Non toxic casting???

[Grant 14]

Are there any metals that can be used to cast Calif. legal hunting bullets? I understand that Bismuth is very similar to lead in density but would it work for casting. Any other metals that might work and not ruin a barrel? Thanks, Grant.

[Marco Califo]

Buy Barnes copper bullets or Hornady GMX bullets approved as non-toxic by the State. They work well and are legal.
No the metallurgy and physics do not apply to other metals and alloys. Further, have a chat with the next California Fish and Wildlife warden you see. YOU must be able to prove the source and approved status of your bullets. I recommend having the original box with label and at least one loose bullet to support your contention that your handloaded ammo is non-toxic. If you think you are going to tell a warden you cast your own non-toxic, then you will be cited just as fast as LEO's who go hunting with their everyday carry backup gun and lead based hollow points somewhere on their person
They get cited, and whine like cry-babies, saying they are required to carry. They can, BUT ONLY with certified non- toxic projectiles when outdoors in California.
You can shoot lead ammo on licensed ranges ONLY under current law.

[T. O'Heir]

Doesn't CA tell you want you can use? The "must be able to prove the source and" suggests they do.

[armoredman]

...wow...that's terrible. Good luck!

[Marco Califo]

To make things even possibly worse, that list is for AMMUNITION not bullets. Handloading is thin ice here, and I will ask the next warden I see about my scheme of have the bullet box with me. They have been enforcing this for years. First it was Condor zones. Now it is statewide. Wardens are very helpful when you talk to them. They will explain regulations, where hunting is good, and funny busts. I enjoy talking to them. One told me he busts lots of LEO's with illegal bullets in handguns when hunting.
GMX: "Fully California compatible and appropriate for use in other areas requiring the use of non-traditional bullets, GMX is ideal for any sized game, from antelope to moose. "
Cali. F&W: "Certified Nonlead Ammunition
Shotgun ammunition containing pellets composed of materials approved as nontoxic by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as identified in Section 507.1 (Title 14, CCR) is considered certified. NOTE: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may review and approve applications for other types of non-toxic shot throughout the year -- link opens in new windowSee the full list of approved shot types.
The following table lists currently certified non-lead ammunition (choose a link to go to the manufacturer's current information). This certified list will be updated as new applications are received and approved.
Name Date Application Received Date Application Approved
link opens in new windowAmmo Brothers (PDF)
September 22, 2008 September 25, 2008
link opens in new windowAmmo Inc (pka; HPR Ammunition) (PDF) September 23, 2014 September 1, 2017
link opens in new windowBadlands Precision, LLC (PDF) November 20, 2016 February 28, 2017
link opens in new windowBarnes Bullets, Inc. (PDF) April 16, 2008 April 28, 2008
link opens in new windowBishop Ammunition Manufacturing (PDF) August 18, 2011 October 11, 2011
link opens in new windowBlack Hills Ammunition (PDF) June 10, 2008 July 2, 2008
link opens in new windowBlackstone Ammunition (PDF) October 9, 2014 October 21, 2014
link opens in new windowBrowning Ammunition (PDF) January 12, 2018 February 5, 2018
link opens in new windowBuchanan Precision Machine (PDF) March 25, 2019 April 25, 2019
link opens in new windowCalifornia Republic Bullets (PDF) June 26, 2015 June 30, 2015
link opens in new windowCavity Back Bullets (PDF) July 18, 2017 August 29, 2017
link opens in new windowCCI - Speer (PDF) April 15, 2008 April 28, 2008
link opens in new windowCutting Edge Bullets (PDF) February 26, 2010 October 21, 2015 (rev.)
link opens in new windowCustom Cartridge, Inc. (PDF) March 14, 2008 April 28, 2008
link opens in new windowDakota Ammo (COR-BON/Glaser) (PDF) April 16, 2008 April 28, 2008
link opens in new windowD Dupleks Ltd. (PDF) March 2, 2010 March 16, 2010
link opens in new windowDiscreet Ballistics (PDF) May 9, 2019 June 6, 2019
link opens in new windowDoubletap Ammunition (PDF) July 2, 2019 July 26, 2019
link opens in new windowDynamic Research Technologies (DRT) (PDF) July 29, 2009 September 8, 2009
link opens in new windowENVIRON-Metal, Inc. DBA HEVI-Shot (PDF) January 27, 2017 February 28, 2017
link opens in new windowFederal Premium Ammunition (PDF) April 15, 2008 April 28, 2008
link opens in new windowFort Scott Munitions (PDF) January 19, 2016 January 25, 2016
link opens in new windowG2 Research, Inc. (PDF) April 9, 2015 April 21, 2015
link opens in new windowGorilla Ammunition LLC (PDF) April 11, 2018 May 24, 2018
link opens in new windowGS Custom Bullets LLC (PDF) January 14, 2012 February 2, 2012
link opens in new windowHasler Bullets (PDF)
August 20, 2015 October 14, 2015
link opens in new windowHammer Bullets (HD Custom Rifles and Ammunition, LLC) (PDF)
March 25, 2016 April 28, 2016
link opens in new windowHornady Mfg. Co (PDF) December 8, 2008 December 29, 2008
link opens in new windowInternational Cartridge Company (PDF) August 12, 2008 September 4, 2008
link opens in new windowLehigh Defense, LLC (PDF) June 10, 2014 July 29, 2014
link opens in new windowLiberty Ammunition (PDF) September 9, 2013 October 22, 2013
link opens in new windowMAGNAProducts (PDF) October 26, 2017 December 15, 2017
link opens in new windowMagtech Ammunition Company (PDF) September 11, 2008 October 20, 2008
link opens in new windowMcGuire Grinding (PDF) April 17, 2015 April 30, 2015
link opens in new windowMiwall Corporation (PDF) September 23, 2008 October 20, 2008
link opens in new windowMonolithic Munitions LLC (PDF) January 14, 2012 February 2, 2012
link opens in new windowNammo Lapua Oy (PDF) July 31, 2012 September 5, 2012
link opens in new windowNorma (PDF) July 3, 2017 July 21, 2017
link opens in new windowNorth Fork Bullets (PDF) January, 27 2009 February 23, 2009
link opens in new windowNosler, Inc. (PDF) March 25, 2008 April 28, 2008
link opens in new windowNovX Ammunition (PDF) August 4, 2019 September 20, 2019
link opens in new windowOATH Corporation (PDF) October 20, 2015 November 23, 2015
link opens in new windowOPG Gun Ventures, LLC (PDF) June 11, 2012 June 25, 2012
link opens in new windowP-Bar Co., LLC (PDF) November 30, 2009 January 4, 2010
link opens in new windowPeregrine Monolithics (PDF) August 8, 2016 December 1, 2016
link opens in new windowPolyCase Ammunition, LLC (PDF) January 09, 2015 February 2, 2015
link opens in new windowRemington Arms Co., LLC (PDF) March 25, 2008 April 28, 2008
link opens in new windowRotoMetals, Inc. (PDF) November 12, 2017 December 15, 2017
link opens in new windowSig Sauer (PDF) January 13, 2016 April 28, 2016
link opens in new windowSinterfire, Inc (PDF) May 29, 2008 July 2, 2008
link opens in new windowSellier & Bellot (PDF) May 31, 2013 July 22, 2013
link opens in new windowSnake River Ammunition (PDF) August 31, 2009 September 14, 2009
link opens in new windowSolid Copper Bullet (PDF) August 18, 2014 October 10, 2014
link opens in new windowStars & Stripes Ammunition (PDF) August 15, 2008 September 11, 2008
link opens in new windowStyria Arms (PDF) February 10, 2011 March 1, 2011
link opens in new windowTB Ammunition LLC (PDF) July 6, 2018 July 12, 2018
link opens in new windowTomBob Outdoors, LLC (PDF) March 15, 2010 April 21, 2010
link opens in new windowTraditions Performance Firearms (Traditional Sporting Goods Inc.) (PDF) May 20, 2019 June 24, 2019
link opens in new windowVollmer Precision (PDF) November 14, 2018 December 17, 2018
link opens in new windowWeatherby, Inc. (PDF) May 29, 2008 July 2, 2008
link opens in new windowWinchester Ammunition (PDF) April 7, 2008 April 28, 2008"

