I've been using 5 gallon buckets with rubber mulch for 6 or 7 years. I have to separate out the lead every couple months b/c the pellet traps get heavy.
Just shake em, lead goes to the bottom. Shake shake shake, remove the mulch from the top. Shake shake shake, remove the mulch from the top. After a couple times you're left with....lead, and tiny pieces of rubber mulch that'll burn off in the melting pot. Put the bulk of the mulch back in the bucket and your trap weighs 10# less!
No water, but I do use rubber gloves.
Once I've got the bulk of the mulch out, pouring the lead into a container is best done on a windy day. Most of the tiny pieces of mulch and paper and cardboard particles blow away.
Photos from clean outs, bout 4 or 5 months worth. I'm due again.
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