Gloves or not?

[muddocktor]

After decades of loading without wearing any kind of protection on my hands from handling powder and lead bullets and cleaning and resizing cases and whatnot, a few years ago I started wearing nitrile gloves when handling any cleaning or loading operations. I got to thinking about the lead exposure specifically, not just from the bullets themselves but also from the primer residue on the cases. I figure as old as I am getting and as long as I have been exposing myself to lead and other potential hazards, it would be to my advantage to minimize future exposure. Another plus I have found is that my loaded rounds look better, since nothing has skin oils on them, tarnishing them.

So, I was wondering if anyone else wears gloves when loading or cleaning or whatever when reloading ammo?

 

[dannyabear]

I'm 68 years old, been reloading on and off since the 70s, mostly deaf now to years of shooting 41 & 44 mags with little/no ear protection. I started casting a few years ago and usually wear nitrile gloves now also. The shot primers are the nastiest.
I us NuFinish car polish on a towel and roll the finished ammo across it to keep the cases from taurnasing, then seat rounds in fip lock bags

 

[mtgianni]

When lead became a "problem" the epa proposed a cleanup level for closing plants @ 5 parts per billion to ensure safe levels. Then they could find nowhere in North America that had less than the 5 parts per billion standard. Lead is a natural element and has been her a lot longer than humans. I don't reload with gloves but clean mine with gloves
.

 

[Twoboxer]

For me, the most significant source of lead exposure was sweeping brass up off the floor at indoor ranges. I don't do that any more, and I stay the hell away from anyone who is (meaning I leave the area). Fortunately, the ranges I visit have now replaced brooms with scrapers.

Second potential area was using a hand vac or blowing debris off the presses especially around the depriming areas. I now use a damp paper towel.

How did I come to that? Can't be sure, of course, but . . .

For kicks had a lead test done 2 1/2 years ago - 17. Stopped the above and 18 months later the next lead test was 7. Neither of those tests are very high, but the 17 surprised me.

But at the end of the day, I don't think it matters much. I'm not under 6 years old with a developing body or brain, and I'm not gonna get pregnant So I wouldn't treat it anyhow.

 

[johngalt]

I don't wear gloves. I've always read their is little if any risk in handling lead, but ingesting it is a problem. I don't eat or drink while reloading, and am I am careful about cleaning up after.

Tumbling media is probably the biggest risk. I do that outside.i think a little mineral spirits helps keep the dust down.

 

[RETSMSGT]

Yes, I wear gloves while reloading, cleaning brass or weapons.

 

[fredj338]

Imo, the opp is true. Exposure at a young age comes back you bite you as you get older. Nothing wrong with gloves, but your skin isnt going to absorbe the large lead dust particles. Just wash your hands, dont smoke or eat, you'll be fine.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Only wear gloves while molding bullets.

 

[tops]

I worked construction for the telephone co. for 40 yrs. with and around lead sheath cable. Been shooting for 70 yrs. and reloaded no telling how many thousand shells for 50 yrs. Always fished and used lead sinkers. I'm only 74 so I guess all that exposure to lead will kill me before I get old. Larry

 

[Collo Rosso]

Just wash your hands, dont smoke or eat, you'll be fine.

I don't know Fred. I quit smoking years ago but to quit eating might be a problem.

 

[muddocktor]

@ Twoboxer, the indoor range I go to only uses scrapers too, no brooms. But that is a good point about blowing off debris around the priming area. I might also start using a wet wipe or something in that area instead of blowing it off.

@ johngalt, I agree about cleaning cases and tumbling media. I also do it outside, especially when separating the cases from the media. Or I will wet clean tumble them, but that gets to be a bit of a pain.

One other thing I have noticed since I started using the gloves too is that it is easier for me to grab the cases and bullets to feed the press. It seems like I have more gripping friction with the gloves on than going bare handed nowadays.

 

[littleriver1]

The indoor range I go to has soap in the rest rooms to remove heavy medal material to clean up with. I use gloves when reloading and cleaning guns. Not so much for the lead but to protect my hands. At my age it doesn't take much to irritate my hands. I have enough aches and pains in other places.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

I use gloves to limit the grunge that I need to scrub off after cleaning loading or casting. I am constantly concerned about the dust in my shop and tracking that **** in my house. I don't sweep it often as I really hate getting that stuff airborne. Easier to keep shop shoes separate from the house. But I think using gloves is a good decision in this hobby.

 

[gnystrom]

I have handloaded for 45 years and worked as a RSO/instructor at an indoor range for the last five years. We are directly on the range all day, we clean the floor and vacuum the carpet after each session.

All of us are tested for lead every year and none of us has ever passed 16 and most of us run in the 12 micrograms/dL range.

The older I get, the less I worry about stuff.

 

[Gamecock]

Plumbumphobia.

 

[JBnTx]

The older I get, the less I worry about stuff.

^^^^That's the secret to a long life, right there.

 

[gwpercle]

Nope.
My doctor told me the hazard from casting and reloading is blown all out of proportion by the alarmists. He told me not to chew or eat them and wash my hands when done. You do not absorb lead from bullets by touching them.
But , if it makes you feel better , by all means wear them, can't hurt. Soon , I bet , we will be told the talcum powder on the inside of the gloves will poison us..
Just wait for that " study " it's coming .

 

[rwsmith]

I could stand to be more careful...

It wouldn't hurt me to be more careful. One thing I like about coated and plated bullets is that there isn't as much exposure to lead during handling. I'm too careless with used brass, though.

 

[NYlakesider]

I worked construction for the telephone co. for 40 yrs. with and around lead sheath cable. Been shooting for 70 yrs. and reloaded no telling how many thousand shells for 50 yrs. Always fished and used lead sinkers. I'm only 74 so I guess all that exposure to lead will kill me before I get old. Larry

Can relate to what you said.(70yo here) Retired pipefitter. In my early days we did plenty of lead work. Pouring joints, wiping joints, putting in lead xray barriers in hospitals(lead burning) shower pans. Very rarely wore gloves or a mask. Never did when hand loading!

Then reloading a serious amount of stuff over the years. Shot 4 gun NSSA skeet for about 6 years. Now do rifle and of course pistol!

Had some medical problems and my doc wanted a lot of blood tests, told him about the high amount of exposure to lead over the years. We did a lead test for that and I came out just a slight amount over what is accepted as normal. Doc said no big deal!

FWIW i feel that some people are just more likely than others to be bothered by some things. Example I have never been allergic to poison ivy and I have done everything but eat it!.

 

[VMI77]

I started wearing gloves, but more to keep my hands clean. After reloading, my fingers were black from the soot on cases and lube from the bullets. Makes cleaning my hands easier now.
As stated above, I don't think you can absorb the lead through the skin, just don't lick your fingers until after you wash your hands.��