Yeah, it’s New Year’s Day and I’m sure most of you are hoping for some good news for 2009. Well, hate to break it to you, but this one isn’t necessarily so great. Minnesota hunters need to get involved in this discussion, and quick!
What’s the deal? According to this Minnesota Public Radio article, State Representative, Sandy Masin plans to introduce a bill to restrict or ban the use of lead ammo in the upcoming session.
State Rep. Sandy Masin, DFL-Eagan, says yes. Masin hasn’t worked out the details of her legislation, but she thinks there should be a ban or significant restrictions on the use of lead bullets.
“We know that it’s impacting the death of birds, and we also know we’ve been working really hard to keep lead from our children,” said Masin. “Somehow there has to be a way. This is within our environment and we need to find a way to curtail it.”
Anyway, this thing is far from over.
On a brighter note, it looks like Hornady has finally managed to come up with their own entry to the non-lead ammo market! The new Hornady-GMX bullet is composed of gilding metal, similar to the Nosler ETip. According to the Hornady site, the new bullets will be available as loading components in .277, .30, and .338 calibers. They are also available as loaded cartridges in .270 win, 7mm rem mag, 30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, .300 WinMag, and .300RCM. (I’m a little surprised they’re not loading them for the .338 Marlin Express, but I suppose they’re not suitable for tube-fed rifles.)
I look forward to speaking to the folks at Hornady when I’m at SHOT in a couple of weeks. If things go well, they’ll hook me up with some test ammo to take on an upcoming hog hunt so I can let you all know my first-hand experience.
Related Posts
- Lead Ban Chronicles – Minnesota DNR Testing Lead Ammo
- Lead Ban Chronicles – Minnesota to test all donated venison for lead – NRA says “Bah!”
- Lead Ban Chronicles – Minnesota Lead Ban Bill Shot Down
- Lead Ban Chronicles – Minnesota Update
- Lead Ban Chronicles – New research linking lead ammo and eagles in MN
Well, that’ll be interesting to watch. Minnesota’s an interesting state – pretty damned liberal, but very, very hunting-oriented. I was pleased last year to see how quickly the Legislature smacked down the proposed dove-hunting ban. But lead’s another issue…