Lead Exposure...

[ejohanson]

So my wife who is a nurse and well aware of my shooting/reloading passion recently made me watch a video on the dangers of lead exposure. I previously knew this was relevant, but had relegated most the hype to liberals using the EPA as a way to harass shooters and drive up costs. After this video and a fair amount of personal research I am not deterred from my hobby in any way persay, but I'm gonna be a lot more careful at indoor ranges (only kind I have access to) as well as once I've shot all my Missouri Bullet Company exposed lead rounds I'm moving to some kind of coated or plated bullet to load with. I'm a bargain hunter to the max for bulk deals on reloading components and would definitely appreciate any advice on where to find the cheapest coated or plated bullets. I reload only handgun rounds, mostly .380, 9mm and .45 ACP. Best deals I've found are:

http://www.precisionbullets.com

http://www.berrysmfg.com

I would appreciate links to anything cheaper as I will miss my Missouri Bullet Company lead prices


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[pdq_wizzard]

I was worried about lead exposure at one time, (I cast my own) but in casting so long as you don't put your hands in your mouth you will be ok, the lead needs to get way over 750 deg before it becomes a problem. I also shoot outside an have my levels checked ever few years. But I do understand what you are talking about with inside ranges.

check out this built comp. they have good prices, even better if you can get into a group buy.

http://www.xtremebullets.com/

[Whiterabbit]

not the first thread about this in the past two weeks. Good.

Save the cheap lead for the rest of us who have no issues wearing PPE and getting blood tests. Enjoy your plated bullets!

[ocabj]

I like Precision Bullets in 1911's, but to be honest, I don't think the coating on that round does much good for mitigating lead exposure. Precision Bullets smoke pretty good coming out the barrel with Titegroup in .40S&W, too. I only shoot outdoors, so I don't mind so much.

Also, if you're concerned about lead exposure, you'll need to worry about the primers, which are in my opinion, the primary method of lead exposure in the shooting sports for most people. This is why I deprime brass before throwing them in a vibratory cleaner.

[Whiterabbit]

lead doesn't smoke. Coatings and powder smoke.

[Citadelgrad87]

I worry about spent primer exposure, too, so I too deprime before tumbling,,and handle brass from the tumbler with latex gloves, and wear a dust mask when the tumbler is open and I'm around media.

[ocabj]

lead doesn't smoke. Coatings and powder smoke.

That's what I was trying to imply with the Precision Bullet + Titegroup mention.

[OCD41911]

OP, try SNS Casting for coated lead bullets. No leading and very little smoke. Quality product, priced right, fast shipping and it's a family owned company.

https://www.snscasting.com

[Kodemonkey]

Are you having your lead levels checked as part of your physical? If not, you should. There is no reason to panic over using cast lead if you are safely handling it.

Without a blood test, you really can't know what is going on.

I have my doctor check it every year. It's free, I don't even pay a deductible because it is part of my yearly physical. When I asked for it my doctor wanted to know why. I said I was a competition shooter. He said okay - just wanted to make sure it wasn't occupational. End of conversation.

Now the kids pediatrician explanation is different. My wife doesn't want that conversation, so she just says I work in a tire shop (wheel weights) and wants to make sure I'm not bringing it home.

ETA: kind of disappointing to see a nurse fear monger instead of using scientific proof (like a blood test).

[45R]

I worry about spent primer exposure, too, so I too deprime before tumbling,,and handle brass from the tumbler with latex gloves, and wear a dust mask when the tumbler is open and I'm around media.

I use a wet tumbler due the dust from the media. Works great!

[Stainned]

I use a wet tumbler due the dust from the media. Works great!

Me too. I would not have it any other way.

[HighLander51]

That's what I was trying to imply with the Precision Bullet + Titegroup mention.

That's the load I have used for the last 15 years, and Bear Creek, essentially the same as Precision bullets. My last blood lead level was 22. I shoot 6 times a month in compeition, and only outdoors. If you want to be lead free, go with non toxic primers and full metal jacketed bullets. You can dry tumble without dust, add mineral oil to the walnut, and liquid car polish to the corn. The other source is spent primers, lead styphenate, when you punch them out on the reloader. I have a catch tray with about 1/2" of motor oil in it to coat the primer when it drops and capture all that dust. Get your lead level checked now so you have a baseline.

[alantani]

i work at the poison control center at SFGH, been here 32 years. here's what i can tell you. working indoors every day at a range with poor ventilation can be a problem. casting lead fishing weights or bullets and inhaling the fumes from molten lead can be a problem. swallowing plain lead (non-jacketed bullets or fishing weights) or getting shot and retaining bullets can be a problem. nothing else is.

your average reloader will never have a problem. going to the range once or twice a week for a few hours a day will never be a problem. shooting missouri bullets means having to just wash your hands before going into the house. your average fisherman using lead fishing weights will have a much higher lead exposure and none of these guys have any trouble at all. reload and shoot your missouri bullets with confidence, wash your hands after each session, and get a lead level with your yearly physical.

just a little advise from your friendly neighborhood pharmacist.......

[the86d]

I wonder how high my lead levels are being an eCig smoker, and all Cartos (atomizers) coming straight from China. I'll ask for that test, my next yearly...

[Divedeep808]

I just wear a glove on hand that I use to put the projectile in the case. Seems to minimize the risk.