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Reclaimed shot - is it worth the savings?

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Dealga

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
I formerly loaded reclaimed shot, but became increasingly paranoid regarding grit and other debris that may be mixed in but almost undetectable. Performance-wise I noticed no difference on the skeet field, but breaks were definitely weaker on the trap field. I ended up selling the remaining stash of my reclaimed bags and reload exclusively with new magnum shot.

Plenty of folks shoot reclaimed reloads without issue, but removing every bit of dirt and grit (removing steel should be relatively easy) from the shot must be a monumental undertaking. Once graphite is applied everything is dark gray, and debris is difficult to differentiate from shot. I have read of some users of reclaimed shot who have had their barrels "scoured" by debris after thousands of rounds. Is the savings worth the risk (and decreased performance)?
 
#4 · (Edited)
Were getting 3750 lbs. delivered tomorrow by Lead Miner (Terry). Cleaned, polished and graphite is the key difference. I give it an extra tumble in my polishing system if it sits to long, as it seems to oxidize slightly faster than new shot. 1 oz. at the 16 yd. at $28.75/ 25 lbs. is not any different than 1 oz. of new shot at $42.00/25 lbs., you still have to center them to guarantee a broken target.

Once that new shot leaves the barrel it has become the shape of reclaimed before it gets to the target. Just have to make sure the dirt/grit is completely removed once it hits the ground.

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#5 ·
KS-5 Spec. said:
.....I give it an extra tumble in my polishing system if it sits to long. 1 oz. at the 16 yd. at $28.75/ 25 lbs. is not any different than 1 oz. of new shot at $42.00/25 lbs., you still have to center them to guarantee a broken target.
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Since I can get new shot for $35 or less a bag, I will not shoot reclaimed. Especially not if you need to add an additional step!

I once bought 5 bags of shot for $20 a bag, back when I was shooting a browning. Not taking a chance on Kolar, K-80, and Perazzi barrels!
 
#6 · (Edited)
Not worth it to me... there's no place east of the Mississippi and north of I-10 that I've been able to find reclaimed that's
  • not mostly pellets that are indescribable geometric shapes, and/or
  • not eroded to the point where they've already changed sizes several times on their way to becoming indescribable geometric shapes, and/or
  • not keeping company with a equal number of pellet-sized bits of abrasive minerals much harder than the steel my barrel is made of
 
#8 ·
I shoot at a public range. The reclaimed guy was asking $35 a 25lb bag last year. This year a vendor is selling new for the same price. Stocking up to last a good while since other posts here suggest the price of lead may be going up. I will always prefer new for the peace of mind it provides.
 
#9 ·
You can save about $8.00 a bag shooting reclaimed where I am. We get 355 shells loading 1 1/8oz. of shot per bag (25 lbs) so that's a savings of just over 2 cents per shell or 56 cents a box. My barrels are worth more than that to me so I don't shoot it. No one can claim it's 100% free of debris and rocks unless it's melted and made into new shot.
 
#14 ·
I've seen reclaimed lead for as cheap as $25 per 25 lbs, which is dirt cheap (pun intended). This is fine if you're trying to keep cost down and only using the reloads for singles and doubles. Round BBs are important for handicap.
 
#15 · (Edited)
XP100 said:
How much of the shot even touches the barrel? It looks to me when I load the shot is all inside the plastic wad and will not touch the barrel.
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How much of the shot has to touch the barrel before becomes just an expensive tomato stake?
 
#16 ·
MAH66 said:
Not worth it to me... there's no place east of the Mississippi and north of I-10 I've been able to find reclaimed that's
  • not mostly pellets that are indescribable geometric shapes, and/or
  • not eroded to the point where it's already changed sizes several times on its way to becoming indescribable geometric shapes, and/or
  • not keeping company with a equal number of pellet-sized bits of abrasive minerals much harder than the steel my barrel is made of
Click to expand...
I agree. The trade off is not worth it. My supplier will have Lawrence magnum on sale for $32 a bag during their truckload sale at the Grand. I simply put money back and wait for the sale then buy a years worth of quality shot.
 
#17 ·
I blend it: 3 bags new to 1 bag Reclaim.....yes it takes a bit of work, but I have time in the winter months to do so. Mix it in a 5 gal bucket, scoop out what I need and load it into the PW-800.

Seems to work fine, and I always thought the Wad kept most of the shot BB's in the Wad column until it left the barrel.
 
#18 ·
la angler said:
Not worth it to me as I can buy shot for $35 a bag
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It is to me at $26 @ bag. I shoot a lot of reclaimed at the local 50 bird shoots and for ATA Singles. Never had any problems but then I only shoot it through my old rusty Krieghoff`s and Beretta`s. Once in a while the other old rusty guns get the same reclaimed shot treatment.
 
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