Where to find slugs and buckshot and cost for these?

Iron Sighted

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Hi all,

I've started to give thought to buying a reloading set up for making my own slug and buckshot loads and in looking around I have found everything(I think) as far as tooling and components go, but I haven't been able to find any slugs or buckshot for sale in my online searching so far. I'm trying to determine if reloading is going to be viable based on cost and availability and so far the projectiles seem to be the critical path. I've seen lots(relatively anyway) of target and field shot available but literalky no slugs or buckshot.

So far the Challenger 2 3/4" 1oz Tactical/reduced recoil factory loads at $30 for a box of 25 are the best deal I've been able to track down so I'm curious to see if I could do better reloading my own.

Thanks.
 
Sorry I can’t help with specific places but there are definitely people/places to purchase. ELLWOOD EPPS (site sponsor) use to carry buckshot & slugs but I think shipping would be pricey. I use to shoot a lot of slugs that I cast and in MY OPINION, you should either cast your own OR find a friend that casts. Before prices on powder went up, I could load LYMAN/LEE slugs for about $6/box of 25. Even if Prices doubled, it’s still VERY cost effective to cast/load your own. I haven’t purchased lead in decades because garages use to give it away so I had a good supply. I think the going price for lead is around $1+/lb and you’ll get about 12-13 slugs for that, depending on waste.
Sorry for the lengthy reply, if you can’t locate a cheap supplier, casting is the best way to go.
 
Thanks. I had thoughts about casting for years for my rifles and pistols but decided against it because I haven't been able to find a steady supply of lead. I live in a small remote Northern town that has one(maybe 2 now?) auto garages but I understand that most wheel weights nowadays aren't lead anymore anyway?

I suppose if I found a reasonably priced source within driving distance I could buy a few hundred pounds to ensure I had a supply for some time and enough to justify purchasing casting components.
 
Finding scrap lead is the easy part.
Check with the garages, post some adds on kijiji / fb etc. and before you know it you have enough lead for years.

There is more steel and zinc wheelweights nowadays but enough lead ones to make it worthwhile.
A 5 gallon pail wheelweights is 100+ lbs and will net at least 65 lbs of clean ingots.
If you paid 25 bucks for a pail it comes down to about $0.40 per lbs or 3 cents in lead for a lyman 525 slug.
 
The cheapest option by far is buying Score slugs on sale from Tenda. $170/case of 250. But I've been hearing of couriers being punk b!tches and not shipping ammo any more so that may be an issue.
 
Finding scrap lead is the easy part.
Check with the garages, post some adds on kijiji / fb etc. and before you know it you have enough lead for years.

I haven't had any luck at all finding anything for free. Apparently the local scrap dealer has dibs with the shops around here and Kijiji got me one bite after more than a full year, from a guy in Toronto... I'd really like to get on the free lead wagon.
 
OP, I fixed that problem by buying in bulk quantities. I got a bunch of 3Gun buddies and Club members willing to buy cases of slugs, buck shots and bird shots.

Long story short, I bought 2 pallet load from PrairieShots in Carberry MB. Very decent bulk prices. Ask them for the price list.
 
I see you're in the same area that I am. I have had the same zero luck inquiring around as well. If I can find a free or cheap source of I'll buy a casting set up but until then I just can't see the point in it. I'm all about trying to lessen the cost of shooting, I don't mind if it takes more of my time to reload/cast.
 
Thanks for the link, don't believe I've ever heard of Bilozir before.

I am waiting to hear back from a scrap yard/recycler nearby re: buying lead from them, if that fizzles out I may make an order with Bilozir.
 
I haven't had any luck at all finding anything for free. Apparently the local scrap dealer has dibs with the shops around here and Kijiji got me one bite after more than a full year, from a guy in Toronto... I'd really like to get on the free lead wagon.

why would you expect to find free lead if scrap yards pay for it?

Find out how much the nearest scrap yard pays and pay as much when you pick it up.
Saves them going to the scrap yard. If you bring some donuts after you got the first bucket will likely get lots more buckets.
 
why would you expect to find free lead if scrap yards pay for it?

Find out how much the nearest scrap yard pays and pay as much when you pick it up.
Saves them going to the scrap yard. If you bring some donuts after you got the first bucket will likely get lots more buckets.

I never said they pay but thanks...
 
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