Yearly Archives: 2024

The lead ammunition issue

The Health & Safety Executive have published a 124 -page document (Thanks Ian!) entitled “HSE – Agency Opinion on the Annex 15 Dossier on the Proposal for a Restriction – Lead in Ammunition.”  (They do Love Their Capital Letters Don’t They?)

The document seems to be anally retentive in style while at the same time suffering from written diarrhoea!

EG: “The Agency has identified several different uses of lead ammunition for the purposes of this restriction proposal, based on technical function and operational conditions.”

The proposed restrictions appear for “outdoor target shooting” to be:-

  • Shotgun ammunition – “Restriction on the placing on the market and use, with a derogation for competitive athletes.” 
    Iin English – prevent the sale, restrict the use to certain ranges, and allow Olympic competitors to use lead shot.
  • Section 1 ammunition – “Restriction on the use with a derogation for use at certain sites.” 
    Again only allowing it’s use on certain ranges.
  • Airgun ammunition – no restrictions.

When it comes to quarry shooting:

All shotgun ammunition – No sales, and restricting (preventing?) it’s use, and the same for fullbore ammunition above 6.17mm (.243) CALIBRE (NOT cartridge.)

Below this calibre limit, no restrictions, and none for airgun ammunition.

I know this raises FAR more questions than it answers, so I will be going though this over the next few days to try to give you a better summary, and perhaps answer one or two questions.  I’m sorry if I’m unable to answer ALL questions as the document (just look at the title) is extremely complex: EG: “Regarding CKD risk for adults, RAC noted that this was low given the conservative nature of EFSA’s BMDL.”

Mike.

A document sent to us by the NRA about 6.5.

Matbe you can make sense of this?

Use of MoD Ranges by NRA Clubs

Page 1 of 2

DOSR/RN/2024-06

Version 1.0 OFFICIAL Page 1 of 2

Defence Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Safety Regulator

(DOSR)

Regulatory Notice

DOSR/RN/2024-06 – Use of 6.5mm Ammunition on MOD Ranges

Date: November 2024

References

A. DSA 03.OME Part 3 Volume 2 (Defence Code of Practice for Ranges).

Purpose

1. The purpose of this DRN is to circulate an early update to the regulations and requirements

in accordance with Reference A.

Background

2. Following a review of the information contained within Reference A, Para 81 relating to range

use of ammunition based on ME/MV values and the current recommended advice from DE&S

Weapons Engineering and Safety Weapons Operating Centre (WESCoE) relating to 6.5mm

ammunition on purpose built MOD ranges.

Restriction

3. On MOD Purpose built (LFMT) ranges, the 4200m template (QE<150mil), issued by

WESCoE is to be used in the first instance. Where this template is not able to be applied, a

reduced template may be considered with a QE restriction.

4. Where a 4200m template cannot be applied, a reduced template of 3700m can be

considered provided that the QE Act1

is ˂100 mils

2

. If in doubt, the range should be assessed by

RITT to confirm the QE of the range.

5. For LFTTAs, planning officers must use the 8.59mm WDA Template3

. This is applicable

to all Users and supersedes any previous direction.

Authorised practices

6. The .338” (8.59mm) sniper practises that may be applied to a Gallery Range (GR) or

Converted Gallery Range (CGR)4

is not applicable to 6.5mm ammunition.

7. As it has not been confirmed that 6.5mm will fit within a gallery template, a Full Danger Area

template (refer to paragraphs 3 and 4 above) is to be applied5

. In certain circumstances a

combined template, using either 4200m or 3700m template (QE dependent) may be applied, refer

to RITT for details.

1

Refer to DSA 03.OME Part 3 Vol.2 Paragraph 51.

2

Reference A, Chapter 15, Page 178, WDA Templates for SA Ranges.

3 The standard .338 / 8.59mm WDA template has a QE restriction of ˂150, for further advice and

guidance consult with RITT.

4

Reference A, Chapter 11, Page 128, Paragraph 388, Sniper practices on a GR.

5

Reference A, Chapter 11, Page 127, Paragraph 385 Gallery Range Danger Areas.

Page 1 of 2

Page 2 of 2

DOSR/RN/2024-06

Version 1.0 OFFICIAL Page 2 of 2

Defence Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Safety Regulator

(DOSR)

Regulatory Notice

Aim

8. This DRN is aimed at all service and civilian personnel involved with the management and

conduct of MOD ranges.

Implementation

9. Effective November 2024

Queries

10. Any observations or requests for further guidance on the content of this DRN should be

submitted by email to brendan.ocallaghan155@mod.gov.uk.