Kaukauna Sportsmen's Club, Inc.
Washing Up After Your Range Visit
“The range master at my shooting range told me I should wash my hands after shooting. Why do I need to do this if I am using full metal jacket bullets?”
The biggest threat is lead poisoning. It isn’t something you need to be afraid of, but it is something you need to be aware of. Modern ammunition uses lead styphnate primers. Sometimes you may get tiny lead particles shaved off the bullets too, but the lead from primers is enough that you need to take precautions.
Always shoot on well-ventilated ranges and obviously outdoors is the best. Never eat, drink, smoke, or touch your face with your hands while shooting, or afterwards until you have washed your face and your hands with soap and cold water. Avoid using warm water as it will open your pores and therefore allow for more lead exposure. If you take these simple precautions, you can shoot regularly for decades without elevated lead levels.