In a shotgun, it's less of an issue. There's a "wad" protecting the base of the shot load. And, a lot of states have outlawed lead shot. The federal government bans it in certain areas. Spez: but, the primer may contain lead.

For rifle and handgun ammo, the risk of lead exposure is not handling the ammo.... it's the small amount of lead at the base of the bullet that is shed by the powder charge (spez: and the primer). Depending on what you are shooting, that ends up all over your hands, face, clothes, etc. And if there isn't good ventilation, you inhale it.

Wash your hands or use wipes before handling food -- preferably soap/wipes specifically designed to remove lead and other heavy metals.

There is ammo (and bullets for self reloading) with a "total" metal jacket, which completely encases a bullet with a metal jacket:

https://ammo.com/bullet-type/total-metal-jacket-tmj

To make it more confusing, "full" metal jacket (FMJ) usually refers to a bullet I describe above: lead at the base of the bullet is exposed.

In a shotgun, it's less of an issue. There's a "wad" protecting the base of the shot load. And, a lot of states have outlawed lead shot. The federal government bans it in certain areas.

But for rifle and handgun ammo, the risk of lead exposure is not handling the ammo.... it's the small amount of lead at the base of the bullet that is shed by the powder charge. Depending on what you are shooting, that ends up all over your hands, face, clothes, etc. And if there isn't good ventilation, you inhale it.

Wash your hands or use wipes before handling food -- preferably soap/wipes specifically designed to remove lead and other heavy metals.

There is ammo (and bullets for self reloading) with a "total" metal jacket, which completely encases a bullet with a metal jacket:

https://ammo.com/bullet-type/total-metal-jacket-tmj

To make it more confusing, "full" metal jacket (FMJ) usually refers to a bullet I describe above: lead at the base of the bullet is exposed.