Study finds less fragmentation in muzzleloading and black powder cartridge rifles
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-fragmentation-muzzleloading-black-powder-cartridge.htmlPaper: Estimating Lead Fragmentation from Ammunition for Muzzleloading and Black Powder Cartridge Rifles
http://www.fwspubs.org/doi/10.3996/092015-JFWM-086?code=ufws-site"Our findings suggest that round balls for muzzleloaders and black powder cartridge bullets may leave far fewer lead fragments in game than the conical muzzleloader bullet or modern high-velocity rifle bullet we tested, and thus could pose a lower risk of secondary lead poisoning for humans and wildlife."
Types of rifle ammunition and components (listed left to right in each photograph) used in lead fragmentation tests and big game hunting, including a) traditional muzzleloader ammunition with percussion cap, patch, lead round ball, and black powder; b) modern .30-06 with jacketed soft-point lead core bullet, cartridge case, smokeless powder, and loaded cartridge; c) modern muzzleloader ammunition including percussion cap, black powder, and conical Buffalo Bullets; d) .45-70 black powder cartridge with bullet (lubricant removed), cartridge case, black powder, and loaded cartridge; e) modern lead-free muzzleloader bullet (Barnes) made of copper with a plastic sabot (not included in these tests); and f) Barnes lead-free muzzleloader bullet showing expansion after firing (not included in these tests). We also tested .45-70 cartridges loaded with smokeless powder but do not depict them due to similarity with (d).