lead-related problems The health concerns that lead poses humans is also a factor that is being increasingly considered by game hunters today. Lead ingestion leads to myocardial malfunction and stroke mortality, reduced brain mass and even accelerated crime activities. The exact toxic dose of lead has not being established as it varies from individual to individual, nevertheless the effects of its exposure can be devastating. Young people are affected the most by lead poisoning, which results in intellectual problems and retarded growth. Whenever lead is ingested, it is dissolved by acids present in the stomach where it then enters the blood stream, is transported into internal organs, assembles in the liver and is finally deposited in bones. The intensity of lead intake is proportional game consumption and this is prevalent among local hunters.
Lead-free ammunition Fragmentation • Lead-free ammunition is made of composites of metal powders such as copper, tin, or brass (a mixture of copper and zinc) and polymer composites. Unlike lead bullets, lead substitute ammunition contain zero toxic constituents are not a threat to human health. The solid design of lead- substitute ammunition results in uniform, rapid expansion, which - in combination with excellent mass maintenance. Such ammunition can be found at many gun stores and ranges and come in a wide range of caliber, from handguns to rifle ammunition.
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