Lead ammunition rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
How the lead ammunition restrictions apply across Great Britain, why Northern Ireland sits under a different framework, and what to check locally.
Last updated 28 July 2026
The lead ammunition restrictions came through UK REACH, the chemicals framework that applies across Great Britain. That is the key to understanding the geography: England, Scotland and Wales are covered together, and Northern Ireland is not covered by the same instrument.
England, Scotland and Wales
UK REACH covers Great Britain, so the timetable set out in the UK lead ammunition restriction applies in all three nations: outdoor target shooting restricted from 1 April 2028, and lead bullets of 6.17mm and above banned for live quarry from 1 April 2029.
This is a chemicals restriction rather than a wildlife or firearms one, which is why it is not devolved in the way that deer legislation is. Whether you stalk in Perthshire, Powys or Oxfordshire, the same dates apply to the bullet.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland sits under the EU REACH framework rather than UK REACH, so the Great Britain instrument does not apply there in the same way. The EU has its own programme of lead ammunition restrictions on a separate timetable. If you shoot in Northern Ireland, check the position that applies there specifically rather than assuming the GB dates carry across.
What is devolved, and what is not
| Area | Position |
|---|---|
| Lead in ammunition | UK REACH — covers Great Britain as one |
| Deer legislation (seasons, minimum calibres, methods) | Devolved — England and Wales differ from Scotland |
| Firearms licensing | Separate regimes, with Northern Ireland distinct again |
The lead restriction is the unusual one here in applying uniformly across GB.
It is worth being clear about the distinction, because the statutory minimum calibres and energies for deer are devolved and do differ. Those are covered on the individual species guides.
Land manager policies on top of the law
Separately from legislation, a number of public land managers have already moved to lead free ahead of any deadline — Forestry England among them. If you stalk on public forestry or under a management agreement, the contractual position may bind you well before 2029. See Forestry England and lead free policy.
Lead free across all four diameters
Projectiles only — no powder, primers or loaded ammunition.
Do the lead ammunition restrictions apply in Scotland?
Yes. The restrictions came through UK REACH, which covers Great Britain, so England, Scotland and Wales share the same timetable.
Do they apply in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland operates under the EU REACH framework rather than UK REACH, so the Great Britain instrument does not apply there in the same way. Check the position specific to Northern Ireland.
Are minimum calibres for deer the same across the UK?
No. Deer legislation is devolved and the statutory minimums differ between England and Wales and Scotland. That is separate from the lead restriction, which applies uniformly across Great Britain.
Read next
Oxon Deer stocks the full Fox Classic Hunter range in 6mm, 6.5mm, .270 and .308, in boxes of 50. Browse the shop.