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Lead ammunition restrictions – your questions answered
On 10 July 2025, the Government announced that it plans to introduce legislation to restrict lead ammunition by summer 2026, with a further three-year transition period running until 2029.
Read our answers below to frequently asked questions about the impending legislation and what it means for shotgun, rifle and airgun shooters.
We will continue to update these FAQs as we work through the detail of the announcement.
General
When will the lead ban come into force?
If there are no changes to the Government’s timeline, the ban will come into force in 2029. The Government plans to introduce legislation to restrict lead ammunition by summer 2026, with a further three-year transition period running until 2029.
Is the whole of the UK affected?
The restrictions on the sale and use of lead ammunition will apply in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is unaffected. Please see our other FAQs for information about how this affects shotgun, rifle and airgun shooting, and the different disciplines within each, specifically.
Does this affect all types of shooting?
Please see our FAQs for information about how this affects shotgun, rifle and airgun shooting, and the different disciplines within each type, specifically.
Will BASC continue to lobby against any aspects of the proposed ban?
The Government has shortened the expected timeframe for shotgun ammunition from five years to three years on the assumption that the ammunition is readily available – that is not the case for commercial and supply reasons beyond our sector’s control – and we are urging the government to oppose the shortened proposal of three years and go back to the five-year timescale proposed by the Health and Safety Executive.
BASC has concerns with the proposed reclassification of larger calibres to include .243. This risks adversely affecting around 60,000 deer stalkers and could have a serious impact on the national deer cull, which affects road safety, food production and undermines government environmental priorities.
We will continue to lobby Ministers on the issues that relate to .243 such as stabilisation and the lack of muzzle energy, requesting that large calibres be set at 6.5mm and above.
Shotgun
Does this affect all shotgun calibres?
Yes, including 12b, 16b, 20b, 28b and .410. In its initial statement, the Government has not mentioned any concessions for specific shotgun calibres.
Please see “Are there any exceptions?” FAQ
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. The Government’s initial statement says, “As part of the restrictions, there will be exemptions in place for the military, police, elite athletes, outdoor target shooting ranges with risk management measures in place, museum collections and other minor uses.”
Can I stock up and then shoot my lead cartridges after the ban comes into force?
No, the planned ban covers the sale and use of lead ammunition.
Please see “Are there any exceptions?” FAQ
Is the ban over specific area types? e.g. over water
No, the planned ban is a blanket approach and not associated with land type.
Please see “Are there any exceptions?” FAQ
What if the game I shoot is for my own consumption?
The planned ban is a blanket approach on the use of lead ammunition. All game shot with a shotgun, even if it is for your own consumption, will need to be done so with non-lead alternatives.
Does this affect clay shooting?
Yes. Lead ammunition will be banned on established clay grounds, ad hoc clay shoots, sim days and even if you’re using traps on your own ground.
There are plans for exemptions for elite athletes and BASC is seeking more details concerning this.
Please see “Are there any exceptions?” FAQ
Will I need to get rid of any lead ammunition I have?
The lead ammunition ban will come into force into force in 2029 if the Government’s plan is unaltered. Once the ban is active, you will be prohibited to use and purchase lead ammunition.
Individuals with collections of lead ammunition that is not for firing – providing they hold the relevant condition on their firearm or shotgun certificate – are exempt from the restrictions.
Please see “Are there any exceptions?” FAQ
Rifle
What calibres will this affect?
The lead ammunition ban affects calibres of 6.17mm and larger, this includes .243. Small calibres such as .22 centrefires and rimfires are unaffected by this planned ban.
Please see “Will this affect target shooters?” FAQ
Will this affect target shooters?
There is a derogation for registered ranges that can follow the correct risk management measures :
- It is expected that 93 per cent of registered rifle ranges follow best practice on de-leading and will be able to continue using lead. Ranges that do not comply with risk management measures have two years to put these measures in place and lead rifle ammunition can continue to be used until 2028.
- When shooting targets on unregistered ranges, or when for zeroing out in the field, the use of lead ammunition will be prohibited for .243 calibres and above but allowed for small calibres (below 6.17mm).
*Indoor ranges were excluded from the original proposal – lead shot for target shooting indoors was included, however this is now explicitly prohibited within the planned restrictions to avoid this shot being used on live quarry.
What if the quarry I shoot is not entering the food chain (e.g. foxes)?
Whether the quarry is consumed as food or not is irrelevant.
However, small calibres such as .22 centrefires and rimfires are unaffected by this planned ban. The lead ammunition ban affects calibres of 6.17mm and larger, this includes .243.
Will I be able to use copper-coated bullets?
No, copper-coated bullets with a lead core are not non-lead ammunition and will not be permitted for use in calibres of .243 and larger.
Please see “What calibres will this affect?” FAQ
What if the deer, or game, I shoot is for my own consumption?
The planned ban is a blanket approach on the use of lead ammunition. All deer and small game shot with a calibre 6.17mm or larger, even if it is for your own consumption, will need to be done so with non-lead alternatives.
Please see “What calibres will this affect?” FAQ
Will I need to get rid of any lead ammunition I have?
- Live quarry (large calibre) – yes, you are expected to have used up your lead ammunition for live quarry shooting ahead of the restriction.
- Live quarry (small calibre) – no. Please see “What calibres will this affect?” FAQ
- Target shooting – no, but ammunition will need to be labelled by the manufacturer denoting it’s not for live quarry shooting, once the ban is in force.
Can I load my own lead ammunition?
When the lead ammunition ban comes into force, the sale and use of lead ammunition will be restricted for certain calibres and uses. These restrictions will apply even if you are using home-loaded ammunition and on component parts.
Airgun
Does this affect airguns?
No. The Government’s initial statement says, “As part of the restrictions, there will be exemptions in place for the military, police, elite athletes, outdoor target shooting ranges with risk management measures in place, museum collections and other minor uses. Small calibre bullets for live quarry shooting – the outdoor shooting of live animals – and airguns are not in scope of the restriction.”
Does this affect shooting targets or live quarry with air rifles?
No. The Government’s initial statement says, “Small calibre bullets for live quarry shooting – the outdoor shooting of live animals – and airguns are not in scope of the restriction.”
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