FAQ

Monolithic bullets are made from a single piece of 100% copper, which offers near-complete weight retention for greater penetration, including through bone and dense tissue. This technology is used in the Extreme Point Copper Impact WINCHESTER.

Jacketed bullets have an alloy jacket around a core made from a different material, like the WINCHESTER Varmint X Lead Free. It has a thin brass jacket that is specially profiled for explosive fragmentation, with a zinc core.

The WINCHESTER Extreme-Point Copper Impact is an all-copper monolithic bullet whose plastic-tipped large cavity is ideal for hunters looking for deep penetration and reliable expansion on medium to large game at any range.

For varmint control, the WINCHESTER Varmint X Lead Free is a zinc-core jacketed bullet that is ideal for hunters who want very fast energy transfer against varmints.

As a world leader, WINCHESTER will continue to offer lead-free solutions for all types of use.

With all lead and lead-free ammunition, basic safety rules must be heeded in order to reduce the risks to yourself and those around you.

All monolithic ammunition requires special attention to the risk of ricochets.

Make sure the ammunition is compatible with its intended purpose. This point is addressed in the next question.

When hunting, you should always ensure an ethical shot that is totally lethal to the game at the selected range.

When shooting recreationally, go for ammunition that will guarantee the required performance and safety level.

In principle, there are no restrictions on using lead-free ammunition in modern rifles. In case of doubt, check with your gun dealer.

All Browning/WINCHESTER rifles are compatible with lead-free ammunition.

It is always advisable to have the scope adjusted when switching to different ammunition.

No special adjustments are needed when using lead-free ammunition. However, an adjustment may be needed if there is a change in the bullet weight. If in doubt, ask your gun dealer.

It is always advisable to have your rifle’s gas-operated system adjusted when a sound moderator is fitted, regardless of the ammunition used. If your rifle has already been adjusted for use with a sound moderator, no adjustments need to be made if you change ammunition.

In all cases, it is advisable to clean the barrel before using different ammunition in order to remove particles. It is also always advisable to clean the barrel after each use.
Jacketed bullets require standard maintenance.

Lead-free all-copper monolithic bullets can lead to greater copper deposits in the barrel. It is advisable to clean the rifle barrel at regular intervals using a special copper solvent to maintain optimum accuracy.

“Ordinary pressure” lead-free shotshells differ from their “high performance” counterparts according to three technical criteria: maximum pressure, maximum velocity and the permitted shot size.

“Ordinary pressure” lead-free shotshells are loaded to a maximum pressure of 740 bar, a maximum velocity of 425 m/s at a distance of 2.5 m from the barrel, and the shot diameter is limited to 3.25 mm (No. 4). These shotshells can be fired from all removable-choke shotguns proofed to 930 bar and are identified on the case and on the packaging.

“High performance“ lead-free shotshells are loaded to a maximum pressure of 1,050 bar and a maximum velocity of 430 m/s at a distance of 2.5 m from the barrel. Their cases and boxes are marked “Max 1,050 bar”.

These “high performance” shotshells can only be used in steel-shot proofed shotguns bearing the Fleur de Lys stamp.

Summary: 

Shotguns with fixed chokes need to be checked by a gunsmith or the local proof house in order to guarantee the original integrity of the barrel and its compatibility with lead-free shotshells.

• Steel for “ordinary pressure” shotshells intended for shotguns with removable chokes that are proofed to 930 bar or higher.

See our “standard pressure” shotshells

• Steel for “high performance” shotshells intended solely for shotguns that are steel-shot proofed to 1,320 bar (with removable chokes).

See our “high performance” shotshells

• Bismuth for all shotguns, including those proofed to less than 930 bar.

See the Bismuth product page

Reminder: the expert opinion of a gunsmith or the local proof house is required for shotguns with fixed-choke barrels in order to guarantee the original integrity of the barrel and its compatibility with lead-free shotshells.

As a world leader, WINCHESTER will continue to offer lead-free solutions for all types of use.

If you have opted for “ordinary pressure” lead-free shotshells, these can be fired from shotguns proofed to 930 bar without choke restrictions*.

If “high performance” lead-free shotshells are used, your shotgun must be steel-shot proofed. If it is, it will have the Fleur de Lys stamped on the barrel. A maximum ½ choke* is recommended. WINCHESTER/Browning shotguns with removable chokes have been steel-shot proofed for over 20 years.

See proof markings on the CIP website

* Reminder: the expert opinion of a gunsmith or the local proof house is required for shotguns with fixed-choke barrels in order to guarantee the original integrity of the barrel and its compatibility with lead-free cartridges.

