Lead vs Copper Ammo: It's time for a change.

Published on February 13, 2024
Duration: 19:27

This video compares lead and copper ammunition for hunting, highlighting lead's advantages in Ballistic Coefficient for long-range shooting and fragmentation for wound channels. Copper excels in penetration and weight retention, crucial for heavy game, but can be finicky with accuracy and requires higher velocities for ethical expansion. Environmental benefits of copper, like avoiding lead poisoning in wildlife, are also discussed.

Quick Summary

Copper ammunition offers superior penetration and weight retention for hunting heavy game, while lead excels in long-range ballistics and wound channel creation through fragmentation. Copper also provides environmental benefits by avoiding lead contamination.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Elk Hunt Success
  2. 01:34Pros of Lead Ammunition
  3. 03:17Terminal Performance: Lead vs. Copper
  4. 04:03Copper Bullet Technical Analysis
  5. 05:52Cons of Copper Ammunition
  6. 08:28Environmental & Health Factors
  7. 10:00Caliber Specific Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of lead ammunition for hunting?

Lead ammunition is often preferred for long-range hunting due to its higher Ballistic Coefficient (BC), making it more resistant to wind drift. It also tends to fragment more readily, creating larger wound channels which can offer a greater margin for error.

How does copper ammunition perform in terms of penetration and weight retention?

Copper ammunition generally offers superior penetration, capable of passing through heavy game. It also excels in weight retention; for example, a Sako Powerhead Blade bullet retained 99.3% of its weight after a 386-yard shot.

What are the drawbacks of using copper ammunition?

Copper bullets can be finicky regarding accuracy in certain rifles and have a higher expansion threshold, requiring higher velocities to perform ethically at distance. Reloading copper bullets also carries a risk of over-pressurization.

Are there environmental benefits to using copper ammunition?

Yes, copper ammunition avoids lead contamination, which is crucial for protecting scavenging wildlife like condors from lead poisoning. It also ensures the harvested meat is free from lead residue for human consumption.

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