Did you know that lead isn’t just dangerous for humans? It hurts the environment around us, causes irreparable damage to the ecosystem and then comes back to haunt us. Lead poisoning was recently discovered in loons and eagles and this poses an entirely new threat. Dr. Helene Van Doninck expressed concern over a research she conducted showing that hunting and fishing activities introduced lead to the environment causing tremendous negative impacts on both man and nature.
What About Lead?
Lead is a metal that was commonly used in all sorts of applications, including things like house paint and plumbing, until we became aware of the dangers it posed to the human body. Since then, some countries have been taking proactive steps to diminish the dangers posed by lead, but it still manages to find its way due to lax regulations and improper screening or simply due to negligence. Dr. Doninck’s research shows how lead bullets don’t just affect the game, but also break down and spread throughout the animal and the environment in small particles that aren’t detectable to touch or sight. And considering that we have ready lead replacement bullets and lead substitutes available, this really shouldn’t be a concern anymore.
The New-Age Bullet
Modern day bullets are designed to break upon impact, spreading their particles about 18 inches from the point of entry. As a result, lead gets discarded in a large portion of the meat, and some of this lead also finds its way into the surrounding area and it simply cannot be quarantined in order to protect other animals from this poisoning. This means that if you’re shooting a deer, that portion of the meat should be safely discarded after removing. You also need to ensure that other forms of wildlife don’t get to feed on the discarded meat.
Avoiding the Problem
There are a number of things you can do to avoid the issue of lead poisoning. The simplest and most effective way is to look at a lead substitute or lead replacements such as lead-free ammunition. These bullets are made from copper and other high density materials so they’re entirely safe for the environment. Another thing you can do is look at a slower-velocity firearm as there is a lesser chance of fragmentation.
Lead-Free Bullets
Most of the ammunition available uses lead but steps are now being taken to replace it. Lead bullets were banned for waterfowl hunting in the year 1997, and using lead fishing sinkers have also been banned while fishing ina national park. There was a time when there was no proper lead substitute, but that isn’t the case today. In fact, the Halifax Wildlife Association even offers an ammunition program that allows hunters to swap their lead bullets with safer alternatives.
So the next time you’re heading into the woods, make sure you avoid using lead ammunition and switch your lead bullets with friendlier and healthier lead replacements.
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The earth’s magnetic shield is responsible for protecting us against meteorites and charged particles and offering radiation shielding capabilities. It is also responsible for the stunning Northern Lights. But you don’t think about this everyday do you? After all, it’s one of those things that we simply take for granted. But as it turns out, a temporary crack has developed in the earth’s magnetic shield, which is allowing damaging cosmic ray particles to enter the earth’s atmosphere.
What is Magnetic Reconnection?
We don’t see magnetic reconnection on earth. The plasma that makes up 99% of the universe contains magnetic fields which affect the way charged particles in its vicinity move. Usually, the magnetic fields inside these plasmas don’t merge with others or break pattern. However, there are times when the entire pattern changes to something new as these field lines get close to one another. Magnetic reconnection simply taps into the energy stored in the magnetic field and transforms it into kinetic and heat energy, sending particles all along the field lines. Sounds simple enough, but the amount of energy released can actually be devastating. It is this energy that could be responsible for causing UV radiation as well as widespread blackouts.
The Burst That Was
A GRAPES-3 muon telescope in India recorded a burst of cosmic rays that lasted for 2 hours. The fact that the burst happened in all 9 directions suggests that the origin was close to our planet. This also shows the weakening of the planet’s magnetic shield and could hold clues about future storms that have the potential to cripple technological infrastructure here and damage the shield’s radiation shielding capabilities. The burst took place when a cloud of plasma struck earth at a speed of 2.5 million kms/ hr. It caused a compression in the magnetosphere, reducing it from 11 times to 4 times the radius of the planet.
Solar Winds and their Role
The sun’s atmosphere is also made up of plasma, where negative and positively charged particles are separated at immense temperatures. These particles streams out from the corona, filling solar wind in the solar system. However, the sun’s control reduces as the plasma travels further away. Think of this as a squirt gun spraying water. The initial sprays are smooth, but it slowly begins to break into droplets and eventually into a mist.
A Flip in the Poles
Geomagnetic storms are becoming more and more disruptive due to our increasing dependence on technical systems that can be affected by electrical currents. The planet’s magnetic shield has already weakened by as much as 15% within the last 200 years, and this could mean that the poles are about to flip. Some experts believe that a flip is long overdue, but when this occurs, is anybody’s guess. And once that happens, the planet would get exposed to solar winds which could punch a hole in the ozone layer, destroying existing radiation shielding capabilities, knocking out power grids, devastating earth as we know it forever.
China just came up with a bullet train that has the capability to convert its seats into a sleeping berth in order to meet the demands of operating round-the-clock. Commonly known as the Panda due to its unique nose designs, the first bullet trains are just rolling out of the assembly lines in Jilin Province. The trains are equipped with 16 carriages and 13 of these shall host these bed-cum-seats. The beds will be rolled out for nighttime operations while seats shall be used for day transits. Passengers shall also have access to modern amenities such as WiFi and USB ports as well as a backrest, cup holders and armrests in a bid to maximize comfort. So how does this connect to vibration dampening, you ask.
