Recreational shooting has been termed as one of the safest hobbies. Accidents are

known to happen in all facets of life, but recreational shooting really does have

statistics on its side. This usually boils down to the fact that the shooting community

observes some basic rules which help to ensure that no one ends up getting hurt.

However, getting shot isn’t the only risk associated with recreational shooting.

Problems such as ricochets and lead poisoning affect recreational shooting severely,

but often end up getting overlooked. And both these issues can easily be overcome

when one switches to frangible ammunition.

Frangible ammunition is quite similar to your normal target ammo. The biggest

difference is that instead of using a lead core, frangible bullets use either a copper

and tin core or a copper and polymer core. This makes the bullet a ‘green

alternative’ to lead bullets, one that doesn’t lead to lead poisoning or ricochet

accidents. These bullets can be produced as replacements for fully jacketed rounds

or as projectiles which need to be jacketed.

Powder metallurgy techniques are used to make metal composites which try to

mimic the features of lead. Processes such as cold brandishing and mechanical

interlinking are used to join the metallic mixture and the metallic compound is

sintered to create high density materials. The other common production for

technique of frangible ammunition involves the use of plastic composite materials.

A mixture of tungsten or copper powder and polymer is compounded together to

produce a composite material which is then injection molded to form. These non-

toxic high density materials are then used to make frangible bullets.

It took a while for the shooting world to accept frangible ammo, but it is now

embraced with open arms. In fact, using lead-free ammunition has allowed many

shooting ranges to market themselves as ‘green ranges’. Frangible bullets are also

being used by military personnel and law enforcement agencies for training

purposes. Some law enforcement ranges have designated their ranges as green

ranges to eliminate the concerns posed by lead rounds in indoor ranges.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing frangible ammunition is that you don’t

leave yourself susceptible to ricochet accidents. Since a frangible bullet breaks into

small particles upon impact, the potential for ricochet damage is negligible. This

makes it an outstanding option for close-quarter combat exercises.

Better yet, frangible ammo is the

cleanest ammo you can shoot. Since

there is no lead in the projectile, there

is no airborne release of lead when the

bullet escapes the gun barrel. This is a

very common problem in indoor

shooting ranges as the lead dispelled in

the air is often inhaled by workers and

customers. Regular handling of lead

bullets has also been known to pose

severe health complications. And most

of us are already aware of how harmful

lead really is.

Like most other facets of life, frangible ammo hasn’t been spared from myths either.

First of all, you need to understand that frangible ammunition CAN penetrate most

materials such as drywall, glass, metal and 2 x 4s. The ammo only breaks when it

impacts with something that is harder than itself or a target that offers hydrostatic

pressure. It is also essential to note that frangible ammo has brutal ballistics. Never

take frangible bullets lightly. Since they break into pieces upon contact, they

transfer the entire energy carried within them into their target. In the right

circumstances, this can make them more destructive than standard jacketed hollow

points.

Ecomass Technologies4101 Parkstone Heights Dr.

Suite 380Austin, Texas 78746-7482

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1-877-ECOMASS (877-326-6277)toll-free in U.S.A.

Telephone: 512-306-0020info@ecomass.com