Nonlead Ammunition

January 11, 2024

Question: I am new to hunting and understand that we need lead-free ammunition to hunt in California. For larger game, are copper-jacketed bullets with lead cores legal under the nontoxic criteria? Or do my bullets need to be 100 percent copper or fully lead-free?

Answer: You’ll need nonlead ammunition for any type of hunting with a firearm in California. No copper-jacketed, lead core bullets are permitted as they contain lead at their core. One hundred percent copper bullets are fine; They are the most common and commercially available nontoxic big game ammunition available, but copper itself is not necessarily required. There are other nontoxic metals and alloys used for bullets, but copper remains the most popular. The best resource to be sure your hunting ammunition is lawful to use in California is found at wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Nonlead-Ammunition/Certified.

Specifically, Section 250.1 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations requires hunters to use nonlead ammunition in accordance with Fish and Game Code Section 3004.5. These regulations and code sections contain definitions that help explain California’s nonlead ammunition requirements.

If anyone has any suggestions for reliable lead-free 22lr let me know! I'm close to giving up and just getting a PCP for small game (as if I could justify the cost).

Hi canadianjerkey,

Not sure what you mean by reliable, but I have used Norma Eco-speed and CCI Copper-22. You do have to keep the shots closer, as they don't group well at 100yards. Most of my shots are 30yards or less anyway. I only use lead-free 22lr with a singleshot rifle, it forces me to conserve and really focus on one-shot, one-kill.

Actually, almost all of my hunting is with single-shots....

Thanks albiec! I haven't tried the Norma yet, just the CCI and you're right I think I just need to adjust my expectations. It groups tight enough at those 30yd ranges. Do you have any preference between the CCI and the Norma?

If anyone has any suggestions for reliable lead-free 22lr let me know! I'm close to giving up and just getting a PCP for small game (as if I could justify the cost).

I dont believe Lead-free applies to rimfire caliber ammo... but I could be wrong....

What about at a range? Seems like a reasonable exception.

If anyone has any suggestions for reliable lead-free 22lr let me know! I'm close to giving up and just getting a PCP for small game (as if I could justify the cost).

I dont believe Lead-free applies to rimfire caliber ammo... but I could be wrong....

Lead-free applies to rimfire. The only exception to lead-free are airguns, aka pellet rifles. And the lead-free only applies to hunting. You can use lead at the range or target shooting.

Thanks albiec! I haven't tried the Norma yet, just the CCI and you're right I think I just need to adjust my expectations. It groups tight enough at those 30yd ranges. Do you have any preference between the CCI and the Norma?

I don't have any preference between the two, just use whatever is available on the shelf and sight in your rifle.

Lately, I've been experimenting with handloaded 38spl cartridges with Barnes or Cutting Edge 140grain bullets in a 357mag 18" barrel singleshot rifle on varmints (ground squirrels) to see what works and what doesn't. I've been practicing to get 1" groups at 40 yards, but I also don't want to depend on headshots. If I'm off and it ends up a body shot, I would still like to keep some meat. It's not quite there yet, and it might never, but it's fun to experiment during the winter.

I may end up going down .22 Hornet, but I really like the simplicity of straight-wall cartridges. The next step would be 327, but then I'd have to order a custom barrel.

Canadianjerkey,
  If you decide to go the PCP route I highly recommend the Benjamin Murauder. I’ve had one for several years now and love it. Shoots dime sized groups out to 50 yards and quarter size at 100. Definitely a far cry from my clunky old Gamo.