Heavy non-lead pellets

[OneEye]

I'm a new forum member who has been lurking for a while. Perhaps this subject has been covered in the fairly recent past - if so, please cut me some slack for bringing it up!

I live in California where the *%#*^%* decision makers have banned all lead projectiles for hunting - in firearms. Earlier today I was able to speak with someone at the state DFW and confirmed that they (sensibly) do not consider an airgun a "firearm" and that lead pellets are still allowed for hunting.

But, before I learned that, I was thinking I'd have to use non-lead pellets which, being so light - I'm shooting a .22 cal so the tin pellets weigh only 11 or 12 grains - would mean that shooting distances would necessarily be relatively short. My intention is to shoot ground squirrels in local orchards and these guys are pretty shy.

My question is, does anyone make non-lead pellets in .22 that are heavier than those made of tin? It seems unlikely, as I can't think of a heavier metal than tin that would be easy to work and make cheaply.

Thanks in advance. I'm just getting back into air after about a 15 year hiatus and I'm learning a LOT here!

 

[JohnL57]

As far as I know-not any more. There were some 14gr. pellets from the UK that AOA sold, but they are no longer made as far as I know. Having said that, in the days when I shot my R9 springer as my one gun it was not that unusual for me to take head shots out to 45 yards shooting the H&N Baracuda Greens using sticks for a rest.

 

[Hepotter]

X2 on John's comments with H&N Baracuda Greens. 

 

[OneEye]

Thanks, guys.

I've got some of the Baracuda Greens and Predator GTO's coming. I'm looking forward to testing them (and all my heavier pellets) in my new gun, a Brocock Bantam Sniper High Power, which is a big step up from my last air gun purchase, an Air Force Talon, which is now about 15 years old. JohnL57: 45 yards on these squirrels is probably a medium shot, if that. They are, if you'll excuse the word, pretty squirrely! And I'm talking about ground squirrels - they're pretty tough and I hope to dispatch them quickly and humanely. Hepotter: I got your unmodified response via email. Thanks for the chuckle and I suspect you re-read my post and realized that CA DOES allow lead when shooting air guns. Funny though, the "brilliant" Powers That Be won't allow detachable moderators, while they do allow built-in (on) shrouds. Guess they're afraid we'll put them on a "real" gun and go crazy...

 

[davidsng]

I know there is a compound out there used for fishing weights that is lead free which is 80% of the weight of lead. You will have to mold them yourself, I don't think there is anyone who sells pellets. I was looking at this recently too.

 

[JungleShooter]

Here're a couple more:

SIG Wraith Ballistic Alloy | 12.35gr | Domed (shaped like the H&N Baracudas [lead], the SIG is probably made by H&N)

SIG Zero Point Alloy | 11.81gr | Hollow Point (shaped like the H&N Crow Magnum [lead], the SIG is probably made by H&N)

They are a little pricey, but if you shop around you can usually find a deal.

Matthias