In place of lead.

[Cranfield]

I have been asked to shoot some feral birds in farm buildings and the owner wants them shot with "steel", not lead (I didn't ask).

I intend to use a .22 springer air rifle and have only ever used lead pellets.

Looking on Google I see some "Thunderbolt zinc pellets" and also Prometheus nickel plated steel.

Are these any good, or what are others using ?

 

If this topic has been done to death, accept my apologies, but I didn't find anything in the "Search" facility that seemed very pertinent.

[Hendrix's rifle]

I've used Prometheus in my old SMK with relatively good results. What about alloy? Gamo do a alloy pellet if I remember correctly? What about the copper route if he doesn't like lead?

[Cranfield]

Its anything but lead , so other options, apart from plastic, are on the table.

What people have successfully used interests me, I don't really have the time to conduct any field trials, so want to ride on someone's coat tails.

[TIGHTCHOKE]

There are some good zinc pellets out there.

[sitsinhedges]

If they're that fussy tell the idiot to shoot them himself

[Cranfield]

If they're that fussy tell the idiot to shoot them himself

I have shot over his 2000+ acres of mixed arable for 20 odd years, so I will throw stones at them if he wants.

[Dekers]

I have shot over his 2000+ acres of mixed arable for 20 odd years, so I will throw stones at them if he wants.

 

You would probably have more success than if you used Prometheus.

 

[Stonepark]

Have a look at uttings, h&n range, they do both "normal" diablo shaped barracuda green, non-lead or a prometheus type with pkastic skirt.

 

As with all air pellets, you need to try as each gun shoots them different

[Old farrier]

I've used the copper pellets with good results did have to re zero first

 

Hope this helps

All the best

Of

[FalconFN]

Most people use lead but there are a few that have used defiants et al, but they can be hit and miss - literally. Buy a trial pack if you can and see if you have any accuracy because relying on others experiences, even with the same rifle, won't guarantee you'll get the same results.

Edited May 23, 2016 by FalconFN

[sitsinhedges]

I have shot over his 2000+ acres of mixed arable for 20 odd years, so I will throw stones at them if he wants.

 

Just ask if he wants you to be humane, then get some proper ammo

[darren 67]

Does he plan on using them for feeding Bop if so could you not just head shoot them and he takes the head off?

[hambone]

Get hold of a GAT and shoot metal darts at them. Totally humane as the birds will drop dead from laughing.

[ditchman]

let us know how you get on...............using a lighter metal ...will it give you a higher velocity ?...better kill at shorter ranges ?..........

[amateur]

Aren't the "copper" pellets just copper coated lead, so presumably have the same toxicity as lead?

 

Why is he anti-lead?

[Whitebridges]

I've got some Prometheus .22 pellets in the garage. They are in a yellow plastic box.

You are most welcome to them Cranners . They have sat there for 25 years or more.

[Cranfield]

Thanks for the kind offer Whitebridges, but I am hearing too many negatives about Promethus, so I am going to try H&N Barracuda Green.

If I don't get on with those it will be Plan B, the large cardboard box, a stick, a long piece of string and some bread.

Thanks for all the comments.

[amateur]

Let us know how you get on

[figgy]

One of the shooting shows online uses copper pellets as he cant use lead, shoots them ok at close range. Prometheus are probably the easiest to get hold of.

 

Unless it was a sabo pellet I wouldn't use steel pellets.

[johnbaz]

I'm pretty sure I read that a metal similar to lead in weight is used quite a lot now, It's called Antimony, It shatters upon high speed contact with hard surfaces though!

 

 

 

John

[Dougy]

You may also start to get plastic fouling using prometheus.

I couldn't get them to group well in all the springers I've had.

Also be mindful using alloy as they will put hole's in the barn roof.

[Cottonseed]

Lead can go through certain farm building roves easily. I imagine steel or other harder alloys would do even more damage, plus the danger of ricochets.