The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

BASC now support a "self imposed" move away from lead shot, over the next five years.

"BASC has joined other rural organisations in issuing a statement on lead-free ammunition for live quarry shooting.

In consideration of wildlife, the environment and to ensure a market for the healthiest game products, at home and abroad, we wish to see an end to both lead and single-use plastics in ammunition used by those taking all live quarry with shotguns within five years.

We are jointly calling for our members to engage in this transition and work with us, the Gun Trade Association and the cartridge manufacturers to ensure that further viable alternatives are developed for every situation involving live quarry. This is an opportunity to take the initiative and ensure the reputation of the shooting community, as custodians of the countryside, is both maintained and enhanced."

Yet another betrayal as far as I am concerned.

What concerns me about these little concessions which, on the face of it, seem reasonable enough (presumably steel shot does an equal job of killing stuff) is that sooner or later the next suggestion will be that I can't use soft lead in my BP revolvers. And the fact that shot gunners have moved to more eco-friendly alternatives will make my protestations seem 'unreasonable'.

This is why I love the American version of the NRA. No matter how reasonable the suggestion THEY will fight it tooth and nail. Even if it looks as if they are standing on a pile of dead kids, pandas, and kittens.
So the moment someone comes out with some clever wheeze they know it's gonna be a long expensive battle that may not be worth fighting. Our organizations should be like them.

Dark Skies wrote:What concerns me about these little concessions which, on the face of it, seem reasonable enough (presumably steel shot does an equal job of killing stuff) is that sooner or later the next suggestion will be that I can't use soft lead in my BP revolvers. And the fact that shot gunners have moved to more eco-friendly alternatives will make my protestations seem 'unreasonable'.

This is why I love the American version of the NRA. No matter how reasonable the suggestion THEY will fight it tooth and nail. Even if it looks as if they are standing on a pile of dead kids, pandas, and kittens.
So the moment someone comes out with some clever wheeze they know it's gonna be a long expensive battle that may not be worth fighting. Our organizations should be like them.

If you talk to many US shooters, their view of the NRA is not so rosy.... a lot of them are turning against the NRA due to the internal problems they've had, and that even the NRA have made some concessions.. i.e. bumpstocks..

But I agree, they're far better than our shooting organisations..

Daryll wrote:

Dark Skies wrote:What concerns me about these little concessions which, on the face of it, seem reasonable enough (presumably steel shot does an equal job of killing stuff) is that sooner or later the next suggestion will be that I can't use soft lead in my BP revolvers. And the fact that shot gunners have moved to more eco-friendly alternatives will make my protestations seem 'unreasonable'.

This is why I love the American version of the NRA. No matter how reasonable the suggestion THEY will fight it tooth and nail. Even if it looks as if they are standing on a pile of dead kids, pandas, and kittens.
So the moment someone comes out with some clever wheeze they know it's gonna be a long expensive battle that may not be worth fighting. Our organizations should be like them.

If you talk to many US shooters, their view of the NRA is not so rosy.... a lot of them are turning against the NRA due to the internal problems they've had, and that even the NRA have made some concessions.. i.e. bumpstocks..

But I agree, they're far better than our shooting organisations..

I know. I'm a member of both. They're not perfect. But imagine their disappointment if their NRA was like our NRA.

Daryll wrote:

Dark Skies wrote:
If you talk to many US shooters, their view of the NRA is not so rosy.... a lot of them are turning against the NRA due to the internal problems they've had, and that even the NRA have made some concessions.. i.e. bumpstocks..

But I agree, they're far better than our shooting organisations..

I know. I'm a member of both. They're not perfect. But imagine their disappointment if their NRA was like our NRA.

I'm a member of both too.. and yes, they don't realise how good they've got it...

I was going to post about this and i'm a little surprised that this isn't in the general forum given the ramifications it WILL have for anyone using any kind of lead ammunition. i.e. 99.999% of us!

First its lead over wetlands, now its all live game. Once that's in, 'non-game'* cartridges prices will start ramping up and before you know it half the people shooting clays or PSG won't be able to afford it anymore, or at least, as much as they used to/would like to.

As Dark Skies mentioned, the focus will then turn to cast loads, then all lead ammo, even if copper jacketed, as each niche falls the rest seem less and less 'reasonable' to resist. End of making your own (legal) ammunition.

*many people who shoot PSG use 'game' loads e.g. 32gram #6's as they provide a more solid knock down for heavier/long distance plates than your bog standard 28g #7.5's 'clay' loads. Some guns also only function reliably on heavier loads.

Unless there are some budding alchemists that have been holding back this is a massive nail in shootings coffin IMO.

My membership to BASC will be cancelled this year (it was anyway because of the disgusting way they handled, or rather didn't handle a situation I found myself in last year through no fault of my own).

[quote="Blackstuff"]I was going to post about this and i'm a little surprised that this isn't in the general forum given the ramifications it WILL have for anyone using any kind of lead ammunition. i.e. 99.999% of us!

First its lead over wetlands, now its all live game. Once that's in, 'non-game'* cartridges prices will start ramping up and before you know it half the people shooting clays or PSG won't be able to afford it anymore, or at least, as much as they used to/would like to.

As Dark Skies mentioned, the focus will then turn to cast loads, then all lead ammo, even if copper jacketed, as each niche falls the rest seem less and less 'reasonable' to resist. End of making your own (legal) ammunition.

*many people who shoot PSG use 'game' loads e.g. 32gram #6's as they provide a more solid knock down for heavier/long distance plates than your bog standard 28g #7.5's 'clay' loads. Some guns also only function reliably on heavier loads.

Unless there are some budding alchemists that have been holding back this is a massive nail in shootings coffin IMO.

My membership to BASC will be cancelled this year (it was anyway because of the disgusting way they handled, or rather didn't handle a situation I found myself in last year through no fault of my own).[/quote

Concur.

Unfortunately I am stick with bloody BASC trade member ship as it is the only way you can get a Parcel Farce firearms account.

RDC wrote:Yet another betrayal as far as I am concerned.

So do you not accept that lead is a dangerously toxic substance?

dromia wrote:

Blackstuff wrote:I was going to post about this and i'm a little surprised that this isn't in the general forum given the ramifications it WILL have for anyone using any kind of lead ammunition. i.e. 99.999% of us!

First its lead over wetlands, now its all live game. Once that's in, 'non-game'* cartridges prices will start ramping up and before you know it half the people shooting clays or PSG won't be able to afford it anymore, or at least, as much as they used to/would like to.

As Dark Skies mentioned, the focus will then turn to cast loads, then all lead ammo, even if copper jacketed, as each niche falls the rest seem less and less 'reasonable' to resist. End of making your own (legal) ammunition.

*many people who shoot PSG use 'game' loads e.g. 32gram #6's as they provide a more solid knock down for heavier/long distance plates than your bog standard 28g #7.5's 'clay' loads. Some guns also only function reliably on heavier loads.

Unless there are some budding alchemists that have been holding back this is a massive nail in shootings coffin IMO.

My membership to BASC will be cancelled this year (it was anyway because of the disgusting way they handled, or rather didn't handle a situation I found myself in last year through no fault of my own).[/quote

Concur.

Unfortunately I am stick with bloody BASC trade member ship as it is the only way you can get a Parcel Farce firearms account.

just a quick question, I know the original post mentioned BASC and I know BASC is always ripe for a kicking amongst some folk, but I am surprised no one has mentioned all the other co signatories of this release? is it just another opportunity for spleen venting?