Lead only at ranges

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Why do some ranges have lead only policies for indoor ranges? Wouldn't FMJ/TMJ bullets allow for less lead in the enviroment/area or is it a penetration thing?
 
Never seen a lead only range but the only reason that would make sense ( IMO ) would be to prevent damage to the backstop or perhaps the backstop is not that thick to be able to withstand heavy FMJ loads.
 
colinjw said:
Never seen a lead only range but the only reason that would make sense ( IMO ) would be to prevent damage to the backstop or perhaps the backstop is not that thick to be able to withstand heavy FMJ loads.
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Every indoor range i have been to is lead only (no magnetic bullets) due to backstop damage and fire hazards from the sparks flying. I think a range in Calgary had a problem and was closed for quite some time due to someone blasting steel jacketed bullets.
 
Maybe I understood it wrong. I was thinking only lead, no copper jackets. I only shoot TMJs and hollow points in my semi's so I was a little concerned.
 
A lot of it is due to backstop. A range I belonged to decided to allow fmj bullets, and the bullets were passing the shooters on the line going the other direction. Some of the older ranges were designed around bullseye shooting with primarily target 22's and 38 wadcutters and the plating couldn't handle the hotter loads.
 
dogzilla said:
A lot of it is due to backstop. A range I belonged to decided to allow fmj bullets, and the bullets were passing the shooters on the line going the other direction. Some of the older ranges were designed around bullseye shooting with primarily target 22's and 38 wadcutters and the plating couldn't handle the hotter loads.
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The range I go to is the same way. Lead only, due to old back stops....I won't even shoot in the indoor range(although I will shoot cast bullets). You'd have thought they would upgrade these things eventually, but I suppose that's what lifetime memberships don't pay for. Just a guess.
 
"...upgrade these things eventually..." Costs a fortune for the steel. You can't use just any steel either.
I know of at least one club range that's .22's only. No centre fire at all. CF armoury ranges are like that too. It's entirely due to the back stop.
 
Picture a golf ball bouncing around on concrete...

Creates an interesting spark / light show when it hits a back stop though. Especially when its steel cored....
 
Lead only range means no armor piercing bullets... steel tungsten and other core bullets are designed to pierce armor which most range backstops are made out of.

If your unsure of the contents of your ammo you can use a magnet to check for steel cores
 
so what are indoor range backstops made of anyway? are they just steel?

you would think they would just pile the end of the range up with sand or something then have steel after that.... they wouldent have to wory about higher powered ammunition damageing the backstop....
 
p210sig said:
I wouldn't join a club that wants you shoot lead only. Most gun stores that sell factory ammo, sell FMJ ammo 90% of the time. Besides lead is a health hazard & a pain in the @ss to clean in your guns.
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I shoot lead and lots of it... its not any harder to clean my guns then using FMJ you just need good lead bullets
 
p210sig said:
To msg.drew

I guess you enjoy sniffing all those lead particals in the gun range.
Sadly to say iv'e lost 2 friends from lead posioning who were avid shooters in my clubs. I would only reload & shoot lead as a last resort in my world.
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My range has proper air handeling system you can watch the fumes smoke and debries travel down range away from the shooter.

Its always good to get tested for lead in your blood if your shooting indoors
 
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p210sig said:
Some of the indoor ranges iv'e been to last year had 1/2 @ss air systems.
Never see me their again for the life of me. I guessing your range is an execption. As for testing lead in my blood I do that every year. It's good advice, all shooters should get tested for lead once a year.
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at the rear of the range behind where you stand there are 3 foot high blowers the length of the range then every 5 yards in the ceiling there are blowers... at the end of the range vents... there are very expensive filters I dont know if it filters the air and recycles or vents the new "cleaned" and brings more from outside.

Like I said you can physically see the smoke travel away from you which is good meaning all the harmful stuff you shouldnt be breathing in.

I would prefer to shoot outdoors but you cant do that 24/7 and its getting pretty cold out these days.
 
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