[AdamsRibs]

Wonder if any of you "home-made shot" folks have tried using
pickup lead from Pistol ranges for shot making? I understand
that when you melt down the bullets, those copper-jacketed
varieties (of which there are quite a few on our range) don't
create any problem, the lead just melts out and leaves the
jacket intact. How is the hardness of the resultant shot?
Pistol bullets vary in hardness, but the resultant mix over
a period of time probably doesn't change much. Just wondered
if anybody uses fired Pistol bullets for shotmaking????

AdamsRibs

 

[plinker61]

adamsribs,the last batch i made i went to 50%/50% with range lead &wheelweights,
i found out after patterning that the straight wheelweights from my 7.5 drippers was leaving a larger hole than 7.5 should have been after a check with my gauge it was comparable to a 6&7 shot size.,after weighing 1 1/8 th oz charge out i was 45-55 pellets short from what i should have had.
after the change i did get smaller shot,and it seemed to be of better roundness.
also i can now stretch out my wheelweights, im lucky enough to get all my lead for free,but the availability of range lead is better. havent tried it straight thouhg,i may have to give it a try.hope this helps,mark jones

 

[Dave P]

Let's hear more!

 

[plinker61]

the shot maker im using is a jim stewart,no adjustment for heat,ive been told that the hardness of lead will determine how the shot flows from the dripper,
the composition of factory shot is somewhat different than wheelweight lead.
and that by adding the softer lead(range lead with good alloys&.22 bullet alloys) to the mix you are reducing the surface tension of your mix, hence a easyer drop from the dripper&smaller shot.from what i seen on my last run im a believer,
mark jones

 

[AdamsRibs]

Good answers so far, has anyone tried pure bullet lead without
mixing it with wheelweights, etc.??

AdamsRibs

 

[plinker61]

y

 

[goosecall]

http://www.geocities.com/jstewart1934/My_page.html