Ever try lead free 22 LR?

[Dave Lively]

Winchester seems to be promoting their new 21 Sharp as an alternative to 22 LR in areas where hunting small game with lead bullets is prohibited. They claim it is more accurate than lead free bullets in 22 LR because it does not have a heel based bullet.

Has anyone here ever tried lead free 22 LR?

When I looked online I found a couple of posts in gun forums like this one where the accuracy was described as "NOT a tack driver", "NOT accurate", "most inaccurate ammo, I’ve used", etc.

On the other hand I saw a study in the "Wildlife society bulletin" that claimed accuracy was comparable to other types of 22 ammo. Normally I would dismiss this due to anti-gun bias but it seemed very objective compared to the anecdotal impressions on gun forums. The organization seemed anti scavengers getting lead poisoning but not necessarily anti-gun or anti-hunting. Results varied from gun to gun but 22s can be notoriously fickle about what ammo they will shoot accurately and reliably.

 

[StrawHat]

First of all, what deficiencies in accuracy are they talking about? The 22 LR cartridge has set records that centerfire cartridges only dream about.

Use in lead free zones, sure. A valid point. The 22 LR is prohibited.

I have not seen the promotional articles. How does it compare price wise, to the 22 Hornet?

Kevin

 

[LoboGunLeather]

For many years .22 rimfire ammo was produced in "gallery" loads, usually a bullet formed of sintered iron that shattered on impact with the metal targets commonly used in shooting galleries (primarily .22 Short cartridges as I recall).

Bullet casters experimented with zinc die casting alloys years ago. During WW2 many millions of cartridges were made using mild steel cores in lieu of lead, and that technology was commonly used in the Soviet bloc nations for decades. Tungsten carbide or depleted uranium have been used for many years in manufacturing armor-piercing military ammunition.

Probably several metals can be cast, swaged, or machined into projectiles for use in firearms. Terminal performance would differ considerably. Economy in use would differ considerably. Wear and tear on firearms would be another subject.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The Norweigans (I think) loaded .45 acp rounds made from hardwood with a lead core. It was not wildly effective but they did clear the muzzle of the weapon.

 

[DWalt]

For many years .22 rimfire ammo was produced in "gallery" loads, usually a bullet formed of sintered iron that shattered on impact with the metal targets commonly used in shooting galleries (primarily .22 Short cartridges as I recall).

The bullets used in .22 shooting gallery loads were not sintered iron but iron powder in a thermosetting plastic matrix. The main advantage was that they would completely pulverize upon impact with steel targets. No danger of ricochets, etc. Such bullets were much lighter in weight than corresponding lead bullets, around half. At short shooting gallery distances, their accuracy did not matter much. In fact, they grouped poorly in comparison to lead bullets.

 

[Dave Lively]

I have not seen the promotional articles. How does it compare price wise, to the 22 Hornet?
Kevin

There's a thread in this forum discussing it. No pricing info at this time.

I normally am a fan of niche cartridges. I once owned a Anchutz 1502 in 17 M2 ( a necked down 22 LR) that I really liked until ammo dried up. And if the right gun chambered in 30 SC had become available would I have bought one of those too.

But I am not a small game hunter and even if I was in Georgia lead 22 LR is fine. The only real use I see for the 21 Sharp is small gaming hunting in a state that only allows lead free rimfire ammo. Which would rule out the 22 Hornet.

Copper and other types of lead free ammo tend to be priced 2 or 3 times higher than lead ammo so I expect 21 Sharp to be priced quite a bit higher than 22 LR but less expensive than most centerfire rounds. I am guessing it will be like 22 Magnum but heavy emphasis on "guessing".

 

[rockquarry]

I'm not familiar with such ammo. Is there a need for it or is it marketing?

 

[mauser9]

Yeah probably trying to get a jump on lead-free rimfire. Believe 22 L.R. can be had in lead free rounds but limited. Made me check on 22 magnum lead free from CCI. Got me interested in trying a box to compare accuracy of my usual 40 grain H.P.

 

[pasound]

All 22 Mag ammo is copper plated or jacketed, I think. I keep my 22WMR cylinder in my Single-Six because it's actually more accurate then any 22 LR I've shot in it.

I've always wondered why a WMR 617 was never built and sold.

 

[Rule3]

There is lead free 22 lr ammo available. Why do we need another caliber and have to buy different guns??






The New Rimfire: Winchester’s 21 Sharp Cartridge '-' Shooting News Weekly


What Is 21 Sharp?
The 21 Sharp was officially announced by Winchester in September. As a new rimfire round, it’s unique, but this one’s extra-special because Winchester seems to be hoping it’ll unseat long-time shooter favorite 22 LR. Yes, 21 Sharp has an uphill battle considering the 22 LR’s been around since 1887 and there are millions of guns that are chambered for it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a (literal) shot.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Another worthless flash in the pan cartridge........Probably be dead in a couple of years.......Remember the now long gone 5mm Remington? Only Remington chambered rifles for it....Then due to non interest Remington stopped making ammo. People were left with guns with NO/ZERO ammo.
I wouldn't take one if it was a free door prize.........Mt regular .22 will suffice.

 

[SlamFire]

I would be interested in trying a lead free 22lr just to see how it does. If they have redesigned the bullet, than that is probably a step in the right direction.

The original 22lr cartridge, and bullets, all date back to the 1880's. I really don't understand how the match ammunition makers produce ammunition that shoots as well as it does, given that they use this bullet configuration.

there are just too many different shapes and pieces, any and all can go wrong.

 

[Dave Lively]

There is lead free 22 lr ammo available. Why do we need another caliber and have to buy different guns??

In the original post there is a link to a rimfire forum with a lot of complaints about poor accuracy when using lead free 22 LR. The new cartridge is supposed to do better. Hunters that live where lead free rimfire ammo is required but are unhappy with lead free 22 LR's accuracy is the smallest niche market I have ever seen a new cartridge and guns produced for.

More accurate lead free 22 would be a better solution but I don't understand why lead free ammo is uniquely inaccurate in a 22. Part of the problem may be the lead free ammo uses very light bullets, 21 and 24 grains in the two types I know of. Maybe a 22 barrel with a slower twist specifically for lead free ammo or hyper velocity rounds like CCI Stingers would do better.

Since I don't need to use lead free 22 its not an issue for me but I am still curious if anyone here has ever tried lead free 22 LR. If I see some at a gun store I will buy a box just to see how accurate or inaccurate it is in my guns but its not a high priority.

 

[rwsmith]

No....

I'm against anything safe, healthy or eco-friendly when it comes to shooting.