No Lead hunting question

[180pilot]

Since I am reloading my own and using Hornady GMX no lead .308, can anyone tell me how CA. Wardens are checking bullets. These look just like Hornady SST with lead. I know the regs. say Warden can confiscate your ammo for testing. But what exactly does that mean? I tried talking to a officer in DFG Sacramento, he did not know and gave me a bunch of phone numbers with recordings. Still no answers????

[theseacow]

maybe if you keep a box the bullets came in, you can show that its lead free.

[edgerly779]

I keep the box the bullets come in. Also make sure the bullets are on tha approved list. 3 weeks ago I went to rockfish opener and the wardens were at the launch ramp in Ventura and I asked how theycould tell if bullets were approved. They said first they check list and question hunters then if in doubt they can cut a bullet with bolt cutters and test for lead on the spot or send to lab and wait for results and then cite. They said it depends a lot on the attitude of the hunter. If you act like a jerk you get treated like one.

[180pilot]

Thanks for info, I am planning on taking Hornady box with me. I don't intend to be a jerk, but information on this is certainly lacking on DFG website as to how a warden is going to check your ammo. The GMX is on the list and has two grooves that are not knurled, which is only difference from SST. But if it is roll crimped into top groove as it would have to be, I doubt an average Warden that is not a reloader could tell. BTW, solid gilded copper bullets should be well crimped, they tend to set back under recoil in the magazine. I think all no lead ammo should have a Green tip, making ID easy for wardens and hunters. If I wasn't reloading, a box of 20 would be about $45 that's $ 2.25 per rd.

And what about any other firearm, say a pistol back in my camper, that is not going into the field with me? The law seems hazy about other weapons " in your possession". The last over zealous rookie warden I had a run in with years ago, tried to unload a pistol he took from me with it pointed right at me.....

[ADAM]

I spoke to one warden last year in reg lead free ammo in d11 He told me they are not hard on it.Most hunters got the word, and if they act like *** then they take hard mesures