BigCheese
09-05-2011, 12:23 PM
I was casting ingots from range scrap and got a rude awakening. There was a small heel of melt in my 20 lb. pot. Poured scrap on top and a few seconds heard an explosion, with lead ejected. Fortunately, it was mostly solids, so only a small amount of liquid was involved.
Of course, I wore a face shield, long sleeved coat, gloves, and long pants. No harm done. Reason: a live .22 round in the scrap. Over the years I have had many empty cases removed with the dross, but this was the first live one. The reason is obvious from examination of the 2 cases in the photo. The top one was not supported in a gun barrel when it burst. Lower one was also in the same batch and is a normal fired case.
Don't ever think it can't happen to you. Wear safety equipment at all times.
Of course, I wore a face shield, long sleeved coat, gloves, and long pants. No harm done. Reason: a live .22 round in the scrap. Over the years I have had many empty cases removed with the dross, but this was the first live one. The reason is obvious from examination of the 2 cases in the photo. The top one was not supported in a gun barrel when it burst. Lower one was also in the same batch and is a normal fired case.
Don't ever think it can't happen to you. Wear safety equipment at all times.