Since 1999, the use of lead shot for all wildfowling has been made illegal in England and Wales.
You are quite right however that the use of lead is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland depending on the area over which you are shooting
The use of lead is also illegal for all shooting on or over wetlands (including foreshore) in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Unfortunately the offerings for non toxic cartridges suitable for vintage guns are generally limited and expensive.
There are three commercially available loading's i have tried.
1) Impact ( a tungsten matrix ) 65mm case, fibre wad, 30 grams of 5's are 66 / box of 25 shells
2) VIP EVO III Bismuth, 28 gram, 5's, 67mm case ( suitable in 2 1/2 inch chambers ) fibre wad, 33 / box of 25 shells.
3) HEVI SHOT 65mm plastic wad, 26 grams of 5's, 50 / box of 25.
These are the only offerings i have found that suit vintage guns and will go through Damascus or old barrels without causing damage. Most organised shoots insist on using non toxic on wild fowl and i can think of more than one shoot that will sell boxes to unprepared sportsmen on the day, thing is you really can't guarantee that anyone is going to have cartridges that will suit your gun.
Hope the information is useful to you or others, my personal preference is the VIP bismuth.
