Simon Reinhold, head of operations at Holt’s Auctioneers in Norfolk, told delegates at the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation conference that the transition away from lead ammunition will have lasting implications for firearms ownership, gun suitability, and trade patterns. Non-lead ammunition impact on gun ownership is particularly significant as Reinhold, whose firm handles up to 15,000 firearms annually and is among Europe’s largest auction houses, has used non-lead shot for over 25 years and regularly advises clients preparing for regulatory change.
Reinhold began by highlighting the urgency of adapting to alternative ammunition, not just for compliance but for maintaining the usability and value of older and vintage firearms. “I need to still be able to sell the guns we have on our racks for our clients in the future,” he said. His presentation focused on the main non-lead options available, their limitations and the technical challenges facing shooters and gunmakers regarding non-lead ammunition impact.
While several materials are on the market – bismuth, tungsten, copper and various alloy blends – Reinhold said steel will likely become the most widely used replacement for lead. However, he described steel as “the most problematic,” due to its performance characteristics and the risks it poses to older guns. He explained the critical distinction between standard and high-performance steel loads, stressing the need for shooters to understand proof marks and chamber lengths to mitigate non-lead ammunition impact. Misidentification by retailers and even some gunsmiths, he warned, could lead to serious safety issues.
Reinhold argued that a compulsory move toward non-lead ammunition would inevitably change gun ownership habits. He suggested that, like golfers choosing different clubs, shooters need multiple guns to handle different quarry and scenarios. “One quarry needs a different tool to another,” he said, noting that a legal and humane transition, with minimal non-lead ammunition impact, depends on using the best tool for each job.
His presentation also addressed the technical developments in biodegradable wads, which prevent steel pellets from contacting the barrel. He described advances in bio-wad technology as promising but still subject to early-stage problems, such as residue build-up and moisture sensitivity. Several wads now break down over time, but others have caused fouling or damage. “We are learning all the time,” Reinhold said, cautioning that fully reliable options remain in development as non-lead ammunition impact continues to unfold.
Reinhold acknowledged concerns for owners of lightweight or older guns, particularly those chambered at 2 inches. There will be options for 2 ½ inch guns but likely not 2”. Some will have no viable options in a non-lead future. Others may be limited to small runs of bismuth or alternative alloys, if available. “These guns’ future as usable tools are in serious doubt,” he noted. However, he said export markets, particularly in the United States, still value such guns and offer an outlet for those wishing to sell. Holts currently exports around 25 percent of its stock to American buyers.
He concluded by advising shooters to seek specialist measurement and inspection of their guns, rather than relying on general retail advice. “Not all guns are made equally, and not all RFDs understand steel shot guidance,” he warned. Full measurements of barrel wall thickness, choke and forcing cones are necessary to ensure safety amidst non-lead ammunition impact.
With legislation expected to tighten in the coming years, Reinhold said both professionals and gun owners must be pragmatic. “The headline is that, in a non-lead world, most of us will be fine,” he said, “but only if we understand the technical and practical implications.”
