As a caution I had my lead levels checked at my annual physical. My results were slightly elevated (above normal at 15 but well within the safe range) and I received a call from a nice lady at the state health department to investigate why.
1) In winter I shoot pistols indoors (IDPA with 20 people shooting 50 rounds a time) but FMJ or TMJ is required and exhaust fans are on. I shoot about 75 12 ga. Shotgun shells a week outside at a skeet range.
2) I reload about 100 rounds .45 ACP a week on a single stage press that deprimes spent primers that contain lead. I hand prime. I use latex gloves during depriming and wash after reloading.
3) I tumble clean brass for three hours overnight and the tumbler is on the corner of my reloading bench. The media is reused (about 1500 rounds so far) with a dollop of tumbler polish every couple of batches. Brass is removed by latex glove-covered hands.
As a result of the test, and suspecting tumbling dust as the major culprit, I will likely either remove the tumbler to the garage or switch to a sonic cleaner. Your thoughts?
I’ll also advise the gun club to keep on top of using jacketed bullets and ventilation in the indoor range. Perhaps it is time to rebuild the range to better contain dust.
All shooters/reloaders might want to get a baseline lead test at their next annual physical.
Comments?
1) In winter I shoot pistols indoors (IDPA with 20 people shooting 50 rounds a time) but FMJ or TMJ is required and exhaust fans are on. I shoot about 75 12 ga. Shotgun shells a week outside at a skeet range.
2) I reload about 100 rounds .45 ACP a week on a single stage press that deprimes spent primers that contain lead. I hand prime. I use latex gloves during depriming and wash after reloading.
3) I tumble clean brass for three hours overnight and the tumbler is on the corner of my reloading bench. The media is reused (about 1500 rounds so far) with a dollop of tumbler polish every couple of batches. Brass is removed by latex glove-covered hands.
As a result of the test, and suspecting tumbling dust as the major culprit, I will likely either remove the tumbler to the garage or switch to a sonic cleaner. Your thoughts?
I’ll also advise the gun club to keep on top of using jacketed bullets and ventilation in the indoor range. Perhaps it is time to rebuild the range to better contain dust.
All shooters/reloaders might want to get a baseline lead test at their next annual physical.
Comments?