Lead vs. Plated for safety

[pipeliner]

Are plated bullets less toxic than lead during the reloading process? Is lead only a health problem when the vapors are inhaled and resonable precautions are used when reloading? Thanks for the input.

 

[Dale53]

Lead is only a problem if you ingest it. Shooting lots in an indoor range with inadequate ventilation can be a problem from the old lead styphnate primers. Otherwise, it is sorely over blown.

Of course, you need to wash your hands thoroughly after handling lead bullets. It is NOT a good idea to smoke or eat while casting bullets or reloading.

Dale53

 

[fredj338]

^^THIS^^ I cast, load & shoot lead bulelts almost exclusively Have been for 35yrs now. My recent lead levels are in single digits, so it's about hygene & staying out of indoor ranges. Regardless of the ventilation system, it has to be regularly maintaned & even then a bad idea for more than an occasional outing. You want lead poisoning fast, shoot indoors 2-3 X a week.

 

[sonora]

We have all been exposed to lead and will continue to be exposed. I believe it's a good idea to use common sense and minimise exposure. Lead is a neuro toxin and can build up in the body over time. Sonora

 

[Rule3]

Lead is only a problem if you ingest it. Shooting lots in an indoor range with inadequate ventilation can be a problem from the old lead styphnate primers. Otherwise, it is sorely over blown.

Of course, you need to wash your hands thoroughly after handling lead bullets. It is NOT a good idea to smoke or eat while casting bullets or reloading.

Dale53

Not exactly true. Lead is readily absorbed by inhalation.

Most high lead levels are due to shooting indoors, tiz why many indoor ranges require lead free ammo now.

There are many, many threads on this subject.

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

 

[ChuckS1]

Not exactly true. Lead is readily absorbed by inhalation.

Not true. Lead would have to be in a gaseous state, or vapor, to be inhaled. Lead boils at 3182 degrees Fahrenheit, so that's the temp you'd have to hit to get the lead vaporized to where you could inhale it. Even when you're melting lead, you're not going to get lead fumes. You might get fumes from your flux and any impurities in your alloy, though. But no, you're not going to inhale vaporized lead. That won't happen just by handling cast bullets or even when you're casting. Wash your hands and you'll be fine.

 

[jepp2]

Are plated bullets less toxic than lead during the reloading process?

Not really. At least not enough to switch to plated for only that reason. Most of the hazards have been identified. But since you will likely have more exposure to lead than someone that doesn't load and shoot, it doesn't cost that much to get your blood tested. It can provide a good base point. I have had a lot of exposure over the years and wasn't always as diligent as I should have been. When I got my result it was very reassuring.

 

[Rule3]

Not true. Lead would have to be in a gaseous state, or vapor, to be inhaled. Lead boils at 3182 degrees Fahrenheit, so that's the temp you'd have to hit to get the lead vaporized to where you could inhale it. Even when you're melting lead, you're not going to get lead fumes. You might get fumes from your flux and any impurities in your alloy, though. But no, you're not going to inhale vaporized lead. That won't happen just by handling cast bullets or even when you're casting. Wash your hands and you'll be fine.

Didn't say you would absorb it by reloading lead bullets, simply that your statement of "Lead is only a problem if you ingest it" Is false.

The amount of lead from primers is a big problem at indoor ranges and the use of tumblers and contaminated media spreading dust which becomes airborne, sweeping the floors also kicks up that dust. Believe what you want, the proof and data are in all the other threads.

The horse is very dead.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Bottom line is use common sense and you will be OK. I quite going to a local range for several reasons. One of them they didn't like to turn on the ventilation the other people waving guns around. One will kill you slow, the other will kill you fast. I used common sense and quite going. Don

P.S. I still reload and shoot lead.

 

[Rule3]

For those interested you can "glaze over the facts of the study " or read the whole thing, or skip to page 4. Just one study of many.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1349901/pdf/amjph00234-0085.pdf

 

[fredj338]

Not true. Lead would have to be in a gaseous state, or vapor, to be inhaled. Lead boils at 3182 degrees Fahrenheit, so that's the temp you'd have to hit to get the lead vaporized to where you could inhale it. Even when you're melting lead, you're not going to get lead fumes. You might get fumes from your flux and any impurities in your alloy, though. But no, you're not going to inhale vaporized lead. That won't happen just by handling cast bullets or even when you're casting. Wash your hands and you'll be fine.

Yes & no. Micro lead dust particle are easily breathed into the lungs. It doesn't have to vaporize. Why indoor ranges are so bad. Lead styphonate primers blow micro lead dust particles into the air. When a bullet hits the back stop, it pulverizes some of those lead particles & unless the venitilation setup is perfect & maintaned relgiuosly, you are breathing in those fine lead particles. The reason lead paint should not be sanded is the fine lead particles you are putting in the air. I agree, melting lead is pretty safe as long as you aren't going well over 1700deg & no home melting setup will do that. Wash your hands, limit your indoor shooting, lead bullets are not an issue.

 

[parabarbarian]

Eye relode and shoetz lotz uv led buliits and I aynt got no problums.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Are plated bullets less toxic than lead during the reloading process? Is lead only a health problem when the vapors are inhaled and reasonable precautions are used when reloading? Thanks for the input.

During reloading plated bullets are no more safe than lead bullets as long as you use common sense. Do not eat or smoke without washing your hands after handling lead bullets. Lead poisoning mainly happens through ingestion although breathing lead fumes is also dangerous especially when casting but smoking is also a big problem. When smoking the lead on your fingers will get on the cigarette and then the lead is inhaled when you smoke. (very bad!) Use good hygiene habits and you will be fine...

 

[*chris*]

The amount of lead from primers is a big problem at indoor ranges...

Agreed...

To the original poster, I looked at reloading the same way you did, if the plated bullets aren't much more why wouldn't I use them. The problem is that almost ALL primers contain lead and that is vaporized during ignition.

I don't think lead from the actual reloading process poses much of a threat at all.

Chris

 

[TSQUARED]

I was shooting a lot of bullseye psitol and experienced elevated lead levels. Since then I rarely shoot at indoor ranges and tend to use plated or jacketed bullets.
You can see the amount of lead vaporized by shooting if you use a comp on a 22 semi auto - lots of lead builup on the comp.

 

[AZretired]

I've been shooting and reloading for almost 40 years. Reloading has been mostly lead bullets and when at the range I collect my brass in my hat. I've been told this was dangerous because of the primer residue. 6 months ago during my regular yearly blood work I asked the doc to check my lead levels. It was well within the normal range.

Sent from my Ally

 

[Engineer1911]

Another view point

Cold milk, sex, and fresh air cause death.

Shooting and reloading lead bullets is at least fun -- the most fun you can have with all your clothes on, expecially when casting lead bullets.