{"id":223,"date":"2025-04-28T12:05:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T12:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/?page_id=223"},"modified":"2026-03-25T13:50:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T13:50:52","slug":"you-can-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/you-can-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Make the switch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Gemini_Generated_Image_dxk7ddxk7ddxk7dd-scaled-e1774446503207.png&apos;);background-position:27% 53%;background-size:cover;\" class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained has-background\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-theme-palette-9-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0a31b0e6966c01e988914429fc1346a7\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">Take action<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-323076b337dd3c97f07c0fbd40786186\">Switch to lead-free ammunition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The only way to be completely sure that your shooting activities do not place wildlife, your family or others at risk is to use lead-free bullets. Factors to consider when investigating the options to use lead-free ammunition and bullets include availability, affordability and effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-6-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1f9445c5e2f448427c1d2eb74f172092\"><strong>Availability: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>Rifle Ammunition<\/em><br>Various types of lead-free centre-fire <strong>ammunition <\/strong>from both local and international manufacturers are available in South Africa:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Local <\/strong>South African licensed lead-free ammunition manufacturers: <a href=\"https:\/\/badgerammunition.co.za\/Pages\/Products.asp\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/badgerammunition.co.za\/Pages\/Products.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Badger Ammunition<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/nobleteq.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nobleteq<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Local <\/strong>South African non-lead <strong>bullet <\/strong>manufacturers include: Axe, Balistix, Dzombo, Impala, Kriek, Peregrine, Rhino, Spartan, Sus-Tac, Takedown, Titan and Viper.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Imported <\/strong>lead-free ammunition: <a href=\"https:\/\/barnesbullets.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Barnes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hornady.com\/bullets\/rifle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hornady<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lapua.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lapua<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sellier-bellot.cz\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sellier &amp; Bellot<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.woodleighbullets.co.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Woodleigh<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><br><em>Shotgun Ammunition<\/em><br>Alternatives to lead shot include steel, bismuth and tungsten. There is limited current availability of lead-free shotgun ammunition in South Africa, although increased demand will encourage additional imports and improve supply. Steel shot may however not be suitable in older shotguns; barrels and chokes must be steel proofed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Imported shotgun <\/strong>lead-free ammunition: Remington (current limited availability)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">There are air gun lead free options made out of tin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-4-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-227028f9869a5f76e21675aef7cc02da\"><strong>Affordability:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Lead-free factory rounds are comparable in price to premium bonded and match-grade lead-based rounds.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Where lead-free is more expensive than lead-based ammunition, the difference in price is an insignificant proportion of the total cost of a hunt. The reduction in non-usable contaminated meat resulting from using lead-free bullets may compensate for any increased ammunition costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Greater affordability can be achieved by reloaders by purchasing locally produced lead-free bullets over imported offerings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">As demand for lead-free ammunition increases, any price differential is likely to reduce over time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The Lead Task Team has motivated governmental authorities to reduce tariffs on the import of lead-free components.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-4-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-dc6358ba058df7afff70b5dcc7964d51\"><strong>Effectiveness:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Lead-free bullets are typically constructed from copper alloys and brass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Reliable performance can be expected within reasonable hunting conditions (Gremse et al 2014). They have increased penetration and weight retention over lead-based ammunition. A lighter non-lead bullet will have increased muzzle velocity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Lead-free bullets are constructed with high precision manufacturing tolerances; excellent grouping and accuracy can be achieved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Meat loss is significantly reduced when using lead-free bullets due to differences in terminal ballistics and energy transfer upon impact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Deforming, non-deforming, and fragmenting bullets are available in lead-free, and bullet choice is dependent on user requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Gremse, F., Krone, O., Thamm, M., Kiessling, F., Tolba, R. H., Rieger, S., &amp; Gremse, C. (2014). Performance of lead-free versus lead-based hunting ammunition in ballistic soap. PLoS One, 9(7), e102015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-3bbf32d23097e77910cedb6ed38565c2\">Switch to lead-free tackle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Fishing tackle made from lead pose a risk to crocodiles (larger sinkers and lures) and waterbirds (smaller sinkers) when ingested mistakenly as grit or gastroliths (small stones to help with digestion) or food items.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Alternatives to lead tackle include tungsten, bismuth and zinc alloy (zamak) fishing weights, e.g. those made by Caperlan. Rock sinkers and lead-free weighted leaders can be used in specimen carp fishing. Plastic-covered lead sinkers may reduce environmental contamination but the lead would still become available in the acidic environment of a crocodile stomach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">While availability of lead-free tackle in retail outlets is still limited in South Africa, there are many online retailers that can supply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The more that fishermen enquire at fishing shops, the higher the chance that lead-free will be imported or manufactured and stocked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-b4e7ece3c2daa943d3911a44b1e537c1\">Manage carcasses responsibly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\">Remove lead in the environment, by safely removing any bullets, sinkers, and lead-contaminated meat that scavengers might ingest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-2d9619164c8f4b6e448fef731770a477\">Spread the word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<ul style=\"line-height:2.1\" class=\"wp-block-list has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"> Assist in testing alternatives to lead ammunition and lead fishing sinkers. Viable alternatives are now available. <a href=\"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/contact-us\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"225\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reach out to participate.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Raise awareness about the environmental impacts of lead. Share information from this website with hunters, fishers, tourism operators, and other interested parties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignfull has-nested-images columns-4 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"786\" height=\"523\" data-id=\"557\" src=\"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/C-Vulture.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/C-Vulture.jpg 786w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/C-Vulture-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/C-Vulture-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/C-Vulture-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/C-Vulture-480x319.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-id=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-dogs-c-Lorenzo-Rossi-Amy-Dickman-Ruaha-Carnivore-Project-Conservation-partner.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-dogs-c-Lorenzo-Rossi-Amy-Dickman-Ruaha-Carnivore-Project-Conservation-partner.jpg 800w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-dogs-c-Lorenzo-Rossi-Amy-Dickman-Ruaha-Carnivore-Project-Conservation-partner-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-dogs-c-Lorenzo-Rossi-Amy-Dickman-Ruaha-Carnivore-Project-Conservation-partner-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-dogs-c-Lorenzo-Rossi-Amy-Dickman-Ruaha-Carnivore-Project-Conservation-partner-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wild-dogs-c-Lorenzo-Rossi-Amy-Dickman-Ruaha-Carnivore-Project-Conservation-partner-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" data-id=\"553\" src=\"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena-800x451.jpg 800w, https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hyena.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Take action Switch to lead-free ammunition The only way to be completely sure that your shooting activities do not place wildlife, your family or others at risk is to use lead-free bullets. Factors to consider when investigating the options to use lead-free ammunition and bullets include availability, affordability and effectiveness. Availability: Rifle AmmunitionVarious types of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","ub_ctt_via":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-223","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=223"}],"version-history":[{"count":82,"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1837,"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223\/revisions\/1837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leadtaskteam.org.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}