Handling lead bullets

[Rule3]

In case anyone missed this epic

Just wash your hands.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/232095-blood-lead-levels.html


http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/164214-lead-vs-jacketed-bullets-only-facts-please.html

 

[GM4spd]

I don't know if the lead thing is overblown but a common
sense approach of cleanliness can't hurt. Pete

 

[Calliope]

My biggest lead concern is de-priming. Ever notice that little puff of dust each time you de-prime a case?

 

[Rule3]

My biggest lead concern is de-priming. Ever notice that little puff of dust each time you de-prime a case?

"Dusting" Yes, you are exposed to more lead from depriming and tumbling brass that touching lead because it becomes airborn and then you breath it or it settles on things. I think it is minimal though. Hell I played with liquid mercury as a kid and still have not grown any extra parts.

Of course the biggest exposure is indoor ranges if they do not have a lead free ammo policy.

 

[fredj338]

Way too much is made of lead poisening. I have been casting my own, loading & shooting lead bullets for 35 yrs. My lead levels are in single digits. Wash your hands so you don't transfer to your mouth. QUit smoking, it only enhances the chance of lead contamination form hand to mouth. Don't tumble brass with the lid off the tumbler & empty it on the upwind side &/or wear a dust mask. Limit your indoor shooting, far more hazardous than shooting lead bullets outside. Eat properly & exersize, very important for many reasons.
FWIW, you get vry little lead exposure from casting. The lead does NOT vaporize at normal casting temps. There are tiny particles, but they are really too large to inhale, still, wearing a dist mask while casting is prudent. Wash your hands & face, safer than inhaling paint or solvent fumes as those go directly to your lungs.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

I use pure lead balls in my BP pistols.

This is how I do it.

Dont touch your face.

Wash hands thoroughly when done.

Handle in a ventilated area.

Clean surfaces after storage.

Store in a suction container "ziplock".

Thats about it :-D

 

[Bugkiller99]

As you have raised a MEDICAL question, next time you are in for a physical, talk to your Doctor. A simple blood test my alleviate you concerns.

 

[M3Stuart]

Many good suggestions here.

What I do:
1. Run my tumbler outside.
2. Wear cheap plastic gloves whenever I handle brass.
3. Shoot mostly outdoors.
4. When I shoot indoors I actually wear a respirator (face mask with the filters on the sides) - hey, laugh all you want - the filters turn dark grey in a few outings. I'd rather have it there than in my lungs.
5. Wash my hands with GOJO whenever I shoot.

 

[Gunsnwater]

Lead compounds in the primers are what will get you, when reloading, not the handling of bullets. The metal is not digestible, oxides of lead are, fumes are lead compounds once used in things like paint, gas are. Still wash your hands and yeah don't smoke while reloading, but if you do smoke don't give too much thought on lead poison from your hobbies.

 

[lvlender]

I always thought the lead scare was over blown too, until I got serious about black powder cartridge shooting and started casting all my own bullets. I was shooting a lot in those days and casting once a week at a minimum. After 9 years of that I had a physical and I had elevated lead levels (don't remember the numbers as this was a while back). Surprised me quite a bit and worried both the doctor and the wife. Got out of the old time guns and the constant bullet casting. Tried to do more of my self-defense/carry practice outdoors instead of at the indoor range. Next time I was tested, about 7 months later, the level was down and a year later it was back to normal. I've switched to plated bullets these days and only shoot outdoors. YMMV!

Dave

Thank you for sharing. I am just getting into reloading and your testimony is quite sobering. As has been said, wash off the hands frequently, avoid dry tumbling dirty brass and shoot outdoors.

Dry tumbling in media deposits a buildup of lead dust in the media. Not good. I wash my brass in Birchwood Casey Brass cartridge cleaner. Works GREAT. After drying a quick twist with an RCBS primer pocket cleaning brush may be needed on a few cartridges but, overall the washing method is very good.

 

[ChuckS1]

LOL, you guys crack me up with all this hype. A little common sense goes a long here, like washing your hands and not sucking on bullets. You can't breathe in lead fumes when casting because the lead would have to boil (3180 degress F) in order to vaporize so you could inhale it (think steam). Casting temps are nowhere close to that. You may be inhaling fumes from contaminants and flux, but not lead vapor. Lead is only an issue if you ingest it.

 

[elpac3]

If you are casting, lead fume can start at about 1000 degrees. The larger hazard is the lead dross which becomes airborne very easily.

If you are just reloading cast bullets, simple hand washing before eating, drinking, smoking and the like as well as no food or drink around the loading bench will keep you healthy.

Blood lead leavels can go up from indoor shooting from lead in the primers, as it can from living near roadways or living in urban centers. You wil be fine as long as you keep your blood lead level less than 50 micrograms / deciliter of blood.

Lead in kids is a big deal as it goes to growing nerve tissues (not an issue once you are grown) and can result in damage. Most of the lead in kids has come from painted window sills from an activity know as Pica - chewing on lead painted window sills.

 

[mikld]

As stated a few times above, it isn't the lead in metal form that might cause a problem, nor is it the lead "dust" from primers, it's the fumes from melted lead (at way higher temperatures than used for home bullet casting), and lead oxide (as in paint). Handling lead in metal form, no matter what you do with your fingers afterward ain't a problem. I have no empirical proof, nor have I read of any proof that lead from primers, during shooting, during tumbling, or during decapping exposes anyone to lead "dust" (oxides). I personally don't think the "dust" from these activities are any worse than regular "dust" from around any shop...

And yes, this is just the opinion of a common sense, anti-chicken little, semi-old dude...

 

[SMSgt]

Lead has to be ingested or inhaled to cause damage. Touch contact won't cause harm.

 

[blujax01]

Lead has to be ingested or inhaled to cause damage. Touch contact won't cause harm.

And I gave up snorting bullets way back in the 70's, Man.