Good Lead Shot deal or no?

C

Clear Black

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So I have been researching getting into reloading shotshell for a number of months now. Im always running into the same problem as everyone else, the price of lead shot and how expensive it has become. So I was wondering where to shop around for the best deals for lead shot. What I would like to do is start to reload for my 20g that I use about twice a month when I go to the range and go trap shooting. Its not competition trap or anything, just a couple guys shooting from a spring slinger having fun, so shot loads dont have to be precise or hand loaded for accuracy. Currently we shoot about 100-150 rounds per session, so about 300-350 rounds per month. As of now, im buying #7.5 shot at walmart for $4.77/25 rounds, or roughly $.20/round.

So basically Im trying to calculate to some degree what I could possibly get my per round cost down for a 20g. Im sure this has been done by a number of you out there, and im sure at this point Ill be told it just isnt feasable anymore due to rising costs of supplies. I get it, I just thinking outloud I guess. My whole reason for typing this is because I found some lead shot online for about $1.87/lb. Its 2-25lb bags of #7.5 magnum shot for $94 shipping included.

MAGNUM LEAD SHOT #7.5 50 LBS FREE FREIGHT

Could anyone provide additional info on this lead shot, ie, good price? bad price? Not used for reloading, whatever. Also, has anyone calculated "about" how many 20g shotshells can be reloaded with 1lb of lead shot? Id very much like that info as well.

If anyone has links to retailers that they buy thier lead shot from for better than $1.87/lb could you leave a link please?

Thanks all
 
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buying in bulk is the way to save on reloading costs - and do not buy name-brand components. Use hulls you have, reclaimed shot, Nobel or Fiocchi primers bought by the 5000, powder by the 8# jug and clone wads from Claybuster or similar.

Doing that, I reload 20 gauge with a 3/4 oz load that smoke targets for about $3.00/per box - almost $2/box savings over wally world
 
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OK, whats the deal with reclaimed shot though? Each website I have found it on says not recommended for reloading, they say its for scuba weights or ballasts. It also states its a mix of #7 or 8 shot, is that ok? Can you maybe provide a link to where you purchase your reclaimed, unless you have some from your Local gun club. ty
 
Wish You had a LOCATION posted on your profile...would helpp with the advice.

Are there any LARGE trap or skeet clubs nearby? Any Clubs nearby that may host large shoots? Such as Regional, or State shoots? Out here in the West such shoots draw one or two components dealers,selling out of their semi...best prices available.

I'm still shooting $19 a bag shot from a few years back. Bought two tons IIRC.

I believe the going rate for shot here in MT is now $34 a bag or so. At Scheels or Sportsmans warehouse it's 1/3 more. Buying at a Club or regional components supplier is usually the best deal available.

FN in MT
 
I shoot in Scarborough, Maine. Actually one of the biggest clubs in New Enlgand. We host a variety of Trap and Skeet tournies every weekend. I think Ill shoot an email off to the head of that discipline and see if they sell reclaimed shot. Its doubtful seeing as they just renovated the skeet fields a few years back and Im sure I would have heard something about shot for sale at one of the meetings. Worth a "shot" tho :cool:
 
Clear Black - the answer to your question is that price is very high. They claim no shipping, but are charging $15 to $20 over that of any local reloading supplier. Local clubs often offer reloading supplies through their target suppliers, so check around locally.

There is just no way to ship heavy stuff like lead shot and be competitive with sporting goods stores, so check for suppliers that you can get to in person.

3/4 oz loads in 20 ga. - 533 rounds per 25 pounds.
3/4 oz loads in 20 ga. - 21 rounds per pound

1 oz loads in 20 ga. - 400 rounds in 25 pounds

If you want to save money, load light. 3/4 oz will break targets with authority, plus save lots of money.
 
We've been using the 20ga Alliant Powder loads in 3/4 oz (with Green Dot) and cutting the shot load down to 9/16oz for the last few years now. Ever since the spike in lead prices took off.

The best part, with the high price of lead,,you get 700+ loads from a 25# bag of shot. A real cost saver. 410 priced reloads in a 20 ga and much better performance.
We use ClayBuster 1078 wads as the recipe shows (another cost saver over 'mfg name brand' wads).

The loads burn just as cleanly as any we load. No loss in performance that we can see,,summer or extreme cold in winter,,they break birds just fine.

Though the shot load is the same as I load in my 2 1/2" 410 cases, it does pattern much better in the 20 gauge guns.

No blooper loads,,sharp reports all around and they function my brothers Ithaca M51 autoloader perfectly,,and thats a recoil op mechanism. That's the only semi amongst us.


You do have a bit of extra space in the hull with the lesser amt of shot in some of the hull/wad combinations.
We've been placing a piece of popped pop corn on top of the shot before crimping to make up the difference. No weight to speak of, certainly not nearly as much as the difference between the 9/16 and the original 3/4oz load. It just snow showers out the muzzle and the birds eat it. How green is that.

We experimented with the 3/4oz loads in 12ga, taking them down in shot weight also leaving the other components the same as listed by the reloading charts. But as soon as the larger bores loose the shot charge weight, imcomplete burning of the powder begins to be a problem though the shells do work and break birds fine.
No way would any work an auto loader and they burned very dirty unlike the 20ga loads above.

I've loaded and shot reclaimed shot in the past. It's usually a mix of sizes mostly 8 &9 with some odd ones thrown in. Slightly mishapened or not damaged at all, the pellets are usually washed and retumbled in graphite and sold.
A little dirtier to handle, but there's little of that to be done actually. If I could get it again at a substantial savings I would.
For my recreational, 'who cares what the score is' shooting, it was great and to tell the truth, little difference could be seen in performance.
It does come with a built in alibi though which comes in handy.

