Question for reloaders

[Garpman]

I was with a friend/fellow gun enthusiast today and he told me that reloading must be done in a well ventilated area, and it shouldn't even be done in the house, because of the highly combustible nature of the task.

I told him that they aren't as combustible as he says, and used the example of pulling apart rounds in the military and lighting them, and they burned slow. He then told me that, just the static electricity on our bodies can cause an ignition and said that people's houses have gone up because of combustions like this.

Now, this is a really smart guy, and he is good with his hands, and knows a great deal on a lot of subjects, but I do know more about firearms and firearms related things than he does, but nothing about reloading yet, so is what he says true or am I more correct?

I see the thread with the benches in basements, garages, small rooms, etc.

Thanks

[knight0334]

Blown out of proportion...

No open flames or smoking near station. Place static mat down at your station and before opening your powder cans - ground yourself on the face plate screw of a electrical receptical if it has the 3 prong grounded circuit before opening your powder cans. If only a 2 prong ungrounded circuit, find something else nearby to ground yourself on while staying on the mat.

Never use the can to fill casings or measuring pans - poor some of the powder into an anti-static container(some plastics, brass and aluminum are generally anti-static) and use it for filling cases or measuring pans. Recap the can of powder and set it aside.

The grounding procedure isn't that necessary if you dont normally have such problems.


I've been reloading since my early teens, never had a problem. My station is in my livingroom.

[762xIan]

Your friend needs to educate himself. "Well Ventilated"? from what? there are no fumes generated from reloading. I know of no documented cases myself of any "houses going up" due to reloading errors. He is either full of it...or maybe concerned for your safety....face it, reloading ammunition sounds dangerous...but is very safe in reality. More dangerous and more accidents gassing up your car.

Most important for reloading: Well lit area, free from distractions and several manuals to reference load data.

[Steve in PA]

Well, I've been reloading for just about 16 years now, never had a problem, doubt I ever will.

[XD45]

maybe he is incorporating casting bullets into the mix of reloading? other than that I see no reason for any special setup

[Xringshooter]

I've been reloading since 1973 without any incidents (for 25 of these years I lived in military housing and they were ok with it). I do however keep my powder and primers separated (primers on one side of the room, powder on the other). Other than when I an using the progressive, the powder and loose (not in cases yet) primers aren't even on the same bench. There are no ventilation issues that I know of either. Pick up a reloading manual (any will do) and read it, it will tell you all the safety things you need.

Oh, by the way, even black powder (which is explosive) can be stored in the house. As long as you handle any powder correctly the danger is minimal.

[S&W500Mag]

I think too that your friend is over-reacting. I do my own reloading in what used to be a bedroom in our house. No problems. Just use some common sense. Like, when you are priming the cases, point the opening of the case away from you, (Duh) and if your house ever does go up in flames for any reason, warn the fire department about the room where you store all your ammo and loading stuff. Loose powder that is not restricted by a container does not generally explode. It has to build up pressure inside of something solid like the chamber of your gun to explode. Loose powder will just go up in a bright hot flame, but it would take a pretty good static jolt to set it off. Powders are specifically designed to burn at certain controlled rates. In all honesty, I think that handling the primers is the most dangerous part of reloading, but there is no reason that this can not be done in your residence.

And as far as ventilation? The only thing I can think of is that when you open a new bottle of smokeless powder sometimes you might get a whiff of a slight odor like alcohol, but that's about it. No harm done. It's not like you are stirring up a major amount of dust or smoke or whatever. The term, "Do this in a 'well ventilate' area" sounds like some vague idealistic precautionary theory of somebody who really has no experience, doesn't know what they are looking at, and probably just read that somewhere.

[Hawk]

Would you guys say there is any danger in handling lead while reloading?
Does it have to be ingested or inhaled to cause damage or can it be absorbed through the skin? I reload shotshells and occasionally pick up loose shot that spilled on the bench.

Hawk,

[S&W500Mag]

The most common form of lead poisoning is from ingestion of lead from the water in old houses with plumbing from the days before plastic pipe. I used to work in a water testing laboratory, and occasionally I would get a sample of water for a lead test from an old house. Inhalation of lead can be prevented by wearing an N95 dust mask, and yes, it is possible to inhale it. I'm not going to assert that absorbing it through your skin is impossible, but for it to be of any signifigance you would have to be in contact with pretty much. The problem is that it is a heavy metal and it is not easy for your body to get rid of it once it gets in. It lodges in the brain and other places, and causes neruologic, hematologic, reproductive, and renal complications, among others. If you are concerned about coming in contact with it constantly, wear gloves.