Podcast Title: Blood Origins
Episode: 571 - Leland Brown || To Lead Or Not To Lead - What Bullet Is Best?
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host: Blood Origins Inc.

Introduction

In Episode 571 of Blood Origins, host Mike Axelrod engages in a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Leland Brown, a dedicated PhD student and co-founder of the North American Non-Lead Partnership. The episode delves into the intricate debate surrounding lead-free ammunition in hunting, addressing prevalent myths, policy challenges, and the ongoing research aimed at promoting ethical and effective hunting practices.

Background and Expertise

Leland Brown has been an advocate for non-lead ammunition since the early 2000s, partnering with Chris Parish to form the Non-Lead Partnership. His extensive experience spans over 15 years, focusing on reducing lead exposure in wildlife through the promotion of lead-free bullets. Currently, Brown is immersed in his PhD research titled “Predictive, Effective and Ethical Evaluating Hunting, Bullet Performance and Animal Welfare Outcomes,” aiming to scientifically assess the impact of different bullet types on animal welfare and hunting efficacy.

The Evolution of Bullet Technology

Dr. Brown provides a historical overview of bullet development, emphasizing the transition from lead to copper jacketed bullets in the late 1800s. This shift was primarily driven by the need to prevent lead melting due to higher velocities from smokeless powder, which in turn affected rifle accuracy. Over time, advancements such as bonded cores, polymer tips, and monolithic copper designs have sought to enhance bullet performance, addressing issues like weight retention and tissue disruption.

Leland Brown (10:00): "We've been using lead as a projectile since the Romans, but technological advances have pushed us towards more effective materials like copper to ensure better performance and animal welfare."

Controversy and Policy Implications

The conversation highlights the controversy that emerged in the early 2000s when research linking lead bullets to lead exposure in scavenging wildlife, particularly bald and golden eagles, gained attention. While the initial response from hunters was one of awareness and willingness to adopt lead-free alternatives, some anti-hunting organizations leveraged this research to push for legislative restrictions without engaging the hunting community constructively.

Leland Brown (13:31): "Organizations that had been aiming to restrict hunting used new research on lead exposure to force regulations, bypassing meaningful dialogue with hunters."

This approach has led to polarized opinions and resistance within the hunting community, with some hunters feeling unjustly targeted and misrepresented.

Myth Busting: Efficacy and Animal Welfare

A core focus of Dr. Brown’s research is debunking myths surrounding lead-free ammunition, particularly regarding bullet performance and animal welfare. He emphasizes that the term "animal welfare" in his dissertation encapsulates the hunters' commitment to ensuring a quick and humane kill, which is a primary concern among over 40,000 hunters he has interacted with.

Leland Brown (10:28): "Animal welfare is about ensuring the animal doesn't suffer after being shot, which is at the forefront of every hunting decision we make."

Brown addresses misconceptions about non-lead bullets' effectiveness, referencing studies that indicate no significant difference in animal welfare outcomes between traditional leaded and lead-free bullets within standard hunting ranges.

Leland Brown (34:13): "Recent studies from Europe and Australia show no difference in animal welfare outcomes between lead and copper bullets up to 500 yards."

Research and Data Collection

Dr. Brown is actively conducting research involving over a thousand hunter surveys across various states, with the majority from Oregon. His study aims to correlate battlefield data with ballistic gel testing to create predictive models for bullet performance and animal welfare outcomes. This citizen science approach seeks to provide empirical evidence to support the use of lead-free ammunition.

Leland Brown (51:53): "We're looking at completing our data collection by 2027, aiming to publish our findings and provide a reliable framework for hunters to make informed choices."

Challenges: Cost and Availability

Cost and availability are significant barriers to the widespread adoption of lead-free ammunition. While premium lead-free bullets like Barnes and Nosler E-Tips are priced comparably to other premium options, their availability in retail stores is limited, often requiring hunters to purchase online or from specialized retailers.

Leland Brown (43:10): "Availability is a bigger challenge than cost. Lead-free ammo is less prevalent on store shelves, making it harder for hunters to find and try different options."

Despite higher upfront costs, lead-free bullets offer comparable performance, and Brown advocates for voluntary, incentive-based programs to encourage hunters to switch without imposing strict regulations.

Future Directions and Conservation

Looking ahead, Dr. Brown intends to expand his research, incorporating advanced technologies like CT scans on ballistic gel to refine the predictive models of wound channel analysis. His ultimate goal is to equip the hunting community with scientifically backed information to enhance both hunting effectiveness and conservation efforts.

Leland Brown (53:48): "By linking ballistic gel data with field outcomes, we can create predictive models that help hunters understand the impact of their bullet choices on animal welfare."

Brown underscores the importance of hunters taking an active role in conservation by adopting responsible practices and supporting research that aligns with sustainable wildlife management.

Conclusion

Episode 571 of Blood Origins offers an in-depth exploration of the lead-free ammunition debate, emphasizing the need for scientific research to guide ethical hunting practices. Dr. Leland Brown’s work represents a pivotal effort to reconcile hunting traditions with modern conservation goals, advocating for solutions that benefit both hunters and wildlife. The episode not only sheds light on the technical aspects of bullet performance but also calls for collaborative efforts within the hunting community to address environmental concerns proactively.

Key Quotes

• Leland Brown (10:00): "We've been using lead as a projectile since the Romans, but technological advances have pushed us towards more effective materials like copper to ensure better performance and animal welfare."

• Leland Brown (13:31): "Organizations that had been aiming to restrict hunting used new research on lead exposure to force regulations, bypassing meaningful dialogue with hunters."

• Leland Brown (34:13): "Recent studies from Europe and Australia show no difference in animal welfare outcomes between lead and copper bullets up to 500 yards."

• Leland Brown (51:53): "We're looking at completing our data collection by 2027, aiming to publish our findings and provide a reliable framework for hunters to make informed choices."

• Leland Brown (43:10): "Availability is a bigger challenge than cost. Lead-free ammo is less prevalent on store shelves, making it harder for hunters to find and try different options."

Resources and Further Information

For more details on Dr. Leland Brown’s work and the North American Non-Lead Partnership, visit nonledpartnership.org and follow them on Instagram and Facebook under the handle @nonleadpartnership.

Blood Origins is committed to fostering informed discussions that bridge the gap between hunting practices and conservation efforts. Stay tuned for future episodes that continue to explore the intersection of wildlife stewardship and ethical hunting.