Excitement about new range disappeared :(

D

DogoDon

New member
So disappointing. I live in a place where accessible ranges (read ranges less than 45 minutes away) are non-existent. Then I heard from my wife that a new range was supposed to open in a little town only about 20 minutes away. I was excited! Then I read their web site and got even more excited, as the web site describes the state-of-the-art facilities include programmable turning targets and other fancy stuff. Wow!

But then I read a bit further in the web site and found that they require shooters to use "range ammunition". Assuming the worst (but hoping against hope), I emailed the range to inquire about the definition of "range ammunition". Here's the reply I got:

Thanks for the email. We have designed the range to be a safe environment for our customers and employees. One of the biggest issues for range employees is exposure to lead. We are using reduced lead, or "Lead free" ammunition, in order to provide a safer working environment. If you are coming in to shoot, we require you use Range ammo, unless you are bringing lead free ammo in, or we do not stock what you are shooting.​

So using my reloads is, apparently, not allowed. Crud!

Is this a trend with ranges that I'm not aware of? This sounds more like something that would happen in California, than in North Carolina.

DogoDon
 
I've heard of this happening other places, as well.

I suspect that there's actually two parts to this question...

First, the lead exposure for the workers and customers.

Second, the cost of lead abatement systems.

Of the two, I suspect that the second is by far the heaviest driver. Adequately designed lead abatement systems range from expensive to OH SWEET MERCIFUL CRAP!!!
 
My local range (indoor) does not allow the use of reloads, unless they are theirs.

I have always assumed it was a liability issue.

The outdoor range I belong to does allow you to shoot your reloads.
 
I sent them a follow-up question about whether TMJ bullets are "lead-free" according to their requirements, and whether the primers must also be lead-free (I suspect the answer to the latter is "yes"). Haven't heard back yet.

Don
 
Also, you might want to check with them on plated bullets such as Berry's. Not a lot more than plain lead bullets (unless you cast your own).
 
Indoor range?

It might be implied in your post that this is an indoor range. If that is the case, yes. I have heard of indoor ranges posting ammunition restrictions based off of lead exposure risks.

While it may be a pain, you're also talking about a range that is 20min away instead of 45min! Not sure how much money you'll save on gas, but you can always donate that amount of $$ to your ammo fund for lead free components? :)

"Always look on the bright side of life!...do do dodododododo!"
For reference: Life of Brian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo
 
Look at it this way: Buying range ammo is probably less expensive than buying a place in the sticks that has its own natural backstop, or else buying a place in the sticks and building a berm.

Of course, having a place in the sticks where you can shoot at home is quite nice...

But it isn't something most people seem to do.
 
Can definitely understand their perspective, especially if they have to provide insurance coverage to range workers and families - lead exposure can contribute to some serious and expensive lifelong issues.

Also add in the cost of a lead abatement system, as Mike pointed out, as well as completely avoiding the possibility of some yahoo bringing in his insanely over-spec hand loads and spraying the entire range with parts of his gun and parts of his arm - plus the definite advantage of selling their own ammo at a modest increase in cost.

Now that's a business plan!

But from the perspective of the range users, sounds like a real pain.
 
the lead issue's are purely an antigun propaganda pumped out by the center to prevent handgun violence.
 
Some good points, guys, thanks. Yes, the gas and wear & tear savings on the car would offset the increased cost of plated bullets.

The bigger problem, if indeed this range requires lead-free primers, is that as far as I can determine, lead-free primers can be had only in small pistol size. I know Fiocchi sells lead-free small-pistol primers. I reload a lot of 45 ACP and the vast majority of my 45 cases have the large primer pocket (as it should be :)).

Anybody know if lead-free large-pistol primers are available?

Don
 
Scud , lead issue only propaganda ?? Not at all .I and others have had the experience of getting lead poisoning at a shooting range . That in turn resulted in major improvements in that range's ventilation system . It's not a joke !!

I wonder if your gun blows up because of the range's ammo will they replace the gun ??
 
" the lead issue's are purely an antigun propaganda pumped out by the center to prevent handgun violence. "

Uhm, yea. Eat too much lead paint as a child?

Just like the " No guns in public park " sign that supposedly proved that the commercially purchased sign was made _BY A PERSON THAT WAS ANTI GUN BECAUSE THE GENERIC SEMI AUTO WAS MISSING THE TRIGGER GUARD_!

You could talk to the 4 guys at a now closed local factory that nearly died and are suffering long term health issues from exposure to vapors / lead oxide from leaded glass melting. No , not boiling vats of leaded glass, it was from daily cleaning / observing the melting of 2 postcard sized pieces of glass together in a automated machine.
 
Well given that the working temp of glass is usually well over the safe working temp of lead. I would imagine even small pieces of glass over time could prove toxic or even deadly.

There is a real danger to lead exposure at indoor ranges. Heck at outdoor ranges I've heard of a case of high lead levels because an instructor for a shotgun course was exposed to several thousand slug firings through the years.
 
Not unheard of.

Local place here has a requirement of no lead bullets, FMJ & HP are okay however. You can bring your own just as long as you stick to the above(.22 leaded is okay).
 
Lead poisoning is no joke, but I think the shooters are mostly safe from it at most ranges. It's the employees who work there all the time who are at the most risk, particularly anyone who has to deal with disposing of all that lead

When I worked on an indoor range, we had to have our blood drawn and tested every six months. My first six month check showed a highly elevated level of lead. Not sure whether its measured in parts per million or what, but my original natural level had been 20, health code standards allowed up to 40, and mine was in the high 70s. I think what happened is that I breathed in lead dust while cleaning the range, due to a poorly fitted breathing mask

The good news is that I don't appear to have suffered any long-term affects from acute lead poisoning, and my levels dropped back down to 20 about six months after leaving that environment. Your body does purge the lead from your system in time.

The whole "range ammo" thing sounds much like the movie theater scam, forbidding you from bringing in any food and drink, then trying to coerce you into buying their highly overpriced stuff. It will also prevent you from testing out the reliability of your gun with specific ammunition types, like the hollow-point ammo you plan to load your home defense gun with
 
The place I go has some restrictions on ammo, but its seems to be the typical, no steel stuff, shoot our ammo in the rentals, that one seems to be more up to the guy behind the counter though, some of them immediately ask how much ammo I want, others ask if I have ammo or need it, when I rent their guns.

Place I used to shoot had no exposed lead(FMJ or .22 only) or steel policy, and they needed it, old old indoor range and it was not in the best shape.
 
My local indoor ranges have gotten so expensive I've moved
totally to outdoor shooting. I don't care if it is getting colder
out now :D
 
I would rather shoot at an outdoor range than an indoor range any day of the week. Think about it; when you're face-to-face with Mr. Imagon Killyou in the dim parking lot in February, your hands probably won't be warm and toasty when you have to defend yourself.

Might as well practice in the environment in which you live whenever possible.
 
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