Recalimed Lead Shot

Duffy · #1 10-01-2012, 11:41 AM

Greetings, all.

Has anyone here ever reloaded shotshells using reclaimed lead shot, specifically from Lead Recovery Systems, of Burton, MI? See link to site: http://leadrecoverysystems.com/LEAD%...FOR%20SALE.htm

Given the price of lead, I am looking around to other sources for shot without going bulk. Unfortunately, the clubs with which I am familiar in NE Ohio--including the one to which I belong--do not sell shot, so I cannot use that angle. Internet reloading boards are replete with horror stories of reclaimed shot with barrel-damaging foreign matter, but I am led to wonder whether that condition is true of all reclaimed shot sources?

Anyway, before I buy a few bags, I wanted to run it by anyone here who may be familiar with reclaimed shot use and would be willing to offer legitimate advice, or warning.

Thanks in advance.

skeet · #2 10-01-2012, 12:41 PM

I have used reclaimed quite a bit in the past..Bought a 55 gal drum full last year...locally. I didn't use it as shot though as I have a couple of Littleton shot makers. I melted it and made 8s and 8 1/2s. I had maybe 15 lbs of sand and some very small pebbles mixed in. But it WAS a lot of lead. I bought it for 16 bucks per 25..melted it and charged 30. Shot here is 38-40 right now. If you use reclaimed..don't expect great scores in Trap shooting. But it works great in skeet. Not saying you can't use it for trap..but the shot is not really round and it loses some size to the weather...especially where it rains more than here in Wyoming. We've had almost 2 inches all year this year..including last winters snow. Never dealt with the company you listed.

FIJI · #3 10-01-2012, 04:31 PM

I'm just south of there

If you can work out a deal with them I may be able to deliver on my way south in a few weeks

Dan Morris · #4 10-01-2012, 08:24 PM

I've shot thousands of rounds of this stuff and never has a problem.Gun Club i was in back in Texas usta byr it by the ton.We were getting it from Gene Sears Supply in El Reno,Ok......don't know if they are still active.They sold it under Hawk brand.
Dan

Rapier · #5 10-08-2012, 10:30 AM

Skeet,
That was exactly what I was told by our Trap and Sporting Clays shooters that I shoot with when I asked about the reclaimed shot. Reclaimed is OK for skeet shooting where the distances are pretty close. However it is not great for Trap or Clays on longer shots.
Ed

skeet · #6 10-08-2012, 12:01 PM

Ed as the shot lays in the ground it oxidizes and when polished later by the reclaimers it ends up smaller and since most isn't really all that round anymore..it doesn't hold great patterns. Skeet shooting doesn't require great patterns at longer ranges..so it works for skeet. The local trap club back in Md had their shot mined..and wanted to keep their part of the money as shot for the members.. I argued the opposite..and when they saw the resulting shot..they took the money. Some of the (older)shot that is mined has shrunk to the sizes of 10 and 11 after polishing. It did turn out good shot on my Littleton shotmakers. I had a friend give me almost a ton of Magnum BBs 2 4s and 5s. I am about to turn it all into 8's I think..and put it back in the original bags. Shot is ridiculous in prices now..even my wholesale is over 32 bucks