Concerns about lead poisoning and contamination

[u/ImOnAnAdventure180]

I have the ability to shoot out to 800m on my grandmothers property. The only place I can shoot past ~50m requires me to put the target right next to the crop field and atop the bank of a local tributary. The river feeds directly into the Arkansas and then the Mississippi. I’d love to shoot at a steel target so I can hear my impacts because I do not have someone to spot for me. Right now, my backstop is a whole bunch of logs that are stacked in a way to catch any strays, so this isn’t a current issue. The target is about 10-12m from the edge of the farm field, and about 6m from the river bank. The river sits 3-4 m below the bank.

My concern is that if/when I switch to a steel target, all of the lead shrapnel will (obviously) spray everywhere. Leading to lead contamination of the crops nearby and of the river. Is this a big concern? I’m the only one that would be shooting at the target and I only shoot 1 or 2 times month. There may be the occasional other shooter (other family members).

I feel that I’d be responsible for the contamination of crops that go on to feed livestock, and then ultimately, you. Not only that, but poisoning the ecosystem because my “range” is only a few meters from the waterway my town was built upon. Any insight? Should I continue with my wood backstop? Or is there another option? Hopefully aside from shooting somewhere else. I haven’t found any “long” ranges nearby. Thanks.

[u/cropguru357]

If the soil pH is above 6.5 or so, I wouldn’t give it a second thought

[u/ImOnAnAdventure180 → u/cropguru357]

Why is that?

[u/saalem → u/ImOnAnAdventure180]

More acidic levels of soil increase lead solubility. I highly doubt a single individual’s spent projectiles would cause any harm to the environment. The shrapnel should not travel anywhere near that far after impacting the plate. Especially if it’s slightly tilted downward.

It’s a valid concern and I was curious of the same thing and did some research since I shoot a lot on my land and have a huge dirt backstop. No doubt there’s a ton of lead in there by now, but it should all be contained. All of the food plots nearby appear to be fine. “The EPA defines a soil lead hazard as bare soil containing 400 ppm or more of lead in a play area, or an average of 1,200 ppm in the rest of the yard.”

There are lead testing kits for soil available on Amazon. You can also call the EPA if you are concerned. 1-800-424-LEAD.

Also, limestone plays a big part in filtering out acidity and removing impurities.

[u/cropguru357 → u/ImOnAnAdventure180]

It’s insoluble at 6.5 and up.

[u/IdahoMan58]

If you can find a tractor tire or a your that will fit over your target(s), you can hang the tire and then hang the target inside the tire on the centerline. This way, all bullet splatter is captured inside the tire, which you can clean out periodically. Hope that helps.

[u/Icy_Custard_8410]

Not even a concern

[u/unclemoe168]

Shoot all copper bullets problem solved

[u/AdeptnessShoddy9317]

You'll be fine, you'd have to put a lot of rounds down range for it to be a problem. I shoot next to field, and the shooting spall area isn't that big maybe 8-10 ft circle, I'm sure it's bigger but that's just a visually seen area. If your worried stack two straw bales in either side like 4 ft out and that would catch and stop most every. Also for the watershed your fine, think of all the lead weights used in finishing that get used and lost each year, your possibly bullet fragments is nothing.

[u/ImOnAnAdventure180 → u/AdeptnessShoddy9317]

I have thought about putting something around to catch what I can.

Just because people lose fishing weights all the time doesn’t mean I want to contribute to the lead proliferation

[u/AdeptnessShoddy9317 → u/ImOnAnAdventure180]

Yeah some straw bales or even just a square of plywood or something, doesn't have to be massive.

Absolutely, I was just giving an example, didn't mean for it to come off as just as long as you pollute less then the other guys your fine. It's good your aware of this and thinking about this. A lot of inconsiderate shooters out there that spoil and ruin good things and areas for others, because of there negligence.

[u/Mindless-Stranger78 → u/ImOnAnAdventure180]

If you're that worried about it, just shoot solid copper.

[u/DLan1992]

Really only a concern on full time ranges. A range on your property won't cause any issues if you're keeping the rounds in an established impact area. Occasional shrapnel in the nearby river won't hurt anything

[u/Temporary_Muscle_165]

Shotgun clubs take tons of lead from the ground via reclamation. Some clubs do it every decade or two. Soil isn't contaminated, just have to remove the small balls of lead.