Brand New to Reloading

[quneur]

Spent primers?

I guess you could buy a shell holder and steady it on a workbench vice. Just remember to pick a standard/universal shell holder for a press not the ones for Lee hand primer. Also, pick the correct size shell holder for the caliber. Then hammer and punch it out.

 

[Towhead]

Get a press and the right die. As a reloader, you want to
minimize your steps, not add. You will need to resize at
some point anyways.

All these little punch things are fine, but spend your
money on tools that work much better for the job.

 

[WillametteWill]

Yes. Concern is lead in a household with young kids. I want to set up a de-priming station outdoors as I hear its a major concern with reloading.
And yes, I'm brand effing new to reloading.

Welcome to reloading. Good on you for paying attention to your health and that of your kids. As someone (and wife) who get their lead levels checked annually, I look at it in the reloading realm as an area to be aware of but not dangerous concern. Kids are at greater risk.

My levels are slightly elevated compared to the norm, but still within safe ranges. My bride, who never touches the reloading stuff, has had spikes with here levels in the past. My best recommendation is proper hygiene. After I finish handling anything (empty cases, cleaning media, anything in my reloading area), I use de-lead wipes and then wash my hands with de-lead soap when I get to the laundry room (I'm fortunate enough to have a reloading cave). The same is true with cleaning guns. And shooting.

I also use the de-lead wipes on my presses and benchtop. I've painted my benches for easier cleanup. I don't fuss over it but just have a process that I try to do every time I load or clean guns. I've never seen a study, but if you plan on dry tumbling brass, I might suggest keeping this outdoors or in a garage/cave, as I can only imagine that this process could kick up some airborne lead particles, but the units are usually fairly sealed.

Depending on your setup, you might be able to mount your press on something portable that you could take outside. I've seen this done (in the old days, some reloaders would load at the range). RCBS even made a few aluminum Rock Chuckers for this purpose. You might be able to find a cheap press at a gun show to mount for this purpose with a decapping die. Just keep in mind that the residue will still be on the cases.

Hope this helps, and welcome to the infinite rabbit hole of handloading.

 

[Local Loader]

I'm struggling to justify my concern with a quick reply. I have heard that the major sources of lead contamination are from handling spent brass and fired primers. Get back to you later...

You can get lead exposer from handling spent brass and primers, if only doing small batches (5-100) at a time, I wouldn't worry about it as long as you cleanup when done. If you're doing more than 100, you still clean and wash up but you'll also need to pay attention to the cases as well, where you keep it, where it's from, how you handle it and where you put it after decapping. Wet or dry cleaning matters as well as dry could create lead vapor in the air and wet concentrates it in the cleaning liquid.
With lead being a concern because of children, gloves and cleaning are good ways to start. If you have a garage, that is a good place to do decapping and cleaning or outside, weather and/or coverings permitting.

Reloading is a good skill to have and if done safely. Thinking about the lead is a great start. Welcome to the fun world of reloading.

 

[dangerranger60]

Thanks. I don't have personal concerns, just atmosphere in a house with kids.

I handle and process a lot of range brass. Like a 5 gallon bucket of brass weekly. My job [ before retiring] had me doing yearly lead monitoring. With all my possible exposures I had blood lead readings equal or less than someone who lived under the flyway of a major airport. The only people I know that got high readings were welders and painters that were sanding and burning lead paint. and those with high values were all smokers who transferred the contaminated material from their hands to their mouths.
If you don't smoke, vape, eat or drink at your bench, you are very safe from any contamination. Wash your hands every time you walk away from your bench. or they make lead wipes that remove lead from your hands. The best soap is a high phosphate soap like used in dishwashers.
Good Luck DR

 

[DizzyJ]

Can you explain the "under the flyway of a major airport" comment?

Is there significant lead exposure in one of those locations? And if so, from what? Genuinely curious.

 

[dangerranger60]

Can you explain the "under the flyway of a major airport" comment?

Is there significant lead exposure in one of those locations? And if so, from what? Genuinely curious.

the lead in av gas falls to the earth with the exhaust soot. it is not a major contaminant factor but those that live under a flyway do have a measurable amount. Before unleaded gas those along major freeways experienced it too. If you live under a flyway you can find trace amounts on your roof. It will also be on your fruit grown in your yard. If you live under a flyway you can get a lead test kit with wipes that turn green when exposed to lead. You wipe them on smooth surfaces to get a sample. good places to get a sample are the top of your car, Air conditioner, painted tin roof, etc... DR

 

[DizzyJ]

the lead in av gas falls to the earth with the exhaust soot. it is not a major contaminant factor but those that live under a flyway do have a measurable amount. Before unleaded gas those along major freeways experienced it too. If you live under a flyway you can find trace amounts on your roof. It will also be on your fruit grown in your yard. If you live under a flyway you can get a lead test kit with wipes that turn green when exposed to lead. You wipe them on smooth surfaces to get a sample. good places to get a sample are the top of your car, Air conditioner, painted tin roof, etc... DR

Ahh…. Didn't think about lead being in the fuel. Thanks for the clarification!