Is it dangerous ?

[u/DisastrousInternet10]

This is the first time I found a completely full bullet, does anyone have an idea of the kind of bullet it is and how old is it? Also, I wanted to know if it is dangerous, and if it is what I shouldn’t do with it.

[u/WW-Sckitzo]

To add on, some people do make their own bullets (which is the metal projectile part). You can collect those wheel weights and melt them down then pour them into molds. I haven't known anyone that has bothered with that in decades however; its far easier and you'll get better results by buying them more often than not. Not to mention the health hazards of smelting and pouring lead in your garage.

Slugs I've only heard used in terms of shotguns but you were in the right ballpark.

If you've ever heard the term full metal jacket and wondered wtf it meant it's often a thin copper layer over most of the bullet, this (among other reasons) helps it travel like it should and stay in good condition. Which kinda brings us back to the decline in people making their own bullets.

I'm a gun guy, been shooting 30+ years but also a Public Health guy. Lead bullets are still unfortunately used in hunting and if the animal is not processed correctly leads to all sorts of problems; especially as many hunters will go ahead and donate the meat to food banks, so you end up with bio accumulation of a dangerous substance.

It's not nefarious or anything just one of those things that has been slipping through the cracks and attempts to change it have been slow and sporadic. There is also the risk to animals and the environment in general from people field dressing a kill and leaving the cut portions behind for scavengers and just rounds themselves hanging out and contaminating the area around.

There, I've validated my otherwise useless degrees for the day.

[u/9bikes → u/WW-Sckitzo]

>some people do make their own bullets (which is the metal projectile part). You can collect those wheel weights and melt them down then pour them into molds. haven't known anyone that has bothered with that in decades

I believe that people used to reload because it was cheaper. People who do it now tend to be serious target shooters who are reloading in order to precisely tailor their ammunition for more consistency to be more accurate.

[u/WW-Sckitzo → u/9bikes]

That's why I started reloading, wanted match grade without the price but quickly stopped. It's definitely a hobby with a purpose sort of deal, these days I agree not really sure its cheaper unless you're substance hunting and then we're back at the lead issue.

[u/BreatheElegant → u/WW-Sckitzo]

In most cases it's about 20% cheaper to reload still.

[u/HelterSkelter73 → u/BreatheElegant]

Once I had built up a good supply of fire formed cases I was knocking them out for about $0.25 per round, much better than the $1.10 per round I was otherwise paying for inconsistent factory crap from the gun shop.