TMJ vs FMJ and Bi-Metal bullets

[martybee]

I was at an indoor range the other day when there was some controversy over the terminology of the use of proper ammo that can be used at most indoor ranges. For one, the RO insisted that bi-metal bullets could not be used because they were a combination of: lead-cored, but steel jacketed, with a very thin copper coating over the steel. (Tula, Herters and Silver Bear, among others)
Also many are steel cased and the range doesn't want to sweep up the steel cases.(They can't be sold to reloaders).
They also object to patrons shooting lead or, jacketed bullets that are not totally metal inclosed. TMJ. They inspect all ammo before shooting!
There was a young man there who wanted to shoot 9mm 115gr. ammo he had. It was, Magtech FMCRN. They reluctently let him
shoot it, but they explaned to him that the base of the projectile was not covererd by the copper jacket and that when it was fired, some of the lead buned in the process and the vapor/oxide would be a hazard to your health!
I have shoot many FMJ bullets at various indoor ranges with no obections from the owners.

mb

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

You certainly got a good handle on the different types of ammo AND why certain indoor ranges refuse to allow the use of steel cased and/or bi-metal jacketed bullets.

The indoor range I go to allows the use of any type of ammo with the exception of tracers, since it's illegal.

 

[MichiganScott]

My personal opinion is that if you have to worry about lead pollution from the base of a FMJ, you need to reconsider ranges. You should have air flow from the shooter downrange to the target. At the target, there should be a filtration system to remove the lead before the air is removed from the building.

You will get a certain amount of lead splatter from one bullet hitting another in the backstop or simply from hitting the backstop itself unless the backstop is designed to prevent splatter. Again, good air filtration is imperative.

The vast majority of sporting primers use lead styphnate in their composition. This produces large amount of lead pollution. Once again, good air filtration is imperative.

If you must shoot indoors or choose to do so, get you blood tested for lead levels on a regular basis.

 

[OKFC05]

There is a trend to severely limit lead exposure at indoor ranges, and range cleanup is one of the major factors. While the ventilation may keep the lead residue salts away from the shooter, somebody has to clean out the place. The range in Ft Worth where I last took an advanced class would not allow anyone to retrieve brass forward of the bench at all, and cleanup personnel had to wear masks. Even so, employees were sometimes failing lead blood tests, routinely given. At the time, they still allowed normal jacketed ammo, but were considering lead-free restrictions.
The lead salts in the dust on the range are absorbed easily into the blood by the lungs if breathed.

 

[MichiganScott]

There is a trend to severely limit lead exposure at indoor ranges, and range cleanup is one of the major factors. While the ventilation may keep the lead residue salts away from the shooter, somebody has to clean out the place. The range in Ft Worth where I last took an advanced class would not allow anyone to retrieve brass forward of the bench at all, and cleanup personnel had to wear masks. Even so, employees were sometimes failing lead blood tests, routinely given. At the time, they still allowed normal jacketed ammo, but were considering lead-free restrictions.
The lead salts in the dust on the range are absorbed easily into the blood by the lungs if breathed.

Definitely haz-mat time.

 

[martybee]

While on the suject of, Total Metal Jacketed bullets, consider using TMJ's for TP at the indoor range.
TMJ's are good for the enviroment but they are not as accurate as FMJ bullets. ....."Why"?
Because the TMJ's are plated bullets and most are not uniform in the plating process. If you shoot a light wieght plated bullet, the plating can be stripped off in spots by the rifling in the barrel and this causes the bullet to tumble. This is more likely to happen with high velocity rifle bullets. At the slower speeds, and shorter ranges the handgun ammo is designed for, the effects would probably be minimal.
Speer makes a plated bullet, Lawman "Clean-Fire"® Training ammo that has a very thick uniform plating. In the order of .015 in.
The primers contains no lead, barium, or antimony. This is a very good round to use at the range and is my choice.

Thinking about trying plated bullets - THR (Thickness of plated bullets)

mb

 

[Duckford]

I had a friend of mine who tried to convince me to go to a local shooting club and join so we had an easier place for us both to meet and shoot pistol, since he wanted a place closer to himself and more easily accessed than up in the hills where I live. I'm still glad I refused. From the health hazards of lead in the air, to all the of the endless rules and drama, to the increased noise in an indoor setting, From the hassle and danger of other members, to the awful smokey air, to ownership of brass, I do feel sorry for those that can't shoot on their own open air property. Lurking in these forums helps to reinforce those negative aspects I suppose, and I'm spoiled for where I live and what I can do, but I think I'll just appreciate my ability to be my own range master.

 

[martybee]

I had a friend of mine who tried to convince me to go to a local shooting club and join so we had an easier place for us both to meet and shoot pistol, since he wanted a place closer to himself and more easily accessed than up in the hills where I live. I'm still glad I refused. From the health hazards of lead in the air, to all the of the endless rules and drama, to the increased noise in an indoor setting, From the hassle and danger of other members, to the awful smokey air, to ownership of brass, I do feel sorry for those that can't shoot on their own open air property. Lurking in these forums helps to reinforce those negative aspects I suppose, and I'm spoiled for where I live and what I can do, but I think I'll just appreciate my ability to be my own range master.

How I envy you!
I do not have the luxury of shooting outdoors. I live in a heavily populated area and shooting would be dangerous and is not allowed.
The indoor ranges are my only option!
Fortunately I have a free membership to one of the local ranges
so that is a plus.

mb