Casting Solid Copper Bullets

[Hinnerk]

The laws in this state continually make me vomit.

Pretty sure that is the objective ... to make you sick and give up your guns. Not much evidence to think otherwise.

[CSACANNONEER]

Good grief, this is turning into a rabbit hole! The laws in this state continually make me vomit. I think my issue is settled!

A few years ago, I trying to figure out a way to hunt with my .54 by making or buying lead free .530 roundballs but, I haven't found anything yet.

[powderedtoastman]

Do DFW wardens have test kits to prove that you're using lead? Assuming you let them search? I'm about ready to have some approved "non toxic" projectiles in my pocket for whatever gun I'm shooting if I'm contacted. Absolute garbage.

[bigbossman]

Unfortunately, if you want to hunt in CA with a muzzle-loader, the only way that makes sense is to buy an in-line and use CA approved saboted copper bullets.

I fiddled around with a Hawken type gun for a while, and finally gave up. I could not find approved lead-free projectiles excepting the Barnes sabots, and they would not stabilize with the twist rate. Modern in-lines are optimized for saboted bullets, and there are plenty of copper saboted bullets to choose from that are approved.

[bigbossman]

Do DFW wardens have test kits to prove that you're using lead? Assuming you let them search? I'm about ready to have some approved "non toxic" projectiles in my pocket for whatever gun I'm shooting if I'm contacted. Absolute garbage.

Yeah - they're called "diagonal cutters".

I have been hunting the Condor Zone for a long time now, and have yet to be checked. But, I use Barnes TTSX bullets for my 30-06 and they are immediately identifiable as to what they are.

[Enfield47]

What about hard, solid rubber balls or steel balls (like ball bearings)? Would either of those do damage to the rifle?

(BTW the rubber balls I'm referring to are really hard, industrial grade balls like they use when fracking an oil well).

[NapalmCheese]

Yeah - they're called "diagonal cutters".

I have been hunting the Condor Zone for a long time now, and have yet to be checked. But, I use Barnes TTSX bullets for my 30-06 and they are immediately identifiable as to what they are.

I imagine they will do the same thing they do for duck hunters and use a Hot-Shot if they can't immediately identify the bullet. Likewise, I imagine they might loosen up the restrictions on the 'needs to be CA approved' and again, run it like they do duck ammo and just check the ammo on the spot. This would both keep people from just having an old box of of what used to be approved ammo while still hunting with lead while also giving people the flexibility to use whatever expanding non-lead ammo they see fit.

I know, I know, it sounds too logical. There is some hope however. The list of approved ammo really does change, I've seen it for myself! CA used to list DRT ammo for varmints only, that is no longer the case.

We'll see how it goes come 2019 I suppose.