I received an email from NSSF with information in it concerning lead free ammunition.  With the recent passage of lead free ammunition laws in California and other states considering it, it looks as if Winchester is stepping to the plate to offer lead free choices.

WINCHESTER ANNOUNCES LEAD-FREE AMMO LINES . . . Citing consumer demand and the growth of regional lead-free regulations, Winchester has announced new and expanded lines of lead-free ammunition for 2009. The new lead-free products in .223 Rem., .22 Win. Mag., and 22 Long Rifle — and expanded offerings of Winchester E-Tip in popular hunting calibers — are especially important for California’s condor territory, which requires the use of lead-free projectiles (including rimfire) for hunting deer, bear, wild pig, elk and pronghorn antelope as well as for varmints and “non game” animals including coyote, feral pigs and ground squirrels. In addition, California is expanding its lead-free requirements in condor territory to include the shooting of all non-game “nuisance/pest” species.

     We haven’t seen any prices yet on any of the offerings from Winchester, but we will have to wait and see what kind of price we will be paying.  I hope this isn’t the start of the end of inexpensive ammunition for the average hunter and shooter.