Author Topic: Keeping fingers clean - cleaning pellets? lubing? (Read 5648 times))

drewciferpike · « **on:** January 17, 2013, 07:19:40 PM »

I'd like to hear from the heavy shooters, here, especially those that shoot springers regularly: How do you minimize the amount of lead you get on your fingers? Gloves? Those "pellet pens" I've seen? Last night was the first time I've ever fired a springer, and after only 4 pellets, my thumb and forefinger were grey. I was shooting CPHPs, but I'm assuming all pellets will be the same.

I've also seen a lot of back-and-forth on the issues of cleaning and lubing pellets. Because I have a new gun from MM that received a full tune, I'm not sure if I should bother lubing pellets. Cleaning and drying them, however, seems like a good way to minimize the amount of lead I'm painting on to my fingers.

Am I not thinking about this correctly?

amb5500c · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2013, 07:29:42 PM »

This subject has come up several times in the past. Most of the grey stuff that ends up on your finger is not lead but some form of a lube or antioxidizing agent. I cant remember ALL of the facts, but let it suffice that its nothing to worry about. Now, with that being said, I wouldn't suggest that you lick the grey stuff off of your finger.
Richard

OleTomCat · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2013, 07:34:26 PM »

I use a pellet pen, but it is more for consistancy and safety than to avoid contact with lead....

Injesting lead as an adult is not a major health concern, breathing vaporized or attomized lead is.....

Small children should not handle lead pellets....

The main reason I use the pen is that I don't like putting my fingers in the breach of a cocked springer....

thekid · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2013, 07:39:45 PM »

The dirtiest pellets are the crosmans...they make my fingers black.
When I wash them they oxidize faster, not a big fan of lubing pellets, find they become inconsistent.
Could be my lube, could be me.
I just use the good pellets for most of my guns, only the 34 .177, likes crosman pellets.

ac12 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2013, 10:51:33 PM »

I don't bother cleaning the pellets. Too much trouble for me.
Just wash your hands well after you finish shooting.

drewciferpike · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2013, 02:01:30 AM »

The combo of laziness and only buying the crosmans to use while I break in the gun has swayed me to do absolutely nothing.

I have a tin of JSB express 14.3 waiting,so I'll see how they do after a few hundred of the crosmans. I'll get some RWS domes and compare them to the JSBs, as MM tested the 14.5 domes, and they had the best FPS of the heavier pellets he tested (the 11.9 hobbies were higher, but I'm figuring I'll want a heavier pellet...)

thekid · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2013, 02:06:56 AM »

Quote from: drewciferpike on January 18, 2013, 02:01:30 AM

The combo of laziness and only buying the crosmans to use while I break in the gun has swayed me to do absolutely nothing.

LMBO...

drewciferpike · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2013, 02:43:06 AM »

...I figure it's better to be honest, instead of trying to look "cool" around the more experienced gunners with some half-baked, quasi-scientific-sounding excuse pulled from my bung:

"Well, uh... I've decided not to clean pellets because I've calculated that the combination of particulate lead, graphite, and antioxidants will effectively lube my barrel--all while using the graphite to scour both lands and grooves, leading to a balanced state of leading wherein I am not required to ever clean my barrel."

Mark 611 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2013, 10:22:43 AM »

I wash then lube with Ballistol! and have no ILL effects with pellets oxidizing or have dirty fingers!

charlesdias · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2013, 11:54:51 AM »

I´ve tried washed pellets, washed and home lubbed pellets, factory lubbed pellets in various air rifles with no sucess at all, including the famous Napier lubbed pellets.

I think as soon you wash your hands after a shooting session and avoid licking your fingers or something like that while shooting, it´s ok.

WHITEFANG · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2013, 12:41:10 PM »

There are several pellet lubes out there. AS Mark has mentioned ballistol is one of them. Here is and article on the topic of lubed pellets. https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/02/how-to-lubricate-pellets/
Kryteck is another one. Pick your poison and you be the judge to what works for you. Do a search on lubing pellets here on the forum. Don't think you are going to see any FPS gain but a cleaner barrel is nice.

Mark great video!!

Sqrl Klr · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2013, 04:19:04 PM »

I have a new pellet pen for sale in the classifieds here right now guys in case anyone would want it.

Using a pellet pen is much faster and easier. I wash pellets to get rid of the slivers so I don't get them in my fingers when handling them.

drewciferpike · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2013, 04:39:00 PM »

Jeez, I always move too fast: I just ordered a pellet pen, last night. Haha. I figure I'll epoxy a steel ring to the outside of the frame, and create some type of system that keeps it out of the way when I'm out and about, maybe even my old fishing retractor clippy-thingy (actual, scientific name, of course).

If I _were_ to wash pellets, how much time can they sit tight and happy before they start oxidizing to the point that we can actually see it, and it might be bad for a barrel? I figure with the gun being so new, there's no reason to lube.

I'm willing to be not-lazy, if there's a reason...

Bullit · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2013, 04:55:00 PM »

Well... I don't understand someone posting such antaganism, but whatever. I'll tell you I've handled lead for over 50 years.
The dust that comes off your pellets is most likely the releasing agent dust (lube), from manufacturing them. It's not lead.
Handling lead isn't as bad as the Govt started making it in the 90s. If it were gospel, us old fisherman should be dropping left and right by now. It has to get into your bloodstream over for an extended period, due to extensive exposure. Dry skin is a barrier.
Don't put them in your mouth, don't pick your nose, and wash your hands, just like your mom taught you, and you'll be fine.

Ol'DeadEye · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2013, 11:51:37 AM »

You can always "rubber up" if you're that concerned.
Drugstores sell little "finger condoms".
Waste of time and money if you ask me.
Carry some "wet wipe" towelettes.
Lead risk is waaaay overhyped, IMO...

condor22 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2013, 01:42:47 PM »

Quote from: Ol'DeadEye on January 19, 2013, 11:51:37 AM

You can always "rubber up" if you're that concerned.
Drugstores sell little "finger condoms".
Waste of time and money if you ask me.
Carry some "wet wipe" towelettes.
Lead risk is waaaay overhyped, IMO...

Here we go..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_cot !

drewciferpike · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2013, 02:09:20 PM »

Even better!

Joking aside, I'll just "suffer" through the finger-blackening Crosmans until the gun gets broken in. I'm not so much worried about lead, now that you've explained that the powder is more likely graphite and other antioxidants. I just hate black fingers, and will use a pellet pen to reduce that.

Ol'DeadEye · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2013, 05:54:56 PM »

That's why we wear jeans - to wipe our hands on...

Bullit · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2013, 07:28:29 PM »

Fogetaboutit....

mrb02334 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2013, 05:10:04 AM »

As a rule I wash my pellets, you would be surprised how much crud is left when your done. Especial if they are made in china. I dump my wash water into another jar and when I'm done let it settle for a 1/2 hour or so. Then you can see all the lead bust and lead slivers that have settled to the bottom of the jar. As for lube, after they dry I dump them on a clean paper towel and give them a VERY LIGHT dusting with silicon spray. Roll them around to get an even coating. let them sit until the silicone dries. Helps to keep your fingers clean, coats the pellets so they don't oxidize and adds a little lube for the barrel.
Has anybody else used silicone for pellet lube? What were you results?

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Keeping fingers clean - cleaning pellets? lubing?

Author Topic: Keeping fingers clean - cleaning pellets? lubing? (Read 5648 times))

charlesdias

mrb02334