Lab tests to determine lead content in moderator residue

[Odd Job]

When I finally clean my A-TEC moderator, I want to find out what percentage of the residues (by weight) is lead in each of the six baffles.
Getting the residues into 6 little containers is the easy part. But I need these residues professionally tested. One private company I called, quoted me in excess of £600 to do it.

Does anyone here have any suggestions on how I can get this done cheaper? Anyone done anything like this before?

[Rarms]

What calibre?

Easy one would be stick it in water, shake it up and see what sinks?

[WelshShooter]

The easiest "scientific" way to do this is via ICP-OES or via mass spectrometer. Since lead is an element you can find out the exact mass composite as a percentage of the overall sample mass. You'll get an elemental breakdown from the results. We send coupons off in work for ICP-OES to determine the ratio of Calcium to Phosphorous atoms in hydroxyapatite. I am in the process of sending thirty samples off which comes to around £8,000 or so. That rate was based on the volume of samples I'm sending, so don't expect the rate for a one off to be the same.

Not sure whether you should care enough to spend that amount of money...

[Odd Job]

Calibre is .22, so it should be a well-leaded residue.

I am in the process of sending thirty samples off which comes to around £8,000 or so.

That would be a prohibitive cost, even when scaled to 6 samples!

[Chuck]

Odd-Job: Can I ask - why? Serious question not a chain puller....., why do you need to know this?

[Odd Job]

I need to know because some manufacturers are claiming that the majority volume of residue is comprised of carbon. I dispute this because the residues as seen radiologically are quite dense, but it's not simple to make an outright assessment based on radiographs alone. Dense materials can mask less dense materials on the radiograph.

[Rarms]

I need to know because some manufacturers are claiming that the majority volume of residue is comprised of carbon. I dispute this because the residues as seen radiologically are quite dense, but it's not simple to make an outright assessment based on radiographs alone. Dense materials can mask less dense materials on the radiograph.

I would suggest that once you have done your expensive tests, they would simply say you must be using the wrong type of ammo, or a similarly get out type excuse.

In my experience though they are probably correct. .22lr is a very dirty round.

[WelshShooter]

If there does happen to be a higher concentration of lead left in the baffles, what will that prove? Or better still, what would you expect the manufacturers to do about it?

The results could vary based on a number of factors. The ammunition used would be a high level factor. As Rarms mentioned they'll probably tell you you're using the wrong ammunition.

[Odd Job]

If there does happen to be a higher concentration of lead left in the baffles, what will that prove?

It will help correlate the radiological appearances with the degree of leading in the baffles.

The ammunition used would be a high level factor. As Rarms mentioned they'll probably tell you you're using the wrong ammunition.

I don't think there would be accusations of wrong ammo being used. It is more an academic question. In any case I have only used three types of ammunition, and of those they have been from one batch so far.

[ovenpaa]

What about chemical test kits for lead although I am not sure how quantitative they would be. You used to be able to buy kits for testing for lead in paint.