Free Ammunition

Alternative tests for the identification of bullet holes and testing for close range shooting will need to be devised as the use of lead-free ammunition increases.198... 

A selection of lead-free ammunition was dismantled and analyzed and the results are given in Table 23.2. 

Anticipating its use in casework it was decided to look at the nature of discharge particles from lead-free ammunition. Typical results are presented in Table 23.3. 

Table 23.2 Analysis of Lead-Free Ammunition (Continued)... 

Table 23.3 Discharge Particle Types from Lead-Free Ammunition...

Our results show clearly that many shooters have high blood levels some of them are still exceeding threshold limit values for lead exposed workers. Especially for younger women there is a high potential risk if they become pregnant. So there is a clear need for improving the situation whether by use of lead-free ammunition or by better ventilation systems. ... 

Fuzes contain safety devices that tend to prevent functioning until after the fuze has been subjected to centrifugal and setback forces, after the round is fired. In the so-called bore-safe fuzes, the path of the explosive train is interrupted so that, while the projectile is still in the bore of the weapon, premature expln is prevented should any of the more sensitive fuze elements (such as primer and/or detonator) start to function. Interruption is usually achieved by inserting out-of-line components or interrupter blocks or slides. Although this leaves the fuze in an unarmed position, it would not be considered safe in handling or shipping, unless the fuze was not provided with safety devices such as safety wires or cotter pins. These outside devices must be removed prior to inserting the fuzed round of ammunition into gun barrel, but the fuze will still be unarmed because some of its inside parts are not free to move to their proper positions so that the fuze may operate in its intended manner... 

Renovation and Salvage. Similar to regulations outlined under "Trench Mortar Ammunition", with the exception that bouchons and firing mechanisms are not ten ova ted or salvaged unless directed by the proper authority Destruction. For offensive hand grenades and and rifle grenades, not more than 40 grenades shall be packed in close contact with each other in a box and the ensemble placed in a pit, about 4 ft deep, free from stones or other... 

The residue on the surface of a discharged bullet appears to originate from the base of the bullet itself, from the primer, and from inorganic additives to the propellant. Firings numbered 8,21,34, and 35 had lead-free primers yet lead was detected on the perimeter of the bullet holes. Ammunition with barium-free primers gave barium on the perimeter. 

To clarify the situation it was decided to investigate the possibility that the antimony originated from the bullet. Discharge residue particles originating from ammunition with antimony-free primers and antimony-hardened bullets were examined for the presence of antimony. Results are given in Table 20.14. 

Table 20.14 Discharge Particles from Ammunition with Antimony-Free Primers...

The nylon-coated bullets from Smith Wesson and the Geco TMJ bul-let/new primer composition, although effective in markedly reducing the lead levels, did not totally eliminate the problem. In 1983, Dynamit Nobel introduced 9 mmP caliber ammunition with a TMJ bullet and a primer free of lead, antimony, barium. The new primer type was called Sintox. A typical Sintox primer composition contains 15% diazodinitrophenol (DDNP) and 3% tetracene as the explosive ingredients, 50% zinc peroxide as the oxidizer, 5% of 40-pm size titanium metal powder, and 27% nitrocellulose as propellant powder.202 As expected, other munitions manufacturers eventually introduced similar ammunition, some with primers that were lead free but containing antimony and barium and others free of lead, antimony, and barium. The objective was to produce ammunition which performed satisfactorily in every way and did not produce any toxic product on discharge. 

L. Gunaratnam, and K. Himberg, The Identification of Gunshot Residue Particles from Lead-Free Sintox Ammunition, Journal of Forensic Sciences 39, no. 2 (March 1994) 532. 

W. Lichtenberg, Examination of the Powder Smoke of Ammunition with Lead-Free Priming Compositions, Kriminalistik (December 1983) 377. 

Air contamination with health-impairing pollutants gave rise to the demand for sport ammunition free from lead, barium and mercury. 

Lead tricinate, -> tetracene, -> Barium Nitrate, lead dioxide, antimony trisulfide and calcium silicide. These components meet all requirements currently applied in ammunition technology. SINOXID compositions feature very good chemical stability and storage life, they are abrasion-, erosion- and corrosion-free and ignite propellants with precision. 

The environmental issue has impacted the production system, accelerated the obsolescence of old technology of primary lead production from its ores and triggered the research of new products with lower lead content or absolutely lead-free.Therefore, pigments, paints and anti-detonating compoimds are now lead-free, while the lead content of hunting ammunition has been significantly reduced. 

AFIOH (Air Force Institute for Occupational Health). 2008. Lead Free Frangible Ammunition Exposure at United States Air Force Small Arms Firing Ranges, 2005-2007. IOH-RS-BR-TR-2008-0002. Air Force Institute for Occupational Health, Brooks City-Base, XX [online]. Available ht //www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc AD= ADA487506 [accessed Dec. 19,2011]. 

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