What is "lead-free" ammo?

The bullets are made of lead, so the term is a little deceptive. However, the bullets are totally enclosed with a copper jacket which prevents the high temperatures that develop in the barrel from vaporizing the exposed lead at the back of a standard bullet. The primers used in a "lead-free" cartridge are also manufactured to eliminate lead components. The overall effect seems to be a 95% reduction in airborne lead levels compared to using traditional cartridge and bullet designs. Thus the term "lead-free".