USGI lead-free ammo in 2014! ...?

[Kayser Sose]

Just reading up, and found this in wikipedia's article on 7.62x51mm NATO, 'wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62x51mm';

"Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm, NATO, Ball, M80A1 (United States): M80 Lead Free (LF) 7.62×51mm NATO ball cartridge. 114.5-grain (7.4 g) of lead eliminated per M80A1 projectile. To be issued in 2014."

Neat huh? I had no idea.

Also interesting that there was a lead smelter closure lately in the 'states. *rustle of tinfoil*

Strikes me as 'funny' (maybe not 'funny'/'ha ha', but the other kind), the concept of an environmentally friendly round of ammunition.

I do understand that there's a place for it (indoor ranges, bla bla)

 

[09outlander]

Considering how much depleted uranium the U.S. has pumped into the Middle East, I don't think they did it for environmental reasons.

 

[maynard]

I wonder how many tons of lead and copper are sitting at the bottom of Lake Erie right behind the ranges at Camp Perry, Ohio. Considering that they have been shooting there of over 100 years and the backstop is Lake Erie.

 

[LUTNIT]

Considering how much depleted uranium the U.S. has pumped into the Middle East, I don't think they did it for environmental reasons.

They don't regularly train inside the US with DU ammo as far as I know. The lead free ammo was to reduce contamination on continental US training grounds.
Can't poison US wildlife but it's okay to irradiate the Middle East; US logic.