Army ammo going "green"

[Builder Bob]

Army ammo to go lead free. Trials start this week for performance.

Army to Test New 'Green' Bullets - FoxNews.com

I see more expensive ammo coming since they will want to outlaw lead cores for the "green movement".

[Caster]

I don't see t happening anytime soon. All the more reason to keep buying above your consumption rate. Stack it deep, and that's not SHTF paranoia talking, it's just wise investment strategy.

[Jonnin]

A variety of things can be used but its all more costly than lead. Since your taxes pay for it (or not... more debt?), the army can afford to shoot tungsten or non-radioactive uranium or whatever. We cannot --- that stuff would be $10 a shot.

I firmly believe it is possible to produce an inexpensive alternative, but so far, the R&D is not there yet nor is it worth doing. The lead from all the shooting in the world combined is less danger than one wrecked power plant in japan, or one production plant in china, or any of the other real sources of pollution.

[buck1032]

A variety of things can be used but its all more costly than lead. Since your taxes pay for it (or not... more debt?), the army can afford to shoot tungsten or non-radioactive uranium or whatever. We cannot --- that stuff would be $10 a shot.

I firmly believe it is possible to produce an inexpensive alternative, but so far, the R&D is not there yet nor is it worth doing. The lead from all the shooting in the world combined is less danger than one wrecked power plant in japan, or one production plant in china, or any of the other real sources of pollution.

You Sir, should never, EVER run for office. You seem to have comman sense and that doesnt fair well in the Gooberment. LOL

[Dolomite_supafly]

It's development had nothing to do with going green. It had to do with barrier penetration performance. It just so happens to be lead free.

There was a long thread a while ago regarding this ammunition.

Not going to get into my opinions on this but they have screwed the 223 performance up so badly that there is no way it will ever be as effective as it was 30 years ago.

Dolomite

[vontar]

I don't see t happening anytime soon. All the more reason to keep buying above your consumption rate. Stack it deep, and that's not SHTF paranoia talking, it's just wise investment strategy.

The boyscout motto, Be Prepared

[1gewehr]

The bullets will have a core of a bismuth alloy. Bismuth is slightly heavier than lead, but alloys will probably end up with a similar density. Most current bismuth production comes from China. Bismuth currently sells for about $11/lb, versus $1.20/lb for lead.

[vontar]

The bullets will have a core of a bismuth alloy. Bismuth is slightly heavier than lead, but alloys will probably end up with a similar density. Most current bismuth production comes from China. Bismuth currently sells for about $11/lb, versus $1.20/lb for lead.

Well that makes since as China enjoys our most favored trade nation status. Why not pay them 10 times the price for a product to replace lead with that they will probably hide their waste lead in anyways.

[monkeylizard]

We're paying them with their money, so why not?

[Jonnin]

Heh -- that would be about right, the chinese selling us lead bullets that were lead free, like their toxic dog food and toys... at an inflated price with the option to cut off the supply if we go to war with them or their allies.

[vontar]

Heh -- that would be about right, the Chinese selling us lead bullets that were lead free, like their toxic dog food and toys... at an inflated price with the option to cut off the supply if we go to war with them or their allies.

Yup, kinda what I was getting at. It does not make any good Military, Business or ECO sense in any way.