Eco Ammo(TM) by American Ammunition
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.21.05
If you're going to shoot, then at least make sure you're not spritizing lead dust all around. That's the first thing that came to mind when we read that American Ammunition, Inc." received an additional 1,000,000 round order for its line of ECO-AMMO(TM)". Their catalog explains that Eco-AMMO(TM) "meets the demand for close-quarters, reduced hazard munitions. Frangible projectiles [supplied to American Ammo by this vendor] break apart into harmless fragments upon hitting a surface harder than the projectile itself. Dangerous ricochets and collateral damage are virtually eliminated, while the lead free composition leaves no toxic residue. This so called “Green” ammo is ideally suited for training, indoor ranges, and any application where collateral damage must be minimized". Collateral damage sounds like a euphemism for lead contamination. Indoor ranges where lead ammo is used can have serious air quality problems; and, once a range is closed the building or grounds might qualify for Superfund ranking because of the lead residues.
Made of compressed copper and tin powders, we'll have to call Eco-AMMO right on the edge of the green bullseye until we find out more about the vapors and dusts that could be released from the lead-free alternative. But it's certainly a long shot better than pure lead. The only other way to curtail lead during firing is to copper coat the old fashioned lead projectile, a product type also offered by American Ammo.
"collateral damage" is _not_ a euphemism for lead contamination. "collateral damage" means hitting something you didn't mean to hit.
collateral damage with non-frangible (not designed to break apart) ammo is a risk because the bullet can pass right through your target and hit something behind it.
strictly speaking, i guess lead contamination is a kind of collateral damage, but once removed :)
Cool, we're getting close to "fair-trade" ammo! ;-)
Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/
As a firearms owner and avid shooter I would like to thank you guys very much for actually showcasing a firearms related product on this page, without all the usual anti-gun rhetoric usually associated with what could be considered a "liberal" site such as yours. I'm a daily reader, and I appreciate it. Keep up the good work guys!
Yeah, but can they do something about all the corpses that end up scattered all over the place whenever I start shooting my AK?
Sorry, but attempting to 'green' a lethal product doesn't really qualify in my book. It would be like a cigarette that protects the smoker but still gives everyone else lung cancer. If you like plinking things, try a pellet gun. (I got as much enjoyment out of my BB gun as I did with my Dad's rifle or pistol) If you're planning on killing someone or something, then eat your lead like everybody else in the room.
Thank you for mentioning this ammo. Frangible rounds make outdoor shooting much safer due to the elimination of ricochets and lead waste. Law enforcement and military units are starting to see the benefits of frangible ammunition when used in operations as well as training.
They don't make any in a caliber that I use yet, unfortunately. Most of the popular rounds used by LE and military are available.
Carl just because you don't like a product doesn't mean it doesn't qualify as green.
I guess you don't think the police force should be armed?
If they used these type of rounds it would greatly reduce the risk of a non intended bystander receiving a lethal injury.
That and the lead residue doesn't only affect the shooter. If you've paid attention to heavy metal polution you should know that it has a very far reaching impact.
Most importantly don't confuse politic's and policy with a product's "greeness".
I feel compelled to also comment on how many of my conservative friends, and my self, will be more willing to read this site as articles like this show that treehugger.com is attempting to be green on all fronts. Including items regardless of rather they appeal to the "left" or "right"... Brilliant.
==== author's response follows =====
Thanks all for the notes of appreciation. My worst fear about writing about ammo was being splattered with organic catsup. Grins. Someday I'll do one on artesan made single shot rifles made of only locally grown wood and US-made steel. If anyone knows of someone who does a great job at it, please send link to john-at-treehugger.com
Why is it 'political' to dislike something that is primarily designed to harm people? Am I biased if I don't think anyone should be shoved into an iron maiden?
Why is it that a person who likes guns has to be 'left' or 'right'? I'm not either. I'm just sensible. {I sure as hell am not "liberal elite".}
Most of what gets posted on TH has nothing to do with politics, unless you've adopted the judgemental attitudes of your chosen crowd. Then everything that doesn't say what you want to hear sounds biased. I dislike silly misguided green stuff just as much as I dislike obliviously harmful stuff. The best stuff on this site involves someone trying to make the World make a little more sense.
Hey, I'm a "leftie" (for the most part), but I'm a big 2nd Amendment supporter, too. If we're gonna "keep & bear arms", there's no reason not to make them as eco-friendly as possible.
I understand loads of people are going to slate shooting as a sport, it's got a bad press (and I imagine you've got more problems in the US than us in the UK).
I'm a shooter in the UK, and the danger area of our main range, Bisley, in Surrey, is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) due to the enormous bio-diversity and rare insects there. Why do we shoot at it and pour lead into it? One of the reasons is to keep it an SSSI - despite the lead and army shells that pour into it daily, the fact that over the last 50 or so years, no-one's been in there except a couple of times a year has a far bigger impact.
Let me restate that: Humans walking on woodland has a bigger impact than pouring lead and artillary into it.
Go figure.
As for Frangible ammo, it's not used in the UK for sport. Frangible ammo is designed to maim and kill people or animals. We use FMJ, which makes a lot less mess and is much better for target shooting.
Copper-coated ammo (like our FMJ) doesn't stop lead leaking, as the copper coating vapourises during firing to lubricate the barrel as the gun is fired.
Anyone see the movie Lord of War with Nick Cage? Saw it over the weekend... Very appropriate.
Anyone see the movie Lord of War with Nick Cage? Saw it over the weekend... Very appropriate.