Pistols and catching brass for reloading(TX)

hcnonline.com ^ | 25 May, 2010 | Larry J. LeBlanc

[marktwain]

Shooting sports are one of those sports that here in Texas can be year-round. Rain does not seem to slow down outdoor shooters unless there is lightning and common sense dictates the action get indoors as soon as possible.

Handgunners have the best of all worlds here in Montgomery County in they can either go out FM 2854 West of Loop 336 West and shoot outdoors, under cover, at the Gum Emporium of The Conroe Shooting Center, or they can go to the Shooters Station out Highway 105 West and take advantage of their indoor range. Therefore handgunners can participate in their sport all year around.

The only restriction that I know of that could put a crimp in your indoor plans is the last time I visited with the Shooters Station you could not shoot uncovered lead bullets, which are less expensive than jacketed bullets. I have found that Berry’s Manufacturing and a few others have copper plated bullets for sale that are indoor range safe and the cost is comparable to hard lead bullets.

I tell you all of that because even though reloading components, presses and dies have risen in price about like most guns and accessories if you do more shooting than the average you can still save a bucket full of money by reloading your ammunition.

Most folks who have known me over the years will testify I am a .357 Magnum junkie. I have more than one and that is all I will say about that just in case our president should elect to try and push a treaty proposed in the United Nations, condoned by and blessed by Hilary Clinton, concerning international firearm laws and the citizens rights as expressed in the Second Amendment of the Constitution of The United States.

[marktwain]

Nice to see an article about reloading in a local paper.

[I Buried My Guns]

When I saw the title, I thought the author meant the literal definition of standing to the right of your friend as he/she shoots, and catching the brass mid air.

Maybe it's karma, but I am very adept at catching hot brass down the neck of my shirt. Happens every time.

[FourPeas]

Ouch! That’s one talent I could do without.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"The only restriction that I know of that could put a crimp in your indoor plans is the last time I visited with the Shooters Station you could not shoot uncovered lead bullets"

There's a good reason for that. Jacketed rounds can richochet back at you.

[rellimpank]

—caught one on top of my glasses, next to eyebrow—once—taught me the virtue of a long-billed cap while shooting-—

[MileHi]

No. It is to reduce airbourn lead in indoor ranges. They require jacketed bullets.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"No. It is to reduce airbourn lead in indoor ranges."

That's what ventilation systems are for. If you want to meet the bullet you shot out of your pistol, fire a jacketed 45 against a concrete backstop....

[MileHi]

If you want to meet the bullet you shot out of your pistol, fire a jacketed 45 against a concrete backstop....

You think that indoor ranges have flat concrete backstops? Read it again, they don't allow lead bullets.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"They require jacketed bullets."

In order to use metal jacketed bullets at indoor ranges, the range usually (by law, of course it varies from state to state) has to install a special bullet catching backstop. It's really expensive.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"You think that indoor ranges have flat concrete backstops? Read it again, they don't allow lead bullets."

My gun club does. Again, it's only used for lead, but everyone reloads lead ball anyways so it doesn't really matter. I did re-read it and you are correct, they don't allow lead. Which is dumb. Just make it a lead only range (which as noted in the article is cheaper). You won't have to install the special backstop, but you will have to install a ventilation system. Which I think you have to install for even jacketed bullets anyways.

[muddler]

I have only shot at two indoor shooting ranges, the first as an NRA firearms safety instructor at a Sheriff dept. reserve training center and the other at a local gun store range.
The back stop at both was designed to deflect bullets downward into a sand trap thereby eliminating ricochets. The reason for the no exposed lead bullets rule is to avoid lead particles in the air, as even with a good exhaust system prolonged exposure can be a problem, not so much for casual shooters but more for the range officers and staff.
I shoot at home on an outdoor range now and I shoot cast bullets almost exclusively, except for practice with defensive jacketed HP ammo.

[MileHi]

What is expensive is the EPA approved HEPA ventilation system. Lead bullets disperse more lead into the air and burdens the system more. That is why jackets are required.

[MileHi]

Thank you

[Eye of Unk]

Many places will not allow exposed lead, and worse yet is the growing trend of all copper bullets. And getting copper out of the riflings is nasty work.

And copper is getting more expensive. I am hoarding all my copper, wiring, older pennies, plumbing. Eventually we may have to cast our own copper bullets someday.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"What is expensive is the EPA approved HEPA ventilation system."

Again, which in my state you have to have at an indoor range whether you are shooting lead or jacketed bullets. I assume you are from Colorado from your handle. In your state, do they allow for indoor ranges with no ventilation systems?

I think the difference in my state is probably that public ranges have to most likely have the special bullet catching backstop. I have only fired on a few indoor ranges open to the general public. The two things I noticed about those ranges are that you have to shoot their ammo and it is jacketed. They both had the special bullet catching backstop that is angled. Also, I think I read somewhere that their ammo (indoor ranges) had less powder and therefore the loads were not as powerful. I originally thought they did that to make more money, however it may have been to control the loads on the range. They don't want someone with super charged handloads coming down on their range.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"You think that indoor ranges have flat concrete backstops?"

One other thing, I take it that you only shoot at indoor ranges open to the public, not indoor ranges owned by gun clubs. At those ranges (mine and others I've gone to) I've only shot lead there which is what I prefer...

[Niteranger68]

Damn! I love my rifle/pistol range! Outdoor...covered...electricity...water...no ammo restrictions...no range officer.

[TXnMA]

Voice of experience: "Don't use a cheap plastic tarp for catching brass -- unless you like cleaning melted plastic off of your brass..." '-}

[Redbob]

" If you want to meet the bullet you shot out of your pistol, fire a jacketed 45 against a concrete backstop...."

Horse manure!

They flatten out just like the cast lead ones.
How thick do you think that jacket is???

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Horse manure! They flatten out just like the cast lead ones."

It's not horse manure. Bullets have the possibility of richocheting back. That is why, unless your indoor range has the special bullet catching backstop setup, the range will only allow lead bullets. You need to go on youtube and watch all of the videos that show people (and most of them are outside even) who shoot a round and have it richochet back and hit them. Here's one for you....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPZyBLv0ijc&feature=related