Lead-Free Primers

TripperRB · July 28, 2008, 12:23 PM

Where can I find lead-free primers? Do they come in "standard" sizes?

Is it safe in assuming that if I use lead-free primers and fully jacketed bullets (Rainier?) that I have shouldn't have to worry about lead poisoning? :barf:

I'm mostly concerned about my 9 yr. old daughter who likes to pick up my brass at the range and would love to help me sort and tumble my brass. I'm trying to find the safest way to do that. If I can't, I cant...but thought I'd explore the options.

Thanks!

D. Manley · July 28, 2008, 08:04 PM

I don't know of any manufacturer who offers these "clean" primers as a reloading component. PMC did for a while but I think that's history now as well. That said, IMO primer ignition is an extremely minimal risk anyway. The lead you speak of is actually, "Lead Styphnate"...(you can do your own research on this compound).

Of much greater consequence is the thing you've addressed in your bullet selection. The plated bullets (i.e., the Raniers you mention), jacketed hollow points and encapsulated base FMJ/CMJ varieties have no exposed lead on the base of the bullet. It's pretty well accepted that use of such bullets is very effective at eliminating (or significantly reducing) the primary cause of lead inhalation.

mikenbarb · July 29, 2008, 08:00 PM

I dont think it would be something to worry about with getting lead poisoning from reloading if the proper precautions are taken. I dont think its a problem with picking up empties either. If anything, Get a box of rubber gloves at the drug store and let her use them while she is helping you gather brass and at the reloading area, Just dont let her play in the media after its been used and make sure hands are washed good after handling anything with lead. Im sure as kids we all ate our fare share of lead paint and other things that are considered bad for you now and were still alive and kicking.LOL, I just get a few twitches from time to time but nothing to worry about.

ClarkEMyers · July 29, 2008, 09:20 PM

It's well worth worrying about - there's a lot of information out there.

Sadly it's not just your loads and empties that matter unless it's just your range.

Any firing line is liable to have excessive lead levels close to the firing line - prone rimfire is a major offender because the lead ends up on the ground at the line.

A great many things can and should be done to include not only washing the hands early and often but also washing the clothes early and often and not allowing cross contamination from clothes worn at the range - especially but not exclusive prone - and other dirty clothes. Wash range and reloading clothes separately and I'd run a full rinse before using the washier for other clothing.

There are stickies and discussion all over the place that I'm not going to get into here. The NRA and Savage and other range people have lots of information. Your state and local clubs may have useful suggestions. A ROTC or service team with a range may have material you can get free and use.

The Forster/Bonanza CoAx press and other presses that decap into a bottle are a useful way to go - punch and base decapping sets as for GI brass should be avoided shaking the fired case or primer or dumping combustion products generally is a bad idea and the bench top can have a sacrificial piece of thin board on top to remove and replace as necessary.

mikenbarb · July 29, 2008, 09:58 PM

Go to the OSHA home page and get an MSDS sheet on lead. It will have every precaution and warning in it. It will scare you enough to make you evacuate your house. You just have to use common sense and handle it as little as possible with bare skin. It would come down to how much you reload and if you cast or not. When im reloading, I always have a window open on the other side of the room and put a small fan in it pointing outwards to vent anything bad in the air. I smoke, weld and work on cars so im up the creek either way.

Ruger4570 · July 29, 2008, 10:34 PM

At my extended life, I sure am not going to worry a lot about lead poisoning from shooting. If I did worry that much, maybe shooting in itself is something you should avoid, common sense being adhered too that is.

July 28, 2008, 12:23 PM	#1
TripperRB Junior Member Join Date: July 24, 2008 Posts: 14	Lead-Free Primers Where can I find lead-free primers? Do they come in "standard" sizes? Is it safe in assuming that if I use lead-free primers and fully jacketed bullets (Rainier?) that I have shouldn't have to worry about lead poisoning? :barf: I'm mostly concerned about my 9 yr. old daughter who likes to pick up my brass at the range and would love to help me sort and tumble my brass. I'm trying to find the safest way to do that. If I can't, I cant...but thought I'd explore the options. Thanks!

July 29, 2008, 09:20 PM	#4
ClarkEMyers Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2004 Location: PacWest Posts: 455	It's well worth worrying about - there's a lot of information out there. It's well worth worrying about - there's a lot of information out there. Sadly it's not just your loads and empties that matter unless it's just your range. Any firing line is liable to have excessive lead levels close to the firing line - prone rimfire is a major offender because the lead ends up on the ground at the line. A great many things can and should be done to include not only washing the hands early and often but also washing the clothes early and often and not allowing cross contamination from clothes worn at the range - especially but not exclusive prone - and other dirty clothes. Wash range and reloading clothes separately and I'd run a full rinse before using the washier for other clothing. There are stickies and discussion all over the place that I'm not going to get into here. The NRA and Savage and other range people have lots of information. Your state and local clubs may have useful suggestions. A ROTC or service team with a range may have material you can get free and use. The Forster/Bonanza CoAx press and other presses that decap into a bottle are a useful way to go - punch and base decapping sets as for GI brass should be avoided shaking the fired case or primer or dumping combustion products generally is a bad idea and the bench top can have a sacrificial piece of thin board on top to remove and replace as necessary.

July 29, 2008, 09:58 PM	#5
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Go to the OSHA home page and get an MSDS sheet on lead. It will have every precaution and warning in it. It will scare you enough to make you evacuate your house. You just have to use common sense and handle it as little as possible with bare skin. It would come down to how much you reload and if you cast or not. When im reloading, I always have a window open on the other side of the room and put a small fan in it pointing outwards to vent anything bad in the air. I smoke, weld and work on cars so im up the creek either way. Last edited by mikenbarb; July 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM.

July 28, 2008, 08:04 PM	#2
D. Manley Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2008 Posts: 299	I don't know of any manufacturer who offers these "clean" primers as a reloading component. PMC did for a while but I think that's history now as well. That said, IMO primer ignition is an extremely minimal risk anyway. The lead you speak of is actually, "Lead Styphnate"...(you can do your own research on this compound). Of much greater consequence is the thing you've addressed in your bullet selection. The plated bullets (i.e., the Raniers you mention), jacketed hollow points and encapsulated base FMJ/CMJ varieties have no exposed lead on the base of the bullet. It's pretty well accepted that use of such bullets is very effective at eliminating (or significantly reducing) the primary cause of lead inhalation.

July 29, 2008, 08:00 PM	#3
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	I dont think it would be something to worry about with getting lead poisoning from reloading if the proper precautions are taken. I dont think its a problem with picking up empties either. If anything, Get a box of rubber gloves at the drug store and let her use them while she is helping you gather brass and at the reloading area, Just dont let her play in the media after its been used and make sure hands are washed good after handling anything with lead. Im sure as kids we all ate our fare share of lead paint and other things that are considered bad for you now and were still alive and kicking.LOL, I just get a few twitches from time to time but nothing to worry about.

July 29, 2008, 10:34 PM	#6
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	At my extended life, I sure am not going to worry a lot about lead poisoning from shooting. If I did worry that much, maybe shooting in itself is something you should avoid, common sense being adhered too that is.