Any thoughts on lead exposure from casting bullets ?

I know that some of us are gun aficionados and reloaders. I haven't cast bullets in years but I used to do it forty years ago and quite a bit.

Now I am downright paranoid of even touching the darn things. I hate to admit that I actually cast bullets with the melting pot in the kitchen when I was in my twenties. :eek:

I was looking at an old Lyman Bullet Casting Handbook that I kept all of these years and I wondered if anyone who is a bullet caster himself has any thoughts on just how hazardous it is or isn't .

If you aren't a bullet caster no need for comment..... I can google lead exposure as well as you can. I just want opinions from those who have hands on experience if there is anyone out there.

When my Dad & I were shooting IPSC, we were melting a LOT of lead for .45 semi-wadcutters. Ventilation is the key. We had an exhaust fan setup over the melting pot to pull fumes out. I suppose you could wear latex gloves for an additional layer of protection while handling your finished product.

While it isn't exactly casting, you might check with a local indoor gun range to see what their protocols are for safe handling of lead when they clean the bullet traps.

I still cast balls for my .50 and do some .30 stuff yet. I probably always will do some. I used to cast on a much larger scale. I asked my doctor about it and he had me tested for lead exposure. The results came back fine. If you are concerned, talk with your doc.

i made fishing inserts for lead lines for our gill nets for about fourty years i made lets say 500 lbs a mounth for me and my dad.and it never has been a problem, just had a physical and every thing was good.so i would not worry about it .

I used to cast a lot back years ago. I was an admirer and follower of Elmer Keith. His experimenting contributed to the development of the 357 magnum and was instrumental in the birth of the 44 magnum. So I used to cast his Lyman 429421 with 18 grains of 2400. Sometimes 9 grains IIRC of Unique.

The thing is and was that the factory 44 mag is so overpowered for recreational shooting that it is uncomfortable to shoot. The 44 special in the factory load is underpowered as they are afraid of realizing the potential of the round and blowing up old firearms chambered for the cartridge.

I have a pair of 44 mags and a 44 special. I can buy bullets already cast but I still have my old Lyman mold and have thought about getting another melting post and doing it myself. The only way to enjoy shooting those is with tailor made rounds IME.

When I was a young man I would cast for hours once a month while chain smoking Camels with no filter and I am still here. Good advice about getting exposure checked with blood work if I do get back into it and the ventilation, thanks. If I do it I'll be on the porch not the kitchen table. :)

Jimmy as Sensei said, ventilation is the key and wear some kind of hand protection, lunch lady gloves or something and you should be fine. Ingestion, inhalation and absorbtion are the ways toxins find their way into our bodies.

As a side note, if you're into casting bullets it might be well worth a visit to a few of your tire shops. We were picking up their used wheel weights for next to nothing (sometimes for nothing). It's recycling ;)

why do you guys cast bullets? to save money, or because you can do better job than a factory?

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Originally Posted by gugi

why do you guys cast bullets? to save money, or because you can do better job than a factory?

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Yeah, it's very cheap.


And it's kind of fun.

Jimmy,

Casting is not a problem if you are sensible about it. Ventilation is a key, but lead doesn't begin to vaporize until about 1000 degrees and casting is done at significantly lower temperatures. Don't handle food or put your hands to your mouth until you have washed your hands well and all should be well.

Gugi,

I'm a black powder cartridge shooter and cast my own bullets for assuring myself of a quality projectile. Much of my shooting is done at 800-1000 yards and the bullet needs to be very uniform and very like all the others in the cartridge box or they may not hit the target where I'm expecting them to go.