Anyone using lead shot for casting?

[aric84]

Been getting tired of the smoke and mess of melting wheel weights and have been thinking more about purchasing clean alloys for casting instead. I want to try the Hummason extra hard shot for casting. I currently cast primarily for 38spl, 45-70 and 303.

Has anyone had luck using the alloy straight or does it have to be cut with pure lead to be soft enough? I plan to add about 2 to 5%tin to the mix and not heat treat nor waterdrop.

In the future I may also plan to try ordering bulk alloy from a supplier depending on price if this does not work out the best.

 

[gnmontey]

I asked the very same question on this forum about a year ago. The consensus was that shot is too hard. It needs to be cut with pure.

M

 

[aric84]

Okay, that's doable. I have a partial bag that I can try out and work from there.

 

[nowarningshot]

Lead from wheel weights is super cheap, even linotype or old bathtub/flashing is reasonable. Lead shot unless your getting recovered stuff from a range is now pretty pricey.

Probably better off selling the shot, using the cash to buy better casting alloy.

 

[aric84]

Problem is I don't have the time to go driving around looking for it and melting it down is a smoky mess.

Even with the price of shot, I am way ahead of store bought bullets: 60 ish dollars for a 25lb bag will yield about 1100 158 grain bullets.

I'm going to try and get a quote on premizlxed alloy from a supplier as well, likely 20:1 tin and see what the cost per pound is for a 1000 lb order.

 

[Snider shooter]

I use shot salvaged shells that are rusted out , people gave them to me. Works good a 1 to 4 mix with WW hardens up mix good.
lead and Linotype can be bought from scrapyards as an option. At the price of shot and time involved you would be better off buying from a commercial caster.

 

[f55]

I have used lead shot (straight) for making slugs and some 9mm, it works fine for me.

Only down side is price, but if that not issue go for it. Try making some without cutting it and see how they shoot.

 

[Boolitcaster]

I use reclaimed shot for casting buckshot and sometimes to harden softer lead. It works great.
I never buy it though, as I can gather it from old and corroded shells, or screen it off shotgun ranges.
It is time consuming to gather off of ranges, so I have gone mostly to using Linotype which I have about 400 lbs of.

 

[coreyd]

I use a 50/50 mix of Hummason shot to pure lead for my 500 S&W bullets. It seems to work out well.

 

[bibatoad]

I have several hundred lbs. of hardened lead shot left over from when I shot trap, I cast 8x57, 30-30, .45acp, .44 mag and 45/70. Just add a little bar solder to your mix, makes great bullets.

 

[LUTNIT]

I've used quite a bit of Hummason shot for casting and never had issues. Pistol and rifle.

 

[vagrantviking]

Western Metals and other places will sell more appropriate alloys but you will probably want to look for something in your area to keep the shipping reasonable.

I get a lot of pure from scrap yards under $1/lb. Harder metals can be bought to mix.

 

[aric84]

Great info guys. I'm going to try some out for my 38 spl loads for now and check in at a local scrap dealer to see what is available.

 

[Bassmaster]

I have several hundred lbs. of hardened lead shot left over from when I shot trap, I cast 8x57, 30-30, .45acp, .44 mag and 45/70. Just add a little bar solder to your mix, makes great bullets.

Yup.....I'm using aboot 3/4 pot of WW with a healthy handful of #8.....30-30, 38-55, .308, .233, 45-70, slugs...etc