this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2026
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Most gun owners use lead ammunition, yet half don’t practice hygiene behaviors after shooting (hsph.harvard.edu)
submitted 2 weeks ago by dacalla@lemmy.zip to c/science@lemmy.world
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[–] zabadoh@ani.social 12 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Lead being a soft material is a part of it too.

A lead bullet deforms on impact, getting wider, which causes more damage as it passes through flesh.

[–] diabeetusman@fedinsfw.app 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It also deforms in the barrel, allowing the grooves to impart a spin, improving accuracy

[–] frongt@lemmy.zip -4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

That's a property of the copper jacket, not the lead core.

[–] spankysalmon@fedinsfw.app 3 points 2 weeks ago

Nope. The core is the strength of the bullet. If it were steel, you can bet your ass that thin copper jacket is not going to magically allow the bullet to squish through the barrel.

[–] rabidhamster@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 weeks ago

Well, both really. As long as the metal is sufficiently softer than the steel of the barrel.

[–] acosmichippo@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

also easy to DIY lead bullets for cost and prepper types.