Lead Free? Pellets

[Alanheal]

I bought 6 tins of Daisy Lead Free pellets. I use these to shoot indoors and they're very accurate in the guns I have.
BUT... After a few minutes shooting I end up with a coating on my fingers that looks exactly like what happens when I used lead pellets.  So I'm  wondering if the place they're manufactured (China) is pulling a fast one.  Is there some way to test for lead short of a lab?

[DavidS]

With any pellets (even the lead ones) the coating that gets on your fingers is the solid lubricant that the pellet is coated in, often based on graphite and does not contain lead.

So you are just getting the lubricant on your fingers.

[Matt15]

What guns are you shooting them out of? Lead free pellets can be shot from PCP, Pumpers, and Co2 but should NOT be shot from break barrels. 

[yak]

Matt.. I don't use them, but I am curious as to why they cannot be shot from breakbarrels.

[Matt15]

Matt.. I don't use them, but I am curious as to why they cannot be shot from breakbarrels.

They are so light it is the same as dry firing your gun. It can lead to broken springs and damaged piston seals. 

[yak]

Matt. Thank you. I'll be sure never to try them in those guns..

[Matt15]

Matt. Thank you. I'll be sure never to try them in those guns..

No problem. 

[Alanheal]

Lead free pellets can be shot from PCP, Pumpers, and Co2 but should NOT be shot from break barrels. 

I have a Stoeger X5, Two Daisy 880's and a Weihrauch 40 pcs pistol.  They all shoot dead straight with these pellets.

[NickB79]

Even though the X5 is a break-barrel, it's such a low-powered version that lead-free pellets will probably be OK in it.

Anything much more powerful, however, is a big no-no.

[Alanheal]

Even though the X5 is a break-barrel, it's such a low-powered version that lead-free pellets will probably be OK in it.

Anything much more powerful, however, is a big no-no.

   Yes, I understand. I tried it with a few of these light 5.6 grain pellets and the firing cycle was absolutely smooth. It shoots these lead free pellets as well as lead.  I also have 6.48 grain lead free H&N Baracuda Green which I used for shots at 100 ft.

The Weihrauch 40 loves the Daisy and the H&N. green.

[Matt15]

Even though the X5 is a break-barrel, it's such a low-powered version that lead-free pellets will probably be OK in it.

Anything much more powerful, however, is a big no-no.

Roger that.

[GungaDin]

There is an airgun range in Massachusetts that does not allow lead pellets. I suspect they aren't trying to hassle anyone, but are circumventing town and/or state hazardous waste regulations. It is possible down the road some states may ban lead pellets outright. I've seen heavier lead free pellets sold, maybe someone here could post a minimum pellet weight for those shooting springers who may be stuck in a "lead free" environment.

[Tater]

In general, for a 12 fpe springer 7.9 - 10g is about the middle of the safe range for weight. YMMV

[Alanheal]

The heaviest lead-free pellet I've found....than has good aerodynamics is the 6.48 grain H&N Baracuda Green. I wish there were heavier ones that could fly. I've tried the few others on them market but they didn't work well.  One other option is the H&N Field target trophy power, which are lead but have a copper coating.  When shooting into soft targets like ballistic putty, the copper coating holds up somewhat, but anything harder and the lead is exposed.  I've written to a couple pellet manufacturers suggesting heavier lead-free, but no one has acted on that to date.

[GungaDin]

I've written to a couple pellet manufacturers suggesting heavier lead-free, but no one has acted on that to date.

That's too bad, because at least in some states I sense lead free might some day be mandated. The pellet manufacturers need to get on the ball.