The 2025 Lead Shot Ban in UK Shooting: What It Means for Shooters, Gamekeepers, and Conservation
The UK’s decision to phase out the use of lead shot for live quarry shooting has been one of the most transformative announcements in recent field sports history. The 2025 deadline, spearheaded by conservation, regulatory, and shooting groups alike, is fast approaching — and many shooters are still unsure about how it will affect them.
Whether you’re a clay shooter, wildfowler, gamekeeper, or syndicate member, understanding the implications of the lead shot ban in the UK is critical. This comprehensive guide will help you prepare by covering:
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Why the lead ban is happening
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What exactly is being banned and when
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Legal, environmental, and health implications
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What non-lead alternatives are available
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How shotguns and barrels are affected
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Industry readiness and supply chain impact
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How to adapt your shooting practices in 2025 and beyond
🔍 Background: Why Is Lead Shot Being Banned in the UK?
⚠️ 1. Environmental and Wildlife Harm
Lead is a toxic heavy metal. While widely used in ammunition for decades, research from organisations like the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), BASC, and the RSPB shows that:
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Around 100,000 waterfowl die annually in the UK from lead poisoning.
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Birds ingest spent lead pellets mistaken for grit or seeds.
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Predators and scavengers ingest lead indirectly by feeding on shot animals.
🧠 2. Human Health Concerns
Lead is a neurotoxin. Even small quantities can be dangerous — especially when game meat is consumed regularly:
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Lead fragments can remain in shot game even after careful preparation.
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Studies show elevated blood lead levels in frequent game consumers.
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Risk is highest for children and pregnant women.
🏛️ 3. Global and Regulatory Pressure
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Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, and other EU states already have bans in place.
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The UK’s own REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is being used to enforce a similar restriction.
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The ban aligns with government and DEFRA policy on biodiversity and toxin reduction.
📜 What’s Being Banned — and When?
🔔 Key Milestone: Full Phase-Out by Mid-2025
While the exact implementation date may vary slightly by jurisdiction (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), the ban includes:
❌ Prohibited Use:
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Lead shot for shooting live quarry (e.g. gamebirds, wildfowl, pest control).
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Use of lead shot over wetlands (already banned in England and Wales).
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Sales of lead shot cartridges for non-clay purposes (subject to REACH consultation).
✅ Still Permitted (for now):
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Use of lead in clay shooting (pending further review).
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Use of lead rifle bullets (being evaluated separately).
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Sale and storage of lead shot for clay pigeon use in non-wetland areas.
However, voluntary transition by major organisations means most clay shooting grounds and retailers are already shifting stock to steel and bismuth alternatives.
🧩 Who Supports the Lead Shot Ban?
Surprisingly, the lead shot ban is backed by the UK’s largest shooting bodies:
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BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation)
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GWCT (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust)
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Countryside Alliance
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National Gamekeepers’ Organisation
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British Game Alliance
In February 2020, these groups pledged a five-year voluntary transition to non-lead shot, stating it was “in the best interest of sustainable shooting.”
🧪 What Are the Alternatives to Lead Shot?
Fortunately, today’s non-toxic shot options are more effective and more accessible than ever before.
🔹 1. Steel Shot (Soft Iron)
Pros:
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Affordable
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Widely available
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Increasingly suitable for most modern guns
Cons:
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Harder than lead (risk of barrel damage in older guns)
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Typically lighter — requiring tighter chokes or larger shot size
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Lower energy retention at long ranges
Important Note: Only use steel-proofed barrels for high-performance steel loads. Check for the fleur-de-lis stamp and “STEEL SHOT PROOF” markings.
🔹 2. Bismuth
Pros:
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Similar density to lead
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Softer and safer for older barrels
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Good ballistic performance
Cons:
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More expensive
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Slightly more brittle
Best suited for traditional side-by-sides, vintage shotguns, and heritage game guns.
🔹 3. Tungsten Matrix / Tungsten Alloy
Pros:
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Extremely dense and effective
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Superior knock-down power at range
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Safe for all barrels
Cons:
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Very expensive
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Usually used in premium game loads or wildfowling loads
🔧 Will My Shotgun Work with Non-Lead Ammo?
