[jjohnson]

Well, I just used up my old case of BB shot in 12 gauge and was looking for more.

OMG, sticker shock :what: I was using an old case of copper coated lead high brass stuff that was 20 years old, and was about five bucks per box of 25 :eek:

I'm looking for LEAD BB shot in both 12 and 20 gauge - for varmints, so I don't want steel and can't afford the high tech hevi-shot type stuff. I'd even go a bit larger than BB, but I don't want to get up to the #4 buck. Yes, price IS a factor here, and I know I'll take a beating anyway, but if you kind folks have any suggestions, I'm all ears. I'm not looking for magnum ammo - just "business like" ammo for feral dogs and coyote.

Oh, by the way - I should have mentioned, I'm not reloading shotshells (at the moment), I was looking for loaded ammo.
Thanks in advance.

[ArmedBear]

Here's some shot. But are you looking for shot, or are you looking for shells?

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=397917&utm_source=nextag&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=9315

[boilingleadbath]

Midway has lead BB (or BBB, if you prefer) size shot for 17$/10 pounds
They don't have any lead BB loads. Or any lead BBB loads.
Obviously, just scanning midway isn't a terribly extensive batch of research, but:

You'll probably have to find a person who reloads, and have them assemble you some. Getting into reloading, for that matter, may well be cheaper than buying a couple boxes of the exotic stuff.

The alternative is steel, I suppose. Remington makes T-shot loaded stuff...
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=335961&t=11082005
(about .9$/shell)

[Virginian]

My goodness. I just did a search. It would appear lead BBs are no longer available. The end of an era.

[jjohnson]

Maybe you're right, Virginian.

I found a load or two - Fed still makes a 12 guage BB load.... but man, they're getting scarce. When I was a kid (okay, this was before fire was invented:p) it was common at the hardware store.

But then... hardware stores weren't Wal-mart, either.
:banghead:

Maybe I'll have to take up shotshell reloading, too. Good excuse as any, I guess.

[oletymer]

Steel shot requirements killed the large lead shot loads as most were used for waterfowling.

[Steve C]

Remington still lists BB lead loads on their web site http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshell/upland/express_extra-Long_range.asp

I've bought Federal Lead BB 2-3/4" 12ga shells at Cabela's in the last year.

They're around you just have to hunt a bit for them.

[Virginian]

I still have a few nickle plated lead #3s, #1s, and BBs sitting around in coffee cans from the good old days. I don't like the price, but I do have to hand it to the ammo makers, they finally did find a way to reach out there and touch them again. In less than 20 years even.

[icebones]

if the barrel and choke is steel shot approved, you could probably load copper plated steel core BB's for airguns in them.

ive never tried this so, i cant say for shure...

[Virginian]

You can buy plenty of shotgun shells loaded with Steel BBs, but they are a far cry from lead BBs.

[oletymer]

Don't use airgun BBs unless you don't care about your gun. They are much harder that steel shot made for shotshells.

[Onmilo]

+1 on not using BB gun BBs in a shotgun.
I have had to replace a couple of barrels on shotguns and do some other repairs when the intrepid owners tried Daisy BBs in AA wads to save money when steel shot loads first came out.

One of the guns was an old Model 12 Winchester with a Polychoke and it was no easy feat finding a replacement barrel.

[jjohnson]

Wow, thanks for the input, particularly on NOT using the copper coated BBs for reloading. I don't need THAT sort of problem. :barf:

Man, too bad one of the "low cost" loaders like Rio or Estate don't do lead BBs. My guess they could sell a bunch of them. I did find a couple of the BB shot (Fed, Rem) and ouch! They're as spendy as a tank of gas :cuss: these days. Okay, my old age is showing....:scrutiny:

I guess I'll have to take a close look at reloading shotgun shells. Been doing rifle and pistol since the advent of bow and arrow, so I guess it's time to do that, too. All this started looking at Varmint Hunter and seeing T shot for coyotes. I thought that was a great idea until I looked at the price :eek: and started looking for the BB shot instead....

Thanks again, guys, you're a great bunch!

[HB]

I have about 5-7 boxes that my great-uncle gave me that were left over from the old lead days. He gave me about 25 boxes of old shotshells and the majority are old duck and goose loads (lead 4's, 2's, and BB's) along with a lifetime supply of pheasant loads. Also included are some very old Peter's shells (but still plastic hulls). Deer meat and sausage for shells.... Good deal. He also wanted to give me a pair of boots without soles, but I declined:confused:

The BB loads pattern well and look like they would work better than #4 buck on close range coyotes and foxes. I'll give them a try a latter this year.

HB

[Old School]

Is there a resource that tells the measurements and weights for the common shot sizes?

[Virginian]

If you are about to get serious about reloading, you need to look at Ballistic products. With their help, I used to have some serious genuine 80 yard loads.

[ARTiger]

Lead BB is hard to find as it can't be used for waterfowling anymore. However, HeviShot is better and readily available. Nearly as soft as lead yet 20% denser.

[Jeff F]

Those leas BB loads = lots of dead coyotes out here. Hard to find but still can be found. By far my favorite pest control load.

[blitzen]

I remember the days of hunting geese with lead BB loads that my dad had a bunch of, about 30 years ago. Steel shot ended all of that as well as waterfouling for me. I guess the heavy shot they have nowadays is almost as good.
For what you want I would look at some copper plated #4buck. Not the super high velocity stuff because that just blows patterns but the 1250 fps stuff. It's good stuff, just be sure and pattern your gun with it.