[Grant 14]

It is pretty scary to think that I could be hunting with non lead ammo and get popped for having snake shot in my derringer. Is there even a manufacturer that sells non toxic 22 or 38 snake shot? I love California, but there is no question that we are over regulated. Grant.

[Marco Califo]

No. You are not likely to find non-toxic snake shot. I cant find non-toxic 22 LR.
I think shooting snakes with any firearm is a bad idea. A shovel, or snake tongs, or even a walking stick is all you need. And carrying a possibly concealed weapon for snakes will get you into more trouble than it will get you out of. I really think snake phobia is really silly belief of city dwellers, not exposed much to outdoors activity.

[Grant 14]

Having lived in the country almost my whole life and having my organic farmer neighbor get a $119,000 bill for a bite from a little rattler that put him in intensive care for 5 days, I pay attention to snakes. About $12K of the bill was from flying him to another hospital when our local hospital ran out of antivenom and he was still in real danger. Rattle snakes are not a danger, just like covid is not a danger (depending on who you listen to). Thanks for the advice. Grant.

[Marco Califo]

They get my attention, too. I put my dogs through rattlesnake avoidance class (using live snakes and dog shock collar, carefully staged). I enjoy catching them, have kept as pets, have caught one in my backyard, skin them, and was going to eat one but the meet got soft in the cooler. People who live in the country like I do know to grab a shovel and separate the head of the snake.
I just don't think you need a gun for them. I have gotten very uncomfortable around people who tell me (and show me) they are carrying "for snakes". I believe it is unnecessary and illegal. And yes, you would be cited by California F&W for possessing toxic ammo, and who will happily ask the local sheriff re: the CCW matter.
On the other hand, bears is something you would want a firearm for.

[Grant 14]

It is a little hard to figure out how one carries a shovel and a deer rifle while hunting, or a snake tong with your turkey gun. I dont believe it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon on your own property and I dont hunt on anyone elses.
It IS A WORRY that an over-zealous game warden might site someone for snake shot.
My son has had to dispatch several rattle snakes when as a camp councilor he didnt want the snakes in the kids shower room. Of course it was with a shovel or hoe, but protecting the unaware was the important thing.
I never harm a gopher snake or any other type, but something that could make me very ill or cause a huge financial burden, will be dispatched.
Back to non toxic ammo, if there are no 22 rim fire legal shells, does that mean that farmers will have to use a center fire to rid there property of gophers. That sure sounds like a law making us SAFER?????. Grant.