Law enforcement range scrap question

[BSkerj]

I live about a mile from our local shooting clubs range. Combined into that range is our Law enforcement ranges. They are fenced off seperate to keep the public out with good reasons. Anyway today I was shooting and afterwards grabbed some scrap lead. I wandered over to the LE range..( the gate was opened but nobody was around ) and checked out the berm. It was amazing the amount of lead there. I did no mining due to the fact that I did not have permission. My question is how should I go about seeking permission to mine this lead. I am thinking about calling the local Sheriffs Dept. to see if they could put me in touch with the Range Master.
Are there any former or current Range Masters here who could let me in on the best way to go about getting this lead ? Thanks in advance !!

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'd just ask.

One thing to watch for on LE ranges that you likely won't encounter on a regular range could possibly be the following:

• Tracers
• Frangible Ammunition
• Non-toxic Ammunition

I'd ask if any of some of the above have been used before on this range, and even if not, carefully pick through what you pick up there- or on any range.

Putting an non-ignited tracer into a pot of molten lead might get you win a prize for the high jump.

The other thing to think about is the non-tox stuff, which is sometimes made of bismuth, which can also contaminate a melt I've heard- have never run into that myself, as I've never used range lead from anywhere but an indoor range.

Just my two-cents.

 

[Faulkner]

If it's a sheriff's department range, call the sheriff. They are politicians and most love a little positive PR. I know my department's range we have the trustees police the brass and even sort it into 5 gallon buckets in their spare time. Deputies get first pick for reloading, but citizens of the county (i.e., voters) who reload can also come by and get a bucket of once fired brass.

 

[Dave500]

If state police shoot there ask at the local barracks, let them know you are reducing the chance of ricocheys,If and when you collect the lead what I`ve done in the past is make a screen on a stand that you can put a wheel barrel under shovel the sand onto the screen sift then replace the sand on the birm, inproves the range which will always get you an anual return visit.