substitute for commercial lead shot?

[davinci]

I'm considering getting into casting bullets for my 45acp and 9mm rounds due to the cost of lead bullets lately. I figure it will cut my costs in half or less with lead being about 60 cents per pound at my local scrapyard.

This doesn't help with shotshells. I would like to load shotshells for cheaper as well, with a 25# bag of shot at around $40 or more nowadays, I'm thinking there's got to be an alternative. I can't think of a way to cast lead into a shot sized ball.

Is there any other source outside of the commercially availble "shot" that could be used for casual clay shooting? I don't know much about the industrial uses for small ball-bearings or anything spherical. Is there any other kind of ball bearings or something else I could use as a substitute?

I also have a cylinder bore 12 gauge we shoot occasionally for fun. slugs and buckshot alternatives would be helpful for that if you have any information in that arena.

Thanks!

 

[katastrof0]

I can't think of a way to cast lead into a shot sized ball.

http://littletonshotmaker.com/

BB John

 

[Jim Watson]

Ball bearings and BB airgun shot are harder than the average shotgun barrel and would score it badly. Steel birdshot as required for duck hunting is very mild steel and loaded in a very strong wad cup. Not cheap, either.

Best look into the Littleton.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Skittles?

 

[PointOneSeven]

Skittles?

Egad!





Too bad sand is an abrasive, because what's cheaper than dirt??

 

[jmorris]

When the local Academy had 12ga dove load on sale for $2.99 a box ($119.60 per 1000) this past season I stocked up. Even if you had lots of time on your hands, you would never recoup equipment costs. For 1000 shells your looking at $36 in primers $51 in powder & $48 in wads. You are at $135 per 1000 ($3.38 a box) BEFORE hulls, shot or equipment/time. If you are looking to reload for waterfowl there is money to be saved there but not much as non-toxic shot is more expensive than lead and your not going through 1000’s anytime soon.

 

[davinci]

jmorris: have you checked out www.powdervalleyinc.com? it may save you some reloading costs.

 

[jmorris]

indeed, $15.20 for wads, 37.81 for powder, $28 for primers, $20 hazmat fee gets you to $101 + shipping before shot and hulls. Still going to take many rounds to recoup costs. Shot shells are just not the same as say 45acp interms of savings. A shot maker is going to run about $375 (http://www.magmaengineering.com/) more than likely $200 +- for your machine so if your only saving $20/1000 you need to load 28,750 rounds, just to break even.

 

[scout26]

If your only shooting for fun and giggles, you might also want to look around for reclaimed shot. Normally runs about 1/2 to 2/3 the price of new. Reloads and shoots about the same.

 

[davinci]

jmorris:
primers... WOLF #209 SHOTSHELL PRIMERS - per 1000 Yes $20.50
2 lbs of powder...REX1-02 * REX 1 2.2 LBS Yes $21.75
1000 (2 ea) CB1100 CLAYBUSTER 1 OZ 12 GA WADS (500)$7.60 * 2 = $15.20

that's about $56 + the cost of shot. Hazmat fee is $20, but if you're like me and order in quantity it doesn't hurt so bad.

I load my 45acp with commercially cast bullets for $7-$8 per 100. Walmart white box is $28 per 100. That's a third of the price. cast your own and it goes down to less than half the cost.

12ga shells at walmart are $16 per 100. even if I buy the commercial shot at $1.50/lb that adds up to 62.5 lbs or $93 per 1000. Still way too high for me to keep shooting.

I hate to say it, but if at 1.50 per 16 1oz shotshells, that's too much for me to keep shooting. I've got to find an alternative or give up the hobby. Hell, I could make money back by selling my shotgun.

 

[jmorris]

Sounds like you've got it really figured out, the link above is where to find a shot maker. Have fun and be safe.

jm