The US Army has spent 15 years and $100 million dollars developing a lead free bullet for the venerable M16 rifle. The new round, M855A1, uses a copper slug instead of a lead one. Actually the bullet is trickier than that, it has a hardened steel penetrator bolt down the center and a steel cap for armor piercing. The round is finally in service. The American Rifleman article didn't give the cost per round, the $100 million is non recurring up front R&D expenses. The article has a lot of deep riflery talk but apparently the new round works as well as the older one it replaces. They changed the propellant, raising muzzle velocity (good) and chamber pressure (bad). It will penetrate 3/8 inch mild steel at 350 meters which is impressive for a 22 caliber rifle. That ought to stop any vehicle short of a tank or APC.
I'm so glad we have the money to be so green. The lead in bullets is not harmful except when the bullet hits you.
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