Lead Bullet Reloading

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If it does I'm a dead man.:cool:

Same way with mercury. I use to have a glass cigar tube full of it. Fun to play with back when I was a kid.:(

Now I ain't sayin' that it din't contribute to my contrariness, but it ain't killed me yet.:D
 
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Unless you're eating it or inhaling lead based dust you should be fine. I know our range at the academy had a "cold water only" rule in the bathroom or before breaking out for meals. That rule kinda sucked the days it snowed and dropped down into the 20s.
 
Don't worry too much about it. "Metallic lead" is not a health hazard unless consumed. "Particulate lead" is thought to be much more dangerous, thus the need for aggressive ventilation during indoor shooting and bullet casting. If you have any symptoms of lead poisoning, your physician can test you for it. I know a fellow who was concerned, was tested, and had no issues. He has cast bullets - lots of them - and fired his revolvers since he was a teenager. Just wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you are finished reloading.
 
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I agree with what has been posted. Handling lead bullets and ammunition poses no significant risks. I do recommend following good hygienic rules such as always washing hands thoroughly after each reloading or range session, keeping utensils (pots, ladels, etc) used for working with lead segregated from anything that might ever come into contact with food, etc.

I've been casting, lubricating, sizing, loading and shooting lead bullets for over 40 years. No lead-related health issues, no funny looking kids, etc.
 
I just wear latex gloves when I handle it. If you don't cast your own bullets you have nothing to worry about. Casting takes some extra care.
 
I handled lead for 47 years every day in my job and have reloaded many thousands of rounds of lead bullets and I never wore gloves. I always hand cast most of my bullets. In those years we were not very cautious in our thinking and some of the warnings of lead consumption came much later just like handling asbestos and etc. I thankfully have never had any ill effects from the handling of lead.
 
It has to get "Inside" the body, usually by breathing fumes.....

I got sick cutting metal steps with a zinc coating with a cutting torch, one time. Felt dizzy and I swear my teeth felt loose. Lots of milk and fresh air helped............
A fan and face mask was in order the next day, to finish the job.

One reason you should wash your hands before eating, that might transfer the lead into your system.
 
Don't pick your nose and eat the boogers until after you're washed your hands. It ain't safe.
 
Ate paint chips and washed my hands with good ol' leaded gasoline since I was a pup.
Ya don't hear me complaining "I can't think ,I can't think!".

I do dust my cast lead bullets with mica. Just drop a good size pinch in the box , shake 'em up a bit.
 
jimmyj said:
Hi:
Handling lead bullets during reloading, could the body absorb lead residue though the skin ?
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AS noted, not at all. The issue with lead is ingesting it or breathing in fine lead dust. So reloading lead, not an issue, just don't chew on the bullets or put your fingers in your mouth while reloading. You'll get more lead exposure shooting jacketed ammo indoors than handling lead bullets or even casting your own lead bullets. Excersize & a healthy diet go along way to preventing lead contamination, but good shooting & reloading hygene is really important. Wash your hands & face after shooting or handling lead.
 
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I one time tested positive for lead, it was after we were remodeling an older house and I sanded old lead based paint off much woodwork.
 
Death is inevitable

I'm going to die of something. I don't listen to anybody from Kalifornia. Cold beer, fresh air, or sex can all cause death. Reloading ammunition, shooting outdoors, and having fun is what life is supposed to be about. At our age don't bring death into our hobby.

Think positive: drivers turning left, heart attack, stroke, cancer, obesity will cause our demise. Not enjoying our hobby, reloading ammo, or shooting will have any ill affects. If it does, I don't care! ! ! ! Before I pick my teeth, nose, or eat, I wash my hands after shooting or reloading.

The really bad news is that statistically speaking, if you make 70 you will probably make 85 if you don't have serious health issues at 70.
 
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LostintheOzone said:
I just wear latex gloves when I handle it. If you don't cast your own bullets you have nothing to worry about. Casting takes some extra care.
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IMO, and that of several others there is far more danger from gun cleaning than casting. Lead from primers in a solvent bath is frequently put onto skin and or pushed rapidly into the air where it can be inhaled. Lead in a liquid form @ casting temperatures is 300-400F below the vaporization point. Ingested or inhaled lead can harm you, holding a bullet then washing up should not.
 
Perhaps there is too much information out there on the web (and mis-information). Lots of folks take some thing too seriously and scare themselves with half truths. Lead oxide is toxic, but lead in it's solid form ain't. I too have a history with lead and cast my own sinkers on Ma's stove when I was 12, busted and balanced tires daily (mebbe 50-60), started shooting (indoors and out) 35 years ago, shooting cast lead bullets, 90% of the time (inside and out) 22 years ago. and cast and shoot mebbe 200-300 per month now. I was tested annually for asbestos, lead, and other toxins at work and have always been reported to be negative. My problem came from L.A. smog (I worked downtown L.A. for the last 25+ years of my career) and I contracted cancer. Nuttin' to do with lead wheel weights, sinkers or cast bullets.
 
Ouch!

But.....I'm from NORTHERN California, near the Oregon Border, grew up in Oregon, Mikld, does that count :D

But, I agree.....

Back to looking at 10rd AR mags and bullet buttons and drop test only guns to buy here....
 
kscardsfan said:
I keep hoping the San Andreas washes California off into the pacific.
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What have you got against the Pacific Ocean? (BTW: I can talk this way about CA 'cause I grew up in So. Central Los Angeles, worked in and around L.A. County and for the last 25 years of my working life I worked for the City of Los Angeles).
 
Nappers said:
Ouch!

But.....I'm from NORTHERN California, near the Oregon Border, grew up in Oregon, Mikld, does that count :D

But, I agree.....

Back to looking at 10rd AR mags and bullet buttons and drop test only guns to buy here....
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Yeah, it counts. I nearly settled in Fortuna after I retired but it's still in CA. I was hoping for the State of Jefferson movement to get going again...
 
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