Non-jacketed lead bullets

cek · July 12, 2009, 04:16 PM

Back in the early '90s I bought a bulk supply of lead, non-jacketed bullets (both 9mm 115gr & .45ACP 230gr). Didn't have kids then and didn't pay much attention to concerns about lead poisoning.

What's the current sentiment about

(a) Reloading these. Recyle them? Wear gloves & mask? or Just don't worry?
(b) Shooting these. Do today's ranges "care"? I thought I remembered hearing some ranges insist on only jacketed bullets?

Thanks (someone who's been away from the sport for a while...)

Don H · July 12, 2009, 04:32 PM

(a) No need for gloves and mask - there's no lead floating in the air from these bullets. Just wash your hands afterward and before eating.

(b) Depends on the range rules - they vary all over the place.

cornbush · July 12, 2009, 05:02 PM

What he said, as long as you don't eat a few you should be fine.

Crosshair · July 12, 2009, 06:05 PM

1. Don't eat them and wash your hands after handling them. Most actually have a thin coat of lube over the whole bullet, minimizing exposure.
2. Many indoor ranges don't allow them because they don't have adequate ventilation to prevent lead particles from building up in the air. This is not a problem with outdoor ranges for obvious reasons. There is also the issue of some bullet lubes producing lots of smoke.

As an added note, elemental lead is not that toxic. (Relatively speaking.) It's when it gets combined into compounds that you really start to get problems. Heck I smelt my own lead and the blood tests from my last physical were in the "normal" range.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · July 12, 2009, 07:40 PM

The best thing to do would be to get them out of your house as soon as possible! As a matter of fact, go ahead and send them to me for PROPER disposal!

July 12, 2009, 04:16 PM	#1
cek Member Join Date: July 12, 2009 Posts: 87	Non-jacketed lead bullets Back in the early '90s I bought a bulk supply of lead, non-jacketed bullets (both 9mm 115gr & .45ACP 230gr). Didn't have kids then and didn't pay much attention to concerns about lead poisoning. What's the current sentiment about (a) Reloading these. Recyle them? Wear gloves & mask? or Just don't worry? (b) Shooting these. Do today's ranges "care"? I thought I remembered hearing some ranges insist on only jacketed bullets? Thanks (someone who's been away from the sport for a while...)

July 12, 2009, 04:32 PM	#2
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	(a) No need for gloves and mask - there's no lead floating in the air from these bullets. Just wash your hands afterward and before eating. (b) Depends on the range rules - they vary all over the place. __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

July 12, 2009, 06:05 PM	#4
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	1. Don't eat them and wash your hands after handling them. Most actually have a thin coat of lube over the whole bullet, minimizing exposure. 2. Many indoor ranges don't allow them because they don't have adequate ventilation to prevent lead particles from building up in the air. This is not a problem with outdoor ranges for obvious reasons. There is also the issue of some bullet lubes producing lots of smoke. As an added note, elemental lead is not that toxic. (Relatively speaking.) It's when it gets combined into compounds that you really start to get problems. Heck I smelt my own lead and the blood tests from my last physical were in the "normal" range. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

July 12, 2009, 07:40 PM	#5
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	The best thing to do would be to get them out of your house as soon as possible! As a matter of fact, go ahead and send them to me for PROPER disposal! __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

July 12, 2009, 05:02 PM	#3
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	What he said, as long as you don't eat a few you should be fine.