Any steel pellets in the mix when it's dug up are removed with
magnets. I never came accross any but that was a while ago. More and more locations are pushing steel use so perhaps it may show up in reclaimed shot but just my guess.


Just trying to save a few .02
 
2152hq said:
We've been using the 20ga Alliant Powder loads in 3/4 oz (with Green Dot) and cutting the shot load down to 9/16oz for the last few years now. Ever since the spike in lead prices took off.

The best part, with the high price of lead,,you get 700+ loads from a 25# bag of shot. A real cost saver. 410 priced reloads in a 20 ga and much better performance.
We use ClayBuster 1078 wads as the recipe shows (another cost saver over 'mfg name brand' wads).

The loads burn just as cleanly as any we load. No loss in performance that we can see,,summer or extreme cold in winter,,they break birds just fine.

Though the shot load is the same as I load in my 2 1/2" 410 cases, it does pattern much better in the 20 gauge guns.

No blooper loads,,sharp reports all around and they function my brothers Ithaca M51 autoloader perfectly,,and thats a recoil op mechanism. That's the only semi amongst us.


You do have a bit of extra space in the hull with the lesser amt of shot in some of the hull/wad combinations.
We've been placing a piece of popped pop corn on top of the shot before crimping to make up the difference. No weight to speak of, certainly not nearly as much as the difference between the 9/16 and the original 3/4oz load. It just snow showers out the muzzle and the birds eat it. How green is that.

We experimented with the 3/4oz loads in 12ga, taking them down in shot weight also leaving the other components the same as listed by the reloading charts. But as soon as the larger bores loose the shot charge weight, imcomplete burning of the powder begins to be a problem though the shells do work and break birds fine.
No way would any work an auto loader and they burned very dirty unlike the 20ga loads above.

I've loaded and shot reclaimed shot in the past. It's usually a mix of sizes mostly 8 &9 with some odd ones thrown in. Slightly mishapened or not damaged at all, the pellets are usually washed and retumbled in graphite and sold.
A little dirtier to handle, but there's little of that to be done actually. If I could get it again at a substantial savings I would.
For my recreational, 'who cares what the score is' shooting, it was great and to tell the truth, little difference could be seen in performance.
It does come with a built in alibi though which comes in handy.

Any steel pellets in the mix when it's dug up are removed with
magnets. I never came accross any but that was a while ago. More and more locations are pushing steel use so perhaps it may show up in reclaimed shot but just my guess.


Just trying to save a few .02
Click to expand...

All great info and Ill definetly be looking into the lighter loads now that I cannot find a decent price on lead shot. My problem is, that as big as m local gun club is, they do not have reclaimed shot for sale. In fact, I sent an email asking, and they said prob not for another 10-20 years will they be considering doing a lead recovery. Jeesh, Ill be dead by then :( Ive also exhausted google searches looking for local dealers of lead shot and came up absolutly with nothing, except for maybe Cabelas, and I wont be buying shot at their prices. I live in Maine by the way, not a good deal of reloading suppliers locally.

O well, the search continues next year I guess, maybe after my x-mas expenses are taking care of Ill look into lead shot dealers again. Til then, thanks for the great tips all.
 
Shot prices seem to vary between $35 to $50 a 25# bag right now around here. Depends on the seller, the brand, even the shot size.
I shop the cheapest. I'm shooting skeet mostly,,some S/Clays.
It's just for fun. If it was a serious thing, I'd probably buy my shells, but I just like to get out and shoot.

The last time I bought was 15 bags of #8's for $35.50/bag. That was a good price at the time (early summer). Prices go up and down alot.
I'd like to buy it at $10/bag again too,,,but it doesn't look like it'll happen for a while!

Grab a good deal when you can, load as cheaply as you can but still can get enjoyment (w/decent load performance) from your time at the range.
That's why you're out there after all.

If you travel at all, scout out some of the reloaders supply co's. that sell to the public. Check them out ahead of time on their web sites.

Sometimes it's worth a short side trip during the travel time to grab a load of 'stuff' at a good price as long as you are out and about.
Saves shipping but watch out you don't over load the family wagon with lead shot.
 
Clear Black,

Reclaimed shot from same supplier (rotometals) you mentioned above.

Should work just fine for your purposes.

"Its not competition trap or anything, just a couple guys shooting from a spring slinger having fun"
 
Go to Shotgunworld.com forums and ask your question there. Let them know your location as well.

As cheap as most trap and skeet reloaders are...someone closeby can probably help you out.

FN in MT
 
Reclaimed shot if graphited will work perfect for what you are doing. I am paying $55 @ 50# of reclaimed and use it for trap legue shooting. New shot around Green Bay is going for $40 a bag or so.
 
Clear Black said:
OK, whats the deal with reclaimed shot though? Each website I have found it on says not recommended for reloading, they say its for scuba weights or ballasts. It also states its a mix of #7 or 8 shot, is that ok? Can you maybe provide a link to where you purchase your reclaimed, unless you have some from your Local gun club. ty
Click to expand...


MY reclaimed came from my local club - we had our fields mined and got 40% to sell to members. Reclaimed can be anything from 9, 8.5,8, and 7.5 all in one. I wouldn't use it for registered targets, but for practice it works just fine.

Some reclaimers do not clean it well or remove all of the steel or rocks in it. Sweep it with a magnet if the reclaimers doesn't. Shot won't be perfect, but again, for practice, at half the price of new, lets me shoot a lot more
 
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