Lead ammunition restrictions – your questions answered

- Latest news

July 10, 2025

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.

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 are multiple factors to consider in this answer:

Indoor ranges – lead shot, which is not currently used indoors for safety reasons, is now explicitly prohibited within the planned restrictions.
Outdoor ranges need to have lead recovery measures in place. 95 per cent of rifle ranges follow best practice on de-leading and will be able to continue using lead. Ranges that don’t 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).

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.”