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Thread: Burned powder residue

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub


    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    Atlantic, Iowa
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    Burned powder residue

    This question may push the limits on this forum but I'm almost positive it has to do with powder--please bear with me!!

    I have bought spent bullets from the bullet traps of three indoor ranges to render out the lead for resale. These ranges are all similar in that they catch ALL of the residue from each shot, depositing it into a sealed collection bucket behind the steel plates (baffles-?).

    I get the lead, jackets, wads, sabots and other residue from the discharge of the cartridges/shells. It's the 'other residue' that I'm concerned about. It's dark grey, about the consistency of cornmeal, non-magnetic, unaffected by the heat of the melting process, very heavy (about 35 lbs./gal.) and very dusty/dirty, like powdered graphite or lead. This residue comprises about 10% of my purchased weight.

    So---my question is: WHAT IS THIS STUFF??? The reason of importance is twofold-1. Is there a scrap or recycling value? 2. If not, is there a detrimental factor regarding disposal of this stuff? Why do I care?-1. Profit-this is how I finance my gun hobby! and 2. While I'm not a tree hugging fanatic, I do care about recycling and reasonable preservation of the environment.

    Thanks for your indulgence and thoughts, Steve

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    Calamity Jake's Avatar
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    It is burnt powder ash, unburnt powder, lead dust and target residue.
    The lead dust part is VERY TOXIC so ware a dust mask and rubber gloves when you handle it.
    Then go take a shower and wash your clothes.
    Calamity Jake

    NRA Life Member
    SASS 15704
    Shoot straight, keepem in the ten ring.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Guy one here said he got a job to sweep the indoor range and collect bullets, no mask. Levels jumped hugely. Went down 2 months later but scarey to think it can mess you up big time like tgats

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Calamity Jake View Post
    It is burnt powder ash, unburnt powder, lead dust and target residue.
    The lead dust part is VERY TOXIC so ware a dust mask and rubber gloves when you handle it.
    Then go take a shower and wash your clothes.
    " The lead dust part is very toxic "....this is why the trap has a sealed collection bucket, it keeps the dust from becoming air borne ... My company has prepared construction plans for indoor ranges and the dust must be trapped....be careful handling it because if inhaled that's bad !
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
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    Jun 2006
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    Switzerland of Ohio
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    Mat also be some unburned powder residue there, as well. Fire hazard.
    Cognitive Dissident

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check