In case of doubt, your shotgun’s proof type must always be confirmed by your gunsmith or local proof house.

Bismuth cartridges can be fired from shotguns that have been proofed to less than 930 bar, to 930 bar, and shotguns that have been steel-shot proofed to 1,320 bar.

The expert opinion of a gunsmith or the local proof house is recommended for shotguns with fixed-choke barrels in order to guarantee the original integrity of the barrel and its compatibility with lead-free cartridges.

If your removable-choke shotgun is proofed to 930 bar, you can also fire “ordinary pressure” lead-free shotshells.

WINCHESTER STEEL 28 gramme hunting shotshells and X2 STEEL target shotshells are also included in the “ordinary pressure” category.

The choice of choke depends on the type of shotshell.

For “ordinary pressure” lead-free 12-gauge shotshells, the IPC confirms that shooters can use their preferred removable choke (from cylindrical to full).

Reminder: the expert opinion of a gunsmith or the local proof house is required for shotguns with fixed-choke barrels in order to guarantee the original integrity of the barrel and its compatibility with lead-free cartridges.

For “high performance” lead-free 12-gauge shotshells with shot that is less than 4 mm in diameter, no more than a ½ choke is recommended for best results. However, ¾ and full chokes can also be used. Important: “high performance” lead-free shotshells cannot be used in fixed-choke shotguns.

In the case of “high performance” lead-free 12-gauge shotshells with shot over 4 mm in diameter, anything above ½ choke is not permitted.

For further information and restrictions on other gauges, visit the CIP or this page informing you of the theoretical restrictions for each calibre.

No. Steel shotshells contain more shot than lead shotshells at the same grammage. The reason for this is that steel has a lower density than lead. Steel is also harder than lead, and so loses less shape when fired and does not spread as far towards the edge of the pattern. Steel shot will therefore give narrower, more uniform and more regular patterns than lead shot. This is why no more than a ½ choke is recommended for steel shot.

As steel is lighter than lead, it does not transfer its energy or maintain its velocity as much as a lead shotshell. When switching to steel shotshells, it is advisable to shoot two shot numbers below the lead number (e.g. fire No. 4 steel shot if you fire No. 6 lead shot).

The range must also be reduced by 5 to 10 metres compared to a lead shotshell at the same velocity. In practice, a pigeon shot with No. 6 lead from 35 metres can be shot with No. 4 lead-free from 25-30 metres.

Yes. Bismuth shotshells from WINCHESTER provide similar ballistic performances to lead. This is because bismuth is a near density match for lead and is a soft material. There is no need to change the choice of the size of the shot or the shot range. Remember that Bismuth can be fired from all shotguns, regardless of their proofing.

No. Many tests in the field have shown that modern lead-free shotshells are effective and now deliver the required in-flight and terminal ballistic performance levels.

“Ordinary pressure” lead-free cartridges can be fired from all removable-choke shotguns that are proofed to 930 bar, whatever material is used to make the shot. Remember that the CIP does not allow the use of “high performance” lead-free shotshells in shotguns that are not steel-shot proofed, i.e. shotguns that are not proofed to 1,320 bar and do not bear the Fleur de Lys proof mark.

If your “old” shotgun does not have either of these proofs, bismuth shotshells are the safest option, e.g. the WINCHESTER Bismuth range. The flexibility of bismuth is a close match to lead and the shot will not damage the barrels on your “old” shotgun. If in doubt, you are strongly advised to speak with your gun dealer.

Reminder: the expert opinion of a gunsmith or the local proof house is required for shotguns with fixed-choke barrels in order to guarantee the original integrity of the barrel and its compatibility with lead-free cartridges.

Steel shotshells with wads made from non-plastics are coming onto the market. These new wads may react differently from conventional wads. When using a shotshell with a wad that is not made from traditional plastic, make sure the barrel is well protected and not hit by the steel shot, otherwise it may be seriously damaged. If in doubt, you are strongly advised to speak with your gun dealer.

With all lead and lead-free ammunition, basic safety rules must be heeded in order to reduce the risks to yourself and those around you.

Steel does not deform, so to limit the risk of ricochets you must take care not to shoot against hard surfaces or water.

It is always advisable to clean your shotgun barrels after each use, regardless of the ammunition used.

Whichever type of shot is used, it is important to always remove as much of it as possible when cutting up the game. Steel is very hard, so be especially careful when biting into game meat.