Think about the speeds at which these trains run and the temperatures that they’re expected to face. With a maximum speed of 250 km/ h and the capability to run in temperatures of -40 degrees C, things like sound proofing and vibration damping are essential for passenger comfort. You wouldn’t want to spend a night in a rickety train that keeps squeaking you out of your dreams or a berth that probably moves more than those wheels, would you?
Using the right high density materials can reduce the noise within the compartment by as much as 65 decibels and this could prove to make all the difference when it comes to enjoying a ride or simply completing the journey! Simple solutions such as vibration damping can go a long way in maximizing passenger comfort, and with train travel reinventing itself in the modern world, making sure that the passenger enjoys the ride is essential for its long-term growth and ensuring stability in its demand.
The Panda has passed 14 tests, including the curve test, passenger compartment illumination test and empty weighting test, but most importantly, it also passes the noise test. Experts believe that the development of this line of high-speed bullet trains in the country is expected to become a model for future technological innovation in the field, enhancing the global competitiveness for the country’s train technology.
China faces stiff competition from Japan in its bid to market high-speed technology to other Asian markets, with India expected to be a major importer of the technology in the near future. And while Japan won the bid to build the first bullet train in the country between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the future of high-speed technology in the continent is as open as it could be.
Anyone who has gone deer hunting probably has a fair share of horror stories of frozen torture and narratives of stopping that young buck in its tracks. Deer hunting is unlike any other. It demands persistence and patience, but most importantly it requires basic skill and a steely grit. While there is no substitute for sheer hard work and the ability to catch the animal dead in its tracks, having the right frangible projectile could certainly make the difference between a successful deer season or a few days of torture in the wild.
Hunters around the world are crediting frangible ammunition to a successful kill and you’d begin to wonder whether having the right ammunition can make so much of a difference. Could the solution to actually ending up with a deer really be so simple? Let’s find out.
Let’s say that you’ve used a particular brand of frangible projectiles
So what really went wrong? Was it just sheer bad luck? Probably not! Turns out that the deer hunting rifle shoots different brands of ammo differently. So what worked for you at the range might not work in the woods if you just happened to change the ammo. To save yourself from future embarrassment, make sure you follow these simple tips.
Choose the Right Frangible Ammunition
Try out the copper-alloy bullet. Since these bullets are less prone to fragmentation, they usually offer consistent expansion and can even retain as much as 90% of the original weight. This allows the bullet to penetrate deeper into the body, increasing the chances of a devastating wound. It also offers quicker and cleaner kills, something that every hunter loves.
Match the Load
Try to match the bullet you’re shooting with the game you’re trying to shoot. This sounds simple, but it could make a world of difference to the end result.
Carry Spares
Always make sure you have enough spare ammunition. You don’t want to run out of ammo and run to the local supply store, only to realize that your preferred brand of frangible ammunition isn’t in stock.
Use Identical Loads
The bullets you use to sight your hunting gun should have the same weight and grain to the bullets you use in the woods.
Avoid Changing the Ammo Mid-Season
If you must make a change, head over to the range to see how the new bullet performs in your deer hunting gun.
Remember, rifles tend to shoot different bullets in a different manner. If you’ve sighted your rifle with a particular brand and have seen some joy, stick with that brand for the entire hunting season. It could make a world of difference, or shall we say, the difference between ordering in some pizza or enjoying a rich venison stew.
Happy hunting!
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has always been opposed to modernizing the world of ammunition in an attempt to ban metals that can be used to pierce armor when used as rifle projectiles. Many Americans have become tired of the number of gun control laws that have been responsible for stifling the growth and development of the arms and ammunitions industry, with a number of proposals trying to find their way to becoming a law through backdoor lobbying. Things have been frustrating for many involved in the sector, but there have been some recent changes that have given many a reason to smile. Brian Babin introduced the Alternative Ammunition Manufacturing Act to ensure that gun manufacturers are given the certainty needed to produce certain types of ammunition. This legislation has already been endorsed by the Gun Owners of America, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Rifle Association and it requires the ATF to issue rulings within 60 days of receiving waiver applications, failing which the application shall automatically be granted. Representative Brian Babin discusses the problems faced by gun manufacturers in trying to get the ATF to respond to waiver requests. Says Babin, “Over the past three and a half years, the ATF has failed to respond in a reasonable and timely manner to requests from ammunition manufacturers who are seeking waivers to produce alternative rifle ammunition for the hunting market made with brass instead of lead or copper.” This caused a lot of uncertainty, both for gun owners and also for gun makers.Given the dangers posed by lead and the need for lead replacements, manufacturers looking to offer quality lead free bullets certainly don’t deserve to be ignored by the ATF. This piece of legislation will make sure that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives shall finally be held responsible for all waiver requests by complying it to take action in a detailed and timely manner. The legislation shall allow manufacturers to bring alternatives into the market faster. With many states like California beginning to ban traditional lead based bullets, the need for lead replacements and viable lead free bullets is at an all-time high. NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox says, “If the Obama Administration wants these companies to use alternative materials when producing ammunition then they have to tell them what those materials are. It shouldn’t be a secret.” Whether or not the Democrats oppose the measure remains to be seen, but the President Elect’s response towards gun control and his advocacy of the right to bear firearms certainly does portray a great picture of the future of arms and ammunition in the United States of America. |
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