[Mirage-S]

A few years ago I acquired 130 bags of lead shot for free. they are mostly #8 and 7-1/2. most are magnum some are just hardened lead. I have been reloading with this shot now for a while and I have one issue that is difficult to solve so I am asking if anyone has a viable solution. since the shot is old is has oxidized. and when i load often times the shot, due to the rough texture, bridges in the shot drop tube of my Spolar and doesn't charge the hull, and sometimes drops after a few seconds and spills everywhere.

I tried graphite, which is expensive and doesn't coat the pellets like new shot, so that doesn't work. the best solution I have found which could use some improvement is this. I empty the bag into a 5 gallon bucket and spray the shot with silicone spray. I mix it with a paddle and let it dry overnight. this works OK, but I still at times get a hangup and some spillage.

Any suggestions?

 

[HSLDS]

Try CLR (http://www.jelmar.com/CLRbasic.htm) - ideally a small amount added to shot in a cement mixer - rinse with water when done. Should give nice, clean shot when done.

If you use it right away no real need to add graphite, but given your experience you might choose to use it on this shot.

 

[hmb]

Graphite is not expensive. You can buy enough to lube those 130 bags of shot at John Deere for $5. Use a cement mixer to get rid of the oxidation and add a teaspoon of graphite to lube the shot. HMB

 

[Mirage-S]

when you guys say "cement Mixer" what exactly are you talking about? the big tow behind the truck mixer?

 

[Macdaddy]

use the small harbor freight type...around $100....or better yet use a rifle brass tumbler with the graphite used for grain drills.

 

[redfin1956]

i reload some very crappy old and reclaimed shot,i just mix it 50/50 with new stuff,no problems. joseph

 

[Bertmuss]

I've had the same problem with new shot that I assume wasn't protected from the weather. I dump the bag in my vibrating brass polisher with no media for 30 min and it knocks off all the oxidation. There is enough graphite already on the shot so that it looks like new when finished. Pour it through the wind outside if you want to get rid of the resulting dust.

 

[high 2]

Wow, I never thought of using a vibratory tumbler. I bought 1/2 ton of reclaimed a couple of years ago and it looks terrible. Not a problem though the Spolar, but it just ugly. I'll give it a try. Larry

 

[grntitan]

Electric Cement mixer. These can also be rented fairly cheap.

 

[Bertmuss]

A cement mixer doesn't fit on my small reloading bench, my brass polisher does.

 

[grntitan]

The guy is talking about over 1.5 tons of shot. I don't see a small brass tumbler as the practical tool for that job. That would be like digging a drainage ditch with tea spoon.

Just Say'n........

 

[elmo]

I did over 1000 lbs. in a tumbler. Could do about 50# at a time. Would load shells while the shot was tumbling. Takes very little graphite

 

[Mirage-S]

I agree, I wouldn't tumble the entire load I have, just a few bags at a time. but thanks for the suggestions. they all sound great. I'll give some a try.

 

[bigbore613]

Wear a mask around that dust!!!! Jeff

 

[HSLDS]

If you don't want to get an electric mixer you can get a 'foot powered' one... scepter 04239 7 gallon odjob mixer

See link

 

[Lead Miner]

I shocked at you trapshooters. By now someone should have told him that it was no good and that he should give it away to them to dispose of properly. So I will make that offer. Lol. Terry

 

[Mirage-S]

Lead Miner, I wasn't born yesterday or the day before

 

[20gaugegrouse]

If you use a vibratory tumbler you can put one of those dryer sheets in the tumbler and it will collect most of the dust.I put one in my tumbler when I'm doing brass and they really collect all the nasty stuff.

 

[Ross]

Also might help to clean the drop tube real good?????Ross Puls

 

[Bernie K]

The reason it hangs up is the taper at the end of the shot drop tube. I had the same problem. Cut the taper off with a wacksaw. The taper only makes it a little easer to put the wad on but it's no big thing without it.