Hi folks - I don't cast bullets, so I thought I'd come here looking for answers. . .
The last two times out at the range when I was shooting lead bullets, I inhaled considerable amounts of smoke. Nothing new. I've been shooting for years. But these last two times (early Sept, and Oct 21), the following day, and for about 10 days thereafter, I became very ill.
It started with a scratchy throat later the same day; and by the following day, it developed into a sinus/lung ailment with symptoms very similar to the flu. It goes on for days. And the stuff I cough out of my lungs - especially in the morning - well, that's just a special kind of disgusting, let me tell you.
I think it's the bullet lube - you know, that (usually) blue strip between the drive bands. For more background, most of the time when I shoot lead, I shoot either 38 Special 148g DEWC's, or LSWC's. And on the 45 ACP side, 200g LSWC's. I get my bullets from a few different well-known manufacturers that you'd immediately recognize. Where I get them is aside the point. I'm not looking to sue anybody - I'm just trying to figure out what's going on. I'm 11 days into this last episode, and I'm just now getting back to normal.
Between these two episodes, I've been to the range (I shoot a lot) with jacket/plated bullets and didn't have any issues. That's why I think it's the lube on the lead.
Since I don't cast bullets, I thought I'd come here and ask: What is the substance that is used to lubricate bullets? And is there anywhere I can look to find out more information regarding the inhalation of these substance(s)?
Normally, I'm a very healthy person. I rarely get sick. But these last two trips to the range with lead bullets really tore me up bad. I really want to get some idea of what's going on.
Thanks,
Nick.
The last two times out at the range when I was shooting lead bullets, I inhaled considerable amounts of smoke. Nothing new. I've been shooting for years. But these last two times (early Sept, and Oct 21), the following day, and for about 10 days thereafter, I became very ill.
It started with a scratchy throat later the same day; and by the following day, it developed into a sinus/lung ailment with symptoms very similar to the flu. It goes on for days. And the stuff I cough out of my lungs - especially in the morning - well, that's just a special kind of disgusting, let me tell you.
I think it's the bullet lube - you know, that (usually) blue strip between the drive bands. For more background, most of the time when I shoot lead, I shoot either 38 Special 148g DEWC's, or LSWC's. And on the 45 ACP side, 200g LSWC's. I get my bullets from a few different well-known manufacturers that you'd immediately recognize. Where I get them is aside the point. I'm not looking to sue anybody - I'm just trying to figure out what's going on. I'm 11 days into this last episode, and I'm just now getting back to normal.
Between these two episodes, I've been to the range (I shoot a lot) with jacket/plated bullets and didn't have any issues. That's why I think it's the lube on the lead.
Since I don't cast bullets, I thought I'd come here and ask: What is the substance that is used to lubricate bullets? And is there anywhere I can look to find out more information regarding the inhalation of these substance(s)?
Normally, I'm a very healthy person. I rarely get sick. But these last two trips to the range with lead bullets really tore me up bad. I really want to get some idea of what's going on.
Thanks,
Nick.