It depends. Here’s what to consider:
🧪 1. Check Proofing
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If your gun has the fleur-de-lis mark, it’s steel-proofed.
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Standard steel cartridges can often be used in modern 70mm+ chambers with less than half choke — even without fleur-de-lis marks.
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Older shotguns (pre-1950s) or thin-barrelled game guns may require bismuth or tungsten only.
🔍 2. Get a Gunsmith’s Inspection
Have a professional check your barrels and chokes before attempting steel shot. MyGuns.co.uk recommends approved dealers and gunsmiths across the UK who can assess your setup.
🎯 Will Performance Suffer?
Not if you choose your cartridges wisely. Many shooters report that modern steel performs just as well as lead — provided you:
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Use larger shot sizes (e.g. UK #5 instead of #6)
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Maintain reasonable ranges (under 35–40 yards)
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Match shot and choke properly (avoid full chokes with steel)
Manufacturers like Hull Cartridge, Eley Hawk, and Gamebore now offer ballistically tested, UK-compliant steel loads for almost every discipline.
🏹 How Will the Ban Affect UK Shooting Sports?
🦆 1. Game Shooting
Gamekeepers and syndicates must phase out all lead by 2025. Game dealers may refuse game shot with lead due to food safety rules.
🛩️ 2. Clay Pigeon Shooting
Clay grounds are not yet required to switch, but many are voluntarily transitioning to steel-friendly traps and backstops. Expect more grounds to move to non-lead use in future.
🧼 3. Ammunition Supply
Lead shot production is decreasing. By 2025, most cartridge brands will offer steel or bismuth-only loads.
🏞️ 4. Environmental Reputation
Moving away from lead protects the sport’s reputation and helps ensure continued public support.
📚 What the Law Says — REACH Regulation Summary
In 2023, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) submitted a restriction dossier under REACH to ban the sale and use of lead ammunition in:
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Live quarry shooting
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Wetlands
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Public spaces
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Peatlands
This includes proposals to:
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Require steel or bismuth for all game shooting
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Introduce transition periods (12–36 months)
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Limit commercial sale of lead ammunition
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Require user education and labelling
A final ruling is expected to fully enter into force by mid-to-late 2025.
💡 How to Prepare for the Ban
Here’s your Lead Ban Readiness Checklist from MyGuns.co.uk:
| Task | Action |
|---|---|
| 🔧 Check gun compatibility | Look for steel-proof stamps or consult a gunsmith |
| 🧪 Test non-lead cartridges | Try out steel or bismuth from trusted brands |
| 🛒 Switch suppliers | Begin sourcing non-lead-friendly loads and accessories |
| 🧾 Educate your club or syndicate | Share this article, set rules, and host demo days |
| 🧰 Upgrade traps (if clay ground) | Move to steel-safe trap arms and backstop targets |
| ✅ Update records and documents | Keep proof of cartridge types and compliance logs via MyGuns.co.uk |
📞 Book a Demo: Manage Compliance with MyGuns.co.uk
MyGuns.co.uk can help clubs and shooters manage their lead-free transition with ease.
✅ Track steel cartridge use
✅ Store firearm compatibility notes
✅ Manage member declarations
✅ Digitally log game birds for dealer sales
✅ Connect with bismuth and steel-friendly suppliers
✅ Prove compliance during inspections
🎯 Want to simplify the switch away from lead shot?
Click here to contact MyGuns.co.uk and book a FREE demo today.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Embrace the Change
The move away from lead shot marks a historic shift in UK shooting — and it's one that ultimately benefits wildlife, the environment, and the sport’s long-term reputation.
Yes, there will be some adjustment. But with quality non-toxic cartridges now widely available — and with platforms like MyGuns.co.uk helping manage the transition — there’s no reason not to be fully ready by 2025.
🛡️ Lead-free doesn’t mean less effective. It means more responsible.
Join the thousands of UK shooters already making the switch — and make sure your gear, club, and habits are future-proof.