New Members - Handgun Survey for Research Project

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UCMO Shooter

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Greetings fellow gun enthusiasts!

We (Grant & Blake) are a team of graduate research students at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) and are new to the site!
We looking to gain your perspective on handguns and reloaded ammunition. Our study is focused to gain insight from the shooters perspective to help us establish parameters for our physical study. We will be shooting jacketed and unjacketed reloads and comparing airborne lead exposure and also collecting wipe samples from the guns themselves. We are fully aware that studies similar in nature have been conducted over the course of time, but again this is for a research project linked to a grade, so your knowledge and input is greatly needed!
We have linked our survey for you to take. It is completely anonymous and is only 10 questions. So if you could spare the time of day and complete our survey we would greatly appreciate it! If anyone is interested we would be glad to post a link to the final report once it is done! (We have also posted this survey on Shootersforum.com, but they were rather unreceptive, hoping for a better turn out from you guys!)

Link to the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LS53JXG

Regards,

Grant & Blake

Alternate link:
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LS53JXG">Click here to take survey</a>
 
I completed your survey.

You would probably get a more accurate idea of shooting frequency if you asked for the number as an annual figure rather than a monthly figure.
We will be shooting jacketed and unjacketed reloads and comparing airborne lead exposure and also collecting wipe samples from the guns themselves. We are fully aware that studies similar in nature have been conducted over the course of time, but again this is for a research project linked to a grade, so your knowledge and input is greatly needed!
Click to expand...
The studies I've seen found that the primary source of lead in discharge residue was from the lead compounds in the primer, not so much from the bullet itself.

You should also be aware that to the extent that lead in the discharge residue does come from the bullet, it is likely vaporized from the base of the bullet. Since most jacketed rounds have an exposed lead base, the difference between typical jacketed and unjacketed rounds, in terms of airborne lead exposure is probably minimal.
 
Coated lead bullets are catching on fast. IMO they will be outselling Lead cast and some here who cast also coat theirs. Don't know how important it may be but thought you might want to consider the changes coming.

http://www.snscasting.com/9mm-1/

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=537465&highlight=coated+bullets

http://www.precisionbullets.com/home.htm

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535113

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=519259&highlight=bullet+coating
 
Thank you everyone for taking a little time out of your day to help us out!
-Wreck-N-Crew, I was not aware of coated bullets, I'll definitely have to look into them and thanks for the links!
JohnKSa - Great input, will keep that in consideration for our report. I've also read about primers being a large source of the lead exposure, but unfortunately due to economic constraints we've been limited to only comparing different types of bullets.
 
If you reload using uncoated lead bullets, the greatest lead exposure is during reloading if you have a press that requires you to put each bullet into the case. Unless you wear rubber or nitrile gloves, you're handling lead every time you place a bullet in the case.
 
As a recent graduate of Northwest Missouri State University I was somewhat reluctant to read on after seeing you are from UCM, but I participated in your survey and found it interesting and somewhat intriguing. If I may ask, is this for a graduate research project or is this for an undergraduate class and which class is this for?

I would be interested in seeing the results of your research if available.

Good luck with your testing and research and remember to be safe!

As always......GO Bearcats!
2013 Division II National Champs
 
I sandblast/paint bridges for a construction company here in Mi. Most of the older bridges still have lead paint so we're required to take a blood test every six months. The company I work for takes lead contamination very seriously. We have portable shower trailers and change clothes before we leave the job site so we don't go home and contaminate our families. I've been reloading lead bullets for years and I've never had a high level of lead in my system.
My dad was one of the old timers who applied the lead on these bridges back in the 50-70's when they were built and I'm convinced it's what made him sick. Most of those guys died along time ago. These days bridges are coated with a zinc primer which isn't much better.
 
You seem to be rather interested in levels of lead. I assume your report will have something to do with lead, and health effects?

If that's the case, do you have a way to determine whether lead residue you find is from metallic lead or lead compounds?

Metallic lead, (used in bullets) is NOT a health concern. IT does NOT enter the water table or the body (unless you get shot!:D)

Lead in chemical compounds (including primers) can be injested, and is something to be aware of.

People make a big deal about lead paint, but its not a problem unless you EAT it. (ok work such as grinding or other things that will put it in the air are a concern)...

My point is, lead from bullets does not contaminate the environment, lead from other sources can. From a health and safety standpoint, even though its lead, its not the same thing.
 
My $0.02:

If you are going to examine lead exposure on hands/ clothing consider:

basically identical guns but different barrel lengths (muzzle distance from measurement)​
Same bullet different velocities using SAME powder(different gas behavior?)​
Same bullet same velocity using different powder (different temperatures)​
Don't forget the plated bullets, different construction than jacketed​
Consider some of the higher velocity cartridges as well such as 5.7x28 and 7.62x25 or some mostly considered as rifle cartridges but appear in revolvers or pistols such as .30 carbine and the 5.56/.223 and others in AR15 action pistols.​
 
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