I've been reading some old posts about reclaimed shot. I recently purchased a few bags of it and was starting to load it, but some of the posts have given me a bit of pause. I'm particularly curious about the idea of steel being in the lead.

I have no idea what percentage, if any, of steel is in this shot. For the sake of argument, I would assume very little. So if you have a steel pellet or two in a load with a plastic shot cup, what would be the concerns?

This stuff was $25/bag, and the local stores have shot currently at $50/bag, so there's incentive for me to shoot it, even though I'd rather shoot new stuff.

And in a second line of discussion - Any input on good pricing on new shot from the St. Louis, MO - Springfield, IL - If you are aware of any, please PM me.

If your concern is steel pellets in the reclaimed shot. Here's a quick way to check.

Pour the bag of shot into an aluminum turkey roasting pan. Then run a strong magnet through the shot. If there are steel pellets the magnet will get them.

Saw shot at a local gun shop here in north central WI for $40/bag yesterday. Cheapest I've seen it in some time.

If you're loading reclaimed shot to save money, fuggetaboutit.

Just buy a Remington 870, shoot the stuff through that and worry not.

We'll all feel better.

The price I am being quoted on import shot is $35/bag, fob Houston, ton lot one size.

bill

A rare earth magnet will find all steel shot easily. Drop the magnet into a 3/4 full bottle of shot and shake it or roll it for a minute. Then pull the magnet out. If there is any steel shot in the bottle it will be stuck to the magnet. Repeat if needed but I never have needed to do it twice. Total number of steel pellets recovered to date is less than a dozen. In the real world the chances of that few number of pellets causing a real problem is remote. I have loaded about 200 pounds of reclaimed shot so far with no problems.

Thx ky jon. That's what I thought, how could a pellet of steel in 200 of lead cause any issue.

I'm on my second ton of reloading reclaimed. Some like it some don't. I'll not trying to convince anyone to use it because there is always someone that will have differing opinion. I buy from one supplier that washes, polishes and regraphites. He also runs a magnet over it to remove any steel. Shot size is a combination of 7 1/2s&8's. I use it primarily for practice but have used it in tournaments with good success. Your mileage may vary. The last price I paid was a bit about a $1.08 a pound.

Ken, would you mind giving the suppliers name and location?

Joe,

He usually posts on trapshooter.com as Leadminer.
He travels all across the US and I generally try to catch him when he's coming through Tulsa. I normally buy a ton bulk at a time.

Best,
Ken